Roxas couldn't stop staring at him. Sure it could be partly because he's never really seen these so-called mythical creatures, or it could be the fact that this creature once tried to kill him, but all in all . . . it was because he was so beautiful. With the fiery red locks and the stunning emeralds for eyes that made people think they were actual gems, the Merman was a true sight to see, and Roxas couldn't stop staring.
"He's beautiful, isn't he?"
Roxas jumped out of his thoughts as he turned towards his left to see one of his crewmates standing next to him. It was Marluxia, and Roxas had never really been fond of him. For certain reasons of course.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, he is," Roxas nodded as he rested his chin on his knees that were laying against his chest as he sat there on the beach, staring at their captive.
"His sisters cannot compare," Marluxia replied with a nod. "Perhaps this is how all Mermen are, though they be few. Shame."
Roxas raised a brow up at Marluxia before turning his blue eyes back towards the Merman who continued to refuse to make any movement of his own. Apparently Roxas wasn't the only one staring their eyes out at him. Even though the others were ordered to get everything ready from the ship so they can journey inland, most were preoccupied with the task of wearing out their eyes on the new specimen they captured, especially their mad doctor, Vexen.
"My, he's a sight to see, isn't he?" Vexen spoke out as he circled the tank like a hungry predator, just staring at the unmoving Merman who only kept wary eyes on him. "And what gorgeous eyes you have, creature. Like real emerald gems they are."
"Get away from him, Vexen," Xemnas spoke up, coming up to the doctor to shoo him away. "He's not for you to experiment on, so get back to working with Luxord in fixing up the transporting device for this thing." At the word 'thing' Xemnas' amber eyes fell towards the Merman, but he allowed them to remain there for a moment longer before tearing them away and getting back to his duties.
"I take it everyone wants a piece of the Merman," Marluxia spoke up again, placing a hand on his hip.
Roxas looked at the pink-haired man before sighing with a roll of his shoulders and turning back towards his duty: to watch the captive. Roxas knew Marluxia was right and because of that he couldn't help but feel sorry for the Merman. Attracting so much attention, and from his crewmates no less, was something no one would want on themselves.
In all honesty, Roxas knew his crew wasn't the polite kind of pirates. Oh no, they were the ones who'd slit your throat, steal your last dime, rape your wives and daughters, and the list goes on. Roxas, of course, wouldn't take part in any of that, after all . . . he had been traded from another crew because of a loss from Xehanort's crew. It's how things went on the sea, and frankly, Roxas didn't fit in well here.
His only friends were Xion, Demyx, and Zexion. Sure he got along with a few others, like Luxord, and Lexaeus, but the others? Forget it. They didn't like him too much so he stayed away from them as much as he could. Sure they'd talk to him every now and then, but only on rare occasions. So you could say Roxas was one happy boy when he heard Marluxia turn and leave his side to get back to the job that was laid out for him by Saïx himself.
With a small smile Roxas made sure to shut everyone out around him as he focused on his own duty; watching the Merman. And he could actually say this was one of the easiest jobs he's ever been given since he came here. There were no complaints on his end. For, after all, the Merman wasn't going anywhere.
"How are things going on your end, Roxas?" came the voice of Roxas' Captain that made the boy jump to attention and salute him.
"All's good here, sir," Roxas replied, looking up at his Captain who was now showing the pulls of age. "He hasn't moved much, but I assume that's alright?"
"It is," Xehanort replied with a nod as he turned his eyes towards the tank containing the large Merman. "He seems a bit cramped, doesn't he?"
"W-Well, the tank was meant for the small frame of a Mermaid, not a Merman," Roxas said with a roll of his shoulders. "I suppose we just didn't expect to be running into any males of their race."
"No . . . we didn't," Xehanort whispered, as if speaking to himself as he walked up to the tank that held his prize. The creature only peered up at him, but like Roxas said, made no movement.
