Story 6 ~ Not The Usual Fairytale

Cloud sighed for the fifth time while he walked through the crowdy place. A big paper bag was on his hold, a few goods could be seen poking out from the bag – bread, cheese sticks, asparagus sticks, etc. Why, oh why did he have to have such spoiled master and annoying comrade?

After making sure where the caravan resided when they were on that city, Zack invited them to stay at his place as long as they were there. His parents would be glad to meet them – which was exactly right. Too glad, if Cloud could say himself. Right when they entered the door inside a rather big comfortable house, two pairs of hands smothered them with strong hug and delighted greeting from a middle aged couple. After a few questions – interrogation, Cloud would say – finally Zack's parents let them entering the house. As a great host, they would offer them meal, but since Zack didn't tell them he would go home with friends – Cloud felt like they treated them like a bunch of teenagers who wanted to sleep over in one's house – so they didn't have any food and was willing to go shopping right away, but of course Sora stopped them. He didn't want to be troublesome for his host; but it appeared he didn't care to be troublesome for Cloud. And Zack, being a good friend he was, told Cloud the route toward the nearest market from his house – but noooo, he didn't offer to accompany Cloud while he could relax in his own house. So wonderful.

Sighing for the sixth time, Cloud fastened his step, avoiding people in his way nimbly. He stopped when hearing ruckus behind him though, and turned his head to see what the cause. His mako eyes widened seeing a small blond teen was dragged by two guards.

"I didn't do anything!" the blond yelled, trying to get off from their grasp, but it was futile. "Let go of me! It was her!"

"Shut up, you killer!" the guard snapped. "She won't kill her own child!"

Whispers errupted as the blond boy, still struggling but with weaker attempt, was dragged away. Cloud couldn't divert his eyes from the blond – it was Roxas. Roxas killed someone?

He snapped from his reverie when he saw another familiar figure among the crowd – that brown hair and stormy eyes, though those orbs didn't look at him right now. The man seemed not aware of Cloud's presence; he walked toward the direction where Roxas was dragged away, disappearing behind the bunch of bodies.

'This is bad,' the blond man walked faster than before, intending to get to his destination as fast as possible. 'I have to tell Sora quickly.'

"How could you lose him?"

Axel just finished making his tent and intended to have some nice rest, but it seemed he couldn't do that anytime soon. He looked toward his raging comrade with two females in front of said comrade. What did Aerith and Yuffie do to make Saïx angry like that?

"I have told you to keep him!" the blue haired man yelled.

"S-sorry…," Yuffie cowered. "He was slipped off from my grasp when we went through the crowdy way and I couldn't find him…."

"You fool!" Saïx snapped. "You−"

"Easy, Saï," Axel tapped his friend's shoulder, assuring the raging man. "What's wrong?"

"Ask these insolent fools," Saïx grumbled while boring into both of the girls' heads with his intense golden eyes. Axel pitied the two girls but didn't say anything.

"…we lost Roxas," Aerith said without being asked. A gasp and raised eyebrows. "He was separated from us when we were going to the market."

"That's bad!" Axel exclaimed. "The boy doesn't know anything about this place; and he's too innocent to be left alone!" He grasped Yuffie's shoulders, earning a surprised gasp. "Where did you lose him?"

"It was…," the raven girl said in weak voice, guilty and scared. "…at the southern way of Amphiteathre…."

"We have to search him," Axel let go the lean girl and ready to run when a silver haired teen stopped him.

"That wouldn't be necessary," Riku said flatly.

"I don't give a damn about you don't accept him in our caravan−"

"Not that," the silverette cut, then continued with serious voice. "I was just informed that Roxas was dragged by the guards toward the Coliseum with the accusation of killing a child."

So cold… and dark… and quiet…. It was almost similar with the room where Roxas was trapped in, but this chamber was far worse. At least his room was bright and comfy, not cold and dark like this, just a small square chamber with hard, black stone surrounded him without any window, save one part of the walls was built from strong trellis, allowing the young blond saw the outside of his chamber. He didn't know how lonf he was there; it felt like the time was stopped.

