"He still hasn't woken up? Man, it's been like a month..."

"I know... I fear he might may be in a coma. I think the immense amount of stress and the sight of Xigbar... just caused his body to give out."

"But... isn't he... like, his body okay, Vexen?"

"Yes, Demyx, his body is fine... his mind is just worn out. Here... I'll be back in a minute..."

Where... was he? Back... at the castle?

Roxas opened one cerulean eye slowly, but everything was a blur. He could just barely make out a figure standing next to him, and another walking out.. of a doorway... Was he in a bed? His open eye looked around the small room; White walls, and he was in a white bed... with a blanket over his body. His other eye managed to slid open languidly, vision clearing enough to that he could make out Demyx, the sitarist's back turned to him and leaned against the wall. He coughed, finally realizing he had a oxygen mask over his nose and mouth, and he quivered. Where.. was Xigbar? He.. He had to go see about the sniper.. his sniper! Roxas began to fidget, trying to sit up but he was exhausted even by the slightest motion,. Demyx jumped at the sudden noise, whirling around, teal eyes widening at the tired face of Roxas, who struggled again, panting

"Roxas! You're awake! Vexen, he's awake!" Demyx called to the academic who had left Roxas' hospital room. The latter hurriedly rushed in, nearly slipping on the slick surface of the white tile floor, having to grip the doorway to keep himself up while his papers fell to the floor, scattering. Demyx laughed, and even a tired Roxas managed a smile at the scene despite his exhaustion.

"Vexen... Where's... Xigbar..?" Roxas ground out softly, turning his head towards Vexen, who attempted to pick up all his dropped papers from the floor, with Demyx's help.

"Xigbar's in his room, asleep. He... doesn't stay awake very long, if he gets up at all, he's been sleeping alot. He's still recovering, and taking his injuries a little hard, but he won't admit it, he's stubborn. He wants to see you, Roxas." Vexen said as he laid the papers on a desk to the right of the bed.

"I want.. to see him..too. What.. about Lexaeus? And.. how long have I been asleep?"

"A month. He's fine, just some burns, broken ribs, cuts, and bruises... Can you sit up?"

"It's exhausting... Demyx, can you help me?... A month.." Roxas muttered the last part of his sentence to himself in shock. He had slept for a month? Would Superior be angry with them for being inactive for so long? When would Xigbar be better? Demyx nodded and moved close to the bed, Roxas slowly wrapping his arm around Demyx's neck, letting the blond pull him up, while Vexen adjusted his pillows so he could sit up without exerting himself. He felt better, sitting up. Vexen gently slid the oxygen mask off Roxas' face, placing it on the desk, though he left the IV in Roxas' arm. Roxas sighed, sucking in air slowly now that he could breath better, eyes closed. He could imagine how Xigbar felt; Guilt, anger... he.. saw the wounds, how extensive they were... And he could just see how the scars might look in his mind, so many of them, covering the man's entire body. The man had enough scars already, Roxas didn't want to see anymore; that meant Xigbar got hurt. Xigbar might even think that Roxas didn't want to him anymore because of how he looked... but that wouldn't be true; Roxas would always... love.. him. Roxas groaned as he tried to swing his legs over the bed to get down, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"Child, should rest, you only just woke up from a month-long coma. You can see Xigbar later, he's not going anywhere for a long while." Vexen scolded the much younger male, frowning. He expected that Roxas would be eager to see Xigbar, but the boy needed to realize that one can't jut wake up from a long coma and go about their business without any consequences; Children... so impatient.

"But..."

"No buts, get back into bed. At least give yourself a few hours to adjust to being awake again before you run off."

Demyx giggled at scene. When Vexen wasn't rambling about his superiority to other members, off concocting some potion, or being irritable, he acted like a father...sometimes.. He much preferred Lexaeus because Vexen usually ran him out of his lab before something was blown up or scolded him for playing his sitar too loud. Hopefully, Marluxia would be back from his mission and they could spend some time together... and if they were fortunate, eavesdrop on a scene between Xigbar and Roxas... It wasn't right, but he wanted to see what happened.

