Chapter 10 – Broken Promises

Things had been going fine with Axel and Roxas for the past day after their understanding with each other. But the young blonde still felt like a burden to his older friend. So he found a dagger one day on the sidewalk and told Axel about it. Axel decided to let Roxas practice with it so he could protect himself because after all… the redhead couldn't be with him forever. Roxas didn't want to focus on that horrible day. One day, Roxas was sharpening the dagger when Axel came back from a trip on the sea. A local fisherman needed some hired help with a job and had Axel do it. Roxas was so excited to see Axel come back after an entire day alone.

"Are you sure it's OK? I didn't get my minimum amount."

"It's OK, son. This is fine. You have done enough work for today."

"You sure caught a lot of crabs, Axel."

"Well… it was my first time. Not bad I guess. So you ready to go back?"

"Yeah, I've been ready since about a half hour ago."

Roxas hopped on the boat as they sailed back to the other harbor where their house was a short drive away. The sun was setting and the captain took the turn towards the harbor. After they got off from the boat, they walked to where they parked but something was wrong. Men in suits were standing by the car, waiting for them.

"Axel… what's going on? I'm a little frightened…"

"It's OK, Roxas. Just stay behind me OK?"

Roxas nodded and clung to Axel's arm as they walked slowly towards them. But then they saw someone familiar among the crowd: Demyx, Axel's cousin, once again.


The three guys were driving back to the city and that was all the men told them. They didn't tell Axel or Roxas anything else.

"Demyx, what's going on?"
"Axel, Roxas… you have a meeting with the Order of Rebels, a secret order designed to be rid of the government."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Their leader is someone you may have heard of before. You've heard of The Hooded Master, right?"

"Yeah. He's one of the top representatives in the city."

"That's right. He's the leader for the Order of Rebels."

They finally got to the headquarters of the secret faction, which was disguised as another mansion. Axel, Roxas and Demyx all entered through the main double doors and into the great hall, where above a staircase, another set of doors opened to reveal The Hooded Master. He came up to the three guys and bowed to them. They bowed to the older man as well.

"Demyx and Roxas, you two will be escorted to your rooms. Axel, I need to talk to you. Come with me." Axel nodded and followed him. Roxas went to go after Axel too but Demyx held him back by holding his hand.

"Understand, Roxas. Axel can't be with you forever…"

They were lead to their rooms by security guards while Axel was led a meeting room with The Hooded Master, whom nobody knew his real name or what he looked like. But Axel guessed he could trust the man.

"I understand that you are on the run from the government with Roxas as well. I want to help you in every way possible. You can pledge your trust in us and from then on, we will work as a team."

"This is what's best for me. I'm glad I'll have your help."

"But… is that the best for Roxas?"

Axel's eyes widened for a moment. Is this what Roxas wanted? To be by Axel's side the entire way through this faction. Of course but Axel didn't want him in danger.

"I don't know."

"I'll give you the night to think about it. Now, the guard outside will lead you to your room.

"Thank you sir."

Axel was lead to his room in the building. He was thinking about what the leader had said. He did want help to defeat the government but Roxas would be put in danger. What was he gonna choose: help but harm or no help but harmless? Once he got to his room, he laid on his bed, confused and looking for help. He heard a knock at his door and got up. When he opened it, Roxas was there with a sad look.

"What's wrong?"

"Can I talk to you?"

"Sure."

Roxas walked in with the same look and Axel sat down with him, holding his head close to his heart once again. Roxas started to have tears in his eyes but Axel wiped them away.

"Roxas, what's wrong? You can tell me."

"I heard, from Demyx, what you and the leader talked about and I thought about it… and I want to have both of us ask for help."

"No Roxas we can't do that."

"Why not? What is it that you're afraid of?"

"Nothing, OK?! Why did you even bring this up?"

"Because I don't care if I'm in danger because of that choice… I just wanna be with you."

"Demyx! I'm gonna kill him for talking about with you."

"Axel, I wanna do this with you! Why can't you understand?!"

"Roxas…"

Axel looked back at the young blonde, still with tears in his eyes. Roxas wanted to be with him but Axel wouldn't let him because the young blonde would be in danger. He wiped away Roxas's tears and held him by the shoulders.

"Roxas, listen to me. You won't understand how powerful these people are. If you were captured by them again, they could kill you at any time and I can't let that happen to you."

"Axel, I want to be with you."

"Forget it Roxas."

Roxas was shocked as to what Axel said to him. He walked out the door and ran back to his room. He was too upset with his closest friend and couldn't let him see himself like this. Axel, in his room, buried his face in his hands. Roxas had to understand what was gonna happen. So he finally made his decision…

"Oh, hello Axel. What is it?"

"I've made my decision. I will pledge myself to the Order, but in exchange, I want you to get Roxas out of here. Take him where he can grow up the way he should and get the proper family as well. I'm unfit to take care of him the way he is now… and I can't have him hurt."

"I understand your sympathy for the boy. We'll make arrangements to get Roxas out of the country so that he can grow up. It's good to see that you have boy's best interests at heart as well."

"Thank you sir."

Axel went to Demyx's room but on the way there, he saw his cousin coming out of Roxas's room.

"Hey Axel."

"Hey. How's he doing?"

"He just fell asleep. He didn't tell me what was wrong but he did seem upset. So he came to me to put him to sleep."

"I should have never saved him in the first place, two weeks ago. But if I hadn't, then he would probably be suffering so much that he'd kill himself right now. Why did you tell him?"

"Roxas wants to stay with you. It's obvious and you keep pushing him away. Understand how he feels."

Axel opened the door to Roxas's room to find the young blonde's face red from the tears but asleep and finally peaceful for the night. He walked to him and sat on the bed by him. He gently stroked his face and kissed him slightly on his forehead.

"Roxas… I don't want you hurt. I'm doing what's perhaps best for both of us. Please understand that."


The next morning, the cars arrived outside the building. Axel and Roxas met at the staircase and looked at each other in the entrance hall. They looked at each other for a minute then they both said sorry at the same time.

"Axel, I'm sorry for yesterday."

"No, I'm the one who should be sorry. But, the decision is already made. I'm going to pledge for both of us, OK? You'll be taking a separate car to another place."

"OK, I'll wait for you."

"Roxas… you can get through this. I won't let you get hurt… remember? I promise I'll come back for you."

"I believe you."

Roxas was then surprised because after he said that, Axel kissed him on the forehead, walked to the car and it drove away. He felt his forehead where it was placed and started to pour out tears.

"Axel…"

Roxas got in the separate car with Demyx driving. He felt safe enough with his cousin and promised himself he would wait for Axel to come back, no matter how long it took.

Roxas… please forgive me. This will be the last time I'll ever lie to you.

As Axel arrived at the building where the Order was supposed to meet, the building was empty then the Hooded Master stepped on to the circular wooden arena with lights on around the building.

"Well… if it isn't Axel. I'm surprised you made it this far, but yet… you were able to go this far without knowing who I really was."

The Hooded Master took off his hood to reveal a very familiar face Axel knew well. He was shocked to know who The Hooded Master was.

"It's you… Luxord."

END OF CHAPTER 10

A/N: I'm sorry because I didn't have as much time to myself as I wanted to write this chapter because I had to help with a big project around my house. I'm tired and hot from the weather. But I hope you enjoyed it and don't forget to fave or review. Thanks!