AN: Two chapters in one week? Gotta love Thursdays! Also, I've just realized I haven't been putting the chapter names into the title bars…

Disclaimer: Do not own! But totally do want to!

Axel advanced on the petrified boy slowly, all teeth and eyes and claws. This time Roxas couldn't even blink; this was not a forest-dwelling antagonist. This was Axel, the vampire, the aristocrat, the regal creature with soft hands and kind eyes that Roxas had begun to warm up to. But here he was so like the snarling things that so cruelly tried to tear him apart.

So foolish, thought the boy bitterly.

The dark, clawed hand of Axel reached towards him as its owner crouched on his haunches barely a breath away. Roxas thought that Axel would kill him now, too, expected to be the next thing those claws punctured. But instead of talons, soft fingers traced his jaw and moved a strand of soiled hair out of the boy's eyes.

Axel's own eyes had lost their deadly sheen and became familiar once more. The claws had melted away. The fangs retreated and left only a small, sad smile in their wake.

Roxas was only dimly aware of cold hands on his body. His damaged shoulders had gone numb and he was no longer feeling the blood pouring from the wounds.

Axel observed the boy gravely. He hadn't been up and about for even a full day and already he had nearly been killed by the forest ghouls. Already Axel felt like he'd failed the child.

At the same time, the vampire was furious. Roxas may not have known the grounds, but he certainly wasn't stupid; his natural apprehension wouldn't have allowed him to wander into a foreboding thicket, despite what Riku's boy had said.

When Axel had awoken just before sundown, he knew something was gravely amiss. He had taken Roxas's virgin blood; he had been feeling his emotions as he dreamt through the daylight hours, could feel the boy's confusion gradually turn into happiness, then into anxiety and finally, into blinding fear.

He hadn't bothered to out on proper clothing and rushed from his chambers and the plush pillows of his resting place in his dressing gown, terrifying the human servants and lesser vampires who attended him every dusk. The red haired king let his preternatural speed carry him to the source of his charge's terror. At the edge of the forest he stopped, for the he saw Sora, pacing and sobbing.

"What has happened?" he questioned the distraught youth. "Where is Roxas?"

Upon recognizing the great vampire, and his great rage, the brunette boy fell to his knees and dropped his head but remained mute.

"Speak, Sora!"

Gone was the normally light and flirtatious voice of the monarch the boy had grown accustomed to in his many years of residing in the vampire's presence. The command was snapped so sternly that Sora was too afraid to disobey.

"H-He went int-to the f-f-forest, Majesty! H-Hours ag-o! I'm so s-s-s-"

Axel hadn't stayed to hear the rest of the stuttered explanation. One way or another, Roxas had gone into the forest and had not come out. Though the great vampire's rage did not abate, it was joined by another emotion, one largely unfamiliar and unpleasant to him: fear.

Would he make it to Roxas in time?

Axel ran deeper and deeper into the forest as Roxas terror magnified. He reached the fallen boy just in time to witness the ghouls beginning to feast on him.

There had been no time for thinking. Axel acted purely on impulse, dispatching the monsters that threatened his charge. He had freed his fangs and grew his hands into claws. His eyes glowed with bloodlust.

It had ended in seconds, with several black corpses littering the ground, serving as a warning for the rest of beasts waiting in the shadows for their turn. They had turned tail at the carnage. Axel allowed himself to turn his attention to Roxas now.

The boy was slumped against a broken tree trunk, filthy with soil and debris. But more impertinent were the wounds that marred his shoulders. His clothing, once resplendent, hung in tatters there, along with stripped flesh pouring out blood at an alarming rate. Axel thought he could even see the white of bone peeking out through the damage.

First thing was to get the small boy out of the forest to deal properly with his wounds. But Axel saw Roxas' eyes; he was beyond fear, and Axel knew part of it at least came from his appearance. He could only imagine the frightening sight he made to the boy, with his bloody fangs and claws, his flimsy clothing all but completely obscured by the flesh and blood of ghouls.

Axel hastily retracted his body into a familiar form.

What was done was done, however. Roxas had seen. Axel hadn't planned to hide it from Roxas forever, but he had wanted Roxas to be adjusted when the moment came. This situation was anything but opportune, but Axel decided to deal with the repercussions as they would come. He could prioritize.

He locked eyes with Roxas and the boy began to soften to his will. His shallow, labored breathing evened out and his eyelids began to droop, suddenly heavy. Axel saw no other way to deal with the situation; the trance would have to do.

Quickly and efficiently, Axel stripped the blonde's upper body. With the blood-soaked cloth removed, the wounds didn't appear nearly as bad, though they were nothing to be happy about. The blood wasn't running as freely now and Axel was tempted to lick it clean right there. With immediate danger no longer an issue, the hunger hit Axel full force and it was like he hadn't fed in years. Roxas' blood sang to him.

Looking at the wounds, the temptation was almost unbearable. Axel removed his dressing gown-what was left of it-and wrapped the boy in the tolerably clean part inside. Drowsy from blood-loss and the vampire's trance, Roxas didn't struggle and went boneless.