"Please, Vexen? Demyx can take me too... him..." Roxas trailed off as his stomach rumbled. He hadn't thought about the fact that he hadn't eaten a full meal for a month.

"Fine... Just give yourself a few hours, Xigbar's asleep right now. For now, you'll need something to eat. Demyx, would you?"

"Alright, fine..." Demyx huffed, slouching his shoulders as he left through a portal.

"Vexen, are you here?"

Roxas yawned as he look towards the doorway, watching Lexaeus approach slowly, aided by long crutches. He only had his brown and white plaid boxers on, and his legs and upper chest were still covered by bandages. He could see the long diagonal scar etched on the auburn haired man's chest, and he guessed he got it from whatever attacked Xigbar... he barely remembered what happened besides... seeing Xigbar, and screaming for him while Marluxia carried him off; He had to remember to thank the assassin later. If Marluxia hadn't pulled him away like that... he didn't have a clue what would have happened.

"I'm in Roxas' room Lexaeus." Vexen called back, scribbling something down on a piece of paper.

"Oh Roxas.. you're awake now. That's good. I need both of you here, I have something important to talk about, Demyx as well... Hnn, where is Demyx? I would also include Marluxia, but he is gone, yes?" Lexaeus said softly, voice husky like he had lost it from screaming too much.

"Here I am!" Demyx proclaimed, skipping into the room with a tray piled high with burgers, bags of chips, and cans of soda. He sat it on the table to the right of Roxas' bed.

"I didn't need that much food, Demyx," Roxas sighed, scratching his matted locks furiously; It felt like everything on his body was itching...

"Demyx, can you close... and lock the door for me?" Lexaeus asked, inching closer to the chair by the wall, turning to sit down slowly, using his crutches to balance, leaning them against the wall as he rested. Demyx' nodded and did as he was told, the door making a loud 'click' that resonated through the silence.

"What is it, Lexaeus, that requires the doors to be locked?" Vexen huffed, frowning.

"We must be quiet... Roxas, do you know why Xigbar was attacked? Or why, you were attacked in the Underworld?" Lexaeus sighed, looking towards the blond with a grave expression on his chiseled face.

"No..." Why Xigbar was attacked? Roxas thought it was just a random Heartless that had tried to eat Xigbar... And the same situation with him...

"It was Xemnas." Lexaeus whispered, baring his teeth."He sent both Xigbar and you on missions with special Heartless to be killed. Even he saw your feelings for each other... I was his spy-"

"Wait... Are.. you saying that.. Xigbar's injuries are your fault?" Roxas eyes were wide and his face one of blank shock."How could you!-"

Suddenly, two portals opened in the room, and everyone anticipated Saix or someone else. A unanimous sigh of relief was let out at the sight of Zexion and Marluxia.

"Did I miss anything?" Marluxia asked softly, strolling over to Demyx, who grinned.

"Not yet..." Lexaeus trailed off as Zexion placed a soft hand on his bare shoulder.

"Answer me, Lexaeus," Roxas snarled, clenching his fists."Is this.. your fault?" If this was the auburn haired man's fault... he hated to say it, but he... he would kill him.

"Roxas." Lexaeus spoke the boy's name firmly, and Roxas flinched." I was his spy. I lied to him to get him off of Xigbar and you because I saw your feelings as well. I did it to protect you both. That's why I'm hurt as well, because I went and betrayed him. Even Axel is in trouble with him, Demyx, Marluxia, and Vexen, as well... Now I know, that you all in this room, plus Xigbar... are who I can trust. We all the only ones with relationships, besides you Vexen. We have to stick together... If you need to talk, move away from this world, go through two separate portals in two different places, having one of you portal to the other place when you arrive, in case Saix is watching, or Xaldin, Luxord, or Larxene... I don't not know if they are with Xemnas, but we have to be careful, which is also why the door is locked. I don't want to alarm anyone, but I want us to be safe.. Xigbar knows this already... Roxas, as soon as he wakes up, talk to him..."

