AN: Yes people I am back. My writers block is gone and the creativity is flowing freely again. So here is chapter fifteen at last. We are coming close to the end and it has been a blast. That's enough yammering from me, on with the story!

Roxas placed his hands on his hips and glared at the red head sprawled across their bed.

"Axel you are sweaty, and crusted in dirt and grime. Get off the bed and go take a bath."

Axel groaned back at him, and turned his head to pout at the blonde.

"But Roxy, I'm sooo tired."

Axel whined and Roxas let a smile spread across his face. He watched his lover's eyes widen. He knew what Axel saw in his smile. A bit of love, a whole lot of lust, and just a hint of mischief. He moved slowly toward the bed, swaying his hips slightly in a seductive dance. He fought not to laugh as Axel's eyes got even wider and he began to pant softly.

Roxas crawled slowly across the bed, "This isn't how I plan on getting the bed dirty. Or how I wanted to get you sweaty so I can lick it off." He sat back suddenly with a pout on his face and his arms crossed over his chest. He turned his face away and closed his eyes, finishing his words off with a disgusted tone.

"But I won't lick dirt."

He felt the bed heave and opened his eyes in time to see Axel racing out the door. He chuckled to himself and stripped the dirty coverlet off the bed, leaving it by the door. Then he sat down on the end of the bed with a heavy sigh.

"You shouldn't worry so much Little Star. You'll get wrinkles."

He let out a small laugh and flopped backwards to lie on his back with his feet hanging off the end of the bed.

"Wrinkles will be the last of my worries if we fail."

"You've all worked so hard getting ready for this. You won't fail, you can't fail."

He remained silent for a few minutes, thinking back over all the training. He knew she was right, but a fear still gripped him. A fear of loss.

"I'm just so afraid that I might lose him. And I couldn't deal with that, I can't lose him."

He felt tears sting his eyes and he let them flow freely. A warmth begin to seep through him, emanating from the crystal resting on his chest. He felt himself relaxing in it, all his stress and fear melting away like snow in the first ray of spring.

"Believe in your power and his, believe in this love, and you can never lose."

He sighed softly as her voice faded away, his tears slowing to an infrequent drip. He sat up when the door opened and simply stared at the red-head who entered. He allowed himself to drink in the sight of this man, clad only in a towel with his vibrant hair darkened slightly and sagging from the water of his recent bath. It was still damp, and he could see small beads of water running down his shoulders in the same infrequent drips of his own tears.

He heard Axel grunt as he flung himself across the room to wrap both arms around his lover's waist, burying his face in his chest.

"Hey Rox, are you okay? Did something happen?"

He tilted his head back to meet the green eyes he loved so much. Removing his arms from the other's waist, he grabbed hold of hair hanging by his ears to pull his face down into kissing range, which he did with a fierceness and passion that surprised even himself. They broke apart for air and Axel grinned at him.

"I feel like I'm in heaven whenever you kiss me."

Roxas snorted and began to drag him toward the bed.

"You're not in heaven yet."

Axel fiddled with the guard on his shoulder for what felt like the hundredth time. He doubted he would get used to these outfits the others preferred. But he guessed it was good to have some kind of uniform, even if he didn't like them that much. He grunted when Roxas swatted his arm, telling him silently to knock it off and he answered with a sheepish grin, before putting his attention back to the map laid out on the table in front of him.

Xaldin and Lexaeus were carefully pointing out routes and relaying the plans for the attack.

"The main body of our army will attack the front and right side and rear of the castle, simultaneously. We will use this as a cover to enter through the dungeon runoff into the lake on the left side. Once inside we will move quickly and quietly to the throne room. That is where Saix is most likely to be."

Xaldin looked to Lex as he finished and the giant nodded before adding in the next part of their plan.

"We must attack quickly, using our strongest attacks and combinations. We cannot relent until the tyrant is dead. This should weaken the dragon enough for us to seal it; our dragons can take it from there. Roxas will stay in the background, aiding where necessary."

He watched as Roxas nodded in agreement, and reached out to take his hand giving him an encouraging smile. He turned his attention back to the group as Zexion began to speak.

"I'll be transporting everyone in waves. The first wave to the rear, second to the front, third to the left flank. Your group will be last. There will a span of approximately 5.42 minutes between transports. Use that time to prepare to move."

Axel let his gaze sweep over the army standing before them. Many of them were nodding in affirmation while most were checking weapons and gear. It surprised him when all activity stopped and those faces turned to him, waiting for him to speak. He glanced at his friends who gave him nods of approval, or in the case of Demyx a grin and thumbs up, and he felt Roxas squeeze his hand in reassurance. He turned back to the crowd and lifted his head proudly.

"We all know that this is the time. Time to take back our homes, our world from this tyrant of blood and fear. Time to stand tall, to stand united. We will show this tyrant that we are not cowed and frightened children to be walked over by his whim. We have nothing to fear, but we will make him tremble in his boots. Let him be afraid of the strength of our hearts, of our will!"

The cheers nearly deafened him, and he felt his heart swell with them. He turned to the others and he could see the light dancing in their eyes. They exchanged a brief nod and it was Marluxia who stepped forward to order the final preparations. The battle was about to begin.

AN 2: Many thanks and much love to bluecow, who has been betaing for me. And of course lots of love and cookies to you wonderful readers! See you next chapter!