'Why does it turn like this…?' Roxas tightened his clasp around his knees, cornering himself in the damp chamber. He buried his head into his knees and tried not to cry right there. He hated to be alone, and the memory of what he had just seen didn't help him at all. 'First, I saw a mother killed her own child… and now, they put me in this prison because they think I'm the killer….' Heavy sigh, a sob was choked down. 'I don't know… this outside world is so… cruel…. I never thought that… a mother would kill her own child, with such atrocious way…. And she even accused me for something I've never done….' A tear slid down pale cheek. '…will they search for me…? Will they even know I'm not there…? …will someone worry for me…?'

The petite boy startled when a loud noise was heard; someone opened a door and closed it harshly, making a loud echo in that dark place. Slowly Roxas lifted his head while sounds of footsteps were heard, getting closer to his chamber with chinking sound.

"Yoo, kid," a throaty voice greeted Roxas; mock and insulting tone laced with the sentences. "You have the great timing to come here!"

Roxas lifted his head completely, letting his cerulean eyes crashed with jet black ones. The man – big, messy, and the grin was nothing but creepy – stared at him with wicked eyes. He was different with guardians who brought Roxas there – he wore dirty and tattered sleeveles shirt and black baggy trousers without any footwear on his foot. Roxas never met someone like him before – and that smelly scent started bothering his respiration system.

"Hooo," the man bent his body so his face got closer to the trellis, while Roxas huddled his body to the wall behind him, trying as far as possible from this creepy guy. "I didn't expect someone with such pretty face would do the most sadistic murder this year!"

"Uhh…," Roxas stuttered, not knowing what to do or to say. He could only hope this guy would leave him alone again – he preferred to be alone than being accompanied by this kind of person!

"Shamefully that pretty face will be ripped in no time," the man shrugged – his eyes never left Roxas' body, and that made the younger male shuddered – then pulled out a rusty key from his back pocket. "And I don't have time to feel that body first…. It's really too bad!"

Roxas pleading silently to be killed rather than being… 'felt' by this guy!

"My little kitten is hungry, though," he kept talking even Roxas didn't answer even once. He opened the trellis door to Roxas' chamber and stepped in. "So I have to be hurry and serve their food…."

'What is he talking about?' the blond boy innocently thought. 'What is the connection between me and his kitten's food?'

"…and if you're wondering what their food is," the man stood in front of Roxas, towering him. Wide, scary grin on his face. "…it's you."

"The next spectacular show: the premiere of a young sadistic killer!"

Axel grasped the collar of a ticket retailer harshly, not caring he made the other curious people scared. The retailer himself – being just on Axel's shoulder and right now the redhead was nearly lifting him up entirely by the collar – was petrified even he was confused as why this stranger suddenly came to him with such intimidating manner.

"W-what can I h-help you, S-sir…?" he asked shakily, careful not to increase the redhead's anger. Axel narrowed his eyes; emerald eyes glinted with dangerous threat.

"What is this about 'young sadistic killer'?" he asked with low voice. Riku, Demyx, and Xion stepped behind him – they were left behind since Axel did have longer feet and slimmer body than theirs – and listened intently to whatever the retailer would say. The trembling man opened his mouth, but Axel wasn't an impatient man when he saw the other male didn't let out any voice from that mouth. "Answer me, idiot!"

"I-I don't know…! I was just… told by the event promoter…," the retailer gulped. "…t-that there's a new criminal… it's a young boy with innocent looking… but was accused by doing a sadistic murder to a child…. I don't even know who is his name yet…."

"It's Roxas," Demyx whispered to Axel, whose expression hardened immediately, then dropped the poor retailer. "What should we do?"

"I don't know…," Xion shook her head weakly. She gazed to the ground below her feet, mixed emotion in her eyes. "Why is he accused doing something like that in the first place…?"

"Nothing will be done if we're sulking here forever," Riku said firmly. "We should go to the Coliseum and see the circumstances; we have to look for a way to get Roxas back."

"My, you're so caring to a person who you don't even want to be with us," Axel smirked sarcastically. "It seems you changed your mind immediately after Xemnas and Saïx talked with you before, hmm?"

"Not your business," Riku snorted. "I don't say that I don't want him with us. It's just… I was shocked to accept a stranger in our caravan. You know, I was suspicious that he would ruin our job if he were with us. I'll try to more accept him now."