Roxas looked down sheepishly; It wasn't right for him to blame Xigbar's injuries on Lexaeus, if anything, he should be thanking the hero. It was Xemnas' fault. If Lexaeus was right, then that meant Xemnas ordered it and that it was his fault Xigbar, Lexaeus, and even he, got hurt. He was thankful that Axel had come rescued him from the Squid Heartless. Whether he was Superior of the Organization or not, he was going to pay... For what happened to Xigbar, Xemnas deserved to die a horrible death with the exact pain inflicted upon him. Anyone who was part of it, they deserved it as well, regardless of it was deliberate or accidental.. but that didn't matter right now. All he wanted was to talk to Xigbar, just tell the man everything he felt, all the things he bottled up inside... He had no doubt in his mind that Vexen had taken good care of Xigbar, but he wanted to see for himself... to face wounds, and make Xigbar feel better. He would love the sniper no matter how scarred he was. If he didn't... that would be selfish on his part, and unfair to Xigbar; it wasn't Xigbar's fault. Everything lead back to Xemnas.

"I'm sorry..." Roxas muttered, grabbing his tray silently.

"It's all right, Roxas. I understand your pain..." Lexaeus sighed, feeling the bandages along his leg, wincing at the tender spots.

"Xemnas..." Marluxia mused, flipping his hair as Demyx leaned against him. "I'm not surprised he's behind all this."

A veil of silence hung over the small group, before Demyx piped a few minutes later.

"But what does this mean for us? Will we have to leave? And what if Xemnas finds out about all of us... what then?" Demyx inquired, fear lacing his voice as he gripped Marluxia close to him. The pink haired man was precious to him... Despite all the man's flaws and idiosyncrasies, he saw through that and into the true heart of Marluxia, someone who was both loyal and loving, cunning like fox and caring; Most of them qualities he didn't display often. Most saw him as vain and deceptive, but Demyx put all that behind him and focused on the good. He really did believe that they had hearts, they just forgot how to feel. Xemnas drove the 'we have no hearts' factor into their heads, and it was a case of the amazing power of suggestion; If one suggests it long enough, you start to believe it's real.

"Most likely... If he does, we would be in serious danger, which would either lead to our death, or us prolonging our life by running. Our main problem would be confrontations, since you, I, and Vexen are unable to fight well as who is on his side, while Xigbar most likely won't be able to at all..." Zexion bit his lip as he held a hand to his face, arm propped with his other.

"Well, I've been devising a way to create a either biological or mechanical arm for Xigbar since his right was too badly damaged, and because of spinal injuries, wouldn't be able to function if it had healed... If this is so... I'll need to make it as quickly as possible." Vexen whispered this to the four, but Roxas still heard him, even though he ate.

"You mean... Xigbar lost... a arm...?" Roxas whimpered. Xigbar's arm... gone.. He had expected scars, but not that. When he thought about it, he didn't remember how badly Xigbar was hurt, he was pulled away.

"Yes.. His right arm. I'm just glad that it wasn't his dominate arm. If I'm fortunate, it will only take me a month to create a prosthetic for him. During the time I'm making it, we can make some sort of bare plan in case something happens... Roxas... once you eat your food and rest some, then I'll allow you to visit Xigbar, he should be awake then. Until then, the rest of you, out. And you Lexaeus, need to lie down as well, you legs are healing, but you shouldn't strain yourself." Vexen spoke softly at first, chiding the others as he unlocked, the door, waving them out.

Demyx grabbed Marluxia's hand and lead him into the next room, giggling like a madman.

"I bet Xigbar and Roxas are gonna have a scene... I say we watch!" Demyx snickered, whispering in Marluxia's ear hurriedly as he stood in his tip toes.

"Oooh, perfect. I agree-" Marluxia smirked, giving Demyx a peck on the cheek.

"Eavesdropping? I hate to agree, but I wish to see as well... " Demyx visibly flinched at Zexion's voice, peaking past his boyfriend's shoulder, raising a eyebrow at Zexion and Lexaeus.

"I wasn't expecting that..." Demyx stated in slight shock, teal eyes widening. He switched back to his usual happy demeanor, grinning."Alrighty then!"

Roxas sighed as he paused in his eating, not paying any attention to the chatter between Demyx and Marluxia. Even though he hadn't eaten a real meal in such a long time, he didn't feel like eating... Hearing that Xigbar lost a arm pieced his heart deeply. If it hurt him this bad to just hear about it, Xigbar probably had a meltdown, but... the man was strong, he could take whatever Vexen told him.