"Will it be good enough?" Roxas asked, stepping beside his Captain and looking at the Merman. "The tears of a Merman?"
"We'll see, now won't we?" Xehanort replied, looking down at the youngest lad in his crew. "We'll just have to get him to cry, won't we?"
"But . . . Xion said that males are particularly harder than females," Roxas said. "I mean, I guess that could be because they're more rare, but if it's true then how are we going to . . . ?"
"I've thought of the same thing, Roxas," Xehanort nodded, patting Roxas on his shoulder. "I assumed we'd just capture a sister of his and kill her before his eyes, but I'm afraid he may have told them to never come back. How fitting of a brother, isn't it?"
"Yeah," Roxas nodded. "But then how are we going to—?"
"We'll figure out a way, don't worry," Xehanort assured with a strange smile before inclining his head toward Roxas and turning on his heal to head off.
Letting out a sigh, Roxas turned and plopped his bottom back onto the sandy beach where all their belongings were kept and prepped to enter into the forest. It was nice to be on land it was, but who knew what waited in that jungle of a forest? What kind of creatures or other unearthly things lied just in wait of them? If this place had Merfolk here then what else did it have?
Roxas shuddered at the thought, but he was brought out of his thoughts by the sudden movements of the Merman. His eyes darted over towards the tank filled with the seawater from the bay and instantly Roxas noticed the uncomfortable motions of he creature.
At first Roxas figured that maybe the Merman was now realizing he was a little too big for that tank to where he couldn't fully stretch out, but no, that wasn't it, that was clear. So, closer Roxas walked towards it and as he made his way over towards it he kept looking around for any of his crewmates who also noticed, but surprisingly they were all focused on their job at hand.
Licking his lips Roxas slowly knelt down towards the tank and looked at the creature that now seemed so harmless—so human, if it wasn't for the vibrant red tail of his. In that moment the creature turned his way and looked at him with fierce eyes, but in that gaze Roxas caught a look, it was a look of helplessness and it was then Roxas noticed that the Merman was suffocating, but why? He had the water he needed, right?
Then, a thought came to him. When Roxas and the others had been attacked by the Mermaids, they were easily breathing their air, so maybe Merfolk needed air just as much as they did. Xehanort would have Roxas' head if something happened to their only catch. So, acting quickly, Roxas was just a little too fast with opening the lid of the tank and just as he unlatched the hook he distinctly remembered hearing the sound of the first mate's voice saying—
"Roxas, DON'T! "
It was too late though. The Merman was fast to hook his hands onto the sides of the tank and push the lid fully off while latching an arm around Roxas and flipping out of his cage with such inhuman speed Roxas didn't even have time to blink before it happened. Before the boy knew it, he was face-forward in the sand with something quite heavy over top of him, hissing and screeching as Roxas' fellow mates came up, pointing blunderbusses, pistols, and cutlasses at the creature.
"Damn it Roxas! Why'd you let it out? !" Xemnas growled, holding out his two cutlasses, standing before the others as he carefully made his way towards the Merman who screeched at him through sharp fangs and dangerous eyes.
"I'm sorry!" Roxas called out from where he lay. "But he looked like he couldn't breathe!"
"He's a Merman, Roxas! You idiot!" Larxene suddenly called out, standing next to Xion who looked on in great worry, now seeing her closest friend in the arms of the creature—again.
Roxas hissed out in pain from being nearly lain on by the creature, not to mention drenched by the water from the tank that had tipped once the Merman made his way out. But what hurt the most was rubbing up against those scales of his. Even though Roxas assumed the torso and up appeared to be human skin, it was all lies. Even that was nothing but scales, every part of the creature was scales and it hurt being pressed up against them. So, Roxas let out a groan and it was that groan that strangely pulled the creature's attention to him.
Roxas could feel him shift above him and he could even feel him looking down at him. Roxas didn't know why he was doing such a thing, as if he was concerned or not his hostage was being hurt by him. It was odd though, Roxas felt the Merman shift his weight off of him only slightly, but it gave Roxas breathing room. Roxas looked at his captor with such curiosity it would have killed any cat that walked by.
