A/n: Please don't hate me for the lack of update…busy busy busy X like TEN. So here's another chapter...maybe now you'll know who that guy in the beginning was?? HMM?? You'll have to read!

Disclaimer: Blah Blah I own nothing.

Chapter 2: Memories that don't heal.

Namine stood, her hand covering her mouth as her eyes shifted from left to right in nervously. She knew she locked her room. She never forgot, especially since the Campus had its handful of thieves running around, you could never be too careful. Not sure whether she should walk in or wait, the blonde slowly walked up to the opened door and peeked in. Everything was in its place and nothing was missing. 'What kind of thief doesn't steal anything?' she thought to herself as she walked farther into the living room.

She flicked the lights, confirming that everything was where it was supposed to be. Namine dropped her bag on the white carpet and made her way around her apartment, checking the odds and ends of the rooms to be positive that everything was still in her possession. It all seemed to be and it didn't make any sense. Unless…the visitor wasn't a thief at all…but an Organization member. After her. "Show your face!" she yelled, her voice echoing against the walls of her apartment.

A reply never came her way as she shrugged and slumped onto her couch. Maybe Yuffie came in an forgot to shut the door back. The ninja was notorious for doing things like that, as nonchalant as she was. That had to be it. Right? 'Yup, that's exactly what happened. The Organization doesn't know where you are. They left you for dead. They don't care about you Namine.' She reminded herself as she made another mental note to yell at Yuffie about her unsafe habits.

Walking up to the door, she closed it, taking one last look into the outside stairwell before locking it tightly. The T.V blared with the basic news of the upcoming restoration project while Namine slipped into a pair of her favorite pink polka dot pajama pants and a white tank, before she sat back down on the couch with her History book weighing down on her lap. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun before beginning her required reading for that day. Personally, she hated history, but she figured if she wanted a job with Leon and the Committee when she was done, she had better learn something about the place she was in. Part of it she didn't mind. Being locked up all those years withheld a sense of knowledge from her and now that she had her freedom, she was ready to take it for all that it was.

Shortly after beginning her reading, she fell asleep with the book resting on her chest when a noise pulled her from her nap. Rubbing her eyes, Namine looked at the T.V power box, which flashed 2:30 AM in bright red letters. "Why do I always wake up in the middle of night? I want one night of sleep, that's all." she complained out loud as she pushed the book off and made her way into the Kitchen area to start a cup of coffee. Now that she was up, she might as well get a caffeine kick and get homework done. In all honesty she was used to it by now. She always woke up in the middle of the evening due to her dreams, but surprisingly she hadn't had a dream that night. Usually she would make a sandwich, but tonight coffee would have to do.

After waiting impatiently for the Coffee to brew, she poured it in a large mug when the same noise that woke her up was heard again. Looking curiously in the direction the noise had come from, Namine assumed it was probably a Cat outside.

"Is it going to be Turkey tonight, or Grilled Cheese?" a voice called out of the eerie shadows that the floor lamp created. Namine's blue eyes shot up from her coffee cup. She knew that voice all too well. But, how did he know her routine?

"Come into the light." She stated slowly as he eyes watched for the figure to appear. Complying, the familiar Organization coat could be seen, the hood down, preventing her from seeing their face. But she knew who it was, there was no need to ask.

"Long time, no see, Namine." the smooth voice continued. Her eyes remained set on the cloak as she stayed quiet, still shocked at who was standing before her.

"How did you know?" she asked in a low voice as she clutched her cup tighter.

"Know what? Where you were? Damn, Namine, do you really think we're that stupid? That we can't find you? I figured with all the news you've been watching, you would know we were hunting you down. Oh wait, you don't ever watch the news, except for tonight. You should've listened to that ninja friend of yours. News is very informing." He replied. She could almost picture the smirk growing on his lips.

"What do you mean?" she asked as her lip quivered a bit. How did he know Yuffie insisted that the blonde watched the news….was he watching her?

"What I mean is, it confuses me that after all those weeks of watching you to wait on the perfect moment, such as this, that all those times you couldn't get a decent night of sleep? Kind of bad for a College student, am I right?" he mocked, confirming her assumption that he had been watching her…for weeks. That means he knew about the crying, the screaming, waking up at night, even the sandwiches? How? Why?

"What do you want, Axel…"she questioned, her voice rising slightly. She didn't want to deal with this. No, she couldn't deal with this right now. Not with everything getting better.

"Not a matter of what, my dear, but who….got it memorized?" he announced as he dropped the hood, revealing his notorious spiked crimson hair and intense emerald eyes that had triangular tattoos under them.

Namine placed her cup on the counter as she stepped back towards the stove, almost wishing she didn't ask that question. They wanted her, again. But why? It wasn't like she could draw memories anymore; she lost that talent a year ago when she swore never to draw again. So what was it this time?

"No. Not again. Get out!" she screamed as her eyes clenched shut.With closed eyes she could hear the mocking laugh escape his lips as it seemed to come closer. 'This is a dream, he's not here.' She kept telling herself in whispers, not caring if he heard or not. He was there at Castle Oblivion, he should know about the nightmares she was running from, after all, he had caused half of them.

"Now, Namine…that's not a nice way to greet an old friend." Axel's voice drew closer and closer with each word. Opening her eyes she could see him advancing towards her. Taking a chance she raced for the door, only to be caught roughly by her arm and swung around into the wall by the Kitchen.

