Title: The Truth
Theme: o68. Truth
Word Count: 640
Rating: K
Spoilers: Spoilers ahoy. For CoM and KH2. xD
Disclaimer: …I want it for Christmas, Nomura-senseiii. –pout-

Note: Bah, I was on an angst binge (you'd be surprised at how many angsty RikuNami and ReplikuNami fics there are XD) and I suddenly had the idea to do this. XD (Note to self: Never get any more ideas before Chinese school…it won't leave you alone when you're trying to listen to the teacher! X.x;)

Everyone knew it was strange when Axel was the only one to return from Castle Oblivion alive. But it was just a suspicion. No one but he actually knew what had gone on in that castle. Naminé wouldn't have survived in a battle anyway. But half of the Organization wiped out in a matter of a few days…their foe was one to be feared.

But just when Demyx and Axel thought they were all alone and chattering away about what had gone on in there, Roxas stumbled upon them, but hid himself because he knew Axel was keeping secrets from him.

"…how'd they all die?"

"…the Keyblade Master. He gave us a little visit."

"The Keyblade Master? …you don't mean…Roxas' Somebody, do you?"

Roxas' eyes widened.

"That's the one."

The Keyblade-wielding Nobody let out a short but sharp gasp.

My…Somebody…?

"That other Keyblade Master came by too. Marluxia and Larxene had a plan to betray our Organization by using the Keyblade Master – and I mean Roxas' Somebody – and you know how The Superior told me to eliminate any traitors. I only killed Vexen because I had to get Marluxia and Larxene to trust me."

"Yeah…but Roxas' Somebody! …how do you think he'll feel if he found out you were keeping this from him?"

"He won't. I'll make sure of it."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that, you know."

"Just…don't tell him what I told you, Demyx."

"Fine…"

That was all that was left of the conversation to be eavesdropped upon, as Axel had left the room after clearing everything up with the water-controlling Nobody.

How could he do that? He kept it a secret…it was my Somebody…

Axel saw Roxas standing in the hallway all silent, his eyes far-away in thought.

"Oh hello Roxas!" Axel greeted nervously.

Roxas hissed, "Shut up and tell me the truth."

"Truth?"

"I know you met him."

"W-who?"

"Sora."

Axel was a bit taken aback by Roxas. How could he have known?

"I-I don't know what you're talking about!" Axel stammered.

"I told you to tell me the truth!"

Axel fibbed, "Can't. Superior's orders."

"Then why the hell were you telling Demyx about it right now? You know all I've ever wanted to do was to see him, just once…he's my Somebody! I don't want anyone else telling me how much he looks like me, I want to see it for myself!"

Roxas almost driven himself to tears with what he said next.

"I just want to meet him…because for once…I want to feel like I have a heart…"

Axel sighed, "…you want the truth? You'll get the truth. I kept it a secret because I wanted to protect you."

Roxas looked surprised.

"Me…?"

"As Nobodies, we're just mistakes made by strong hearts who were weak enough to fall to the Darkness. But I wanted to protect you, because Marluxia wanted to use Sora as the downfall of the Organization. And I didn't want you to be like the rest of us. I know you can merge back with him…and you'll finally have a heart. But at the last minute…I didn't want to tell you…because I didn't…want to lose you…"

The blonde was speechless.

"…oh…" was all he could say.

Axel turned away, refusing to make eye contact with him. "Which is why…I didn't tell you. But you found out anyway."

A silence filled the air, and Axel sighed.

"I guess…that's all I have to say for now. Goodbye for now, Roxas."

And Axel began to walk away, but stopped in his tracks once Roxas spoke up.

"…thank you."

Axel turned his neck to look lopsidedly at the younger Nobody, giving him a sad smile.

"No problem."

And that was the last thing that they ever said to each other that night.

It wasn't that surprising to Axel when the next night, Roxas left.