Summary: In a world destroyed by the Heartless, Sora enlists in the military to fight the every growing enemy. Between the mental and physical battles, Sora struggles to survive. As secrets are unearthed, Sora realizes he's in serious trouble. RikuXSora AxelXRoxas M for later chapters.

Author's Note: Couldn't help, but to get this chapter done and uploaded. I have a lot to do this week so I'm not sure if I'll be able to update as much. Of course, I will still try!

Chapter Five

Roxas frowned as he walked through the base of the Keyblade Corps. The moon and stars provided the only source of light with exception of the few lights left on in various buildings. Axel looked around with a smirk.

"Sure isn't much," he said looking down at a nodding Roxas.

Xemnas had sent them to meet with their contact. It was the first time either had been in the base. Lucky for them, their contact had provided an easier access by giving them their uniform. Both felt uncomfortable in the new clothes as they had been used to their cloaks. The gravel barely made noise under their light steps. They had been instructed to find the prison in order to find the contact that had given them the details.

Roxas stopped in front of a large building and pointed at the door.

"This is it," he whispered as he grabbed Axel's wrist. Axel flinched at the touch, surprised by how gentle yet firm it was. He looked at the building and agreed. "Let's go," Axel replied, leading the way.

As they approached the door, two guards stopped them. Axel looked at them and showed them his high ranking insignia on his jacket. "We have orders from the General to talk to one of the prisoners." The guards looked down at Roxas and saw the same insignia on his jacket. They opened the door allowing the two Nobodies to proceed.

"I see you two made it," came a deep voice from the last cell.

Axel and Roxas stopped to see a silver-haired male sitting in the dark cell. Roxas wondered how this male could be their contact when he was clearly locked in the cell. No windows and dim lighting made it difficult to see anything.

"I take it you're Xehanort?" Axel asked as Roxas stood behind him. The blond felt uneasy being around him and felt something not right with the silver-haired male.

A small laugh echoed through the empty halls as gold eyes pierced through the shadows.

"That I am. I hope the guards didn't give you any trouble," he said as he stood and walked to the bars blocking escape.

Axel shook his head, green eyes never leaving the prisoner. "No, they fell for it immediately, though I don't know how long we can talk before they suspect something." Axel felt chills run down his spine as Xehanort paced. He wanted to leave as soon as possible and could tell Roxas wanted the same thing.

"I have a lot of information for Xemnas. Please make sure you listen very carefully," he whispered as an evil grin appeared across his face.

xXxXx

Roxas and Axel left the prison and decided to walk around the base. Not many guards were posted, so they had a rare chance of being caught.

"This is going to be a mess," Roxas growled shoving his hands in the pockets of his pants. He was still absorbing all the information they were just told. Axel shrugged and felt the excitement would be good for them.

"I don't know, Rox. I think it'll be a nice change for once. Besides, anytime I get to use my flaming chakrams is a good day," he said with a smile.

Roxas stopped and looked at the buildings surrounding them. He could almost see the daily lives play before his eyes. With a sigh, Roxas looked up at the bright full moon.

"Axel, maybe I don't want to fight. What makes them any different than us? They're just trying to survive like us," he said as he turned to his partner. Axel could feel a tightening in his chest as the bright blue eyes met his gaze. The reflection from the moon made them irresistible.

"I told you, they're releasing all the trapped hearts from the Heartless and using it for themselves. They didn't always trap them, though. Xemnas said they only started doing this a few years ago. Our job is to figure out why they're doing it."

Roxas shook his head. "These guys just do as they're told, Axel. I don't think they even know why they are doing it. Everyone we've passed has been very clueless and almost...scared...or something," he said as he continued walking down an alley. "I can just feel like they want to live without the thought of dying crossing their minds everyday."

Axel reached out for Roxas' hand without thinking about it. Roxas turned to face Axel as a blush covered his face. Axel didn't know why, but he loved that Roxas was capable of caring so much. He felt like it was an emotion he had lacked, yet it was something he wanted to experience it more. Confusion spread across Roxas' face as he waited for Axel to respond. The red head pulled him closer as a calm smile crossed his face.

"These people are our enemies and yet you care for them so much," he said in a soft voice. "What am I going to do with you?"

Roxas couldn't take his eyes off Axel. A new unfamiliar feeling heated his body. "I...just...I mean I care for you too," he managed to stutter.

