Creeeaaak. The white-splashed door opened slowly, the hinges rusty from the age. A hand appeared, gripping the door as eyes peeked in, scanning the empty room that was filled with random papers. Vibrant red hair was on the boy's head, and it grew up in a spiky fashion. On either eye, two odd-looking scars crossed them, both a red color like his hair. The boy, around the age of sixteen, made sure no one was in there – No, only him and the pictures.

Cautiously, he moved in, slowly opening the door to its full potential and making sure his footsteps didn't echo out as loudly as they usually did. Eyes darted, still unsure of what to think about the place. But soon enough did the adolescent reach the white table. Hands carefully, gently, picked through the white pieces of paper that had sketches of people on them. Tingles went up his spine as the boy picked one up – It showed a man with the same hair as he and wearing a black cloak – And next to him stood a blonde haired boy. Axel set it down, looking away for a moment.

Regaining self, he began to file through more of the drawings – Many showed members of the Organization battling the Keyblade Master, Sora. Some separate ones even showed them… "Fading away". Axel caught a glance at one of these, showing a tan-haired young adult on his knees. Demyx.

But Axel brushed these away after catching sight of his own "death" picture. Damnit, the girl was too smart for her own good. The adolescent back off and walked the perimeter of the table, eyes scanning the pictures, including those tacked up on the walls, before eyes set on one that caught his eye.

It looked like a fresh piece of paper that had just been drawn on. No wrinkles on the paper existed, only flatness. Drawn on it was that of him, himself – The appearance that he was now – And another boy, maybe two years older then him, having the odd-tint of hair that Axel knew so well. But the problem was, the picture didn't show that they were very happy to see each other. Great.

But where was he? Axel looked up, the eeriness of the mansion starting to seep in. He never did like this place. Eyes glanced to the direction of the window, peering outside. No one was there. Well, at least no yet. Setting down the picture, the fire-manipulator quickly exited the room, shutting the door behind him.

Demyx mumbled something under his breath, watching vindictively from the sidelines which he was tied up to. Literally. He had finally gotten on Marluxia's nerves too much, and here he was – Tied to the wall and his mouth taped shut with duct tape. Gaze shot over to where Sora was tied before looking back to Marluxia and Larxene, who were discussing something in secret to themselves. God, what were they up to now? Couldn't they just get on with their lives?

He guessed not.

Oh, how he wanted his sitar. He wanted it so badly. Maybe a guitar could help his cravings, but no, it wouldn't be the same. Damnit, he wanted his sitar. The green-eyed adolescent changed his glance to peer down at the amulet that hung on his jacket, the one shaped like his instrument. He sighed, eyes glancing back up to Marluxia and Larxene, the two trouble-makers. Their talk had ended, and they'd separated out.

Then, the tan-haired adolescent looked to Sora. His own mouth was taped shut, and he, too, was bound to the wall. Demyx watched as the blue-eyed boy looked at him and made a face merely with his eyes. The rocker frowned – Or at least tried to. The tape was holding his mouth down, you must remember.

But why had they tied him up? Most likely they thought he'd try to escape or cause trouble, which he most likely would've. There was a roll at the eyes before something was heard from outside the door. Glance looked over, and saw that the door was rattling intensely. Pupils narrowed, and barely saw Marluxia dig something out of his pocket – A slim, short, but sharpened dagger. What had happened to his scythe, Demyx didn't really know. He didn't care, really.

Bang. The door went flying down in three pieces apart, dust and what-not flying everywhere. A figure stalked through the now empty door way, eyes scanning the room. Demyx nearly had a heart attack as he recognized the two marks under eyes. Axel. But what one moment – Ha! It had happened to him, too. The age thing. Funny to see him like that.

Marluxia, on the other hand, had almost expected them to meet, whether it be today or two years later. Eyes as well narrowed, staring him down as the spiky-haired adolescent came closer to him, Axel's wry grin never seizing to flinch.

"Marluxia, haven't seen you in a while." The fire-enhancer said, stopping his gait right in front of him. Eyes flickered to the dagger held in his hands, and he shook his head. "Oh, come on, just put it away." God, did Marluxia become paranoid the last two years?

"What do you want?" The other red-head hissed, slowly putting the dagger back into its sheath, eyes never lingering from Axel's. The other nearly smiled, raising a brow in a questionable glare.

"Check up on things, what else?" He replied, keeping his emotions to a low level and making his tone cool and collected. "Got it memorized?"

Marluxia straightened up, the frown still on his face. How had everyone suddenly… Appeared? After, what, two years? It didn't make sense – Where they all planning something against him? God, Marluxia, get a hold of yourself. He kicked himself in conscious. You're not that paranoid.