Letting out a gasp, Roxas felt himself being dragged, if only by a few inches at a time, towards the surf. The Merman was trying to get back towards the bay. With that thought in mind Roxas thought of himself nearly drowning. He surely would this time if that Merman made it towards the waters, so he began to kick and struggle.
"N-No!" Roxas gasped. "Help! He'll drown me!"
"Hang on, Roxas!" Demyx called out. "We won't let him get to the water!"
The more Roxas continued to struggle the more the grip from his captor tightened. It almost became unbearable as if the creature was telling him to stop in a silent manner. It would have worked had not Roxas noticed the blood on his shirt.
Looking down Roxas gasped. Had those scales of the Merman's rubbed him raw? No, that couldn't be, because he didn't feel the pain. But, as if his eyes traveled down more Roxas could see the harpoon sticking out of the Merman's side. It was definitely Marluxia's and it had never been removed since they placed him in the tank.
Roxas' eyes quickly darted up towards the Merman's face and he looked in pain. That must have been why he hadn't moved around so much earlier—he was nursing a continuing wound. Now though, as the redhead moved to make his back towards the bay where his sisters no doubt awaited him, Roxas could see he was in pain.
Biting his lip Roxas felt sorry for the creature. He had once gotten stabbed by any enemy crewmember in a fight, and it was so bad that the blade had broken off in his shoulder. It took Xion, Demyx, and Zexion to hold him down as Vexen took the sickle out. So he could imagine how much pain the Merman had to be in as of now. So, if Roxas could just take it out while the Merman was distracted with screeching at his companions, then maybe . . .
Just as Roxas touched the piece of metal the Merman was quick to turn on him and growl at him, warning him to leave his wound alone. Roxas quickly backed off but he could still see the pain in the creature's eyes that he couldn't help but bite his lips and try again. That probably wasn't the best idea in the world. One warning for him was enough and he could easily tell the redhead didn't like warning him twice.
The creature let out a deep growl and glared down the blonde before slamming him down hard into the wet sand below. Roxas lost his breath for a moment, but in that moment the others took the opportunity to jump onto the creature and take hold of him.
"Roxas!" Xion called out as she fell next to him and made sure he was well. "Are you alright? He didn't hurt you did he?"
"No, I'm fine," Roxas said, managing to sit up and wave her off.
Roxas turned to the sounds of high screeches and wails. There, not too far from him was the Merman; on top of him were Xemnas, Xigbar, Saïx, and Lexaeus. Normally it might take two men to handle someone, but with it being a Merman, it was difficult to no end and Roxas could see it. The Merman's red tail was going every which way, striking any in the way, it wasn't until Lexaeus came and took hold of it did it stop hitting the others.
There was another wail coming out of the Merman's mouth and this time Roxas saw the creature's face go pale and his eyes close, as if pain overrode his body in that instant, and it had. Looking down, Roxas could see that Xemnas' knee had struck the harpoon lodged into the Merman's side and was now digging into it uncaringly.
"W-Wait," Roxas spoke up as he stood up, running up to where the others were struggling to contain the Merman.
"Roxas, what is it?" Xion called to him, standing up and watching her friend run right back into the danger he was just rescued out of.
"Guys, stop!" Roxas tried getting to the four who were now in the process of picking up the Merman and putting him back into the tank.
"Leave us be, Roxas," Saïx spoke up, shooing Roxas away as he kept a firm grip around the creature.
"He's hurt, guys careful!" Roxas tried to say, but was only pushed aside.
"Back away Roxas!" Xemnas called out, frustration in his voice and no doubt he was preparing for a chewing out of the boy later.
"But you're hurting him!" Roxas persisted. Not caring what the first mate was going to do to him later as he tried prying their hands off of him. "Marluxia's harpoon is still stuck in his side!"
