Author's Note: Yay chapter six! And OMG! I found some Org. 13 paper craft! Go check it out, these things are so cute, you can find them on bamroo's acount on deviantart. Now that that is out of my system. Time for a quick recap; our guys have just walked into a nice mess of trouble. How will they fare? Read and find out and send me some reviews or I might have to shave off all of Axel's hair!
Axel: You can't do that! I'll burn you to ashes!
Me: I'm the writer I can do whatever I want, and you only have powers when I give them to you.
Axel: Nooooooo! Pretty please review! Don't let her take my hair!
Axel shoved Roxas behind himself and glared at the soldiers. He was cursing himself silently for not paying attention. If he had just been a little more aware of his surroundings they never would have walked into the camp.
The soldiers surrounded them quickly, and Axel noticed one of them leering at Roxas. "I know that kid. He's the one the emperor likes to play with, and he doesn't mind sharing either." The soldier laughed and nudged one of his companions. "He's a cute piece of ass, think the emperor would mind if we play with him a little before we take him back."
Axel was completely outraged. He could feel Roxas pressed close to his back and the boy was shaking like a leaf. But it was when he heard a soft sob from the blond that he lost it. The soldier's screams startled the pony and Xaldin had to yank hard on its lead to keep it from bolting as the men around them burst into flames.
But Axel didn't stop there, as the rest of his group made their way across the camp, he stayed where he was. Just before they left the camp to go a short distance away, Roxas took one last glance back at Axel and wished he hadn't.
Axel's green eyes were glowing an angry red and his fists were clenched so tight that blood was starting to drip from his palms. But that wasn't what really scared the blond, it was the flames. The flames that had taken on the shapes of little winged demons and were ripping the soldiers apart as they burned.
The group stopped and waited a little ways away from the camp, far enough to be out of sight but not far enough to be away from the screams. Those screams seemed to go on forever and when they finally stopped the silence was deafening. Axel didn't appear for quite a while and when he did he refused to meet anyone's eyes. Roxas started to try and say something when Xigbar stopped him with a hand on his shoulder, and a kind smile.
"I think he needs some space. So let's just keep going." Roxas nodded and they spent the rest of that day in silence. When they made camp that night, Axel found some rocks nearby to go sit behind. He could still feel rage boiling through him.
Saix is dead. When I get my hands on him I'll burn him from the inside out. I'll start with the blood in his fingers and toes and let it creep slowly up through his body. He will feel all the pain that he put Roxas through.
What about the pain you're causing him right now.
Axel blinked in surprise. What are you talking about you stupid lizard.
The dragon growled and Axel felt a sudden burning pain in his chest.
You just found out that part of the torture he went through was being raped, and you haven't said anything to him since. You've been brushing him off and avoiding his eyes. How do you think he feels about now?
He pulled up his knees and rested his folded arms on top of them. He buried his face in his arms and sighed in frustration.
Look, I know how you feel about him, and I believe he feels the same toward you. You just need to talk to him, let him know how you feel and let things go from there.
"A-Axel here d-d-dinner is r-ready."
Axel looked up and Roxas turned his head away before their eyes could meet, but Axel still got a glimpse of unshed tears in his eyes. With a small sigh Axel straightened out and took the bowl of stew that was being held out to him. Roxas turned away and tried to leave but a firm grip on his wrist stopped him. Axel put the bowl aside and pulled the blond down into his lap. He wrapped his arms around Roxas and rested his chin on the top of his head.
"Are you afraid of me now?" He felt Roxas shake his head and he felt a huge wave of relief pour through him.
"They just made me so angry saying that crap about you. I couldn't just let them get away with it you know." Roxas turned in his arms, so that his back was to Axel's front and he gripped the arms wrapped around him.
"I thought you were disgusted or angry with me and it hurt. I was so scared that you wouldn't want me around anymore." Axel tightened his arms and looked into those mesmerizing blue eyes when Roxas tilted his head back to look at his face.
"Until you came along those dungeons and the torture were my whole world. And you just shattered it into a million pieces with that goofy grin of yours."
Axel grinned and pressed a gentle kiss onto his forehead. "How old were you when they took you to the castle?"
Roxas twisted sideways to bury his face in the side of Axel's neck and wrap his own arms around his waist. "I was only six, and I spent the next eleven years there." Axel growled and he squeezed the blond so tight he had trouble breathing. Axel loosened his grip when he heard him gasp for breath.
"Sorry. I can't imagine living through all that and not going crazy."
"Maybe I did. Maybe you're just a product of my madness."
Axel laughed and nuzzled his hair. "Then I must be crazy too, and you're my crazy dream."
They both laughed this time and just cuddled. Finally Roxas sighed and leaned back to look into his face.
"Why did you rescue me anyway?" "Cause you looked so sad and beaten down. I just couldn't bear the thought of leaving you there."
A cold look passed over Roxas' face and he started to pull away but Axel wouldn't let him go. "I thought we would all just go our separate ways after that thing at the lake and the thought of never seeing you again made my chest hurt."