"Vexen, did Xigbar lose.." He gulped."His entire arm?"

"He did, but do not fret. When you see him... well, just be prepared. You can see him if you can walk." Vexen sighed, moving closer to the bed, and extending his hand to the teenager. Roxas nodded and took the academic's hand, letting the man pull him to his feet. He took a step and he stumbled, but Vexen kept him from falling. Roxas let go of Vexen's hand, steps shaky, moving towards the door as his hand trailed along the wall for balance. He made it to the door way with no problems, and Demyx managed to see Roxas before the latter saw him, shushing Marluxia, Zexion, and Lexaeus.

"Where's Xigbar's room?" Roxas asked softly as he stepped onto the corridor's cold floor, shivering. He had been in the infirmary before, but he had never seen this area... And there didn't seem to be any entrances or exits... He could ask later, right now, Xigbar was what he needed to attend too.

"Five doors down and to the left."

"C'mon, when he goes down there, then we follow," Demyx hissed, peaking from the doorway, the other three males nodding silently as Roxas wobbled down the hallway, gradually walking better.

Roxas passed the doors slowly, realizing that there were only seven doors in the small hallway, and to the left of the fifth door like Vexen said, was a hallway. He turned down, and he could see a larger room than what he was in, with a bed, a small window, and curtains that were pushed back. Then he saw Xigbar, sitting up in the bed and staring off towards the wall blankly, eyes and expression devoid of any emotion, and his heart skipped a beat. Xigbar had bandages wrapped around his forehead and over where his left eye had been, some wrapped around his neck as well. Across his old scar was another, only horizontal, and most of his face was plastered with claw shaped scars; Across his right cheek, from under his missing eye, and tiny ones through his lip. Halfway down his left arm was bandaged as well, what was exposed covered in thin or large crescent shaped bite marks around his wrist and hand, brown scar tissue leading from his elbow to under the bandages... and his right... gone; There was nothing, not even a stub of the arm was left. His chest was bare and his upper torso was covered in bandages, muscled stomach exposed, but.. most of his tan skin was covered in a massive reddish brown scar. He couldn't see Xigbar's legs, but he suspected that they were covered in bandages as well. Roxas gulped as a sudden bout of anxiety washed over him, but he forced it to the back of mind. That's what the Heartless did to Xigbar... It basically tore him apart, and Xemnas ordered it. His anxiety was drowned out with a wave of anger, and Roxas bit his bottom lip, clenching his eyes shut as he willed the anger away; He could be mad later..

Xigbar didn't make a move when Roxas opened the glass door slowly and slid in before closing it, bare feet barely making a noise as he padded towards Xigbar's bed. The man's ears twitched and he looked over languidly, before his single eye widened, mouth agape.

"Roxas..."

"X-Xigbar..." All they could say was each other names before the room was silent. Outside, Demyx, Marluxia, Lexaeus, and Zexion had made there way to the room, staring through one of the windows.

"I'm sorry, kiddo..." Xigbar said softly, staring at Roxas as the precious blond approached his bed, moving to sit next to sniper. "I didn't mean ta hit you, I was just real mad.. 'M sorry for makin' ya wait for me, and for not bein' with ya.. I should'a returned yer flirtin'... I guess I was kinda... like freaked out at what I was feelin'... I-"

Xigbar chuckled bitterly, shaking his head at himself.

"Even now, it's real hard... ta kinda go out and say how I feel."

Xigbar sighed as he placed his hand where his right arm had been, feeling the soft bandages beneath his fingers. Why.. Why couldn't he just go out and say that he loved Roxas? He really and truly loved Roxas. It was just three simple words... that held so much meaning. It was almost like the words couldn't come out, despite the fact that he wanted to say it, he wanted to tell Roxas everything that he felt, even... the things he wouldn't admit to himself like... that fact that he was almost scared to see how Roxas would react to how he looked now. He had scars before, but nothing like this; His entire arm was gone! The pain.. it was unimaginable. He didn't know how he survived. He knew Roxas must have been so... frightened when the blond saw him laying there, bleeding... He didn't -couldn't- believe Xemnas and his shit anymore. He had a heart, it was beating in his chest right now, physical and emotional, and it yearned for Roxas. His single eye watched as a warm hand with such soft, supple skin touched his right cheek. Roxas' hand was tracing each scar on his face, from old to new. He had never been so... happy before.