"Hmm," the tall redhead hummed, suspicious about Riku's contrast behavior about Roxas' acceptance. 'Xemnas and Saïx must told him something about Roxas…. Don't tell me they already…?'

"So, we buy the ticket?" Demyx' hesitant question snapped Axel from his thought. "Maybe the next round is really Roxas' turn…."

"Yeah…," Axel nodded slowly, then turned to the retailer – who was cowering immediately when those emerald cat-eyes was pointed to him once again – while Xion looked at the other two comrades.

"I still don't understand," she frowned. "I heard Coliseum is where heroes from around the world fight to get the title of the strongest hero; what's the connection between the criminal and this?" Demyx turned toward Riku, quizzical look on his greenish cerulean eyes as well. Riku sighed.

"It's true that Coliseum has that pride as where the heroes test their strength and fight for such glorious title," he started. He shifted his head, gazing toward the great building near them, where many people went to with excited conversation between them. His aquamarine eyes narrowed behind silver bangs. "But it has the much darker side as well…."

"This is also the place where criminals are punished?"

A brunette boy, who was sitting on the third row from behind of the stadium gaped at an older man with spiky raven hair. It was the inside of Coliseum, where there was a spacious circle arena on the middle – sandy soil covered wooden floor of the arena – and tall stony wall surrounded the arena. On top of the stony wall there were many seats for audiences, circling the arena with various height. The further the seats from arena, the higher it were. It was a bit unclear to see the arena from where the boy sat, but it's still visible, at least.

"Well, the championship for the heroes are often held," Zack stared at the arena seriously – he never liked the arena since he knew what lied behind the mighty cover. He was still shocked by Cloud's news about Roxas being arrested, and that the young prince had to fight in the Coliseum. He had never wanted to come to the Coliseum even it meant that he couldn't compete with the other heroes, but he had his own reason. "But when there's none, of course Senator has to have other entertainment or this big giant won't have so much usefulness."

"What do you mean?" Cloud asked in low voice, even the crowd around them were shouting and cheering so the show would be started faster.

"So," Zack sighed. "You know, criminals with serious crime, usually who did unforgivable things like murdering, raping, or such and get life-time punishment, are forced to fight in this arena." He stopped for a while. "Of course not for the honour like the heroes do, but for their life.

"Everyday they will be forced to fight in this arena so they can keep alive for tomorrow. But when they are survived today, tomorrow they will have to fight again, for the next day, and so on, for the rest of their life."

Sora gaped wider until Cloud had to help closing his mouth by lifting his chin gently.

"But… why?" Sora asked after regained his consciousness. "Why do they have to fight for their life?"

"Because they have to fight with savage beasts," the older guardian answered. "To see tomorrow, they have to kill the beasts, otherwise they will be killed and eaten by the beasts. Usually no one stand more than five days though – lack of food and rest, wounds from last battles, and endless despair make them prefer being eaten by beasts rather than being alive with such state and hopeless life. It's the same like extreme penalty; but being a creative man Senator is, he made an entertainment out of this. Many people enjoy this show; where people desperately fight a beast to survive and finally giving up and being eaten by a beast."

Cloud grimaced while Sora frowned deeply. He never heard such cruelty all these times – and what made him frown deeper that his father permitted such kind of punishment. Was it really needed? Then why it seemed the criminals amount didn't decrease? Something wrong with this, Sora was sure. He determined to change this when he became to a king. A bitter smile later, he reminded himself that he would ask Roxas to erase this kind of act when said twin brother became a king.

"Can Roxas go through that beast?" Sora asked worriedly. Cloud tapped his chin.

"I have seen him training before," he said, contemplating. "I think he should be good to face some kind of beast, I don't know whether he is ready mentally or not though…." He nodded. "But I'm sure he can."

"Anyway, it's quite different with the hero championship," Zack shrugged. "Not as inhumane like this kind. A hero fights with another hero with strict rule about attacking other participants and using weaponry to make sure no one seriously injured. And when a hero wins, that person will get the fame and an unlimited wish from the Senator."

"Unlimited wish?" the brunette prince raised an eyebrow.

"You can ask whatever you want to the Senator as long it's possible to be granted by him," Zack explained. He smirked. "Like giving freedom to a criminal…."

