Chapter 6

I decided to leave shortly after. His fever was spiking again, and I couldn't help but think it had something to do with my presence. Sometimes it sucks having an average temp of a hundred and four.

Sighing heavily to myself, I trudged aimlessly through the barren hallways with no real purpose other than to kill time. Heh, Luxord hates that expression. Anyway, just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, I rounded the corner only to come face to face with the fucking wolf man himself.

"Axel. Just the person I wanted to see." His tone was cold, and I could swear he was trying with all his might to evicerate me with his eyes.

Though I knew I would regret it later, I didn't really consider the consequences at the time. So, being the idiot I am, a mischevious sneer graced my lips and I asked in a mocking tone, "Someone's appears to be a little pissy this afternoon. What Saix, superior not letting you top, or is he just denying you sex all together?"

Oh shit. WHY THE FUCK DID I SAY THAT! Fuck, he's gonna castrate me I just know it. Say goodbye to your balls, Axel.

Despite my overwhelming fear radiating from my very being, I kept a straight face and held my ground.

Much to my surprise the bastard didn't go berserk on me, though death was clearly apparent in his icy cold stare. A rather high pitched and unmanly yelp fled my lips as Saix lifted me by the front of my coat so our noses nearly touched. "You will be accompanying Roxas on all his missions from now on," he stated frostily, then dropped me to the floor with a thud.

"And here I thought you were mad at me," I huffed from my seat on the polished stone floor. His left eye twitched slightly, and I could tell he was near his breaking point. It was only a matter of time before I wound up a splattered mess all over the castle, but I couldn't help myself, it was in my nature to be a smart ass.

You need to learn to keep your mouth shut, ya stupid jackass.

Shut up voices, or I'll poke you with a q-tip again.

Promptly ignoring the little voice in my head that I suspected to be my conscious, I pushed myself to my feet and brushed the imaginary dirt off my coat, before turning back to the quickly shortening fuse.

"So, you gonna give me an explanation, or ya just gonna leave me hangin?"

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't completely stunned when he actually gave me an answer. "Despite your evident lack of respect for your superior members, I will inform you that this job was chosen specifically for you. Your relationship with XIII made it apparent that you would be best suited to care for him until his usefulness is outlasted."

His words cut deep. He was talking about Roxas like some washing machine that had passed its warrenty, and was about to be thrown out.

I could feel my blood beginning to boil, and I had to clench my fists to keep from roasting that stupid dog alive. A low growl, only audible to me, bled though my lips. "So, basically what you're sayin is you want me to keep him alive till this disease kills 'im. How the hell is he supposed to go on missions when he can barely sit up without doubling over in pain?"

Saix sighed in annoyance, rubbing the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. "Look, I don't care if you have to swing the damn keyblade yourself. All I want is for you to make sure he collects as many hearts as possible before his time runs out. Have I made myself clear, Lea?"

This time the growl that rumbled through my chest was a bit more audible, and I could sense the slightest hint of a flinch from my 'superior'. I nodded, giving him the satisfaction of a positive answer.

"Good. You two will be heading out on your next mission once Vexen gives him clearence to leave."

"Awesome," I muttered under my breath as the older male brushed past me.

Honestly, sometimes I don't believe that man was ever human. Saix was the epitome of what a nobody was said to be; cold and unfeeling.

(Xion POV)

"Saix and the superior are gone?"

Zexion sighed and glanced up at me from his cup of tea. "Yes. They both left a while ago. You're free to go see him."

"Wait, a while ago? Why didn't you tell me! I thought you said you'd tell me as soon as they left! You're so mean Zexy!" I crossed my arms in a huff and pouted.

That jerk! I hugged him and everything! So much for being friends.

The slated male turned away, hiding the somewhat amused look on his face under his lilac hair. "That may be, but I simply wanted to give he and Axel some time together. I do apologize for not telling you sooner, Xion."

"You could have told me. It's not like I would've barged in on them."

When he didn't return my half hearted glare, instead taking another sip of his tea, I turned and headed back to the medical ward to see Roxas. Surely he and Axel were done. I just hoped he didn't fall asleep again. It would be nice to talk with him.

I made sure to knock before sliding the door open. Much to my dismay, Roxas had fallen asleep again, though Axel was nowhere to be found. I figured he would've stuck around for a while with how sick Roxas was. Then again, he could just be getting some dinner.

I took a tentative seat in the chair beside the bed, and gently stroked the blonde's face. His usual porcilen skin was sickly pale and streaked with sweat, causing his bangs to stick to his forehead. There were dark bruise like rings underneath his eyes, giving the appearance he hadn't had much sleep. His bandaged chest rose shakily and fell the same. Light, but visable blood stains were beginning to make themselves known on his bandages where the heartless had attacked him.

Oh Roxas. I hope you'll be okay. I can't even begin to think what life might be like around here without you.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when Roxas groaned softly, and began to stir. Slowly, but surely, a pair of large sapphire eyes similar to my own became visible from underneath ebony lashes, and he gazed up at me with slight confusion.

"Xion?" He tilted his head slightly to the side, and blinked a few times.

"Hey Rox. See, I told ya I'd be back."

I got a warm, fuzzy feeling as he smiled up at me. However, that smile quickly faded, and was replaced with an incredibly pained grimace as he screwed his eyes shut. He uttered a low groan and clutched his chest with a trembling hand.

"Are you okay?" I asked softly, caressing his cheek with the back of my hand. Roxas was one of my best friends. It hurt to see him in so much pain.

The blonde looked as though he was about to answer, but all that came out was an agonized whimper. He forced an azure eye open and gave me a both pleading and apologetic look. Suddenly, I gasped and nearly fell over in my chair as his visible eye changed from a light sapphire to an inhuman, almost glowing blue-green, and the pupil became slitted, almost like a cat's. It only happened for an instant, but it was enough to leave me shaking.

What was that? That definitely wasn't normal whatever it was.

"Xion? A-are you okay? I-It l-looked like you saw a ghost." His voice was so strained as he forced his words through the pain.

"Huh, o-oh, yeah. I'm fine. It was nothing. What about you? Do you want me to go get Vexen or Zexion?"

Roxas blinked a couple times before shaking his head. I figured that would be his answer.

Hey. I am SO sorry it took this long to update! Please don't hurt me!

I didn't really have a whole lotta time what with school and all. I have WAY too much homework, but you understand. So that's why this chapter is so short. I promise the next one will be much longer. I just figured I'd give you something to read to pass the time.

Anyway, PLEASE REVIEW!

I've decided that I will only continue a story if I get a sufficient number of review per chapter. It's not that I'm egotistical, I just want to know people still care about my stories, and I want to know if it's worthwhile to take time from my schedule to write them. So, please review if you wish me to continue writing.