Chapter 5

(Roxas POV)

I gradually forced my eyelids open, but my vision was so blurry it didn't make any difference whether my eyes were open or closed. My body was completely numb, yet my head still throbbed. It was a horrible sensation.

"Roxas?" a familiar voiced cooed softly, "Roxas, can you hear me?"

As my vision slowly came into focus, I could just barely make out of big blue eyes staring down at me. "X-xion?" I forced the name through my lips. It was so hard to speak, like there was some enormous weight crushing my chest.

The dark haired girl sighed in relief, placing her hand lightly on her chest. She turned to another part of the room and called, "He's awake." I tried to turn my head to see who she was talking to, but no matter what I did my body wouldn't move. Xion turned back to me and gently stroked my face with the back of her hand. "Do you remember what happened?"

Wait, do I remember? All the images in my head were fuzzy, and none of it made any sense. It seemed like everything after the mission in Halloween Town had been completely wiped from my mind. There was also a horribly disgusting coppery taste in my mouth.

"All I remember is going on a mission with Axel," I groaned, struggling to keep my eyes open, "W-where is he?" The only thing I could think of at the moment was my redhead. I longed for his comforting presence, and wanted to know why he wasn't here with me.

Xion placed a quizzical finger on her chin, pondering the question, "The last time I saw him, Demyx was cleaning the bite wound on his hand. But that was yesterday, so I have no idea where he is now."

"Bite wound?" I tilted my head slightly to the side and gazed up at her questioningly. I didn't know he'd been injured.

"Oh, yeah," she giggled, smiling sweetly, "I guess you don't remember. You bit Axel when Vexen tried to give you a sedative."

"W-what?" I asked, not believing what I'd just heard. Me, bite Axel? That's absurd! Then again, that would explain why he's not here. If I had bit him, he would probably too pissed or embarrassed to come visit me.

"Yeah, but if you ask me he kinda deserved it for not listening to Vexen and taking you out when you weren't supposed to. It's a good thing he brought you back when he did, otherwise I don't think you would have made it." Xion gazed tenderly at me and ruffled my hair. "Alright, I have to go. Saix only gave me so much time to visit you before I had to go on my mission. But don't worry, I'll head straight back here after I'm done." She placed a soft kiss on my forehead, then walked out the door.

I groaned again and gradually forced my hand to my chest, clutching my shirt. The numbness had begun to fade, and the pain was returning. "Axel," I whispered; the redhead still the only thing on my mind. I wanted him here with me; his sweet breath; the gentle touch of his skin against mine. It was like some sort of addiction; a need that absolutely had to be met before I could start thinking logically again. He was the only thing on my mind.

(Axel POV)

My nose wrinkled as I stepped through the dark passageway. I had finished my mission and had decided to go to Midgar to find out exactly what kind of virus we were dealing with.

"Alright," I huffed and scanned the area. The entire place was strewn with garbage and debris, and all the buildings were in ruin. No wonder the little guy got sick, this place was a dump.

Suddenly, the streets were filled with the roar of a motorcycle engine. I jumped at the sound, then quickly darted over to the side of a nearby church, and watched as a tall blonde pulled up on a jet black bike. He cut the engine and dismounted the vehicle, stretching his limbs before casually strolling into the large, Gothic structure.

This must be the guy, I thought to myself, Wow, he really does look like Roxas. I guess if I'm gonna talk to anyone around here, it might as well be him.

Taking a deep breath, I followed after the older male. Talking to people in other worlds was forbidden, since our presence was supposed to be kept strictly secret, so what I was about to do went against everything I'd been told. However, if it meant helping Roxas, I was willing to do anything.

I was hesitant as I first approached the large wooden doors, but that was almost instantly overcome with determination and complete bull headedness. The door squeaked as I forced it open, and the blonde calmly turned to face me.

"Hey," I called, nodding toward the older male, "You met a friend of mine here a couple days ago. A short blonde kid who kinda looks like you."

"Yeah," he replied as he placed a hand on the hilt of his blade, "I remember him. What's that got to do with me?"

I raised a calming hand, "Hey buddy, I'm not lookin for a fight. The kid's really sick, and I figured you might know what's wrong with him."

"I'm guessing you both aren't from around here, are you?" he asked, reluctantly taking his hand from his blade. I shook my head. "What're his symptoms?"

"Fever. Dizziness. Plus he's in a shit load of pain."

The man's gaze averted from me as he contemplated what I had just said. This was starting to piss me off. I just wanted an answer so I could go back and tell Vexen what's wrong with the little guy so we can get him treated.

"Is there a large bruise somewhere on his body?" he asked after another moment.

"Yeah," I nodded, "On his chest. Why?"

The blonde sighed morosely, then turned and walked over to a chest lying in the corner of the front of the room. "I think your friend has geostigma."

