"Careful, Roxas," Axel hissed to his mate as the Submissive slowly took off his shirt and slid it down his shoulders.
"What did you do to yourself?" Roxas asked as he looked at his Dominant's bandage-covered chest; something he had come to take great notice to these last few days.
"I didn't do anything," Axel groaned, watching Roxas' small hands carefully as he ran them gently up his slender chest and then down towards the new bandages at his knees. "It was that damn bastard Xemnas."
Roxas let out a hard sigh and Axel caught it. He knew the subject about the Dominant was still sensitive with the blonde, but Axel was still furious with him and he often wondered if he and Riku should have ended his life then and there, when they had the chance. He just hoped that wouldn't come back to haunt him and his family.
"Sorry to bring him up, Roxas," Axel apologized.
"You don't need to," Roxas said, keeping his rather dull eyes on the task at hand. "It's not you bring him up that's got me upset . . . it's what happened to you and Riku. The two of you were hurt pretty bad, and you're still healing."
"But we're still alive, right?" Axel informed, trying to get his mate to think on the brighter side of things for once. "We're the ones who beat Xemnas, not the other way around."
"Still," Roxas muttered with a sigh after finishing rewrapping Axel's chest.
"'Still' 'still' 'still'," Axel grumbled, rolling his eyes after putting his shirt back on. "Lighten up for once and stop dwelling on all the crap we went through to get you back."
"You wouldn't have had to go through that if I wasn't so weak," Roxas said, taking the dirtied bandages and standing up, getting ready to turn and go and wash them.
"You're a Submissive, Roxas," Axel explained, leaning back slightly as he looked up at the small blonde. "Your kind's always been the weaker."
"I know, but what about our pups?" Roxas asked, pointing towards the twins who were looking at their parents from their playing nests. "What if he had decided to suddenly kill them? What could I have done?"
Axel could see this issue was very serious for his mate. His tone was rising and his emotions were becoming more defined. Roxas was showing signs that he was upset, and by what Axel caught him say, he assumed it was at himself.
"He didn't though," Axel said, making sure Roxas remembered that and that their pups were healthy and very alive, after all, they were only a few feet away from them right now. "He just left them."
"He's done it before," Roxas said, his eyes falling down. "So . . . does that mean other Dominants do that to Submissives?"
"I don't know of anyone else but that bastard that does that," Axel said, standing up and looking down at his mate who seemed to be caught up in his dark thoughts that had come upon him as of late.
"There's others, I know it," Roxas said, his tone deep, but light.
"Seriously, Roxas, what brought this on?" Axel asked, cocking his head to the side to get a better look at Roxas' expressions. "Since this morning you've been like this. What's the deal?"
"It's nothing for me," Roxas assured. "I'm just concerned for the other Submissives or pups who've met someone like him. What kind of pain they'd have to go through."
"You don't even know if there's that many Dominants that do that," Axel said.
"It must be nice to have been born a Dominant," Roxas suddenly said, throwing Axel off a bit.
"What?" Axel questioned, shaking his head. "What are you talking about now?"
"Do you like having been born a Dominant?" Roxas asked, his bright blues looking up at Axel, his confused Dominant.
"What?" Axel questioned.
"Dominants are strong, they can practically do whatever they want—if they're strong enough," Roxas said. "If I were a Dominant, I wouldn't have to worry about being too weak to protect our pups."
"First of all," Axel spoke up, placing both his hands on his mate's shoulders, trying to calm his dark mind a bit. "If you were a Dominant, we wouldn't even be mated together or have pups. Second of all, stop worrying yourself to death. This is why I was born a Dominant." Axel then pulled Roxas close, wrapping his arms around him and laying his chin on his head. "I'll protect you and the pups, alright? I won't fail you, Roxas. Neither you or our pups. You hear?"
Roxas didn't say anything. He only nodded his head, but it was enough for Axel to smile, kiss his golden locks, and let the boy go to finish what he started out for.
"I'll go clean these for you, alright?" Roxas said and smiled only lightly as he looked at the redhead who gave him a bigger grin back before he turned and headed off.
