It was with astounded face expressions that Roxas and Xion listened to Leas story.
They had boarded a gummiship on their own and was headed for radiant garden, how-ever even as they reached radiant garden it still wasn't over as Lea told them everything.
He told them how he and Isa had been friends even as little kids, how they had tried to sneak into that castle, how they met Janan and how she disappeared leading to their decision to follow Xemnas as a cover to find her.
How their friendship had never quite been the same since that day, and how fruitless their search for Janan had been.
What had actually happened between him and Saix as Roxas and Xion entered the picture, and what had happened after they stepped out of it. How he had left the organization and ended up fighting Isa. How he had chosen to sacrifice his own life to help Sora, but also how he had been brought and found Saix back among the organization members.
It was a huge mouthful, and as Lea finally finished his story it was late at night in radiant garden as they were all sitting in one of the break rooms that seemed to have been designed for relaxation as it even had couches and big chairs.
"I..." Xion breathed. "I never had any idea you two used to be friends."
"That was the point." Lea replied. "We didn't want people to think there was a connection between us, so what-ever I did couldn't be traced back to Saix."
Roxas nodded. "That's why you were always so secretive back then." he nodded. "You were still working with Saix when we first met." he stated. "
"And for Xemnas, he also gave some top secret missions." Lea informed. "I guess I was kind of acting like a double agent in many ways."
"That's also why you didn't want to tell about when you were still a person." Roxas commented. "So we wouldn't know of the connection between you two."
"Yeah there was that... Also it just wasn't that nice to think about." Lea admitted. "Isa and I... We had already grown quite a bit apart back then. I didn't even know why I was doing what I did anymore. The connection we had, had been gone for so long. I just kept doing it because I didn't know what else to do. There was just... nothing there. And to think back on what we used to have... Well... It was painful." he admitted. "Especially when I met you two and I actually started to remember what it felt like, to have friends... It made the memories hurt that much more."
"It's so sad though." Xion commented. "Saix must have felt so alone… No wonder he hated us."
Lea exhaled deeply.
"Axel?" Xion asked.
"Yeah..." Lea nodded. "For all the pain and loneliness I felt… It must have been a hundred times worse for him. I drew him over the edge, didn't I?" he asked.
"No." Xion shook her head. "You brought him back to the light, I'm sure of it."
"You think he has been re-completed?" Roxas asked.
Lea nodded. "yeah." he stated as he held a hand over his chest. "I feel our connection… It's stronger than it has been for a very long time."
"To think you became a keyblade wielder to Axel!" Roxas gasped.
Lea chuckled amused. "Yeah, who would have seen that one coming?" he asked. "From what I understand though… I would not be able to summon a keyblade for as long as I was a nobody."
Xion nodded. "I see... I think. I'm... Really happy though."
"About what?" Lea asked.
"When Saix told me you had gotten your heart back… I was kind of scared." Xion admitted. "I was afraid you would be like another person. That you wouldn't be you anymore! But you're still you! I'm so happy!" she smiled.
Lea chuckled amused as he ruffled up her hair. "Hey no worries! Call me Axel or Lea, I'll still be me!" he stated as he retrieved his hand. "Though I will admit... having my heart back does feel a lot better. I feel way more like myself again."
Xion nodded. "That's good. I'm happy for you."
Lea smiled, Then he yawned. "Geesh guys, this sure has been a long day. Dunno about you two, but I need some shut eye."
Both Roxas and Xion nodded, both looking kind of droopy.
Lea smirked as he stood up. "Come on, I'll show you where you can sleep." he invited and guided the two young people with him.
Next day was a absolutely gorgeous day! The sky was blue, the flowers were so pretty… And it was past midday yet Lea was still sleeping as Roxas noted.
"He did always like to sleep." Xion noted. "Remember back when we were in the organization and got a day of vacation? He decided to sleep the entire day! Also he got beaten up pretty bad yesterday."
"Still… This is a little bit ridicules." Roxas commented.
Just then, as if they had called a new person came from inside the castle, yawning as he stretched his arms and they both turned to him.
"Morning gang." Lea smiled as he stepped into the sunlight.