"Well, how do we treat it? What's the cure?" I asked, finally glad to have a name to put with the face. All that meant was we were one step closer to curing Roxas.

"Heh, you really aren't from around here," he sighed halfheartedly, "There is no cure. Geostigma is a fatal disease. I'm sorry, but your friend is going to die." There was a sudden searing hot pain in my chest. I clutched the fabric of my coat and collapsed in one of the Pius.

There's no cure? Roxas is going…to die?

The older male turned back to look at me, something almost like empathy hinted in his gaze. "There is a treatment though," he muttered, pulling something from the chest and tossing it to me. I caught it clumsily, and found it was a small container. "It's a type of ointment I made. Put it on some bandages and wrap them around his chest. It'll help suppress the pain, and make life a little more bearable for him."

"Thanks," I mumbled, not taking my eyes off the container. This was all that was left for him; an existence in a constant state of dulled pain.

"I'm sorry, but that's all I can do."

Despite the fact that I was in complete and utter shock, I did remember to ask one thing. "Is this thing contagious by chance?"

The blonde shot a questioning glance at me, then shook his head dismissively. Man, he really was just like Roxas. "No, it's not contagious. So don't worry about catching anything."

"Oh," I muttered. Well, at least there was some good news I could take back. After a couple minutes I looked back up at the man and found him staring at me, almost as if he were analyzing me. "What?" I growled in annoyance. It pissed me off when people looked at me like that.

"It's nothing," he sighed, turning away, "You just look like someone I know, but that doesn't matter. Sorry about your friend, he seemed like a good kid." With that, the man stood, and walked out the door. A moment later, I could hear the roar of the motorcycle, and a screech as it tore across pavement. The sound gradually dulled as it grew further and further away, and I was left alone to my thoughts.

(Xion POV)

"What? Why can't I see him?" I asked as I stood outside the door to the medical ward. Zexion was blocking the entryway, arms crossed looking apathetic as ever.

"I told you," he sighed, "Saix and the superior are speaking with Vexen. They told me not to allow anyone to enter while they're there, and that includes you, Demyx and Axel."

If Xemnas was in there, then that really meant something was wrong. I wanted desperately to be in there, but I knew if I disobeyed orders that I'd be severely punished. All I could do for the time being was wait for the others to leave.

"Alright," I replied softly, my gaze dropping to the floor, "But Zexion, could you tell me when I can see him? I told him I'd visit after my mission, and I don't want to seem like a liar." The older man nodded and I gave him a quick hug, "Thanks."

"No problem," he muttered, turning away. I could swear I saw a slightest hint of a blush grace his cheeks. The sight made me giggle. With one last disappointed sigh, I turned and headed back down the hallway toward my room.

Poor Roxas. He really looked like he was in pain. Not only that, but he'd also been so out of it with all the medication that he couldn't even remember anything from yesterday.

As I trudged through the hallways lamenting my friend, my disposition suddenly brightened as I got a glimpse of bright red hair out of the corner of my eye.

"Oh, hey Xion," Axel sighed morosely as I skipped over to him. The sight of his depressed expression forced me to stop a couple feet away; concerned feeling gradually making itself present yet again.

"What's wrong?" I asked sympathetically. It was pretty clear he was still worried about Roxas, but I just wanted to hear him say it. He wasn't really one to let others inside his head; always the enigma.

"Nothing," he mumbled, his gaze dropping to the floor, "Just worried about the little guy is all."

My eyes widened in surprise. I wasn't expecting him to just come out and say it like that. There had to be more to it than he was letting on, but if it was really that bad, I wasn't too sure I wanted to know. Alas, I decided to ask anyway on the off chance he would actually talk to me.

(Axel POV)

"That's not all, is it?" Xion questioned again in a very soft tone, "It's something about Roxas that you're not telling me. What is it?"

This was not a conversation I wanted to have right now, especially with anyone other than Vexen or Zexion. I was also pretty hesitant about speaking with Roxas. No one wants to be the one to tell the person they love that they're going to die.

"Sorry Xion," I sighed solemnly, pushing my way past the small girl, "I don't think I can really talk about it right now. I – I gotta go find Vexen or Zexion."

Thankfully she didn't follow me. I knew she was just as worried about Roxas as I was, but I really didn't want her to tag along when I was about to spill the beans about the little guy's condition. This was something Roxas and I had to deal with by ourselves.

I neared the medical ward just in time to see Zexion opening the door and Xemnas stepping through, accompanied closely by Saix. All three men turned to face me as I nervously approached.

"W-what's goin on with Roxas?" I asked cautiously. Questioning the superior was something no sane person would do, and I wasn't too keen on the idea myself.

"What business is it of yours?" Saix questioned back, restraining a snarl. Xemnas simply eyed me suspiciously.

