Chapter 9: Everything

Axel flipped the lid off his lighter with his thumb and struck the spark wheel, trying to create flame. It sparked a few time before the flame shot out. He carefully brought it to his cigarette. The flame consumed the tip of the paper and ignited the cancer stick. Axel deeply inhaled to keep it burning and exhaled a cloud of white smoke that reeked of tobacco.

Roxas waved his hand in front of his nose to clear away the smoke. "Thanks for looking out for us."

Axel took the cigarette from his lips and balanced it perfectly between his index and middle fingers. "Anything for my bud." He gave the butt a slight tap the clear off some of the ash. "I just wished she didn't get involved."

Roxas looked at his feet. "I thought we were finally safe."

Axel placed his hand on his blond friend's shoulder. "I got your back. They won't be able to touch you as long as I'm around."

Roxas feebly smiled.

Axel patted his shoulder. "Just don't worry about it." He took one last drag before snuffing the stubby cigarette on the railing. "And don't sweat about the blade. It served its purpose to protect its wielder."

Roxas watched as his fiery red-headed friend glided down the stairs and jump into his car. It let out a roaring screech as the wheels burnt through the snow and took off. Roxas turned around and headed through his apartment door.

Xion sat on the couch waiting. She glanced up at him momentarily before looking away.

Roxas stood at the door. It was dead silent in the living room.

"Where'd you get them?" Xion broke the silence. She continued staring at the wall in front of her.

"Get what?"

"Those scars… on your stomach?"

Roxas stood there, unable to find the words to answer. He slowly unzipped his grey sweater and let it slip off his shoulders. He grabbed the hem of his shirt and raised it up to his chest, revealing the three large scars. He then turned around to show his back.

Xion let a tiny gasp escape from her lips. There on Roxas's back was a large scar at the center of his back. It trailed off in different directions all over his back and it wrapped around to the three scars on his stomach.

"I was attacked by a wild animal," he explained.

Xion half believed him. She felt as he was telling the truth, but not the entirety of it. She watched as he pulled his shirt back down and walked over to her.

"Those people who chased us today," Roxas began as he sat down next to Xion, leaving a small gap between them,"they're apart of this large organization. A gang that terrorizes innocent people. I guess I'm their next target. They been showing up for the last couple months after you were hospitalized."

She wanted to believe him, and she allowed herself to. "Will they ever stop?"

"Yeah."

Xion lowered her eyes to the carpet. "Do you have anymore secrets?"

Roxas thought for a moment. "Um… I have one that I never really told anyone before-except Axel, of course."

Xion looked at him with curious eyes. "You do?"

Roxas nodded. "It's a little embarrassing, but I feel like I can tell you. And I really do need to tell you this." Roxas took a deep breath.

"Well it was the first year of high school…" Roxas began.

A young 15-year-old Roxas walked down the large crowded hallway. It was filled with nervous 1st years, excited 2nd years, and cool 3rd years that leaned against their lockers, nothing in hand as they towered above everyone. They worked hard to climb up to the top and they were ready to let everyone know they were in charge.

"Yo, Roxas!"

Roxas turned his head to see his fiery red-headed best friend. He was a 2nd year student. "Hey, Axel," Roxas greeted him with an excited grin.

"How do you like it so far?" he asked, wrapping his arm around Roxas's thin neck and pulled him into his armpit.

Roxas tried to push away from him. "I just got here!"

Axel wrestled Roxas for a bit before letting him go. "Stick around me and I'll show you the ropes."

"I don't know. You seem to be a bad influence on me," Roxas said with a smirk.

Axel gave Roxas a large slap on the back. "Can you go look for Larxene for me? I think she might be hunting down some 1st years."

Roxas gave a slight nod. "Sure, man."

"Thanks," Axel said as they exchanged a fist bump before he took off down the hall in the opposite direction.

Roxas continued down the hallway. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a tall 2nd year student with shoulder length blue hair. His golden eyes glinted at him as he watched Roxas go down the hallway.

. "Looky here, Little Miss. That kind of attitude won't get you anywhere in life. You're nothin'. Just a nobody."

Roxas found Larxene harassing a meek 1st year student. "Larxene! Back off!" he shouted at her. "Larxene, don't you have anything better to do, like suck Axel's cock, than pick on a new girl.?" he asked.

Larxene straightened up. "Relax Roxas," she said sweetly as she batted her eyes at him. "I would never hurt this poor girl."

He angrily frowned. "Larxene," he said in a harsh tone.

She put her hands on her hips."Oh okay, Roxas. You know if you weren't Axel's friend, I'd slug you." She sneered at him.

Roxas sneered back. "Same goes to you, too."