"Get off, kid!" Xigbar shouted, just as frustrated as the others by the boy who was trying to get them to drop the Merman when they had just gotten a grip on him.
A single push is all it took to set Roxas on his butt, looking up as the others took the Merman back towards the tank, his struggles slowly dying down as his lanky arms fell motionlessly and helplessly. It was then Roxas got a good look in his eyes. He could see the pain and need in his eyes to be rid of it and he was directing that need towards Roxas, a boy who couldn't do much as of now.
With great effort the four managed to finally get the Merman back into the tank with the little water that remained. They didn't care about refilling it, just closing the lid back and locking it. After that was over Xemnas looked down at his soaked clothing before turning towards Roxas with narrowed eyes.
"Roxas!" he growled, stomping up to the boy. "What the hell did you think you were doing? !"
"He . . . he couldn't breathe and then—Xemnas, he's hurt. We never removed Marluxia's harpoon and—"
"I don't give a damn about that!" Xemnas all but shouted. "Now, I gave you a simple task with keeping watch over the creature and you set it free to escape? ! What would have happened if it had escaped, huh? Then Captain wouldn't have any Mer-thing at all!"
"I'm sorry," Roxas looked down apologetically, but he knew that wasn't enough for Xemnas, it never was.
"Xemnas, go easy on the boy, he was just trying to help."
Xemnas turned towards their Captain and instantly silenced, well, for a few seconds.
"But because of him we almost lost your—" Xemnas started, pointing an accusing finger towards the young blonde boy.
"I know that, but the boy was right. Merfolk need air just as much as we do, granted not for most of their life, but I'm sure it's a mixture of water and air," Xehanort replied calmly. "If my Merman had suffocated then I wouldn't be too pleased with any of you."
"I see," Xemnas nodded, his anger still shown by his actions and attitude. "The Merman needs air does he?"
Roxas now grew greatly concerned as Xemnas took out one of his cutlasses and marched back towards the tank where he took one last glance at their Captain before turning towards the caged Merman and thrust his blade into the tank.
"STOP!" Roxas cried out, nearly jumping over there to stop the mad first mate. Was he trying to KILL their only Mer-creature? !
"Easy there, Roxas," Xehanort held up his hand, watching his first mate stab and stab over again into the lid. "If he damages the creature, he'll have to answer to me."
Roxas watched on in horror as Xemnas came awfully close to ending the life of the Merman, but he never touched it. As he pulled out his sword he looked at the cuts in the glass and then back towards his Captain and then to Roxas. As Xemnas' eyes met Roxas' he grinned a wicked grin before straightening.
"I think one more cut in the glass shall do," Xemnas replied as he pulled up his sword and thrust it down with greater force than before.
Roxas gasped, his eyes widening in horror once he heard a wail come forth from the Merman who had now been stabbed right through his tail, where his legs would have been—if he had them.
Xemnas brought his sword back out without so much as a last look at the Merman he had now pained further. Smacking his cutlass down in his tanned palm he smiled as he walked back to the others with a smirk plastered to his face. He even passed their Captain without a word.
Roxas could hardly believe Xehanort let him do that, but what was he expecting anyways? Xemnas had always been this heartless to any one they ran into on their pirating days. The Captain never cared before either, so why now?
Xehanort just let out a sigh and turned to return to his quarters. Roxas shook his head, not believing the injustice this poor Merman was taking. Why not though? The Merman was nothing but a creature after all. He wasn't human like them, but Roxas somehow felt different about that matter and he feared it'd only get worse the more he saw how the others treated the redhead.
There wasn't anything Roxas could do but cast his eyes down. Sure the Merman didn't wail anymore and decided to take the pain like everyone else, but that didn't stop Roxas from forgetting that he was still in pain.
"Roxas, are you okay?" Xion came up to him and asked.
"Not really," Roxas answered truthfully.
"Is it—about the Merman?" Xion asked, her eyes darting towards the creature now thoroughly caged up.
