Axel's skin was blanched, and covered in a thin sheen of sweat as Lily worked at cleaning and dressing his new and old wounds. His breathing was shallow, unnatural. Lily's brow was knit with concentration and worry as she watched Axel dip in and out of consciousness.

"Axel," she said firmly. He didn't respond vocally, his emerald eyes turning to her. "Stay with me," she pleaded, "You've lost a lot of blood. Don't take your eyes off me." She worked quickly, her hands streaked with his blood.

Which seemed to be everywhere at this point.

Axel's head turned slightly as he continued to stare at Lily, his lips parted as he panted feebly.

"I... don't think I can... stay with you... too much... longer..." he struggled to speak, his voice barely above a whisper. Despite Lily's efforts to keep him conscious, Axel's head fell limply to the side as his eyes closed. She cursed under her breath, quickening her pace frantically. Soon she was finished, and she used the unbloodied crook of her elbow to wipe her own sweat from her forehead. Hurrying to her bathroom, Lily cleaned herself of Axel's blood, returning to him with a damp cloth when she was finished. She placed it on his pale forehead.

"Its gonna be okay," she whispered to his fitful form.

A clatter on her window caused her to jump, and look frantically toward the noise. More beady eyes of the heartless waited outside, scratching at the window.

"No..." Lily growled as she crawled onto her bed beside Axel, gently sliding her knees under his head to set it on her lap. She held him protectively, defiantly.

The beady eyes quickly disappeared into a cloud of black smoke as the heartless were somehow destroyed. Lilondra watched wide-eyed as a figure dashed outside of the dark window. The sound of combat met her ears, and Lily stared watchfully. The noise ceased, and a face was at the window. Lily startled at the sudden appearance, but stared back at the crimson eyes of the person outside. His gaze was partially covered by shaggy raven hair, white at the ends. He gave a half smile, and waved innocently. Lily carefully placed Axel's head onto her pillow, and dashed to the window. The cool night air rushed over her as she heaved the window open.

"Tex!" she exclaimed, "What are you doing here?" The teenage boy leaned leisurely against his long scythe as he propped its twin over his shoulder.

"Oh you know, just in the neighborhood," he replied.

"Its good to see you again, Tex..." Lily told him. Tex nodded in agreement as he smiled.

"Its good to see you too, Lily. Is that Axel over there?" he asked, looking past her into the room. Lily nodded.

"Go around to the door. I don't want this window open any longer." Tex gave a quick nod of acknowledgment, and was gone from the window. Lily secured it, and went to the door to let Tex in. He dismissed his weapons and followed Lily to the bedroom. Standing over Axel, they both regarded his unconscious form. Tex frowned.

"He's not lookin' too good," he observed, his dark brows furrowed. Lily went to her place behind Axel, his head in her lap.

"He needs a health potion... I'm fresh out," Lily told him. Tex reached into the traveling satchel that hung at his side, rummaging through it. He produced a vile of emerald liquid, and handed it to Lily. She thanked him as she opened it. Carefully, Lily placed the vile to Axel's lips, tilting his head back as she poured the contents into his mouth. He sputtered in his sleep as the potion ran down his throat. His eyes fluttered open, and they moved from Lily to Tex. He blinked groggily.

"What are you doing here, Tex?" he asked, his voice scratchy.

"Just passing by, actually. Stopped by to help a friend out." Lily smiled as she smoothed Axel's spiky hair.

"Welcome back, Ginger Snap." Axel looked up at her.

"You okay?" He asked. Lily nodded in response as she removed the damp cloth that he no longer needed.

"You're gonna need some time to regain your strength and health," Lily informed him.

He snorted, closing his eyes.

"I feel like shit."

"You look like shit, too, man."

"Thanks, Tex."

Lily smiled as she crawled out from under Axel's head.

"Come on, Axel, you need your sleep," she told him, throwing back the blankets of the unoccupied side of the bed. Axel winced as he slowly and carefully moved to the other side, and Lily tugged the blankets back over him when he made it. Tex helped her remove and replace the top two blankets that had gotten ruined with blood. They left Axel to sleep in Lily's room, and made their way to the living room.

"You stickin' around?" Lily asked her friend. Tex smiled.

"I'm afraid not, Lil. My room at Castle Oblivion calls. Hollow Bastion was last on my list of realms to patrol." Lily looked down at the floor, her eyes wandering over all the blood stains.

"But we haven't seen you in years."

"I know. And I'm sorry for that. If things with the Organization settle down, you should get Axel to bring you to Castle Oblivion." Lily looked up at Tex, a smile on her own face.

"You think Xemnes would mind?"

"Eh, what the coot doesn't know won't hurt him. Besides, Demyx would love to see you again too," Tex added softly. Lily looked away from him, her thoughts returning to her beloved friends and the time they spent together a few years ago.

"I would like that very much," she told him. He beamed, his red eyes sparkling.

"Hope to see you soon," Tex said, a portal of black and purple tendrils appearing behind him.

"Same, Tex. Take care," she told her friend, and he gave one last smile before disappearing into the portal.

Lily sighed as she made her way to her bedroom, stumbling slightly in the dark. Her body ached with exhaustion, and she quickly changed out of her bloody clothes. She crawled into her bed, being careful not to wake Axel, who was sound asleep on the other side. It took no time at all for the tired girl to fall into a deep sleep.