Author's Note: To clear up the Mickey thing, I just felt like he was keeping way too way secrets from Sora. I know the Riku issue was supposed to be a secret, but I felt like he was keeping too much from them. He won't be doing that in my fic. Also, it looks like there is going to be a little bit of romance in the fic. It wasn't intended to be this strong, mind you. I didn't want to get mushy, but my imagination thinks it will be fine. And I obey my imagination…or I'll never be able to write well ever again. Anyways, enjoy and leave a review cookie for me.


Chapter 3: Confusion.

Port Royal

Xel:

Maybe it wasn't too wise to rush off to another place without making sure that my body could handle it. As soon as I materialized on the ship the Nobodies sensed Luxord on, I was overcome by lightheadedness. I swayed uneasily on my feet, trying to fight the mental war with my body. Passing out here would do me no good.

"What's the matter, don't have your sea legs?"

I glanced around, fighting the urge to shake like a leaf. Luxord materialized onto the deck in front of me, playing with a die in his hand.

"Luxord," I muttered.

"I don't suppose you are here because you love the sea."

Haha. I folded my arms and planted a smile on my face. I wasn't ready for combat this time. Luxord required plenty of focus and cunning to battle one on one. His power was over time; more specifically the passing of it.

"So…why are you here?" I asked softly.

"I should ask you the same thing."

"I asked you first," I snapped.

"I am handling something for Organization. By the way, you know Xemnas has given me permission to kill you, right?"

Oh?

"Did you need permission?"

Maybe answering like that wasn't very smart… That was proven when I noticed that the ship was no longer moving and the waves in the background were frozen in mid air. Not good.

"Now you notice that you are in a situation you can't possibly win."

I attempted to move my arms up in a defensive position above my chest and found that I couldn't…

"So you learn a new trick. That doesn't mean anything," I said as defiantly as I could.

Still, Luxord was correct. I was in a position started towards me. Just before he got close enough to attack, a flash of light engulfed my sight. When it faded, I found myself staring into the haze of orange filled afternoon sunlight.

"You should be more careful. If you die who will I talk to?"

Axel? I turned around only to see the familiar mop of red hair. He was looking extremely weary…

"Axel…you saved me."

"I was not saving you."

I snorted.

"So…you just decided to teleport me away from Luxord, not because I was in danger, right?"

Axel coughed and ran his hand through his hair.

"Ok, you got me. I saved you from Luxord. You are special to me, you know."

"Special? I am a Nobody, Axel. We are not cared about."

"Don't start that. You know you are different from us."

"Stop that!" I snarled.

Axel crossed his arms and sighed.

"Please stop acting like this."

"Like what? I don't feel—"

He interrupted me by roughly grabbing my arms, pulling me forward so that his face nearly touched mine.

"Stop it, Xel. I care about you, ok? I know you can't stop being reckless because of that hard head of yours."

"I thought you said you don't care."

"Must you take me literally, Xel?" Axel snapped.

"Yes."

Axel was always a mystery to me. I understood his motives, but I barely understood his reactions towards me. Ok, maybe I did, but I couldn't categorize my…"feelings". He was important to me and I was important to him. Maybe? No? I shook my head.

"I can't do this," I said abruptly, pulling away from his grasp.

Axel gave me a quizzical look.

"Can't do what?"

He's so dense.

"You don't understand. What is it between us? I can't feel…I don't understand! I'm a Nobody! I'm not supposed to feel!"

"Not this again. You.Are.Special. Got it Memorized?"

There he goes defeating the purpose again.

"Ugh…Forget it! Now why am I here again?"

"I wanted to show you something."

Ok…

"Show me something?" I asked hesitantly.

"Yeah. Follow me."

A portal filled with shadows appeared next to Axel. With a soft grin, he gestured towards it. I nodded and walked into it…

White assaulted my vision, making me hiss in pain. It didn't take me long to adjust to my newer surroundings. Unfortunately, I recognized my new location as the castle in the World that Never Was.

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked loudly.

"Calm down, Xel. I brought you here because of her."

Huh? I looked at Axel. He shook his head and pointed to his right. I followed his hand to the doorway covered with bar. Upon further inspection, I saw that there was a girl inside of the doorway.

"Who is she?" I asked flatly.

"That is Kairi."

Kairi? Not anybody that I knew or remembered for that matter.

"Who is Kairi?"

"Sora's friend. I had her in my possession until Xemnas caught me trying to help Sora out."

"They punished you?"

I gave Axel a serious look. He avoided my gaze.

"…Don't worry about it."

What!

"Axel, are you kidding me? You can't let them punish you! You are so much stronger than that! Why didn't—"

"That's enough, Xel. Now Kairi can be of some help here in your plan."

I started to say something else, but wisely held it back. Axel would force me to talk about something else other than his troubles. I directed my attention back to Kairi. She could be of some help if I assumed her form, but what then? My thoughts are shot. It was hard to think without focusing back on Axel. Damn him.

"I…don't know what to do with her," I said softly.

"Don't you dare focus on me, Xel."

"And what if I was? Take me back, Axel."

"Xel…"

"Do it, Axel!"


Minutes later:

I was back in my ship, heading for an area where Xemnas could not detect me. I needed time to think and to heal. My hurt shoulder was giving me hell. Not only that but Axel was confusing me. What does he do to me? Did I care about him like he did me? In my past life, I experienced something like this…

"Love…"