"Yeah," Roxas answered with a nod.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Look at him, he's in pain," Roxas said, lifting his eyes towards the Merman who just pretty much lay there still in the tank.
"I noticed the blood on your shirt wasn't yours," Xion said, looking down at Roxas' bloodstained shirt. "I had a feeling that they left Marluxia's harpoon in. They don't care."
"It's not right," Roxas said, his anger showing in his tone.
"Calm down Roxas, I know," Xion said, holding up her hands. "Even if he did try to drown you, he never hurt you."
"No," Roxas said, looking at the Merman with determination in his eyes. "Tonight . . . I'm going to have a talk with Vexen, and I'm sure he won't refuse what I have to say."
"What's this you say, work on the Merman?" Vexen questioned Roxas' logic in that very moment. "You realize no one is supposed to go near that thing, especially after what you did."
"I know," Roxas replied, Xion to his right only looked at their doctor, wondering if he'll actually agree. "But I also know you've been dying to see the Merman more closely."
Roxas smirked to himself. He could see the look in Vexen's eyes as he said this. They all knew it was true. Deep down inside, Vexen was not a mad doctor, but a mad scientist that wanted nothing but to dissect things and study them until they fade away. Roxas would know; he tried doing it to him on numerous occasions.
"What do you say?" Roxas asked. "Plus, I'm sure the Captain won't want his prize bleeding to death. I'm pretty sure even Merfolk can."
"No, that won't be good at all," Vexen nodded, drumming his chin in thought as he leant back in his chair. "Especially after how far we've come."
Xion and Roxas watched Vexen stand up and pace around in thought before turning to the two and eyeing them both.
"I just . . . may want to do this," Vexen muttered. "But, if we get caught, you two are taking the fall. I will not get lashed just for my own pleasures"
"Thank you so much, Vexen!" Roxas smiled and shook the doctor's hands in a rush before he turned and ushered Xion out so they could make sure no one was around when they did this.
"Alright guys, come on," Xion waved them over once her shift came up for her to watch the Merman.
Quietly Roxas and Vexen came up to the tank and Xion went to work in picking the lock.
"Can't you pick the lock faster?" Vexen groaned, looking at the girl.
"Shut up," Xion hissed back. "You're not helping."
There was the small sound of a 'click' before Xion smiled and took the lock off. Xion then turned to the others and eyed them.
"What'll we do if he tries to get out?" she asked the two.
Vexen looked at Roxas and crossed his arms.
"This is your problem, boy," Vexen replied
Roxas let out a hard sigh before looking down at the Merman who appeared to be sleeping. His eyes were closed and all, so what else could he be doing? Biting his bottom lip once more Roxas knelt down and placed his hands on the glass lid that was now scattered with small slits from where Xemnas had cut through.
"Hey," Roxas spoke up, as if he was speaking to another human being, but his tone was soft and gentle and Xion and Vexen caught it, both glancing at the other as they noticed the strange sort of attachment Roxas had seemed to have developed just recently. "Now, listen, we don't want to hurt you. We just want to help you heal. But, if you try to escape again, the others will come and hurt you more. So, please, trust us, alright?"
"I don't think he heard you, Roxas," Xion spoke up; she too noticed how the Merman looked to be asleep.
"Wait, look," Vexen pointed towards the Merman's face and they watched his eyes open as if he hadn't been slumbering at all.
The Merman looked directly up into Roxas' eyes, not even glancing at the other two. He just kept gazing at the boy, with no words, and no movement. Roxas smiled softly for a short while before glancing at the other two who looked at him curiously. Quickly his smile vanished before her looked back at the Merman.
"Do we have an agreement?" Roxas asked. "It's only fair, after all the trouble I got in for trying to help you. I'm sure I'll get into more after this, but please . . . let us help you."