Axel glanced to the wall where Demyx was tied up. He merely grinned when the water manipulator saw him and gave him a look, shaking his head and turning away. A quiet rattling from the other end of the wall made his head twist around, torso as well, only to see Sora tied up to the other wall as well. Eyes widened slightly. When was the last time he saw the brunette? Well, whatever. It didn't matter right now.

"What the hell?" The fire manipulator exclaimed, turning to Marluxia with a shocked or confused face – Or one with both mixed emotions. "What's he doing here?" Marluxia hoped he wouldn't have seen him. Ah, well. After an awkward pause, the scythe holder spoke up.

"Because he's seen virtually everything." He mumbled, glancing to Demyx before casting his vision to Sora. "His friends only saw Demyx," Only glare was cast towards the tan-headed adolescent, as if it was his fault for this error.

Axel was worried. Not for Demyx, no, Demyx had his own problems. But for Sora. Now, Axel wasn't gay, but he wasn't going to let Roxas's "full-hearted" half be held hostage but Marluxia and Larxene, who were perhaps two of the dangerous members when they worked together. After all, Roxas was his best friend.

"Oh, of course," he said after another pause, looking to Marluxia and Larxene. "Good idea." From the corner of his eye, he could see Sora staring at him, not bothering to try and get out of his ropes now.

"Hey, tell you what," Axel said suddenly, clapping his hands together. "You guys get some rest, I'll watch them over." Marluxia gave him an odd glance, casting a look to Larxene before retreating it back to the red-head.

Was he up to something? No. What would he want with Sora and Demyx? Nothing, most likely. But it was never hurt to be suspicious. Larxene, on the other hand, was eager to get out of the stuffy old place, and tugged on Marluxia's shirt. "Come on, it's fine." She murmured, glancing towards the door. Or, well, where there /used/ to be a door.

Marluxia shrugged, sighing slightly afterwards. What Larxene said, goes. Quickly, the two exited out of the hidden room, leaving the three behind.

Axel waited ten seconds after they exited the doorway, eyes peering outside in case they decided to come back. No, they were gone, alright. Eyes darted to where Sora was tied up, and hands quickly began to untie him from the wall. The Keyblade Master said nothing, but seemed to be shocked by what he was doing. With all the ropes untied, the fire manipulator raised a hand to Sora's mouth, and with one quick, strong movement, pulled the duct tape right off. The brunette's pupils narrowed, and let out of a yelp from nerves as he rubbed his mouth. God.

He looked up to Axel, a confused look on his face. "Er, thanks." He said awkwardly. He was confused – Was Axel the enemy, or not? He watched as the other adolescent nodded, turning to Demyx, whom was staring, bewildered, at both of them.

"We'll be going now," Axel said with a sly grin, begin towards the doorway. Demyx tried to say something, but all that came out were murmurs and sloshes out words. Body wriggled, trying to loosen up the knots of the ropes that kept him tied down. Sora looked from the tan-haired adolescent to the red-haired one, to and fro and over and over again.

"Axel, you're not just going to, well, leave him here, are you?" Sora spoke up, being the kind person that he was. Well, maybe he was a bit too kind.

Axel frowned, looking to Sora, then to Demyx. He groaned, raising a hand to his temple and closing his eyes, shaking head from side to side before walking over to the water manipulator. Like he had done to the Keyblade Holder moments before, he quickly unraveled the ropes around Demyx's wrists and ankles. With another swipe of duct tape, Demyx, too, let out a yell, doing what Sora had done minutes ago.

"Thank you," the tan-haired adolescent said, eyes looking to Axel with a countenance of mixed expressions. With a quick movement, he headed towards the door. Ah, too late. Axel's arm reached out, blocking his way out. The sitar player looked confused, staring at the other.

"What?" Demyx asked, glancing to Sora, then back to Axel. The red-head rolled his eyes.

"If I let you go, and Marluxia and Larxene find you missing too, they'll bound to find you if you're not with us." Axel explained, making hand movements with his free hand. He needed to get it through Demyx's thick head that it would easier if they traveled in a group rather then separate, so that if the two "enemies" right now wanted to fight for their prisoners back, they'd have one more person to fight back.

Demyx just sort of stared, but soon gave in. "Fine," he sighed, glancing to Sora, who was standing at the doorway, listening to their conversation.

"Let's go," Axel said, heading towards the door. Leaving the stuffy old room first, he began to walk down the alley, with Demyx and Sora trying to catch up with him. Even if he was younger then usual, his gait was still long.

The Keyblade Master finally caught up to him, walking quickly to his right side. Demyx didn't care about catching up, really. He'd just stay behind the two.

"Axel, where, exactly, are we going?" Sora asked, looking to the side. It was odd not having to look up at him anymore.

The red-head just grinned. "You'll see."

A/N: You guys like? I liked this chapter, dunno why. Long, eh?