Axel lifted Roxas into his arms, as was becoming habit, and began the long trek to the castle at human speed, lest Roxas be jarred and further injured.

"Ah, Roxas…what shall I do with you, hm?" the vampire mused.

They emerged from the forest a short time later, looking a little worse for wear. Riku had arrived and restrained the bawling Sora. A small entourage stood a short distance behind them, vampires and human servants, waiting anxiously for orders.

Axel gave none. Sora's blubbering was met with a cold glare and Riku took the silent cue to take the boy away. The silver haired vampire was none too pleased.

The vampire king brushed past the others without sparing a glance. Roxas needed tending to. Axel made quickly towards the boy's present quarters.

x.X.x

It was a common misconception on the part of humans that vampires were immune to all but permanent death. No, vampires could not catch diseases, but they could become sick. Any number of poisons were created to target vampire healing and preternatural abilities. Vampires could also be injured. Under normal circumstances, healing was fast, almost instantaneous even, but human weapons could be coated with poisons or cast with charms to make healing impossibly slow and absurdly painful. Such weapons were becoming more and more common in war fought between the two sides.

So naturally, Axel, king of vampires, kept a doctor around-a specialist among vampires, one of his council of twelve.

Vexen was not the most pleasant of vampires, or the most patient, and he had seldom had use for treating humans—or anyone as of late, for that matter, preferring to spend his time in the catacombs of the castle, in the alchemy labs—, but when his liege sent for his services with an overly eager messenger just as the last tendrils of daylight were fading from the horizon, he did not dare refuse.

The lanky, blonde vampire was not told the precise purpose for which he was summoned so early in the evening, but there was the distinctly sweet and tangy smell of human blood floating through the castle halls, causing a bit of an uproar among the vampiric residents. Ah, the king's succulent new pet, then.

In addition to the usual supplies, Vexen grabbed a bottle of antiseptic. Humans were such fragile things.

x.X.x

Vexen was quick to assess the situation upon arrival in guest wing. The damage to the king's toy was extensive, but not irreversible. However, the choices were limited if his Majesty wished for the boy to remain human, small as he was. Good thing he brought the antiseptic.

Axel made a difficult decision. Roxas' wounds were too extensive to be let alone, but he had lost too much blood to survive drinking from Axel without turning. Now was not the time, for Roxas was much too young. He would have to be patched up the old fashioned way. And Axel knew exactly who to have assisting...

He allowed Vexen to set up the supplies—including a large curved needle, as would normally be used for leather—and sent the snippy vampire out of the room. He then called for Riku and his charge.

Riku arrived dragging Sora by the wrist. The brunette boy was still wearing the clothing Axel had seen on him at the forest edge, all twisted and rumpled. His hair was wilder than ever and contained remnants of twigs and leaves. His knees and shoulders quivered as he tried to disappear behind his master, a pitiful sight.

Riku was having none of it; he thrust the boy forward unapologetically.

Axel motioned him to come toward the edge of the bed upon which Roxas lied. He did so quite reluctantly, refusing to lift his eyes from the floor until Axel grabbed his chin roughly.

"Know why you're here, boy?"

Sora shook his head frantically. This cold and sardonic Axel terrified him; the king never called him "boy" unless he was absolutely enraged.

"Did you get a chance to see his shoulders?" Axel barked. "No? Well, take a look!"

Sora hadn't seen but the top of Roxas head when his Majesty had appears carrying him from the trees. But now the king whipped away the cloak to reveal a gruesome sight. Roxas' upper body was obscured with blood but Sora could easily make out the holes that were missing flesh and flaps of ratted skin. A collar bone glistened nauseatingly in the flickering candlelight.

It was all Sora could do to not vomit on the spot, from fear and disgust and, perhaps worst of all, guilt. He had led Roxas into the forest and lost him there for those creatures to find. He sobbed helplessly for the fate of his new friend.

Axel was unmoved.

"I will stitch up this mess; you will hold Roxas down still."

Sora's eyes went wide as dinner plates and his stomach fell to the floor.

"Ah, and you had best do a good job; if you fail, he will bleed out. Twice in one day's a bit much, hm?" The king added offhandedly.

Riku watched from the other side of the room silently. For once, he was glad for the cloth over his eyes. He knew his king would stitch the blonde child and heal him, and his own boy was getting suitable punishment—one not meant to be enjoyed—for his irresponsibility. It was cruel, but Sora would learn. This was not a matter to be taught in a bedroom…not in that sense… He loved his boy dearly, and was a little relieved that for once, he did not need to dole out the discipline.

Riku used his mind's eye to observe his crying child hold the other by the arms as Axel plunged the leather needle into flesh over and over as the blonde and bloodied boy screamed in agony. But the wounds began to close and the blood flow, which had started anew during the ministrations, began to ebb once more.

As his body numbed itself, Roxas began to drift in and out of consciousness and soon his wounds were shut. Axel made the final stitch as Sora released the blonde's arms as if burned; the king let him fall of the edge of the bed and scramble towards his seemingly impassive master at the wall.