"Alright boys," Axel clapped his hands as he turned towards his twins who where now looking solely at him. "Mama probably will want you clean for dinner so come here. I'm going to give you a bath."
Roxas sat down by the riverside and placed the dirtied bandages next to him. Letting out a sigh he proceeded with doing what he came there for. So, picking up the bandages, he set them in the shallow end of the water and watched them soak.
While he waited until the fabric was good and wet his mind went off again. Sure he agreed that Axel would protect him, but did Submissives have to be so vulnerable all the time? Did they always have to be the weaker of their race?
Sure he knew that during heat the Submissives become extremely submissive, but what about when they aren't in heat? Why can't they be just as strong as any Dominant? There were aggressive Submissives out there; he knew it because he and Ven had lived close to some when they were little.
Did being a Dominant mean you were automatically strong? There were passive Dominants like there were aggressive Submissives, so why were things so caste? Why did being born Submissive mean you could be beaten by any Dominant? Or why did being born a Dominant mean you could take on thousands of Submissives?
It just wasn't right in Roxas' mind.
Roxas understood that he was born Submissive. Roxas understood that he would always be under the Dominants. But he had never really thought about this issue until the stress of his capture by another was gone. Now that he was safe and sound home with his pups and his mate he couldn't stop thinking about this issue.
It just didn't seem so fair to him that Axel should be the only one with the responsibility of protecting their family. Roxas shouldn't just be kept in the caste of bearing the children. He was more than just the bearer.
The bandages were good and soaked now. Roxas had more than 30 minutes to dwell on these thoughts before his mind came back to the task at hand. Blinking out of his thoughts Roxas reached out and took hold of the fabric and began to scrub the caked blood out of them—Axel's caked blood.
Roxas let go the bandages after the thought and stared at them and the red substance on his wet hands. Axel had shed so much blood for him when all Roxas had done was give up on living. Not only Axel, but Riku as well.
Roxas never wanted for any of them to fight for him like that, but they did and that is why he loved them. Still, it was all because of his weakness that this had to happen. If, maybe, he were a little stronger then he could have fought his captor.
Roxas clenched his fists at the thought of Xemnas; the Dominant that took him away from his family. He wished Axel and Riku had killed the fucker, but they didn't, and for that he would never know why. But one thing was for sure: Roxas would fight to his very last breath if he ever came back for him.
"Excuse me, are you alright?"
Roxas blinked before turning to his left to find a Submissive standing next to him, jar in hand to gather water, but one hand touched Roxas' shoulder in a tender show of concern.
"What?" Roxas asked before looking down at his hands to realize he hadn't even finished cleaning the bandages.
"I noticed you weren't even touching them," The Submissive said, pointing towards the bandages. "Are you alright?"
"Y-Yes, I am," Roxas nodded, blushing a little at being caught in his thoughts like that, his hands quickly grabbing a hold of the bandages and scrubbing away.
"That's good," the pale Submissive said with a smile as he took the jar in his hand and turned towards the running water, dipping the jar into the flowing waters, away from Roxas' cleaning.
Roxas glanced at the light-skinned, light-haired Submissive next to him and watched one of his hands come towards his abdomen and rub. This gesture signaled the Submissive was pupped, though he wasn't showing at the moment.
"How far along?" Roxas asked, turning towards the older Submissive who turned to him with bright amethyst eyes and smiled sweetly at him before placing his jar of water down and holding his abdomen with both hands.
"I just found out today," he said, his tone full of love for the unborn pups forming inside him. "Though, I have yet to tell my mates."
"Mates?" Roxas questioned, later wondering if it was his place to question such a thing, but in all honesty—who has mate[s]?
The Submissive let off a light blush before nodding and settling himself on the ground more comfortably.
"Yes, my mates," the Submissive said, looking at Roxas with happiness. "I have two."
"Two?" Roxas questioned. "As in . . . two . . . Dominants?"
"That's right," the Submissive nodded.
"But how?" Roxas asked, cocking his head to the side, his mind now off his dark thoughts. "Wouldn't a Dominant, especially if it's a Dominant who's found a mate, wouldn't they—fight?"