Again the Merman didn't move. He just looked at Roxas with blazing green eyes, such unearthly colors for one's eyes that he had to be from another world. Roxas nodded and bit the inside of his lip as he took a hold of the lid. He let out a breath before closing his eyes and counting to three in his head before he slowly opened it.
"Easy, Roxas," Vexen said as he and Xion took hold of the lid as well and made sure the creature didn't make a run for it.
He stayed still; laying there in what little water there was still in the tank and just looking up at Roxas and the others. His eyes actually turned towards Vexen who now placed his bag down and fished in it for a few tools he'll be needing soon. Xion also kept a close eye on him, but noticed how dry his scales were and having them so dry it just didn't look so beautiful anymore.
"I'm . . . going to go get some more water for him," She said as she took up a bucket and left towards the beach.
"Take your time," Vexen said as he held up a scalpel. "I'm going to need him in as much little water as possible if I'm going to work on him."
"Just be careful," Roxas said. "He's kept his side of the bargain so far, now we keep ours."
"I understand," Vexen muttered as he waved Roxas away as he bent over the tank and came to the harpoon lodged in the Merman's side.
Roxas carefully watched as the Merman's eyes darted towards Vexen, especially as he leant down towards his side with a sharp instrument. Roxas quickly placed his hand on Vexen's shoulder to stop him.
"What is it now?" Vexen asked, annoyance in his tone as he looked at the boy.
"Careful," Roxas warned, his eyes darting towards the Merman. "He looks about ready to strike."
"Really," Vexen sighed out before looking at the Merman directly in the eyes. "If you want this harpoon out then you're going to have to let me near it." Vexen's tone was always so demanding and Roxas nearly chuckled, but now wasn't the time so he let it go and eyed the redheaded Merman carefully.
Roxas watched as the Merman turned his eyes back towards him and then leant back in the tank and closed his eyes. Roxas assumed this was a signal for Vexen to proceed so he motioned him to proceed. Vexen did as he was allowed and cut into the skin around the harpoon that had been trying to heal since the puncture.
Roxas looked at the Merman who remained still through the process, not making a sound or even a face about it. Vexen on the other hand was complaining how hard it was to lean over the tank to cut into the Merman's side. Roxas turned to see Xion return with a bucket full of seawater from the bay, but she just sat down near them and watched on in silence.
"Alright, now we're going to have to pull it out," Vexen said, leaning back. "It's going to hurt him, so watch out."
"Alright," Xion nodded as she and Roxas took a firm grip on the harpoon.
Just as they had Roxas felt a touch to his hand. It was the scaly touch of the Merman's. Roxas turned to see that he had opened his eyes and was now looking straight at him as if he was silently asking if he was going to be alright. Roxas nodded and said—
"This will hurt, but please, try and stay still."
The Merman didn't move or make any noise. He just stayed still as Roxas took his eyes off of him and turned his attention back towards the task at him.
"Ready you two?" Vexen asked, looking at the two youths.
"Yeah," the both replied with a nod of their heads.
"Alright . . . pull!" Vexen ordered.
With all their might and as fast as they could, Roxas and Xion pulled the harpoon out and quickly laid it down. In that moment the Merman had jerked up and groaned from the pain, gritting his teeth like any human would after having something like that removed.
"Huh," Vexen chuckled as he eyed the gestures of the creature. "If I didn't know any better I'd say he was actually part human with the way he reacted to that."
Roxas looked down to see his hand still tightly squeezing his own even though there was no longer a harpoon in Roxas' grasp. Roxas could also see he was shaking and his tail was trying hard not to flail at them.
"Alright, out of my way," Vexen butted in as he pushed Roxas and Xion aside to patch up the wound.
So Xion and Roxas watched on in silence as Vexen placed an ointment on the Merman's side and then a cloth.
"Now, you're going to have to hold this since wrapping you up will surely get me in trouble if others saw you." Vexen informed the Merman.
"No, go ahead, wrap him."
Xion, Roxas, and Vexen gasped as they turned to see their Captain standing right behind them. Just how long had he been there, watching them?
