Axel ran through the forest, ignoring the chill and the dark as he searched through the night. For once, he hated that the woods were so vast. If he dawdled too long or even went the wrong way, something horrible would happen to Roxas and he couldn't do a single thing about it.

"Roxas!" he called into the night over and over, feeling his hopelessness grow. He had no idea who or what had attacked the boy, and his tracking skills were terrible by most standards. He did find a small footprint in the damp dirt nearby that looked promising, but what if someone else had made it? Was this really the right was to go?

"Roxas, where are you?"

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

From his place behind the tree, Even sneered at the redhead. He was glad the little brat had fallen asleep, though he could wake up at any minute and blow the whole thing. With that in mind, the old man crept away as silently as possible, allowing the foolish redhead to move on in the opposite direction.

After a short while, Even found a good place to stop and rest. He set the boy down on the ground and sat down beside him, eyeing the boy with disgust.

You've been a thorn in my side for too long, boy. He thought viciously, reaching a hand down and placing it over the blond's throat. If I wanted to, now, I could kill you so easily.

His grip tightened briefly, but then it slowly slipped away, leaving the flesh unmarred.

He could stab the boy, choke him, hold him underwater until his struggles stopped, but that would mean his magic would have gone to waste. And all of those methods were much too quick. The boy wouldn't feel the sting of his foolish trust so easily betrayed. Not unless he went through with the plan...

Even pulled out the little fruit from his bag and ran his thumb over the exterior. It was waxy and smooth to the touch; perfectly foreign and yet so enticing. Bewitched properly, the fruit would send the boy into a death-like state, but he would still be barely alive. Through his own frozen eyes, he would watch as Vexen hurt him, defiled him, and then, when his friends came and found him in the morning, cold and 'dead,' the boy would watch helplessly as they buried him alive. Soon enough, he really would die buried there in the ground, but not before he saw his loved ones' pain and suffering; their betrayal as they left him alone in the dark forever. The man grinned wickedly.

It was perfect.

He would deal with those fools individually later. For now...

Even quickly slipped the fruit back into his bag as the prince's eyes opened. He sat up with a groggy sigh, looking at Even wearily, who smiled kindly back at him.

"I thought I should have a rest," he said simply, noting the boy's confusion. "It's been some time, and I'm not as strong as I used to be. I'm sorry if I woke you."

The blond blinked tiredly, shaking his head with a small smile.

"No, it's fine. Please, take all the time you need."

The two sat in silence for a moment, as Roxas finally seemed to wake up and take note of his surroundings. Nothing looked familiar, but he wasn't too surprised. He just hoped Even wasn't taking him even further away from the house.

Axel was probably out looking for him now...

Even knew that the time was right. Very deliberately, he opened his bag and ruffled through it loudly, seeing out of the corner of his eye that he'd attracted the boy's attention. He pulled out one strange, star-shaped fruit, careful not to grab the cursed one by mistake, and took a bite eagerly, savoring the flavor. It truly was a strange fruit, but the flavor was juicy and sweet like candy. The perfect thing to lure a child.

Slowly, Even looked over at the boy and saw his eyes watching him, shining slightly with curiosity and spiced delicately with hunger. He fumbled for a moment purposefully.

"Oh! Where are my manners? Are you hungry?" He began to reach for the fruit in his bag even as the boy blushed and shook his head.

"No, that's alright! You don't have to give-" Roxas was interrupted by a particularly loud growl from his stomach. He blushed deeper and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, laughing lightly. "Sorry about that."

"Oh, no problem at all," the older man replied, tossing him a star-shaped fruit casually. Roxas turned it over in his hands, feeling the texture for a moment before he lifted it to his face and sniffed.

"It doesn't have much of a scent. What is it?"

"You've never heard of the paopu fruit before?" When Roxas shook his head sheepishly, the man continued. "Ah well. It comes from a land far to the east of here; a very tropical land, I've heard. This is a common delicacy there; I'm surprised this kingdom has yet to hear of it."