"Yes," the Submissive replied with a nod. "I'm sure they would, but they don't, for me."
"I see," Roxas said with a nod. "Then, they must really care about you."
"They do," the Submissive said, looking back down at his abdomen. "Especially choosing the live together."
"Are they both aggressive?" Roxas asked.
"My second mate," the Submissive answered. "He's more aggressive than my first. I'd say my first is more passive than aggressive, but he can get . . . moody."
"I'm sorry with asking you this," Roxas said, waving his hand. "It's really none of my business."
"I don't mind," the Submissive said with a smile. "Most I encounter are confused and I understand. I don't think there's any Submissive like me who has two mates. I'm Cecil by the way."
"Hi, I'm Roxas," Roxas said, shaking the Submissive's hand and smiling at him.
"It's nice to meet you, Roxas," Cecil said with a smile. "But, you never answered my previous question: Are you alright?"
"I said I was fi—"
"Truthfully," Cecil said, his stare firm.
Roxas quieted before casting his eyes down.
"I can tell something's wrong," Cecil said. "Believe me, I would know."
Roxas looked at the pale Submissive before he watched him look down at his belly and sigh.
"I was a troubled Submissive before as well," he stated. "Because I couldn't get pupped, but I'm happy because I am now, because my mates will be happy as well. Now, I can't say yours is the same problem as mine, but it's hurting you, isn't it?"
Roxas would normally not talk to anyone about his problems unless it was his brother or Zexion, but this Submissive before him, he was so sweet and understanding that maybe, if Roxas told him what was wrong that he'd somehow help him. Maybe even make a suggestion for him.
"I'm conflicted," Roxas finally admitted.
"I could tell," Cecil let said, letting out a small giggle before nodding, signaling Roxas to continue.
"Not too long ago I was taken away from my pups and mate by another Dominant," Roxas said.
"I've heard about those, and been cautioned about ever meeting one," Cecil said, a frown on his face at the thought of those selfish Dominants.
"Yeah," Roxas nodded. "My pups weren't hurt, but he did try and kill my mate. He had done it to other Submissives who had mates and also left one of their pups to die. I was afraid for my own pups and mate, even though he's strong. I was eventually rescued and everything was well, but, I just . . . wonder why I have to be so weak? Why do I, being a Submissive, have to fall under every Dominant I run by?"
"That's what it is?" Cecil asked.
"Yeah," Roxas nodded. "My mate was hurt bad trying to save me, and so was his friend. I love them dearly for saving me, but I'd rather them not have tried to at all if it was going to put their lives in danger."
"I see," Cecil nodded. "Well, I was concerned for the same thing when I was younger and newly mated. Actually, my mate might have been a little more concerned. He taught me how to defend myself should something like that happen. I had never actually ran into any of those Dominants, but I have beaten a few in my day."
"You have?" Roxas asked.
"Of course, my brother is a wonderful teacher after all," Cecil said with a smile as he placed his fists on his hips in a show of pride.
"Brother?"
"Yes, he is my first mate," Cecil nodded.
"You're brother?"
"It is rather uncommon, I know," Cecil agreed with a shrug. "The parents weren't too happy, but we love each other."
"So is that why you couldn't . . . ?" Roxas didn't exactly know how to word it.
"Be pupped?" Cecil asked, finishing Roxas' unformed sentence. "I'm not sure. I don't think so because I'm pretty sure his pup is inside me right now."
"Then what about your second mate?" Roxas asked.
"His pup is inside me as well," Cecil nodded. "This I know."
Roxas only scratched at his head uncomfortably confused. Cecil only chuckled and sighed as he leant back against a tree and looked up into the blue sky.
"It's all understandable—why you're so confused," Cecil said, now looking at Roxas. "I think I'm still a little confused myself. But if you've lived through it, it's not so much if you think about it."
"I hate to let curiosity get the best of me, but I'm confused," Roxas said, scooting a little closer to his newly made friend. "Especially about how two Dominants can live together with one Submissive."