Mustering up my confidence, I replied, "I have information about the virus."

That peeked the superior's interest. "Go on," the yellow eyed male said smoothly. Both Zexion and Saix seemed interested as well

I nodded, thankful he wasn't going to sick his guard dog on me. "First off it's not contagious," I sighed, "Second, well…superior, the disease is…fatal." As soon as I said the words, both yellow eyed men turned and headed back down the hallway. None of this was looking good. I turned back to Zexion, who still stood there looking bewildered. "Can I see him?"

"Sure," the slated haired male replied, then followed me into the room.

I winced a little as a beheld my lover lying in the hospital bed, curled into a ball and whimpering in pain. His eyes were tightly closed, and beads of sweat dripped from his forehead.

Zexion headed into the back room as I wandered over to the little blonde's bedside. I knelt beside him and ever so gently placed my hand on his shoulder, not really wanting to any other part of my body bitten off as well. The slightest touch of my hand made him jump, blood shot azure eyes springing open.

"Axel," he breathed. The next thing I knew, I was holding him in my arms, clutching tightly against the fabric of my coat, "Oh, Axel."

"Roxas," I gasped, and wrapped my arms around his small frame, pulling him close. His response to my being here caught me by surprise, and made the situation all the more difficult to bear.

After a moment, he pulled away just enough to gaze at me questioningly. "Where were you?" the blonde whispered. His pained expression tore me apart, and the only thing I wanted to do was hold him close and try to comfort him.

"I'm sorry Rox," I apologized, pulling him back against my chest, "I had to find out what was doing this to you." He whimpered and tightened his grip against my chest. The poor kid was shaking badly, and his breathing was hitched and unsteady. Suddenly, I felt something warm and wet stain the front of my coat. "Roxas," I whispered, "Are you… crying?"

I gently tilted his head back up and found tears streaming down his face. "How are you doing that?"

"I *sniff* don't know," he sobbed, "I just *sniff* missed you, and *sniff I had to be with you. Dammit, this is so *sniff* stupid. Heh, I can't stop." He chuckled softly, and tried to wipe the tears from his eyes, but no matter what he did they just kept falling. "You said you *sniff* found something out?"

I hoisted the little guy onto my lap, careful not to cause him any unnescessary pain, and kissed his forehead. He was just too adorable to have to be in a place like this. I knew I was going to have to tell him sooner or later, but at the moment, the words seemed caught in my throat.

At the moment, the most I could manage was a forced smile. "I went to Midgar after my mission. You remember that Cloud guy you told me about earlier?" He nodded slightly. "Well, I found him. You were right, he really could be a match for Zexion for the title of emo king." That earned me a giggle from the blonde to which I smiled tenderly. I was always proud of myself whenever I managed to make him laugh.

"So did he know what was wrong with me."

I sighed heavily and pulled Roxas closer to my chest. "He said he thinks you have something called 'geostigma'."

At this, Roxas' head popped off of my chest and he gazed at me expectantly with huge, sparkling blue eyes. "Really? What is it! What's the cure! Tell me Axel!"

"Calm down. You're gonna give yourself a heart attack," I grinned, ruffling his golden spikes. I pulled out the little jar Cloud had given me and held it out for him. "He said if you put some of this on your bandages and wrap them around the bruise on your chest, it'll make the pain much easier."

Roxas took the jar from my hands and held it up to examine it. "And this will cure it, that 'geo-whatever it's called'?"

I swallowed hard and my gaze fell slightly, but apparently not enough for the bed ridden blonde to notice.

No. I'm sorry babe, but it won't. There is no cure. You're going to die.

The words came so easily in my mind, but when it came to actually saying them, that was an entirely different story.

"It might," I smiled softly, "But we'll have to wait and see. That guy didn't exactly mention how long it would take for that stuff to work."

A huge grin spread across his features, and he flung his arms around my neck. "Thank you, Axel," he whispered, "Thank you so much. I don't know what I'd do without you."

My mind was racked with guilt, but I tried to ease the pain by telling myself, I guess it's not really such a bad thing to lie to him. Better to see him happy than have him spend the rest of his life in misery. In the meantime, I'll try and find a cure. Just you wait and see, Roxas. Everything will turn out alright.

I lay with him in the small bed until he fell asleep. That ointment actually worked. It was such a relief watching him sleep peacefully rather than seeing his face contorted in pain. I couldn't stand seeing him like that, and could barely even fathom the thought of losing him. But...if I couldn't find a cure...what was I going to do without him?

Hey people of fanfiction! Sorry it took so long. My typing has been inhibited by a chest and back injury, so I can't stay on the computer for too long *sob*

Anyway, please review. It will make my pain so much more worth while, and I always love to hear from you. Chapter 6 should be coming soon!