Roxas took one of the star arms between his fingers and bent it back and forth absently. "Well, Vexen isn't very fond of new things. The only business he ever discusses with other kingdoms is the business of war, so there isn't much trading to be done. It's a shame really..."

Even frowned slightly, suppressing a growl, though it went unnoticed as Roxas looked over the fruit.

Go ahead and take a bite of it, you stupid little whelp.

"It is said that these fruits have a special legend to go with them. If you share it with someone important to you, your destinies will be intertwined forever."

Roxas's eyes widened and he looked away, blushing again. He was far too old to believe in silly little things like that, but he had to admit that the idea was pleasant. If the fruit's legend really were true, he could hold onto a piece and give it to Axel...

The blond shook his head to clear the thought away. Really, that was ridiculous!

And what was he doing just looking at the thing? He was hungry, so he should just eat it!

Even smiled at him mischievously. "Do you have someone you would want to share it with?"

Roxas's blush flared in his cheeks and he shook his head vehemently.

The older man chuckled. "I know you do. You can't fool these old eyes, boy. I was in love once too."

The blond tried to wave him off, stuttering. "I-It's not that! I just...Well, maybe, but..."

Even laughed again. "It's just a legend, but no harm ever comes from wishing, right?"

Roxas paused, thinking about that for a moment. Even was right. He'd save a piece for when he found Axel and see if anything came of it. Who knew?

The boy smiled, regarding his companion warmly. "Thank you. I'll give it a try."

"Good. But you have to take a bite soon. If the fruit rots, then it won't work." Roxas nodded and looked down at the fruit in his hand again. He wondered how sweet it really was...

Even leaned forward slightly, a little expectantly, as he watched the boy bring the fruit closer to his mouth. He was just about to take a bite when they both heard a muffled voice in the distance...

The man looked at him with concern. "What's wrong, Roxas?"

The blonde looked around for a moment, studying the trees and the gaps beyond. "I could have sworn I heard-"

"It was nothing. Just a bird, I'm sure," Even said quickly, maybe a little too quickly, feeling as though his heart was about to stop. No! He was so close! That blasted redhead couldn't interfere now!

"No," Roxas said softly, a little distracted as he got to his feet. "I'm sure I heard something..."

Even was quick to distract him. He was on his feet beside the boy instantly, steadying him as he swayed a bit. "You should really sit back down. You look a bit pale." He pushed the boy back down to the ground gently and stooped to pick up the forgotten fruit, brushing if off slightly.

"But I-"

"I said it was nothing!" Even snapped harshly. Roxas gaped at him for a moment, clearly startled, and the old man took a short second to regain himself. He couldn't afford to let his patience slip now.

"Do pardon me...I think I would have heard it too, if something was really there." He placed the fruit back in Roxas's hands and closed his fingers over it. "Please, boy, you look ill. I would feel much better if you ate something. Even just a bite."

Roxas blinked briefly. He felt fine, but for all he knew, he must have looked a mess. He accepted the paopu graciously, letting his smile slowly return.

"Alright. Thank you." He bit into the paopu eagerly, immediately tasting soft, sweet coolness. It really was delicious.

He looked back up at Even with a pleased smile before taking another bite.

"It's wonderful. I've never had anything like this before. So sweet..."

Even smiled maliciously, just as the prince looked away.

"Good. I'm glad it's to your liking..."

It was then that Roxas heard Axel, calling him in the distance. His head snapped up, and he smiled widely. So he had heard right! Axel had come after him!

He immediately opened his mouth to call him, when a cold, rough hand cut off the sound. Even grabbed his wrists with his other hand and held him still, ignoring the boy's struggles and shoves.

Vexen smirked wider when he heard Roxas let out a soft groan. The spell was beginning to take hold, at last.

He whispered softly in the boy's ear. "It's time for all good little boys to go to sleep..."