"Morning?" Roxas snorted. "Check again it's past..." he halted, both him and Xion halted as Lea stepped out into view.
"What?" Lea asked.
"I… I'm sorry." Roxas blinked. "I've just never seen you without the black coat."
Because true enough, Lea was not wearing the long black coat he would normally be seen sporting. Instead he was just wearing what looked like ordinary jeans and a open shirt on top of a black tank top.
"I didn't think you could wear anything else." Roxas commented jokingly.
"As if you two are anyone to talk." Lea commented.
"It suits you." Xion smiled. "You look really good!"
"Thanks." Lea grinned. "You two are next!"
"Huh?" Xion blinked.
"Organization thirteen is gone now!" Lea stated. "And this time, it aint coming back! It is time for us to move on! Move on with our own lives and make it what we want it to be! So, no more coats!" he stated. "Get some breakfast, we are going to town today!"
Xion blinked. "You mean? We… We are going clothes shopping?" she asked then she smiled. "I… I can pick my own clothes?" she asked her eyes lightning up with excitement. "Any clothes?!"
Roxas blinked. "It's just clothes Xion."
"Yes but." Xion tried.
"Roxas." Lea poked Roxas on the shoulder. "She's a girl." he pointed out.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Roxas asked.
"Man, you're still this clueless?" Lea asked. "Just… Let her have this." he asked as they turned to Xion whom was holding her cheeks, her face in a pink color as she seemed to sway on the spot. A big wide smile on her face to.
"Xion!" Roxas exclaimed. "Are you okay? Do you have a fever?" he asked.
"No-no!" Xion exclaimed. "I.. I'm fine."
"Man, imagining Xion in a skirt." Lea chuckled. "She'll be cute as a button."
And wide-eyed Xion looked up her face becoming even brighter red.
"Not that she needs a skirt to be way to adorable." Lea grinned.
"You… you sure you're not sick?" Roxas asked. "We can.."
"I'M FINE!" Xion shouted. "Axel, can I pick my own clothes? Can I really?" she asked in a begging voice.
Lea smirked amused. "Anything that isn't mad expensive." he stated.
Xion smiled, then she turned to the window and for time number thousand she was looking at her own face. Then she smiled at her face, and pretended not to look at it yet clearly kept stealing glances at it.
"She's been doing that all day." Roxas whispered. "I don't know what is going on."
"I... I didn't have a face before." Xion whispered. "You only saw me the way your hearts reflected me... I couldn't see what you saw. Is this what you two saw?" she asked.
Roxas blinked. "Yes."
Lea as well nodded. "Absolutely. Cute pixie cut; check, lovely blue eyes; check. A face no one could say no to; check." he stated. "Careful with that face Xion! It has massive power! A power of adorableness!"
"You gave me this face.." Xion breathed then turned to them. "Thank you! This is such a lovely face you gave me! It's wonderful!"
Lea smirked amused. "You've always been cute, so of course we would see you as a cute girl. right Roxas?"
Roxas smiled as he nodded. "Uhu."
"Told ya! Cute as a button." Lea smirked as Roxas wide-eyed looked at his friend, Xion now in a cute little skirt and a blouse, swaying from side to side as she smiled happily.
"I can… Really keep it?" Xion asked with a blush on her cheeks.
Lea chuckled. "Of course you can." he stated. "It's yours now, your own clothes."
Xion smiled warmly as Roxas grinned.
"You know what this calls for?" Lea asked and they both jumped up.
"ICE-CREAM!" They both yelled happily and of course, it was the same as always. It felt so good, like back in the old days. Just them hanging out, talking about everything and nothing while eating sea-salt ice-cream… Only one thing was missing though and Lea lowered his half finished ice-cream.
"Saix still hasn't showed up." Xion noted.
Lea glanced down. "We get re-completed at the same place we were first turned into nobodies." he stated. "The first time we were turned, it was here at radiant garden. Isa was turned twice though… The second time might have been off world."
"Then we should go look for him." Roxas stated.
Lea smiled as he looked up. "You don't have to. He's not your friend but mine. I'll go find him if it's needed."
"As if we would let you go alone!" Roxas stated.