Axel smirked as he put a hand under Roxas' chin. "I don't know if I believe you," he whispered in Roxas' ear. The blond jumped as Axel's breath touched his skin.

"W-Well, you should."

Axel gave Roxas a small nibble on his ear. "Prove it," he said moving down the neck. Roxas gently pushed Axel away, unable to look at him.

"N-Not here, Axel. We need to head b-back first," he said through a strained voice.

This is going to be fun, Axel thought as they headed back for their home.

xXxXx

Riku threw the papers on his desk as he slammed a fist into the wood. Sora peeked through the door and could tell Riku was ready to murder someone.

"Riku?" he said in a hesitant voice while opening the door wider.

"They still don't have any troops skilled enough for our squad, Sora. We're also running the front lines in a fucking mission we leave for tomorrow. I'm wondering if we're the only fucking squad they can send out to fight."

Sora walked up and frowned at the major's hand. Blood began to make its way to the surface of the bandage from the impact of the wood. Before Riku could say anything, Sora had already gotten a small first aid kit. Riku knew Sora wouldn't leave him alone until the cut was fixed so he just sulked while his hand was being treated.

"Are you even capable of holding your Keyblade?" Sora asked, disinfecting the cut.

With a wince from the sting, Riku looked over at his main Keyblade. "I'll be fine, Sora. It's no worse than usual on the battlefield."

Sora finished cleaning the cut and bandaged his hand. He wasn't sure how to react to the news of already having to leave again. Riku saw the uncertainty on his comrade's face and decided it best not to run drills.

"Take the day off, Sora. I'm sure there's not much more I can teach you anyway," he muttered.

"I think you have plenty to teach me, but if you say so. I could use another day without swinging my Blade. Leon gave me some vouchers for some free ice cream. Want to come with me?" Sora asked as he stood from the small stool he had been sitting on to reach Riku's hand.

Riku chuckled. He hadn't had an invitation like that in a long time. "Sure," he said as he put his boots on his feet.

They walked out to the small ice cream stand and grabbed their free sea salt ice cream. As they sat at a nearby table, they noticed a lot of activity around them that was out of the norm. Riku started to listen to the other soldiers running around them.

"I can't believe we're all getting shipped out. Why so many people? This Heartless must be huge!" said a soldier, swinging his Keyblade in rigid movements. Sora could tell it had been a while since he had to even summon his Keyblade.

"I know, they're sending out a total of twenty squads out there! Most of them have never even been past the gate. What the hell is going on?" replied the first soldier's friend.

Sora turned and saw Kairi walking in a panic towards him, fear covering her face. Riku inhaled sharply to prevent unnecessary words from leaving his mouth. The sight of the girl instantly sent anger shooting through him.

"Sora! They're sending my squad out tomorrow! Please, I don't know what to do! We haven't even practiced our fighting since we graduated. What am I going to do?" she said through a panicked tone.

Sora, still holding the ice cream in his hand, shrugged. "I don't know what you're going to do either. There's nothing I can do to help you. Go practice with Seifer." It was odd for him to sound so cold, yet he still felt betrayed by the girl.

"How can you just abandon a girlfriend you've been with for years?" she asked waving the summons paper in the air. Sora turned his back to her and continued to eat his treat. Riku was curious if the brunet would actually stand up for himself, so remained silent. When Sora didn't respond, Kairi grabbed his shoulder and turned him to face her. Sora shoved her hand off of him and stood. His patience with her was running out fast.

"Kairi, we are no longer together. In fact, you made that very clear. There's nothing I'm going to do to help you so you're just going to have to get used to it. Now, let me enjoy my ice cream in peace," he said sitting back on the bench.

Kairi bit her lip as a flash of anger went across her face. She slapped the ice cream from Sora's hand. "You're such an asshole! You don't even care if I die. I bet that's why you don't care about your dead teammates!"

Sora stood up and threw a fist into the bench to prevent it going to Kairi's face. "I'm done with your bullshit, Kairi. I told you to stay the fuck away from me. You have no idea what I've fucking had to go through since graduation...since I caught you with Seifer. I'm sorry if you've been focusing on fucking him more than continuing your training, but that's not even close to my fault nor my concern. Until you hold a dying squad mate in your fucking hands, don't you dare talk to me!" he yelled and brushed pass the girl. Many soldiers had been watching the spectacle and pretended to go back to their business. Riku walked up to Kairi, anger clearly visible.