"We're not done talking business. So I suggest you stay." He stated as she tried to catch her breath before she felt his gloved hand grasp around her neck. Gasping for air, Namine grabbed his wrists with her hands to try to and evade him, but she was too weak.

"I…can't b-breathe." she gasped as his face drew closer to her. She frantically pushed against his chest as his grip loosened slightly. He sighed as his hand shifted from her throat to the back of her neck as he threw her in a chair and stood in front with his arms crossed, blocking any movement from her.

"Then shut the fuck up, and stop gambling with your own life. You do realize you're in a "do or die" situation right now, Namine, right? That means your fate rests in my hands at the moment. So I suggest you listen and listen good." Axel said as his eyes roamed up the younger blonde's body. He had to admit that she looked even better with her face flushed and her hair all disarrayed. She made lazy College student look really good.

She only replied with a slow and dazed nod as her eyes slowly drifted up to meet his. He smiled as he continued to look down at her. If it weren't for the polka dotted pajamas and the darker skin, this would've looked just like Castle Oblivion to Axel. Such good memories.

"Okay, now that I have your attention, let's get on with this. As you know, we're obviously back. Not only are we back, but we have plenty of plans ahead. They involve Sora, naturally; but they also involve you." He started, only to be interrupted by the blonde outburst as she stood up abruptly.

"I don't draw anymore. I can't do it!" she yelled through gritted teeth clenched her fists. Axel only smirked and pushed her back down in her chair. He didn't have time for this.

"Shut up. I'm the one talking, got it memorized? You listen, I talk. That's how this works from now on. Brings back memories, doesn't it?" he joked as she rolled her eyes and mimicked the man standing in front of her by crossing her own arms.

"Who said anything about you drawing, anyway? Those days are over, my dear. Hate to say it. No, we're thinking, something a little more…persuasive. Your job is easy, however. Get Sora to Castle Oblivion." He continued as he began pacing. There was no need to worry about her running away now anyway. She wouldn't dare try his patience again. She was still rubbing the new bruises on her neck; no way would she attempt it again.



Namine shook her head slowly as the pyro continued his charade of being a complete asshole, which he was notorious for, she might add. She wasn't going to draw but she had to get Sora back to Castle Oblivion?

"Isn't Castle Oblivion abandoned?" she squeaked, not even wanting to utter the name of such a foul place that held such awful memories for her.

"Yes…well, no living soul lives there anyway. It's swarming with Heartless." He stated, turning to her.

"So…what's the deal? Why send him to a place where he can just kill them anyway? That sounds pretty stupid if you ask Me." She snapped, only to regret her decision to be a smart ass as he grabbed her chin.

"You've gotten more attitude since the last time we spoke, Witch. Don't make me knock you down a level or two." He warned, inches from her face as his hot breath tickled her cheeks. She jerked her head away as her eyes averted to the carpet.

"Don't…call me that." She whispered harshly. She hated that wretched name, and hearing it now made her bare arms shiver.

"I can call you whatever I please. Now can I finish what I was saying without interruptions, or am I going to have to just kill you and find someone else. Because the only way you're getting out of here is either with me, or six feet under. That's the rules. Sorry, can't change em'." he replied as he rolled his eyes.

She shuddered at his words. Would they really kill her? So she didn't have a choice. This was do or die. It was so unfair. She woke up with an almost normal life, and now here she was talking to the man that had made her so miserable years ago. She waved her hand quietly, urging the redhead to continue.



"Thanks. Okay, so I'll skip all the gritty details, because he's you're friend and I'm sure you don't want to hear it, but basically, the deals this. We're getting Roxas back." He finished. She could see the hint of excitement in the pyro's voice…after all, Roxas was his best friend.

"Wait…is Sora going there so you guys can…"she began, finishing her own sentence in her head as he nodded slowly. Placing a hand to her mouth, Namine didn't know what to say. She felt her heart twinge at the thought of Roxas, an old friend…but Sora was…the first guy she had ever…loved…well…thought she loved, but still.

"If Xemnas wants XIII members, then it's his decision. So pack a few things, you have 20 minutes. Use it wisely." He answered as he pulled her from her thoughts. She shook herself out of the daze that she was in as she slowly got up and padded across the carpet to her room, pulling out a small weekend bag as she began to toss random clothes into the bag. There had to be a way around this….she just needed the right moment. She would find one, soon. Axel leaned against the door and watched as his green eyes roamed across the room. She grabbed random toiletries that littered her bathroom countertop and tossed them into her bag as well. She glanced at the clock when she saw Axel grab her bag.

"What are you doing? I still have time." She complained as she held her school books, ready to shove them in the bag as well. She might as well find something to do.

"Did I say 20 minutes, oh I lied." He joked as a laughed escaped his lips. He shrugged as he stretched his arm out to create a portal while the other hand grabbed the small blonde as jerked her against his chest. She could feel the heat radiating off of his body. She scowled as his hand held her shoulder steady, preventing her from any last minute running. Namine knew she wasn't that stupid. She'd be dead before she even figured out where they were.

He shoved her through the portal as she landed on her knees in the middle of a large room with huge white chairs lifting at different heights. Each with an Organization member boring down at her from the platform. Suddenly she felt very sheepish in her cotton polka dot pajamas. Axel dropped her bag next to her as he looked up at who she guessed was Xemnas.

"Hey…here's your girl. Now let's have this meeting."

a/n: so yea this just popped out of my head so hopefully you like this chapter! r/r. More will be revealed later 