"C-Captain," Vexen gulped, knowing he was going to be in trouble for sure.
"No need to be afraid," Xehanort waved them off. "I was about to go to you, Vexen, and ask this of you, but I see Roxas and Xion have beaten me to it."
"So you . . . don't mind?" Roxas asked.
"No," Xehanort said, shaking his head. "In fact, I'd wish he was kept at good health—well, at least until we get what we need from him."
"Aye sir," Vexen nodded as he turned and took out bandages and began wrapping them around the Merman.
"Strange, how did you get him to keep in the tank?" Xehanort replied as he looked at the Merman who was eyeing him warily.
"Roxas somehow got to him," Xion asked.
"Is that so, Roxas?" Xehanort asked, looking at the young blonde boy.
"It-It is," Roxas nodded.
"Good boy," Xehanort smiled as he watched on as Vexen finished him up. "Don't forget about his tail, doctor."
"Yes, I'll get to it," Vexen nodded as he turned his attention to the wounded tail.
Xehanort looked down and noticed that the Merman had grasped Roxas' hand with his own, and that he was shaking. He assumed he was still suffering from Vexen's ointments that he placed on the wound. They always felt so foul whenever he received them so, he expected it no less from the creature, but Roxas wasn't making any motions to move away from him and it made Xehanort wonder if the boy was developing some sort of an attachment to the Merman.
Well, certainly after today's incident he should think something of it. Roxas was very forward in getting the others to stop hurting the Merman, so it was possible. He honestly wouldn't know why since the creature made attempts at his life more than once, but if that were the case then maybe he should have Roxas around the creature more often.
"You're doing good," Roxas spoke to the Merman, a soft smile on his lips as he looked down at the creature who looked up at him with bright green eyes.
"Yes," Vexen suddenly spoke up as he finished up his work on the Merman's red tail. "Better than most of you when it comes to appointments."
Xion and Roxas chuckled before Roxas noticed how the Merman's scales often shined a different color. Sure he was made up of mostly red scales that traveled up his arms towards his elbows and around his collarbone, but there were two distinctive violet scales under each eye that just made him look more exotic.
Roxas had seen the Merman's sisters up close and Marluxia was right when he stated earlier that they couldn't compare to their brother. This Merman had to be the most beautiful creature he's ever seen, and that's saying a lot from Roxas since he's never found anyone, male or female, attractive too much. It made him wonder if this beauty had a name, a name to fit him.
While Roxas was thinking this his eyes seemed to melt into the Merman's and suddenly it was as if he was speaking to him, without even moving his lips.
'Axel.'
'What?'
'You wanted to know my name, right? It's Axel, A-X-E-L. Got it memorized?'
"I think I do," Roxas whispered with a soft smile gracing his lips as his own hand squeezed Axel's as he continued to gaze him, even after Vexen had finished with working on the Merman.
"What was that, Roxas?" Xion asked. She had heard Roxas say something, but it was nothing but a whisper.
"What?" Roxas suddenly came back to reality and he looked at Xion.
"You said something?" she asked as she took the bucket she had paled and poured the water into the tank to drench the Merman.
"Yeah, his name—it's Axel," Roxas said, letting go of the Merman as he stood up, having no choice but to place the lid back on and lock it.
"How do you know?" Vexen asked.
"I just—do," Roxas said with a shrug. He couldn't explain it better than that.
Xehanort only smiled. Yes, Roxas would work just nicely in helping his poor old Captain obtain immortality. Whether the boy liked it or not, he was going to get that Merman, the one named Axel, to cry.
Daughter Of The Revolution: So yeah . . . this story shouldn't be as long as my Nothing But Animals, which, if you haven't read, should. It's an AkuRoku, TerVen, SoRiku, and others :) Also, this rating may change, but I dunno. My other story comes first so I don't know if I'll update this as quickly as the other. I might since it'll be shorter, but who knows.
Review please, and tell me what you think :D