Roxas' heart was beating furiously in his chest in joy, and he was smiling. It was exhilarating to finally... finally, touch the rough skin he had dreamed about, scarred or not. He would love Xigbar not matter how many scars he gained. His hand trailed down Xigbar's neck, running along the sniper's large Adam's apple, down his neck until it reached where Xigbar's right arm had been, touching the bandages gently. His other hand was finding it's way to his beloved Xigbar's left arm and resting on Xigbar's shoulder. Roxas let out a soft moan as he laid his forehead against Xigbar's, both males breathing softly. Slowly, Xigbar brought his arm around Roxas' waist, slipping under the precious teenager's medical shirt, rough caressing the pale, supple softness with the pads of his finger, touch feather light as if Roxas' very being was glass. The hand slid along the fabric until it reached locks softer than spun silk and the color of honey, so pure that it rivaled even the sun itself. There was a air of silence. It felt so... wonderful, fantastic... to finally be able to touch Xigbar, to hold him... with no regrets, without any hesitation or fear. They were in love... The feeling he was experiencing... could not be described, it was pure exhilaration. Roxas let himself straddle Xigbar, moving closer, keeping one hand on Xigbar's right shoulder and the other wrapping itself around the man's strong neck.

"It.. It's okay, Xigbar.. I forgive you, I knew something was wrong... it's not your fault.." Roxas murmured quietly.

"It is, kid. If I had have returned your advances, we'd be together, and... well, you know. I just, it felt weird. My chest would ache when I was near ya, and.. my heart would beat fast. I thought I didn't have one. Heh, guess I was wrong.. Then Lex told me everythin' and I was so guilty.." Xigbar admitted, stroking Roxas' blond locks.

"It's alright.. And I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have went with Axel when I liked you... Xigbar.." Roxas trailed off as Xigbar's face got closer, and suddenly, Xigbar's warm hand was on his cheek. Their lips were nearly touching, and his hand was threading itself through Xigbar's pepper locks. He could feel the heat radiating from both of them.

Roxas' breath hitched when their lips made contact, heart skipping a beat and his eyes wide as chapped lips met his own. It.. it took him a second to return the motion; He was in shock, but his heart was screaming in joy. What he had dreamed about, imagined, wished for... was happening. It was the most wonderful thing he had ever felt. Roxas began to kiss back, letting his eye slip shut in pleasure as Xigbar's hand gently tilted his face up. His face felt as if it were ablaze as pulled Xigbar into him, kissing deeper. Xigbar let his tongue slip out and caress Roxas' lips, silently asking for entrance. Xigbar knew this was right, it was what he wanted, Roxas wanted... no, what they yearned for more than anything. Even though Roxas' lips were chapped, they were impossibly soft and his heart's pace sped up, pounding against his ribcage frantically.

Roxas' let his mouth open enough for Xigbar's tongue to slither in, the warmth exploring every inch of space in his hot, wet cavern, and he moaned when they're tongues met. Xigbar's hand had moved to his hair again, gripping him and pulling him closer as their kissing intensified. The kiss was broken only so they could greedily suck in air, sneaking heated kisses to every inch of their faces between panting. Xigbar moved his hand to Roxas' left, intertwining their fingers, breathing slowing.

"Kid...Roxas...I..I..." He paused, gulping. Please words, come out..."...I love you. I love you more than anythin'." He.. finally confessed, and it felt like a weight was lifted.

"I love you too, Xigbar."

Xigbar let a grin weave its way onto his face as he hugged Roxas, nuzzling and kissing Roxas' soft hair lovingly. All... all the guilt, and pain.. was gone, washed away into nothingness. He said it, he said 'I love you', to Roxas... and he meant it. It was a dream come true to hold Roxas close to him, the blond smiling. Their lips made contact again.