"How petty of you to care about only yourself. You didn't even say 'hi' to him or ask him how he's been. You are disgusting and I don't think you will make it very long in the battlefield," he growled as he went after Sora.

"Sora!" Riku yelled out as he caught up to him. Sora turned around as a hint of gold flashed across his eyes that Riku managed to catch.

"Calm down. Don't worry about her, dude. Come on, let's head back to our sleeping quarters," Riku said, practically dragging Sora back before he got too angry. When they reached the building, Sora collapsed on Riku's bed. It had been routine for the two to hang out often since they were all each other had.

"Sorry, Riku-I mean Major Riku!" he said looking at his leader. Riku sat beside his friend and shoved the ice cream in Sora's mouth.

"It's fine, Sora. Look, how about when it's just us two, just call me Riku?"

With the ice cream bar still in his mouth, Sora nodded then took a bite. "Here, this is yours," he said handing it back to Riku. The major shook his head and told him he was done.

"Sweets aren't really my thing anymore," he said with a chuckle. Sora rolled his eyes and shoved it back into Riku's mouth. With a laugh, Sora replied, "Seriously, if you ate them more often you might enjoy them."

Riku raised an eyebrow and finished the ice cream. "I know you just want to give me a taste of you."

Sora's face flushed red. "W-W-What are you talking about? N-No, I just thought y-you'd like an i-ice cream." Sora's chest filled with butterflies as Riku laughed.

"Why do you get so nervous? I'm just joking. Have a drink with me," he said, walking to his desk drawer containing whiskey. Sora turned wide-eyed as Riku poured Sora a shot.

"Have you ever even had alcohol before? Are you even legal?" he asked handing Sora the drink. He didn't care whether or not he was legal to drink. Riku had always felt once a soldier has been on the battlefield in the front lines, they are entitled to a lot more.

Sora grabbed the shot glass with a scoff. "Yes, I am thank you very much! But no, I haven't drank before."

Riku raised an eyebrow with a smirk. "We're changing that. Tonight."

With the bottle empty, the two couldn't contain their inside voices. The heat had forced the two to take off their shirts and jackets.

"What do you mean you've never been in a relationship!?" Sora yelled in disbelief.

Riku rolled his eyes. "Did I stutter? I've never been in a relationship!" Sora scoffed at his superior and slammed back the last shot. "I can't believe it! You're so good looking!"

Riku handed Sora some more water. He didn't want the younger male to have a killer hangover on the morning of their big mission. "Stay hydrated. It's not all about looks, Sora. I'm not exactly sane!" he said, laughing as Sora spilled the water on himself.

Sora poured more water in his cup and poked Riku in the chest. "Who cares!? There's got to be someone that will listen to your story and be like 'You know what Riku!? I want to help you live!'"

Riku groaned realizing he shouldn't have given the brunet so much to drink. He wasn't exactly sober himself, though.

"And you?" Riku asked raising an eyebrow. Sora shook his head and slammed his fist into the table. "Kairi's been the only girl in my life. That bitch! Having the nerve to try to act like everything's okay. It's totally cool now, Riku. I don't give a fuck anymore. Having someone that doesn't understand what I've gone through...what we've gone through... isn't good for us nor them. Let's face it, we're both fucked up. I can't even imagine how you've deal with it all these years. I've only had to deal with it for like a month now and I feel like no one's gonna want someone that can die at a moment's notice on the battlefield."

Riku frowned as he realized Sora wasn't wrong. "You're right, Sora. It's better for us not to get attached to anyone, though that can't always be helped."

Sora laughed and noticed the other staring at him. He felt a tug at his chest, unsure if it was real or the whiskey flowing through his blood. "And by that you mean?"

Riku scooted his chair closer to Sora and finished his last shot. He knew his world wasn't spinning as much as Sora's, but the alcohol had definitely hit him. "Maybe, I have gotten attached to you," he whispered in Sora's ear.

"To me?" he asked, frozen. Riku backed away and shoved his face into his hand to support it. "Don't mind me, Sora. I think we've had too much to drink. I shouldn't have given all of that to you especially for your first time."