Sora's eyes went wide while Cloud tapped his forehead wearily.

"Oh, right," Zack's smirk widened. "I heard tomorrow the first round of hero championship will be opened…."

"I'M IN."

"I'M IN."

Demyx and Xion jawdropped at Axel while Riku smirked. They were already in the Coliseum, on the fifth row from behind. After pushing people around them, finally they could get this seat (while Riku navigating his comrades away from Sora's side since he was aware of Sora's presence right after they came into the stadium). Axel was fully determined when Riku told him about the next day's event of hero championship.

"WHAT?" the mullet teen shouted – earned a few annoyed glance but fortunately it was already noisy around him. "Axel, you can't be serious! You are not even a hero, so−"

"I don't care," Axel deadpanned. "I don't even want to be a hero – I just want to help Roxas. You know, I can ask Senator to give him freedom if I can come out as the winner."

"But, Axel," Xion added, worry in her voice. "There are many strong heroes, besides we have to exhibit our performance tonight, it's really−"

"Don't you believe in me, Xion?" Axel cut her sentence firmly, but a gentle smile was directed to her. "We will never know until we try. So don't give up before even trying! As small as the hope is, it's better than nothing at all."

"Axel…," the raven girl was taken aback, but a smile graced her lips a second later. "You're right."

"It's better if someone help me, though," Axel glanced to his male comrades meaningfully. "To widen the chance, you know."

"Uhhh…," Demyx shifted uncomfortably. "You know I'm not really into fighting…."

"You're so hopeless," the lean redhead frowned.

"It can't be helped," the silverette teen sighed. He smirked cockily toward Axel. "I will be in as well."

"So you do have a heart!" Axel exclaimed playfully, holding his left chest with exaggerating manner. "It's a shame the other will be too busy to help us, though."

"Well, both of us are more than enough," Riku snorted. Silently his aquamarine glued to a figure, right through Axel's shoulder – to a short brunette who was talking animatedly with two older guys next to him. His smirk widened. 'This will be really interesting, Sora… I know you will be participating in the championship as well to save your brother…. Let's see who is the strongest between us….'

"Ladies and gentlemen!" the thundering voice snapped Riku from his mind. He immediately turned toward the middle of the arena along with the others, where a single figure stood there. The lone man was gazing toward the crowd around him, satisfy smile on his middle-age face. "Thank you for your attendance in Coliseum today; it's a pleasure to see such spirit!"

"Spirit?" Axel snorted. "What spirit? Watching some brutal beast devours a kid?"

"Now, as our promise to entertain you…," the man continued, obviously didn't hear Axel's comment. "…we will show you the most brutal murderer we caught today to fight with a bloodthristy leopard!"

Xion gasped as her other companions frowned. The most brutal murderer? A bloodthirsty leopard? That's not really assuring. But excited shouts and yells could be heard around them, almost snapping their eardrum. Riku turned to see Sora was shaking with anger on his place while his guardians tried to settle him down.

"If there's a brutal murderer," Axel said under his breath. "…it would be me."

"So, without further waiting," the man, grinning widely, waved his hand powerfully, as excited as the audiences. "We present you the entertainment for today!"

Demyx closed his ears to prevent the loud cheers entering his ears too much. His eyes strucked to a tall figure in one of the front seat, where you could see everything clearly from there, then narrowed.

"Axel," he whispered to his friend. He pointed to the tall man. "Isn't that the Senator?"

Axel, along with Riku and Xion who heard the mullet's whisper, followed where Demyx pointed at, then gritted his teeth. "Yeah," he answered, eyes full with anger. "He is Hades, the one who makes Coliseum like this."

"Our client," Riku added. "And I never like him."

"I know," the dirty blond teen nodded. "But I never meet him before."

"You will," the silverette answered. "Tomorrow night." He snorted. "And eventhough no one likes him, we still have to deal with him so we can reach our goal."

Demyx gulped; the Senator was creepy for him, with that too pale skin – almost blue – and ruffled blue hair, and he was really tall, and that expression – Demyx swore he could see fangs when the man smirked. Even from afar, Demyx decided he didn't like the Senator.