Their kiss was passionate, slow and

full of love, but it was brief. Roxas

sighed and snuggled close to Xigbar,

gripping his beloved's neck gently as

the latter's lone arm held him close.

"I...I thought you had died, Xigbar," Roxas ground up, suddenly so emotional, tears pricking in his eyes."I screamed for you... I was so scared..I don't want to lose you, to Xemnas or anyone else.."

"It hurt like hell, but don't worry, kiddo, I ain't goin' nowhere. You're stuck with me, forever.." Xigbar murmured, chuckling softly as he rubbed Roxas' back lovingly as he placed a chaste kiss to the teenager's soft locks. "I won't let Xemnas tear us apart. Our love's too strong, kitten." Xigbar nuzzled Roxas to make him lean back so he could kiss away the salty tears that had escaped, noticing how they tasted of Sea Salt Ice Cream.

"Our love is strong... I'll always worry a little, Xigbar. And you're stuck with me too," Roxas let out a chuckle of his own, hugging Xigbar again.

"I'm gonna take care of Xemnas'n and of them, then all of us'll be a-okay. Then you'n me can have ice cream everyday, promise." Xigbar grinned. He was serious. He would keep Xemnas, Saix... whoever was with them away, kill them, if he had too, if they threatened Roxas' life.

"I like that idea, Xiggy." Roxas smiled back, nuzzling Xigbar's chin. I'll be right there by your side... And Vexen said he'll make you a prothetic, so then you'll be able to fight."

"That'll be nice... No matter what, Roxas, I think we're gonna be okay.."

Outside, Demyx was grinning along with Marluxia and holding hands, Lexaeus and Zexion merely leaning against each other and smiling softly.

"They kissed! I knew it!" Demyx giggled, squeezing his assassin close.

"I'm glad to see them together..." Lexaeus said softly."Now, we just have to stay strong."

II~XIII~II~XIII

He.. he was still in the cave; Vexen hadn't came back. Axel didn't expect him too. He groaned as he felt his chest and he felt... bandages? Had Vexen really came back? The bandages were fresh and Axel couldn't feel any blood on them. Looking around, he saw that both Xigbar and his blood had soaked into the ground. How long had he been there? Days... weeks... maybe even a month... but Axel didn't really care. Roxas was gone and was probably off with Xigbar, admitting their... love, for each other. The red head hoped that Xigbar was dead, that was his only chance to be with the sweet blond. Axel growled to himself, but his eyes whirled to the the left as he heard the familiar wind-like noise of a portal opening, and he stared up at... Xemnas...

Holy shit.

"There you are, Number VIII... I've been waiting..." Xemnas gave a sinister smirk as he spoke in a deep, monotone voice, bending down on one knee. He gripped Axel's chin with a hard grip, letting tendrils of black, grey, and silver wrap around Axel.

"X-Xemnas..."

"I was expecting that pesky Number II and V would be dead, but the Heartless failed... Which means I'm going to need a little more help." Xemnas snapped his fingers, and on que, Saix and Xaldin emerged from portals.

"I almost killed him... but Marluxia stopped me." Axel ground out as the tendrils squeezed him tight, making his already aching chest hurt more. Yelping, he attempted to wriggle free from the tendrils, and Xemnas smirked at Axel's blatant pain.

"I see...And without me even asking, how wonderful. How would you be willing to become my.. informant? Lexaeus failed me, and thus he shall be killed, sooner or later... If you say no, on the other hand, I'll have to kill you as well. Saix and Xaldin will be taking care of that task, though." Xemnas said, chuckling darkly. "Which will it be... Axel?"

"I'll... help you.." Axel gasped as the tendrils released him, disappearing. He spat on the cold ground, wiping his mouth as Saix gripped his arm, forcing him to his feet.

"Do not fail Superior." Saix commanded, smirking.

"Or else we'll murder you." Xaldin summoned one of his prized lances, and instantly, it was pointed at Axel's head.

"I.. won't fail.." Axel snarled. He didn't exactly want to be in league with Xemnas.. but it gave him a way to get revenge on both Xigbar.. and Roxas. Roxas should have done the right thing, and chosen him.