"Alright, then I'll tell you," Cecil chuckled with a smile, glad that the blonde Submissive can get his mind off the dark thoughts that were currently in his head by trying to picture his own family. "Well, it started I suppose when I was born. I was part of a litter of 3, I was the middle pup, but there was a litter before us, this one of 5, my brother, Theodore, being the oldest. Two more litters came after mine, but you really don't want to know about my large family."
"Were you parents mated?" Roxas asked.
"They were," Cecil nodded. "But I'm suspecting that father actually prowled other Submissives than just mother. Well, anyways, me and my brother were always closest from our other siblings and when I went into heat when I was 14, my brother was so concerned about the Dominants that'd prowl on me that I asked him to ease his mind and take me instead."
"I'll bet his reaction was funny," Roxas chuckled. "I've got a twin brother, he's a Submissive, but I'm sure he'd flip if I ever asked him something like that."
"Oh, he did," Cecil nodded. "But he took me and we decided to mate together. As I stated earlier, our parents weren't happy about this, but we loved each other and so just left the nest instead. It wasn't easy at first, but we managed. My brother is quite a strong Dominant and he made sure to always protect me. But then came the frustration of trying to pup me. When we decided we wanted pups together, they never came. And after years of trying we both knew to stop hoping for them."
"So you . . . cheated?" Roxas asked.
"No!" Cecil declined. "I would never do such a thing to my brother, my mate, my love. Instead we took a small break from the other. Not necessarily to find comfort in the arms of another, but just to breathe."
"But you did find comfort in the arms of another," Roxas pointed out, why else would there be two mates?
"I did," Cecil nodded. "But I never once let him take me. Kain was so very understanding and even though I knew he wanted to be with me I couldn't let him—because I already had a mate."
"So how did your brother and the other meet?" Roxas asked.
"Not on friendly terms, I'll tell you," Cecil eyed Roxas. "Kain came to our nest one night after my brother and I came back together from our break. It was foolish what he did, and I'll still tell it to him to this day, but I don't know how things would be now if he hadn't confronted my brother the way he did."
"What'd he do?" Roxas asked.
"He laid on top of me while I slept next to my brother and kissed me," Cecil said. "We had—shared kisses and touches before, but nothing more than feelings of comfort. My brother woke up and nearly killed him. Kain could hold his own, but not when my brother was that mad."
"Hmm, going into your nest, touching your mate like that. Yeah, I can understand why he was so pissed," Roxas chuckled as he counted off the wrongs.
"I managed to stop the two from killing each other and it was then that Kain confessed how much he loved me. Now I had no other choice but to tell my brother I had seen the other Dominant while we were separated. My brother was always so understanding of my feelings and so offered to actually let me go if I would just smile more and have the pups I've—we've always wanted."
"Then how—?" Roxas was still slightly confused how the Submissive continues to state he's got two mates, unless he still refers to his brother who left him as his mate.
Cecil held up his hand with a smile. If Roxas wanted to know he'd tell him. He'd just have to wait a little longer before he found out the answers.
"I loved my brother, too much to let him leave me, but . . . I also came to love Kain as well. This I told the both of them and that I wanted neither to leave. So, somehow, for the sake of me, the two Dominants made an agreement to share me."
"I don't like the sound of that word really,' Roxas said, narrowing his eyes and pursing his lips.
"That's because no one knows ho to use the word," Cecil said, holding up his index finger with a wink. "Once again, it wasn't as easy at first. There were fights and there was bloodshed, but they both loved me and I loved them. My last heat was our first time together. Now here I am, pupped and mated to two loved Dominants."
"It's still slightly confusing, but I guess as long as one and their mate, or mates, are happy then nothing else matters," Roxas said with a smile.
"Right," Cecil said with a nod. "So, will you and your family be happy, even if you let your weakness bother you?"
"Probably not," Roxas said, shaking his head.
"Well . . . if it's going to strain you from your mate and pups that bad, then how about I teach you a few things in fighting?" Cecil asked.
"Are you sure?" Roxas asked. "No offense or anything, but you're pupped. You could hurt yourself, right?"
