Disclaimer: Nomura and Squeenix are the owners of the KH storyline and characters, etc. But this story is mine, precious ( --forgive the overused joke…)

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Not That I Care

6

Castle Oblivion

"Hearts will never be practical until they

can be made unbreakable."

"But I still want one."

--The Wizard of Oz

It's been an hour. Roxas isn't sure why he's bothering to wait. He's already made his report; there's really no reason for him to stick around any longer. Roxas did tell Axel that he'd wait for him—God only knows why—but Axel would understand. Not that Roxas really cares. He has better things to do that wait for the Superior's office to spit Axel back out again.

Better things to do…no, that's not entirely accurate. Roxas is done for the day, mission-wise. There isn't much to do around the castle on an off-day. You can always go down into the city, kill a few Heartless, blow off some steam. There's the practice rooms. There's the library. But that's about all there is. All the others tend to wander off on their own and do their own thing. Music, plants, cards, stabbing things.

Roxas decides that he needs a hobby.

There's the creak of a door opening and the air heats up, the way it does when Axel is angry. Warning Sign Number One. Roxas looks up, wary now, as Axel slams Xemnas's door shut behind him.

"Condemned to death?" Roxas hazards. "Feeding the Dusks for a week?"

Axel doesn't really look at him; Warning Sign Number Two. He makes a snorting sound.

"Nope," he says, practically snarling his words. "He's got a special assignment for me."

Yeah, Axel is angry. This "special assignment" must be a doozy.

Axel starts walking briskly away down the hall—Warning Sign Number Three, since he usually slows for short-legged Roxas. We're on a roll today, Roxas thinks. He has to trot to keep up with Axel.

"What kind of special assignment?"

"The speshul, classified, confidential, need-to-know-basis, can't-tell-you kind," Axel says, and it sounds like he's talking through his teeth. The temperature in the hallway rises a notch. There's a way to efficiently heat this damn castle, Roxas thinks—piss Axel off enough. It wouldn't be that hard.

On second thought, that would be a bad idea. Roxas has seen Axel annoyed and seen Axel angry, but he's never seen Axel pissed-fucking-off. He imagines that that kind of Axel would be rather frightening, uncontrollable. Axel pissed-fucking-off would lead undoubtedly to bloodshed. You don't antagonize the guy who can set you on fire just by thinking it.

"He gave you an important assignment?" Roxas asks, since why else would Axel be mad?

"Surprised?"

"Of course."

Axel half-smiles. "Yeah, it's important. Crucial, even. Danger and intrigue and all that good stuff. I could die."

"Well, don't."

Axel comes to a stop and Roxas almost walks by him. He stops, and for a moment Axel doesn't move. Then he turns and looks over Roxas, stares at him with an expression Roxas has never seen on him before. It's all in his eyes. His eyes get soft and kind of lid halfway and his brow creases in the vaguest of frowns. It's almost distraught, almost regretful, or as close to those as a Nobody can really get. It's like he has caught a glimpse of the future and wishes he had never seen it. I know something, the look says. I want to tell you.

Roxas doesn't like it. He reads it as a warning, a foreshadowing, thunderheads on a distant horizon.

"Hey, Roxas."

Roxas doesn't answer and just stares back at Axel. I don't want to hear it, he thinks. Whatever it is, I don't want to hear it. Whatever it is, he knows hearing it won't make anyone happy.

As if Axel can read his mind, he turns away.

"Nothing," he says, and he starts walking again. This time Roxas doesn't follow. "There's gonna be a meeting tonight. Make sure you're there. It'll be interesting."

-------

"We are all assembled," Xemas begins, his standard greeting. Roxas looks around the room. Xemnas is the only one with his hood up. Most of the others look bored—these meetings are a weekly deal, and unfailingly boil down to the general lack of progress concerning Kingdom Hearts and various, hopelessly boring mission and experiment reports. In fact, of all of them, only Marluxia seems to be interested in the meeting. He's sitting two chairs right of Roxas, fingers laced under his chin, a half-smile on his face as he watches the Superior.

Roxas looks toward Axel, who he hasn't seen since this afternoon. Axel looks almost tired. His head is propped on his chin and his gaze is firmly on the ground.

"All of you are aware of our pitifully slow progress in the development of Kingdom Hearts, so for once, I shall not delve into that," the Superior says. Roxas looks up.

"Instead, Number Four will report on our second largest experiment, The Memory Project," the Superior says, and turns toward Vexen, who is seated three chairs to the left.

Vexen has to conceal a grin. He holds up a folder.

"The Memory Project," he says like a bad actor in a bad play, "is complete."

Larxene whistles. "Well, well. Dr. Freakenstein actually finished something for once. Color me surprised."

Vexen doesn't react, which is surprising. Vexen has always been easily baited. He must be really happy. If that's possible.

"I've named the results of the experiment 'Castle Oblivion,'" Vexen goes on. "It is a multi-storied castle situated some ways from here, near the Crossroads between Light and Dark. As most of you know, the purpose of the experiment was to find a way to lure the Keyblade Master, Sora, into our hands, so that we could use him for our own ends."