An almost imperceptible incline of his Majesty's head allowed them leave. Riku took Sora away, leaving the king alone with his charge.

Axel's thoughts were only on Roxas, now. With a gentleness one would not expect from a giant white blood drinker, the king toweled off the excess blood as best he could and bandaged the freshly stitched youth. Roxas eyes remained closed for the duration and Axel was thankful for it; the boy didn't need to see his hands dripping blood or the sheets nearly black with gore.

Roxas was stable for now, and Axel dared to give him some blood to start his healing. After biting a long finger, he slid it into the boy's mouth, past his lips and teeth and over his tongue. With his other hand he rubbed lightly at the boy's throat to encourage him to swallow the blood.

A blue eye cracked open and wandered unfocused until it landed on a half lidded green one. Axel smiled kindly, relieved that Roxas wasn't hurt so badly that he couldn't wake up.

Roxas sucked on the offered finger. Axel's breath hitched a moment but the boy paid little mind. The room started to still in his eyes once more and the fog in his mind was slowly lifting. The bandages felt heavy and he couldn't more much above his waist, but was relieved that the horrible pain he had felt prior had let up. He remembered coming back to the castle only in snippets, remembered Sora crying, the great black beasts, and…Axel. Green eyes that were unique to the white giant. Hair like fire. And…claws. Claws and more fangs than Roxas remembered the vampire having.

Was that…creature…was that Axel's true form?

It was terrifying, certainly, but here was Axel now, himself again. And he hadn't hurt Roxas, even with his blood running free, his body defenseless. Instead, he was feeding him his blood again. Roxas released to the proffered hand.

"That was you...in the forest. You saved me," whispered Roxas with surprising clarity.

Axel blinked in surprise but regained his composure and answered the child.

"Sure did, Roxy," he said, complete with a flirtatious wink.

Roxas didn't miss a beat.

"How?"

How did you find me?

"Why?"

Why did you stop them?

Why didn't you eat me?

Why do you care?

The king closed his eyes and sighed heavily. He had no need for breathing, but the situation was taking its toll and the vampire found himself struck hard by it. He opened his eyes and stared deeply, strongly, into Roxas' own blues.

"You are mine, Roxas. Commit it to memory. What happened tonight...it won't happen again, accident or not. I didn't bring you here to eat you, and certainly not for anyone else to. You are off limits to all but me. I was careless tonight; please forgive me."

Roxas was entranced by the words, not by a trance-Axel left his mind to himself-but by the subtle passion and sincerity. He nodded without being aware of it.

Axel smiled, breaking the tension. There was more to say. Much more. But both were tired and now was a poor time to be discussing matters of such gravity. Roxas needed rest and Axel had thinking to do. "Let's clean up a bit, shall we?"

Though most of the blood had been cleaned from his skin, Roxas' appearance still spoke volumes about his ordeal. The once lovely blue tights and silk slippers were ruined beyond recognition, much less repair; Axel tore them free and cast them aside as the boy drifted once more. Roxas needed a visit to the tailor, he was reminded.

Roxas needed many things, Axel realized. He would need to find out the boy's favorite things to eat, get him settled with tutors, teach him the sword and magic. The vampire doubted the boy had ever been on a horse. Axel didn't think the child even knew the basics of reading.

Yes, there was a great deal to teach the little blonde boy, and Axel looked forward to the challenge. Centuries had passed since he last had a human...

But all of that was for later. Now, Axel lifted the dozing youth into his arms and cradled him, relishing the warmth only a mortal could provide. Not any mortal; his.

With silent footsteps, Axel slipped down the halls like a shadow to a wing of the castle he knew Roxas hadn't seen yet. His own private wing.

The royal bedchamber was a haven all its own, separated from the world by two enormous ebony doors that only vampire strength could open. The centerpiece was the canopied bed, one of the only furnishings in the room. There were no windows; instead, the walls were decorated with richly embroidered tapestries if varying ages. Tall candelabras held candles that flickered to life when Axel entered.

The vampire deposited the sleeping boy onto the pillows with great care. Roxas hardly stirred but visibly relaxed into the soft surface. The room was warm and Axel saw no reason to dress the boy, who looked quite comfortable despite the heavy linen wrappings obscuring his chest and shoulders. The king removed his own destroyed garment and stepped aside to the adjacent washroom. He brushed his fiery hair, loosening out the dirt from the night's activities, and ran a washcloth over his body. Satisfied enough with his cleanliness, the vampire donned a pair of worn braies and left the washroom.

With preternatural grace, Axel slipped into the huge bed next to Roxas. Dawn was still a couple of hours away, but the night had been exhausting in every way. He wouldn't mind the extra sleep.

And then, just as he began to drift off into darkness for the day, he felt a distinct pressure at his side. Roxas was snuggling into him.

For the first time in centuries, Axel slept smiling.

AN2: This chapter turned out shorter than I wanted, but it seemed like a good place to stop where I did. I love hearing from my readers! ^_^