"My pups are still quite small inside me," the white-haired Submissive said with a soft smile, glancing back down to his abdomen. "They won't be hurt if I move around a little."
"You sure?" Roxas asked.
"Yes, I am," Cecil said with a nod as he stood up and took the jar of water with him. "If you'd like to learn more on this matter, come with me to my nest. I don't live far from here."
"Neither do I," Roxas said. "But my mate will worry if I'm not back soon."
"Just say the stains were hard to clean out," Cecil giggled, pointing back down to the bandages that were long forgotten.
Letting out a groan, the youngest member of the Elders, Zack Fair, woke up with a sight before him. There, right in front of his eyes were two beaming pups. Both his, but one more so than the other.
"Lea, Cloud, what are you guys doing up so early?" the raven-haired Dominant asked as he rubbed his eyes and sat up.
"It's not early at all, daddy," Lea said, narrowing his eyes as he picked up the young blonde pup by his torso and stood up. "It's already passed noon."
"Really? !" Zack gasped, quickly looking up at the skies above to see the position of the sun was right where Lea suggested. "Gah, damn it!""
"Hrm, Zack, we talked about this: no cursing in front of the pups," Angeal groaned from where he lay next to him.
"No, you don't understand 'Geal, it's passed noon! We're going to be late for the Elders' meeting!" Zack exclaimed, waving his arms everywhere.
What? !" Angeal gasped as he too shot up out of bed and looked up towards the sun. "Damn it! Why didn't I wake up earlier? !"
"What happened to the 'no cursing in front of the pups'?" Zack asked, narrowing his eyes as he crossed his arms and looked at his mate.
"I know, I know," Angeal sighed, apologizing with his gestures to his younger mate.
"Seriously, I can understand me sleeping this late, but not you 'Geal," Zack said, raising a brow.
"I know," Angeal said as he shook his head and stood up, his chest bare as he walked over towards their two pups who only smiled up at him. "Lea, did you feed Cloud his breakfast?"
"Of course, papa," Lea nodded.
"Good, now go feed him his lunch," Angeal said, turning the older of the pups around and lightly pushing him towards the kitchen.
"Alright," Lea said as he gripped Cloud tighter and walked towards the kitchen in their nesting ground.
"We're going to be terribly late, aren't we?" Zack asked from where he sat, giggling away from the look on his mate's face.
"No thanks to you!" Angeal hissed, turning towards the boy.
"Me?" Zack asked, pointing to himself. "You're the one who didn't wake up when you were supposed to."
"Maybe that's because I was distracted," Angeal grumbled.
"Really, Angeal? Really?" Zack chuckled, crossing his arms. "You're the one who's like 'make sure you are distracted by nothing' ha."
"This isn't funny, Zack," Angeal nearly growled, his fangs slightly showing. "I've got a image to uphold. Neither me, nor my sire was ever late to an Elder's meeting! My whole family never once was a second late!"
"Chill, will you?" Zack groaned, rolling his eyes.
"Don't start, Zack," Angeal groaned, later hearing a giggle from the younger Dominant and then feeling the younger's arms around his shoulders and a big sloppy wet kiss to his cheek.
"You can just blame me, you know," Zack said with a shrug of his shoulders. "And if that doesn't suit them then you can just tell the rest of the Elders to fuck off."
"I could, but that's not me," Angeal said.
"Come on, you don't put up with my crap—except when it has to do with sex—but you'll put up with the other Elders' crap? That's hardly fair, I say," Zack pouted.
Angeal didn't say anything and so Zack rolled his eyes and let go of him.
"Alright, let's get ready. We still probably won't make it in time, but at least we'll be there, alright?"
Angeal only smiled lightly at his mate before scrunching up his nose as a horrid smell enveloped the air.
"Dear lord, what is that?" Angeal asked, shaking his head.
"That'd be our little Lea trying to cook," Zack stated with a giggle. "Come on, let's go make sure he doesn't kill himself and Cloud."