Roxas froze and Axel pressed on, hoping the blonde would understand where he was going. "I wanted to make all that sadness and pain I saw in your eyes go away. I wanted to see you smile, and when I did it was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen."
Axel closed his eyes and let go of the blond. He was afraid to look at Roxas now, afraid to see a look of disgust and rejection on his face. And afraid to hold on to him anymore, he didn't want to feel it when he was shoved away. He felt like his heart would shatter any second and he fought to keep from crying.
He felt hands on either side of his face and his eyes snapped open when soft lips pressed against his own. The kiss was gentle and only lasted a few seconds before Roxas pulled away.
Green eyes met blue and it felt like ages had passed before Axel grinned and snatched the blond close again. Roxas' startled yelp was cut short when Axel captured his lips in another kiss and he responded immediately. The kiss finally broke when they both had to gasp for air and they jumped when voices sounded behind them.
"That's just so cute!" "Whatever. Are you two done making up now?"
They looked at Demyx and Xigbar and Axel could feel his cheeks burning. He saw a similar blush spread across Roxas' face. Getting up and retrieving his bowl of stew, that had gotten cold sitting there, he held out a hand to Roxas.
Roxas smiled and let Axel pull him to his feet, and they walked over to sit by the fire. When they were all seated Xaldin got their attention.
"We need to start taking turns on watch. We've been extremely lucky so far that nothing has attacked us in our sleep, but these mountains have some fairly dangerous creatures and we shouldn't push our luck anymore." Xaldin was about to continue when he was interrupted by Roxas.
"Actually you don't need to worry about that. Ja'en has been taking care of it. She puts up a barrier every night so we're perfectly safe."
Xaldin grumbled something under his breath and Axel grinned and put his empty bowl aside. "Then we should get some sleep right?" They got out their bedrolls and settled down for the night.
The next day had them all waking rather abruptly as rain pelted down from the sky. They hurriedly gathered their things and went in search of some shelter. Axel found a cave after a few hours and they quickly scrambled inside. Xaldin unloaded some kindling and wood from the pony and Axel happily lit it. Axel took care of drying them with some heat and when he had finished with Demyx and turned to Xigbar he discovered that one-eyed man was missing. Looking around quickly he found their missing friend standing outside with arms spread wide as lightning crashed through the sky.
"Would you get in here before you get yourself zapped you crazy patch-work pirate!" Xigbar just laughed and grinned at them.
"You can cower away in there you bunch of babies, but I love a good storm!" Xaldin snorted, Demyx and Roxas just laughed, and Axel shook his head. Then he heard it, someone was singing again. The voice was different though from the first time he heard it. The first voice had been deep and it sang steadily and with a lot of feeling, this new voice was lighter and it changed octaves rapidly. Axel looked around in confusion. Was he summoning a second dragon? The others couldn't seem to hear it again so he knew it wasn't one of them, but was it possible to have a contract with two different dragons?
It is but he is not coming for you. You can hear the voice of my brother because we are bound, just as your friend will be able to hear the next time one of us sings.
Axel whipped around and stared out at the cave entrance where Xigbar had been standing, and just as quickly turned back to face the fire with a huge grin on his face. Roxas noticed this behavior and gave the red-head a quizzical look.
"What is it Axel?" Axel's grin just bigger and Demyx and Xaldin joined Roxas in staring at him. "Just wait and you'll see." Axel sing-songed at them, and Xigbar walked in and sat by the fire before they could raise any more questions. Axel noticed that he was rubbing his left upper arm just below the shoulder and he had a dazed look on his face.
Demyx gave the one-eyed man a worried look. "Hey Xiggy, are you okay?"
Xigbar looked up and blinked at them and Axel burst into laughter. "Give it up and show us your mark Xiggy." Xigbar blinked again, before lifting his sleeve to show them the three pronged black lightning bolt mark on his arm. They all congratulated him on summoning and making a pact with the dragon and Xaldin turned to Axel.
"How did you know about it though? Last time only you could hear the dragon singing." "That because none of you had a dragon yet. Apparently only someone with a dragon contract already or the person summoning a dragon can hear them sing. So what was the name of the lightning dragon again?"
Xigbar grinned, "Ar'Kbon and yours is P'rexen right?" Axel nodded, but the look on his face was serious. "You better start working on your control. I might just have to set your clothes on fire if you zap me." Xigbar nodded and decided he would sleep closer to the cave entrance just in case he sparked in his sleep.
The storm had moved on by morning and they ate a quick breakfast before starting up again. Axel decided that he wanted to take care of leading the pony today and let Xigbar take the lead. Roxas and Demyx walked just ahead of Axel and Xaldin was on the pony's other side. Xigbar had a few false starts as he started learning to control his new powers, and everyone made sure to give him plenty of space.
By the time they made camp that night, Xigbar felt fairly confident in his control and explained to the others that his dragon had been helping him learn faster. "So are you making this happen Roxas?" Demyx grinned at the other blonde who shook his head. "If I was doing it you would know, but I'm not."