Riku stood up to fast and fell. Sora managed to catch him before he hit the ground. "Easy, Major," he said as he pulled Riku close enough to whisper in his ear. "Maybe I've gotten attached to you myself."

Sora steadied Riku and stumbled to the bed, collapsing in the corner of it. Riku stood, shocked at Sora's response, but shook it off realizing Sora was too drunk to mean it. He walked over and performed a medium heal on both praying it was enough to take the hangover away in the morning. Riku slid into bed next to Sora and fell asleep fast. For the first time in a long time, Riku had no bad dreams.

The next morning came too soon for everyone heading out on the fields. Riku's heal prevented the hangovers from hell though both were still a bit tired for staying up so late. They got ready, awkwardness hanging in the air. Riku wasn't sure if Sora remembered much of the previous night, but didn't want to ask.

All the squads lined up in front of the gate before leaving. Sora and Riku were in the very front. Kairi wasn't too far behind him and was deemed a healer for a few different squads, including Sora's. Riku cursed the bad luck, but couldn't hold back a smile at the fear plastered on her face as well as Seifer's.

The gates slowly opened and the squads in the front line took off. It was apparent to Sora that the ones on the front lines were much more experienced than everyone else. They were the only ones to go into Wisdom Form, having enough endurance to last a long time in different Forms. Sora looked over to Riku, Blades at the ready.

"What exactly are we doing?" he asked, confused at the purpose of this mission.

"There was a giant Heartless spotted nearby. I mean massive. Apparently, it's the biggest ever recorded. Took out four full squads of highly skilled officers."

Sora found it hard to swallow at the thought of a lot of officers being destroyed. Riku put a reassuring hand on Sora's shoulder. "There's tons of us. Besides, I'm not going to let you die out here," he said.

It took about an three hours before the big Heartless was spotted. Everyone got into battle-ready stances. The large blue and black Arch Behemoth stood in front of them. The massive Heartless could sense the fear rise in everyone. Sora calmed his nerves as the Behemoth rushed at the force. Shock waves rumbled in the ground sending some of the soldiers off their feet. Lightning was everywhere, hitting many of the squads.

"Sora! Keep in Wisdom! Jump!" Riku yelled as the Behemoth charged at them. The two jumped and landed on the monster's back. They nodded at each other and took off in a coordinated attack that they had come up with when training. They immediately switched into Valor Form and ran at the Behemoth's horns.

"And Now!" Riku yelled swinging his Blades at the beast. It barely fazed the Heartless as they kept trying to hack off the horns. Light began to form and Sora knew what would happen next. He looked down to see Kairi and Seifer frozen in fear. Energy balls filled the sky, falling on many soldiers. Sora could see so many had died from the beast's stomps and couldn't believe that only a few minutes had passed. Others had died from the energy balls and lightning.

"Sora! Don't!" Riku exclaimed as he watched Sora jump off towards Kairi and Seifer. Just as a massive energy ball got near him, a bright light flashed through the air. Riku looked down in horror, heart racing. Then he saw what the light was from. Sora had blocked the attack, standing in Master Form.

He unlocked it!

Sora pushed the energy ball towards the beast as Riku jumped off to avoid the hit. He assumed Master Form as well and ran up to Sora.

"You have a second Blade!" he said with a smile. Sora looked and saw the light colored blade. "Oathkeeper...I told Kairi I would always protect her from Heartless. Come on Riku, we have to bring this beast down!"

The two jumped onto the beasts back again and unleashed a wave of fury from their Blades. The other soldiers unintentionally kept it distracted as Riku took off the first horn, Sora's following right after. The Arch Behemoth fell to the ground, causing Riku to fall off during a massive shock wave.

"Shit!" he yelled. Sora tried to grab him, but missed. The Behemoth balanced itself and found his main target-Riku. Sora couldn't get his Blades through the thick hide. It had some sort of defense around it's skin.

Sora flew off the Behemoth and saw Riku having problems standing up. Just as the Heartless moved in to bite the soldier, Sora grabbed both of his Blades and shoved both into the roof of its mouth as a large tooth went into Sora's arm. Sora landed on his feet as the Arch Behemoth swayed and fell to the ground. Riku had found enough strength and will to pull Sora away into safety.