Roxas would say he felt a little uncomfortable about being in someone else's nesting ground, especially since that someone was a Submissive he just met, but he felt really comfortable with him so that wasn't it. The problem with him was standing there as he and Cecil entered into the pale Submissive's nesting ground; Cecil was quick to greet both his mates with passionate kisses.
The Submissive had told Roxas he had two mates, two Dominants, but it was still a little odd for Roxas to see. Cecil showered affection on both of the Dominants, it was equal and Roxas couldn't help but smile a little. If he was happy then there was nothing to be said about the way they lived.
"Brother," Cecil said, looking at the Dominant who greatly resembled him, just larger framed in the muscular area. "Kain," his eyes then fell towards a smaller Dominant than his brother, but he was still bigger than Cecil, this one had long blonde hair and took to wearing a violet covering. "This is Roxas. We met at the river and we've taken to each other quite nicely."
"It's nice to meet you, Roxas," Theodore said with a nod before Kain said the same, inclining his head to Roxas as well.
"Nice to meet you guys as well," Roxas said with a smile, inclining his head to the Dominants.
"Roxas, here, has been concerned with other Dominants and his own weakness," Cecil said. "I informed him that I was taught how to fight Dominants if need be and I offered him lessons in fighting. Would my mates mind if I do this?"
The two Dominants looked at the other before looking back at their Submissive.
"We see no reason why you shouldn't," Theodore said.
"You're in fine condition to teach another Submissive," Kain spoke up, crossing his arms and leaning against a tree trunk.
"Thank you, both," Cecil said, his smile so kind as he turned to Roxas, who was giving him the look of 'why didn't you tell them about your real condition?' Cecil only looked back with a look Roxas couldn't mistake for 'it's because they'd never let me teach you if I did'.
Roxas only let out a sigh before Cecil came up to him and placed an arm around his shoulder.
"Now, if you're looking for a weapon to use, just in case, I can show you quite a bit."
Roxas was surprised to see all shorts of weapons in Cecil's nesting ground. Usually one would use their fangs and claws, but Cecil was no stranger to weapons and neither were his mates. There were bows and arrows, spears, swords, flails, all sorts.
"Which one would you think feels better in your grip?" Cecil asked, taking off a weapon and handing it to Roxas. "Since we're Submissive it's best if we carry a weapon. Our claws and fangs aren't as sharp as a Dominant's, so this is our best defense."
"Well . . . I don't know about this weapon," Roxas mumbled as he held up the spear. "Too . . . light?"
"Alright, then let's give you a sword," Cecil nodded as he turned and handed him one.
"Now it's too heavy, but I like the grip," Roxas said with a smile and nod.
"Okay . . . then . . . let me get this one," Cecil said, taking out a smaller sword and handing it to Roxas.
Roxas took hold of the hilt and held it up; inspecting the weight and maneuver of the blade as he swung it down and then up again. Roxas smiled and looked up at the oddly shaped blade.
"I like this one, but it doesn't quite look like a sword," Roxas stated.
"It's not one actually," Cecil informed. "Close, but not a sword. It's called a keyblade, not many still use them because they're so old."
"Well I like it, would you mind me using this?" Roxas asked.
"You can have it," Cecil said.
"Really?" Roxas asked, a smile brightening his face.
"Yes, I have plenty other weapons, so go ahead," Cecil said. "I haven't really practiced with a keyblade, but I can tell you the fundamentals of it all."
"Alright," Roxas replied with an enthusiastic nod. He couldn't wait to start learning how to defend himself and perhaps even defend his own family, and then he wouldn't have to worry any longer.
"Why are you suddenly here, Vanitas?" Terra asked, looking at his little brother who sat around casually, near the Elder's mountain.
"'Cause father told me to come, why?" he asked, his golden eyes gazing at his brother's.
"Do you . . . do you know what father is planning?" Terra asked.
"How should I know?" Vanitas asked. "He doesn't tell any of his pups anything—much less even dad. Why? You think he's up to something?"
"I know he is," Terra whispered.
"What was that?" Vanitas asked, leaning forward, closer to his brother. "If it's something juicy, I want to know."
"I don't know," Terra growled.
"You should," Vanitas grumbled, crossing his arms and leaning back. "Father did pick you as his heir. Not that I care."