Sora, Roxas thinks. So that's his name. It sounds kind of familiar…I know I've heard it somewhere before.

Axel shifts ever so slightly. Roxas looks toward him, but then Vexen is continuing, all drama and bright-eyed excitement.

"I struggled for months with how to achieve this goal, and it was only through my stubborn determination as a scientist, and through the discovery of the Memory Girl that I was able to complete the project. The girl has a singularly powerful connection with Sora's memories, and the memories of those around him. Utilizing this power, I found a way to synchronize her power with the floors of the castle. As the Keyblade Master ascends through the castle, driven by his desire to find his friends, the Memory Girl's power over him will increase, until she has replaced all of his memories with memories of our own choosing. Then we will be able to bend him to our will. With the Keyblade Master under our control, completing Kingdom Hearts will be an easy task."

Vexen finishes and can no longer hide his happiness. He grins hugely.

"Our dream is only a mere few months from being realized, my friends."

"Well, dude," Xigbar says, folding his arms. "You might talk like you're the one who did all the work, but hell. Gotta hand it to you this once."

"Thank you, Xigbar," Vexen says ceremoniously, choosing to ignore the first part of Xigbar's statement.

"Tell us more about this castle," Lexaeus says, watching Vexen intently. Roxas can count on one hand the amount of times he's heard Lexaeus speak, and knows he's never seen him look excited before. Although, "excited" with Lexaeus isn't "excited" by standard use of the word, not even by Nobody standards. His eyes are a little brighter, that's all. Not that Roxas really cares.

"Of course," Vexen says, and he flips open his folder, revealing a diagram of Castle Oblivion. "Most of the upper levels are relatively empty, strictly designed for the Memory Girl to have an optimum effect on the wielder of the Keyblade. The top floors are where the living quarters are located, and also where the girl will be housed. However, there are also several floors below ground, and these basements are almost exclusively laboratories for us to continue our research and track our progress with Sora. The library is there as well."

"Who will be in charge of the castle? Who will run the experiment?" Zexion asks, staring at Vexen through his hair.

"I was getting to that. By my calculations, five or six people will be sufficient. At least three of those must be trained scientists to actually run the experiment, monitor the Memory Girl—"

"Does she have a name or what?"

Vexen stops mid-sentence as heads turn toward Axel. Axel rolls his eyes, irritated now.

"Honestly, 'Memory Girl'—are we really supposed to call her something so stupid?"

"Her name, Axel, is unimportant," Vexen says, glaring at him. "But if you are so put out by the term 'Memory Girl,' then very well—her name is Naminè."

"See? Not that hard. Naminè, that's all you gotta say."

"Continuing with the more important aspects of this mission, at least three people in Castle Oblivion must be scientists. Therefore, the leader of the castle—the leader of the team, I should say—should probably be a scientist as well. Though of course," and here Vexen pauses for a polite chuckle, "that decision is left up to the Superior."

Silence drapes over the white room, and now everyone is looking at the Superior, waiting.

Three scientists at least, Roxas thinks. The higher-ups, then. Vexen will go, since it's his project. And it'll either be him in charge or Lexaeus, since they're both always in the labs. Saïx will probably go too. But I want to go. If this Sora guy is the other Keyblade Master then maybe he can tell me something. I want to meet him.

"I don't need to tell you how important this mission is," Xemnas begins. "Controlling Sora is vital to our Organization's success. For this reason, I have given much thought to who shall be part of the Castle Oblivion team. Number Four will head up the research aspect of the mission, and Number Five and Number Six will accompany him."

Vexen, Lexaeus and Zexion all nod. Roxas knows it's childish, but all the same he crosses his fingers.

"However," the Superior continues, folding his hands, "this mission also contains an offense aspect that will deal with Sora directly. Those in direct contact with Sora must therefore have the skills to lead him through the castle as well as the ability to fight him if need be. Four, Five and Six must be monitoring the progress of the experiment at that time, and will be unable to have direct contact with Sora. Therefore Number Twelve will go with them, along with Number Eight."

Roxas's head snaps in Axel's direction. Axel? Axel is going, and not Roxas? The red-head is looking determinedly away from him.

Dammit, so that's what he meant earlier! But why him? Why the hell would the Superior send someone like Axel? Does he want the mission to fail? Well, I mean…alright, Axel isn't that bad, but dammit, I should be the one going! It should be me!

Roxas isn't the only one put out by this. Zexion sighs in a long-suffering sort of way, and Vexen jolts up in his chair as if a porcupine has sprouted underneath him.

"Sir," he splutters, "of all people—"

"And of course," the Superior goes on, ignoring the fuss around him, "every team needs a leader. After giving it much thought, I've decided that the leader of Castle Oblivion should be someone level-headed and rational, who can make decisions not motivated by the pursuit of science."

Vexen turns a rather interesting shade of red.