Kairi and Seifer ran up to the two and immediately started healing. As Kairi was healing Sora, Riku heard a familiar swooshing sound. He looked up to see a flaming chakram pierce through the air heading straight for Sora. Riku flew onto his feet and knocked the chakram away. The other soldiers looked around confused and found a black hooded figure standing next to the Behemoth. He raised a second chakram and threw it at the surprised soldiers. It sliced straight through a few squads. A Keyblade flew in a circle and killed more.

A Keyblade? What? Riku thought to himself as he looked around. Sora walked up next to Riku in Valor Form.

"That looked just like my Oblivion Blade," Sora muttered as he held up his Keyblade. Riku saw it fly through the air again and realized Sora was right. It was identical to the Oblivion. Riku ran at the hooded figure and realized there was actually two of them. The shorter one had two Keyblades in his hands.

They're both exactly like Sora's! he said, assuming Master Form.

The shorter one blocked Riku's attack, but not without letting down his defenses. Riku quickly summoned a second Blade and brought it into Roxas' side. The male crumpled to the ground as the taller one ran up to his partner. He threw a chakram at the Major and grabbed the shorter male, blood covering the ground. Before Riku could continue the attack, the two disappeared. Riku turned as he heard a loud gasp from behind him. Sora had dropped to the ground, holding his side.

"Sora? What's wrong?!" Riku asked as he retreated to his comrade. Sora shakily put his hand in his jacket pocket and pulled at small bottle out. He managed to dump one of the tiny tablets into his hand and forced it into his mouth.

"It's...nothing..." he muttered through gasps for air.

Riku grit his teeth. "Quit bullshitting me. What the hell happened?!"

Riku looked down and saw blood on Sora's side. Kairi had already been frantically trying to heal it. Seifer decided it best to stay out of the way.

"I don't know...I...pain in my side every once in a while..."

Riku ripped Sora's jacket off and split his shirt. His wound from the first fight appeared to have opened. "That's impossible! It was healed!" Riku yelled as he tried to keep pressure on the gash. "Kairi! Heal faster dammit!" he yelled at the girl.

Kairi's hands began to shake as blood went everywhere. She froze and Riku finally pushed her away. "Jesus! Get out of my fucking way!" Riku focused his energy and started to heal with one hand and sew the cut closed. The blood made it difficult and soon he needed his other hand. "Seifer, get over here and start casting a heal!" Seifer hesitantly walked over and cast a weak heal.

It'll have to do, Riku thought to himself as he continued stitching. A few minutes later, the wound was closed and Kairi was crying uncontrollably. Seifer went to go console her as Riku picked the barely conscious Sora from the ground.

"Shut up! Our mission is done and we need to head back before they come back at us," Riku commanded. He ran over to a surviving second lieutenant that he had shared the field with many times.

"Second Lieutenant Cloud! I have to get my soldier back as soon as possible. May I ask you to reform the troops and lead them back. We can't stay here too long," he begged.

Cloud looked at Sora and nodded. "Yeah, just make sure he makes it," he said turning back to the survivors, yelling commands.

"I'm okay, Riku. These pills make me sleepy," he muttered through a voice half-asleep.

Riku growled and continued in Wisdom Form. "You are not okay! For some reason your scar just so happened to open? We're heading back right now to get you checked out by Leon."

Sora put an arm around Riku's neck for better support. "How come you're doing this while no one else does?"

Riku couldn't look at Sora anymore. "Because I told you...I got attached."

Sora formed a smile on his face. "Riku, I think I got attached too," he whispered when replaying the events in his mind. Sora had slightly hesitated in saving Kairi, thinking it would end his own life. However, he didn't have to think about anything when he saw Riku in danger.

Riku sighed. He managed to get back in half the time it took for them to leave. Sora had fallen asleep in his arms. He rushed him to Leon, but during the examination, the gash went back to being a scar. The bewildered Riku couldn't take anymore confusion and walked away as Sora rested.

He had never walked by the prison, in fear of his father, until that day. Riku was close enough to overhear the guards talk in a panic.

"What do we do? The General is going to kill us! How did Xehanort escape?"

Riku froze and felt his blood run cold.

I'm coming for you, my Riku.

End Note: Well, I'm addicted to KHUX! I have a hard time balancing my time between my phone, ps3/ps4, and writing. Please review! I love reading all the comments. :) See you next chapter!