"Well, whatever it is—even if it goes against the very Elders, would you do it?" Terra asked.
"Maybe so," Vanitas grinned as he fiddled with his chin. "A little breaking the rules was always my style, and if father wants us to—I won't deny him."
"Figures," Terra sighed before turning from his brother and looking towards where his Submissive stood. "Dad."
"Terra," Eraqus said as he came and wrapped his arms around his pup. "I'm glad you're still you."
"I am too," Terra nodded, rubbing his face into his Submissive's neck and inhaling his maternal scent that always seemed to comfort him in hard times.
"What's wrong my boy?" Eraqus asked, looking at Terra's heavy features.
"It's father—I know he means harm," Terra said. "I don't know when, but I know it's soon."
"What kind of harm?" Eraqus asked, his eyes narrowing.
"I think it may have to do with Axel's first pup," Terra informed.
"His—first?" Eraqus questioned.
"It's a long story, but the pup is now in Elder Zack Fair's family," Terra said.
"Oh, you mean Lea?" Eraqus asked. "My god, now that I think about it, the boy does resemble your friend Axel, almost to the point of being identical."
"Yeah," Terra nodded. "Father's been scheming something since Xemnas had paid us a visit, telling how he had punched a hole inside Axel's chest to find him hollow."
"Hollow?" Eraqus asked. "As in void of a heart?"
"Yes," Terra nodded. "I don't know what it means, but father said something about Axel possibly being from a cursed family?"
"I know what family he's talking about," Eraqus whispered, his thoughts erupting into darkness. "Where is your father now?"
"Last I saw, he was by the well," Terra pointed.
"I'll be back then," Eraqus patted his son's shoulder before heading off to find out just what his Dominant was planning on doing now that he's found that family.
The Elders had all gathered but were still waiting for two of their members. One was reasonable for why he was so late, but another—not so much. While they had waited they took to conversing with another to pass the time, but after an hour of waiting they had heard the calls of their youngest member as he and the last Elder made their way to them.
"Sorry we're late guys, slept in a little too late," Zack explained, coming up to the rest, most rolling their eyes.
"We can understand you," Sephiroth pointed out, "But not you," at 'you' he pointed to Zack's mate, who was coming in behind him with their two pups.
"I just stayed up too late," Angeal muttered, a slight blush on his cheeks.
"Cut him some slack," Zack whined. "It's my fault he was up so late."
"Zack!" Angeal growled.
"What? It was," Zack defended.
"Whatever it may be, it doesn't matter anymore," Sephiroth said, waving it off. "Let's just get this meeting over with. The elder Elders are getting quite cranky."
"I'll bet," Zack chuckled as he turned to his eldest pup and bid him be good and watch his little brother. "Lea, watch your brother, alright? Be a good boy."
"I always am, daddy," Lea smiled big which, in turn, made his daddy smile just as big.
"Oh, Elder Zack, may I speak with you for a moment?" Xehanort came up to the young Elder who looked at him and smiled.
"Sure, what is it about?" Zack asked as he placed his hands on his hips and presented the old Dominant a bright smile.
"Your pups," Xehanort replied simply.
"Hey, they're leaving so we can get this meeting started, no harm done," Zack was quick to defend.
"No, actually I was wondering if I can see them," Xehanort said.
"What, why?" Zack asked. "You've never really wanted to before."
"I've just come back from my eldest's nest and saw all of his pups. I'm in the mood to see more of them, would you mind?" Xehanort asked, a smile kept on his lips.
"Um, sure," Zack said, as he turned and motioned for his pups to come back. "Alright guys, say hi to Elder Xehanort."
"Hi," Lea spoke up, though Cloud, sitting next to him, said nothing—as usual.
"Would you mind if I held him?" Xehanort asked, his golden eyes glancing towards Zack.
"Go ahead," Zack said, smiling at the Elder who was now starting to like pups as much as he did.
"Come here, boy," Xehanort motioned for Lea to come forward as he held out his arms.