That made Lea blink. Then he smiled amused, just then though he looked up.
"Lea?" Xion asked.
"Isa..." Lea breathed as he turned around and looked towards the flower hills.
Xion blinked, then she smiled. "I see. It's okay Axel. We can find back to the castle ourselves."
Roxas nodded. "Yeah. You just go."
Lea smiled. "Thanks guys. You truly are the best friends a guy could ever ask for!" he stated and then he ran, ran as fast as he could.
He ran through the city, nearly ran into several people as he quickly apologized only to keep on running until he was out of town and at the gardens themselves, desperately Lea looked around.
The newly planted flowers sprouting and then he had to stop, almost falling over as a young man stood there with his back to him, a young man with long blue hair.
He wasn't wearing a coat though... He looked to be wearing very normal pants and a t-shirt in dark colors. And in his hand he held a pink flower… The exact kind he would have brought Janan so long ago.
"I.. Isa.." Lea gasped. "ISA!" he shouted.
The blue haired man didn't move, he still had his back to Lea.
"Isa.." Lea breathed seeing the back at the other man then he cleared his throat. "I.. I'm not letting you just stand there. I said I was going to drag you home! And well, I don't go back on my promises! Especially not my promises to my friends!" he stated.
The blue haired man though was still standing still, like he was a statue, didn't even look like he was going to acknowledge Lea.
"I know what you did!" Lea exclaimed. "You brought Xion back to me deliberately didn't you?" he asked. "And that's not all, you orchestrated Vexen freeing Ansem and you came up with the idea of using Demyx as the delivery guy! You've been working secretly behind the scenes to help us. Didn't you? You secured and planted the replica Roxas needed! The only reason you joined the organization again was so you could sabotage it from within wasn't it?!" he asked. "You wanted to atone! Like all the others, like Ienzo, Aelouse and me! We were all the same weren't we?" he asked. "Isa! Please!" he begged as he stepped forward. "I'll be honest kay?" he asked. "I'm sorry about what I did! I'm sorry I left you! I can't imagine the pain you must have gone through. Still... want my friend back! Isa!"
Then suddenly Lea realized… Isa's shoulders they were shaking, then he dropped the flower which landed on the ground and he grabbed his face as a sob escaped the young man.
Leas eyes widened in shock. "Isa?" he asked. "ISA!" he shouted as he ran in front of the blue haired younger man and saw true enough, tears running down his face.
Lea was bewildered… Never, not even when they were kids. Certainly not when they were nobodies, he had never seen Isa cry before! Ever! And certainly not like this.
"Isa..." Lea breathed as he put a hand on Isa's shoulder and slowly Isa looked up, revealing a pair of grayish blue eyes filled with tears…. Blue… Not golden. And filled with so many tears, so much pain. Lea swallowed, then slowly reached his arms around Isa and pulled him into a tight hug as Isa sobbed. "It's okay… It's okay." he assured.
Then.. Isa fell to his knees in front of Lea, yet grabbed his pants legs as he cried. "I don't know what to do." he sobbed. "I was lost… I could not withstand the pain, the emptiness of lacking a heart… I could not comprehend the loneliness… I could not." he choked. "And now… with my heart. It is all coming back to me." he cried hopelessly. "There's still darkness inside of me... It's part of me. I don't know what.." he chocked. "I'm sorry... Lea. I'm so sorry!"
"It's okay." Lea assured. "For all the time we've known each other… I was always the clueless one, and you were the one who knew what to do. It's only fair I take over for a bit." he stated.
"You'll… Help me?" Isa asked.
"Of course I will." Lea stated as he fell down to his own knees so they were now in eye height. Then firmly grabbed Isa's shoulders. "You're not my friend Isa… you're my best friend. I wont leave you here."
Isa swallowed. "After all this time, after all that happened… You would really still call me a friend?" he asked then sobbed. "That's… Just like you though." he commented between his sobs though he also smiled. "You're such an idiot."
Lea smiled amused, then his eyes grew misty as well. "Hello. welcome back." he invited. "I missed you. Isa."
Isa swallowed. "Hello." he replied. "It's… Nice to be back. Lea."