Larxene flashed a toothy grin at the girl. "You should hang out with me sometime. I'll show you the ropes." She then turned around and walked off.

Roxas turned his attention to the terrified girl. "Are you okay?" He offered his hand to the girl.

She looked at him with large scared eyes. They grew warmer as she took his hand. "I'm Naminé."

"I'm Roxas."

Roxas tapped his foot against the wet ground. He was caught out by a light Spring storm. It's been a week since he broke up with his girlfriend of 5 months. He felt empty inside. He continued waiting.

"Sorry, I'm late," chirped a high pitch voice. Naminé skipped toward him. A few raindrops dripped from her white umbrella. "I have to be with my uncle today." She made a quiet retching noise.

Roxas smiled at the blonde girl. "You look beautiful today," he commented as his eyes looked up and down, taking the entire sight in. His stomach felt twisted in huge knots.

A tall man with slicked back blonde hair and a neatly trimmed goatee. He wore a long black trench coat and carried a large red umbrella that shaded his face. His amber eyes stared deep into Roxas. " Naminé, who is this young fellow?" His voice was deep and resounding.

"Uncle Ansem, this is Roxas," Naminé introduced the nervous young teen.

Ansem made a deep hum that vibrated deep in his throat. "Roxas?" There was a slight sound of pleasantness in his voice. " It's a pleasure to meet you Roxas."

Roxas looked back at Naminé. "Let's go, Naminé. The movie should be starting soon."

They walked side by side together. His heart pounded in his chest as he bit his lower lip. His hand twitched. He wanted to take Naminé's slender hand into his own and hold on to her forever. Yet he couldn't. He didn't allow himself to break the last barrier that kept them apart. Even though his heart beats for the beautiful blonde girl who walked next to him, he felt empty still. Even though she loves him and he returned her feelings, he couldn't get close to her. His hand slipped back into his pocket as they walked into the warm movie theater.

He watched the love of his life from a distance, even though she was right next to him. He felt miles away from Naminé. For the next few years, he would continue to watch her, the distance between growing further. He couldn't say that he loved her. He couldn't kiss her. He couldn't hold her close to him, He couldn't even hold her close. But he was able to give this warm loving look from a far. For the next few years, the only thing he could do was give her that look. That look that had no real meaning behind it except a false feeling. He was empty.

"So yeah, I was in love with Naminé," Roxas wrapped up his flashback. "Or so I thought, until I saw the real Naminé."

Roxas lifted himself off the couch. Xion's eyes followed him as he walked across the room. "I didn't know what real love was until I met someone new. Someone who showed me what real love was. Someone who filled that empty spot that remained in my heart for so long."

Xion leaned forward. "Who?" Her voiced trailed off as Roxas continued.

"Even if we were to remain friends forever, that's good enough for me. Just being able to know she exists is good enough for me. Her existence fills me. She means everything to me."

Roxas turned around to face Xion. A dead silence filled the room as Roxas gave her a warm loving look.

"What do we do with kiddo?" The hoarse voice belonged the a shaded person who sat higher up above the others at the round table. The only light source was a tiny dim light that hung above the large table from a thin cable. It illuminated the center, leaving the rim covered in darkness.

There was a short pause before a young, smooth, deep voice slowly spoke. "For as far as we're concern, we either bring him in dead or alive." He spoke slowly and carefully, forcing emotion into each word he articulated smoothly.

The dark room filled with an excited murmur at the decision.

"OOOOOO! This will be fun!" exclaimed a young teen's voice. He sounded very child like and innocent.

"Can I carry out this order?" asked another. His voice was also smooth and slow, but higher pitch. His golden eyes glinted in the darkness.

"Wait!" A high-pitched voice echoed through the room. Naminé stood by her Uncle Ansem, watching the meeting on the side. "You can't kill Roxas."

"And why not?" The leader asked, his voice still smooth and dramatic.

"Because killing him is too merciful," she explained. "You have to make him suffer." A sadistic smirk appeared on her face. "You have to hurt someone he really loves and holds dearly."

They all exchanged glances and murmurs of agreement. The sound of a chair moving back echoed through the room and everyone grew silent. He leaned forward, letting the light shine on his tanned skin. His silver hair shined in the light. "Let us commence with the new plan."

Ven heard the sound of the door click shut behind him. He held his guitar case tightly in his hand. Roxas and Xion haven't returned yet from their date. He pulled his green scarf over his nose. He walks down the steps, heading to work at the bar in the city. It was his only way to support himself and Roxas for these last few years. He regretted it because it took precious time away from his little brother, but the job had to be done. I hope you understand, Little Bro, he thought to himself one final time before heading off into the empty, white world.

You're my everything.