Lea was a little reluctant at first to leave Cloud's side, so he looked back towards his daddy who encouraged him to go into the arms of the Elder. Lea listened and did as told. Xehanort picked him up with ease and petted his hair.
"My, what fiery locks you have," Xehanort cooed, looking the lad over. "And you also have a gorgeous set of eyes. Do you know . . . that I've seen someone who looks exactly like you?"
"Really?" Lea asked, his features brightening.
"Yes," Xehanort nodded.
"Was he my age?" Lea asked, pointing to himself, he had always dreamed of having a twin.
"No, a little older," Xehanort said, his eyes traveling back over towards Zack whose smile was quickly fading as his arms slowly fell back to his sides. Xehanort only chuckled at Zack's reaction, especially how his eyes widened only slightly as his hand came up to touch Lea on his chest, right above his heart.
"Tell me, Elder Zack," Xehanort started as he turned towards the Elder more, his hand remaining on the pup's chest that was void of all movement. "Did you save this pup only because he is from that family?"
Now Zack's expressions were worse. His eyes were wide and concerned and his stance a little scared. He moved in front of his own pup, protecting him just in case.
"Alright, Elder Xehanort. Put Lea down," Zack said, his tone not in question.
"I don't think I will," Xehanort smiled, his intentions now menacing, as he held onto the pup in his arms tighter this time.
Zack gasped and looked around. The other Elders had already moved on so it was only him and Xehanort and he didn't like this. He knew this Elder was stronger than him and that he could possibly kill him. He didn't care though, he was threatening the life of his pup and he wouldn't have that.
"No one's around, Zack," Xehanort said, leaving all titles. "You can't possibly stop me from doing anything to this pup."
"You wouldn't hurt him!" Zack said with a growl, baring his fangs and claws.
"I could," Xehanort informed. "But I won't. I need him if I'm going to take his place."
"You can't!" Zack said. "You're an Elder, not a Prince!"
"One could say he's not one either," Xehanort replied, motioning towards the pup in his arms who was now looking back from his daddy to the Dominant who had him in scared confusion.
"Daddy?" Lea called out. "I want to be put down."
"I know that," Zack said, his eyes soft on his pup whom he was helpless to help right now.
"Once the other Elders find out about him they won't hesitate to establish the Kingdom again," Xehanort explained. "And I've worked too hard to let that happen. They are supposed to be dead. The curse my ancestors placed on them was supposed to be the end of them. There needs to be a new order."
"You rise up against the Elders then you're crazy!" Zack pointed.
"Not if I have him," Xehanort said, patting Lea on the back who was now shaking and near to tears for his daddy. "So is it why you saved him?"
"No!" Zack denied. "I'm not like that! So just . . . give him back. No one has to know he exists and you can do whatever you want, so please, just give him back."
"I could do that," Xehanort nodded. "But the fact is his family is still out there and they'll show themselves."
"Damn it, just give him back!" Zack growled as he lunged at the older Dominant, but was quickly stopped as Xehanort jumped out of his way and quickly appeared by his side only to ram his claws through his stomach.
Zack gasped out with a grunt from the thrust of Xehanort's claws. He could even hear Lea cry out to him as he watched his parent be stabbed by another. He even heard his own pup, Cloud, squeak at seeing this.
If there was anything Zack wished, it was for his pups to never see something like this, but it was too late. With a strangled gasp Xehanort's claws exited Zack's stomach, letting him fall to the ground.
"ZACK! ! !"
It was too late to cover anything up now, but that was alright. Xehanort didn't want to as he smirked and turned to see all the Elders, even Terra and Vanitas. Every Elder was looking at Xehanort with wide eyes and then towards the Elder at his feet who was barely moving.
"Zack!" Angeal gasped as he came up closer to them, looking at his mate on the ground, blood all over him. "What the hell did you do, Elder Xehanort? !"
"He was getting in the way," Xehanort replied with a simple shrug, looking towards Terra and Eraqus who looked devastated.
"Of what? !" Eraqus suddenly asked, shaking his head at the sight.
"My kingdom," Xehanort replied, a frown forming on his face for those standing in his way of everything.