"It can't just be a coincidence though." Xaldin gave the blonde a strange look. Roxas looked thoughtful, "I think maybe all of you were meant to be able to sing to the dragons though and just being near the stone is strengthening your hearts voices." He pulled the crystal out again and they all stared at it. "It is a very powerful magical object."
Axel whistled softly and Roxas put his stone away again. They made dinner and drifted off to sleep, with Roxas and Axel lying side by side. Axel wasn't surprised when he woke up in the middle of the night to find Roxas cuddled up to him again. He just wrapped his arms around his blond and went back to sleep.
They didn't change their routine much when they got up the next morning. They ate, packed up camp, and started walking again. Today Axel and Xigbar wanted to practice together and they even sparred a little. About midday Xaldin stopped them and studied the ground for a moment.
"We need to be careful now." He pointed some tracks to the others. "This area is overrun by wolts." The others looked grim and they kept their eyes and ears open for any sign of the fierce beasts.
Wolts were common to mountainous areas like this. They were large pony sized goats covered in thick black fur with long wolf-like faces. They would attack any creature they came across and always traveled in packs of at least ten. There were rumors that they had been created long ago by evil mages from normal goats and wolves and left to breed in the wild.
Fortunately they didn't spot anything more than tracks of the beasts for the rest of the day. They were feeling quite relieved when they made camp that night. Axel and Xigbar did a bit of sparring before they went to sleep and the night passed without event.
In the morning they discovered more tracks all around their camp and came to the decision to start a night watch. Xaldin quickly assured Roxas that they fully trusted Ja'en and her barrier, but keeping a watch would help them all sleep better. Roxas just shrugged and volunteered for the first watch.
The next couple of days showed no more signs of the beasts, not even tracks, and they let their guard down a little. That's when it happened.
Out of nowhere wolts pounced on the group. Xaldin, Demyx, and Roxas surrounded their pony and brandished their weapons at the beasts. After a quick glance to see that Roxas was okay Axel attacked.
He created large flaming chakrams out of flames, one in each hand, and threw them at the beasts. He watched in satisfaction as the spinning wheels of fire sliced a couple of wolts in half and he caught his new weapons when they spun back to him and prepared to throw them again. Xigbar was also using his powers to fight. He made fists with his hands and allowing his thumbs to point upward and his index fingers to point at the beasts he was firing off little bolts of lightning. Every time one hit a wolt, the beast would seizure and die.
Axel was starting to get worried when the creatures just kept coming. He had never heard of a pack this big. There had to be at least thirty of the things running around them right now. He threw his chakrams again, slicing one beast deeply along its side, but the other dodged. That's when he heard his name.
Glancing over he spotted Xaldin and Demyx fighting fiercely by the pony, but Roxas had been herded away and was slashing furiously at the three beasts that had surrounded him. Axel tried to race over and help, but he was surrounded himself. He called out to Roxas just as one of the beasts leapt at the blonde.
Roxas lifted one hand, palm facing the enemy, and a bolt of pure white light pierced the beast. Its carcass hit the ground hard where the blond had been standing, but he had jumped out of the way. He made a horizontal slicing motion with his sword toward the other two beasts, and a half-moon shaped arc of light shot out from his blade. It cut one beast in half horizontally and sliced the back legs off the other. He jumped onto the wounded animals back and plunged his sword down through the top of its head.
Axel was so stunned by this that he didn't notice the wolt that had snuck up behind him until he was knocked down. His head bounced off a rock as he fell and he felt the world going black.
When he came to later he was happy to see that everyone seemed to be fine, especially Roxas. He was told that his fall had cracked his head open and he had been bleeding pretty bad, but Roxas had healed him.
They were camped out near a small stream, and even though it was still several hours to sunset they all agreed to set up camp early. While Roxas walked the perimeter of their camp, setting up the barrier, Axel asked Demyx what had happened after he blacked out.
"Well the one that knocked you down was about to rip your throat out when Roxy landed on its back. He just kind of grabbed its ears and the thing started screaming like he was ripping apart. It was kind of scary, like he was using a reverse healing on it to cause pain. And after it keeled over he stood up and just threw his hands outward and these little lights shot out everywhere. I swear they looked like feathers too and they swarmed around the rest of the wolts and sliced them to ribbons."
Axel stared at Roxas in surprise as the blond walked toward him. Ignoring his look Roxas put his hands on either side of his face and tilted his head forward to inspect the wound area. Satisfied he released the red-head and smiled.
"So will I live doctor Roxy?" Axel asked with a grin and Demyx laughed. "Your chances look good. But why did you have lock picks tied up in your hair?" Axel shrugged, "If you were a guard and caught me thieving would you think to look in my hair for them?" The two blondes laughed with him.
Author's Note 2: Yay Xiggy has a dragon now too. Who should be next Xally or Demy? So after going back over the whole story I realized that GurrenLagann was right, Roxas does seem to need a little too much protection. So I made up a fight just for him! Wow two fights and a nice chunk of fluff all in one chapter. Hee I love my imagination sometimes.