"Therefore the leader of Castle Oblivion shall be Number Eleven."

A slow, smug grin spreads across Marluxia's face and he runs his fingers through pinkish hair. Wow. That was unexpected, Roxas thinks.

"Marluxia!" Vexen exploded.

"Sir, you cannot—" Lexaeus pauses, collects himself, starts over. "Sir, with all due respect, you simply cannot be serious. Marluxia has only been with the Organization for four months. And he's shown insubordination in the past."

It's the most Roxas has ever heard Lexaeus say at one time, and the most worked up he's ever seen him. Of all people to insult the Superior, Roxas would have said Lexaeus would be the last. Although, considering how he's heard Marluxia talk about the older man, it doesn't surprise him. There's a definite animosity between them, worse even than that between Axel and Saïx.

"I assure you," the Superior says in a low, deadly voice, "I am quite serious."

"But…sir…"

"This is not up for debate. Eleven will lead the castle and oversee the project in its entirety. We do not have time now for argument and discussion. The Keyblade Master is about to enter the End of the World, where even we cannot follow. If he survives, then I expect his arrival at the Crossroads in a matter of days."

"And if he doesn't survive?" Zexion asks dryly.

"Then we have misjudged his worth. Weak subjects are of no value."

"Sir, I would still like to let it be known that I, and Lexaeus of course, object to—"

"Yes. I am aware of your position, Vexen, and I tire of hearing of it. Next one to bring it up will be punished—severely."

Vexen goes even paler than usual, which Roxas never thought possible. Lexaeus is still as stone in his chair. Roxas shoots a look toward Axel, but Axel still isn't looking at him.

It should be me going…not him.

"That is all there is to say on the matter," Xemnas says with an air of finality. "I want the Castle Oblivion team to depart in no less than an hour. Further details will await you there. Dismissed."

-------

Axel is watching him with a blank look. Roxas has him cornered in Axel's room.

"Shit, man. Lasers again. What's that look for?"

"This is what you were talking about earlier," Roxas says, wishing his eyes really were lasers right now. "This is what you meant by special assignment."

"Well. Sort of," Axel says, looking away. Axel hasn't been doing too well with the whole eye contact thing lately. He shoves clothes into a ripped bag. "There's…kind of more to it."

"Like what?" Roxas snaps.

"I can't tell you. Under orders and all that."

"Since when do you give a shit about orders?"

Axel doesn't answer and keeps stuffing the bag.

"It should be me," Roxas says.

"Oh?"

"I'm the one with the Keyblade. I'm the one who needs to talk with that Sora guy. I'd be the one best at convincing him, I mean, we both have Keyblades, that counts for something. But what the hell is this? Why aren't I going? Why are you going when I'm not?"

"Don't get your panties in a twist." Axel gives him that look again, the look that says he knows something. This time, Roxas wants to hear it. He wants to know what Axel knows. "You don't want to be in on this one, trust me."

"Why not?" Roxas demands. "I need to talk to him. If he has a Keyblade—"

"Don't worry so much," Axel interjects and slings the bag over his shoulder. "I'll talk to him for you."

Roxas blinks, confused, and Axel leaves the room. Roxas follows him.

"What do you mean?"

"Why you think I was in the Boss's office for so long earlier, huh? You're right, you should be going, and I was, you know, telling him that."

But Axel isn't looking at him, and though it's like Axel to shrug off duty on to someone else, it's not like him to do it for that someone's benefit.

Then again, Axel has a habit of surprising Roxas.

"Really?" he asks, suspiciously.

"Yep. The things I do for you. Whatever. I'll talk to the Key guy for you."

"Promise?"

Axel looks back at him, and for the first time since Roxas has met him, his face is serious.

"Roxas, we're Nobodies. There's no such thing as a promise to us."

Roxas stops in his tracks. Axel keeps walking.

"Bullshit," Roxas says at length. "That's bullshit."

Axel says nothing and keeps walking, adjusting the bag over his shoulder. Something is happening in the hollow space in Roxas's chest. He suddenly has the wild feeling that Axel is going to keep walking until he simply disappears.

"Axel."

The red-head stops at the end of the hall and looks back at Roxas. Roxas fixes him with his best glare.

"If you die, I'll kill you."

Axel grins and taps the side of his head.

"Memorized," he says, and points at Roxas. "Same to you, shorty."

And then he's gone. Roxas stands for awhile in the bare, cold hallways, staring at nothing. He feels emptier than usual.

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Sorry, this chapter is mostly talk and it's not all that interesting, but I thought it was necessary in order to introduce the Castle Oblivion arc. Some of this is my own interpretation, since I haven't played CoM, and since some things no one seems to understand, like—really—why the heck did Xemnas assign Marluxia as the lord of the castle? I figure he has ulterior motives, which I'll bring up later.

Anyway, it'll get a lot more interesting once I get further into the CoM stuff, and it's going to be interesting to explore Roxas's point of view during that whole thing. Stay tuned! Feedback is candy for my soul.