"It's Roxas!" the raven girl exclaimed as she pointed to the arena, where a big gate was stood on one side of the stony wall. The gate – which was closed with strong, thick wooden door – was now opened, with a short boy on the middle of it, confused and scared. The rusty sword on his grip was shaking.

Axel's chest was painful seeing such panicked expression on that innocent face. He promised to himself to protect Roxas; to prevent him being hurt again after that night in the Destiny Capital, but what he could do now? Just staring from his seat, yeah. Talk about promise. Axel really wanted to hit himself, especially when a guard pushed Roxas from behind, yelling him to step forward.

"I can't stand this anymore!" Xion exclaimed, turning her head and buried it inside Riku's chest so she didn't have to see the arena anymore. "It's too much for him!"

"C'mon, Xion. Pull it together," Riku tapped the girl in his embrace gently. "If he wants to be with us, then he must be strong. Something like this is nothing compared to our job."

"True, but…," Xion mumbled softly. Somehow, she felt Roxas didn't deserve any of this…. That innocence; she didn't want it being stained by world's cruelty….

"THAT is Roxas' opponent?" Demyx' distrustful voice made Xion turned her head back to the arena. Her azure eyes widened. "That's not a leopard! That's a monster!"

He was right; on the opposite side from where Roxas came out, there was another big gate where a beast with giant size stepped out calmly, husky breath accompanied heavy steps. Black spotted golden fur covered the huge, strong body of the beast. A pair of large and sharp fangs stuck out from the feline's mouth, ready to torn human flesh. Sharp claws accentuate its big paws, threatening. Its long tail lashed back and forth excitedly.

"This is the first time I see a leopard in that size," Riku commented, amazed. Demyx elbowed him on the ribs. "What, Demyx?"

"This is not the time to be amazed, Riku!" he scolded. "Roxas is in danger!"

"He have to pass this if he wants to join Kingdom Hearts!" Riku retorted, pissed off since his ribs were aching now.

'I can't help you right now, Roxas,' Axel said silently, ignoring his companions' bickering. He fisted his hands, eyes glued to the small human figure on the arena, determined to not pass anything. 'But if it's too much for you… if it's too much for me, I don't care whatever will be happened, but I'll be right there to protect you. Until then, please show me your power, Keyblade Master…. Show us that you're deserved to hold those mightiest weapons of yours… and that you're worth to be protected.'

"So, he is in the Coliseum right now?"

Saïx nodded while two sets of eyes stared at him firmly, all the time he explained what happened before from the very start. One of them was a pair of orange eyes while the other one was indigo. He didn't reply any of the looks; too polite to reply the boss' eyes, and… it was too bitter to reply the rest….

"Why did they accuse Roxas as the murderer?" the owner of indigo eyes, with one of the orbs was covered by dark silver bangs, straightened his posture while tightening his grasp onto the blanket around him so Saïx couldn't see his naked body. "Could not they see that he is so innocent it is impossible to kill a fly for him?"

"Calm down, Zexion," a bare tanned hand rested around smaller, paler shoulder assuringly, but it only caused the contrary. The blue-haired man had to avert his eyes from seeing the two figures in front of him cuddling – it's too hurt. "I know he will be okay."

"But, Xemnas!" the smaller male frowned. He turned his head so he could see Xemnas right on the eyes – he was scared to those glistening orbs, but he always forced himself to be dare. "You know how Coliseum works! Roxas is only a baby to this world – can you see how innocent he is?"

"Then let the Coliseum teach him how this world really is," Xemnas responded calmly. "I know letting him mingled with this specious city will teach him something."

"You…," Zexion's eyes were opened widely. "You purposefully made him lost in this city, didn't you…?"

"As expected, my smart little Zexion…," the silverette embraced the smaller man and kissed him on the forehead. It earned a flinch, but he just smirked. "Eventhough it's too late to do something now…. It's okay, this will be his real test to be our member; without the ability of survival, he wouldn't last in our caravan."

'Don't tell me he already knew about Roxas' Keyblades…?' Zexion asked himself in his mind, but it went blank completely when a pair of lips covered his own hungrily. 'Again….' Was the last thing he could think before he concentrated not to cry as hard as he could.

"…excuse me, then," the forgotten bluenette bowed politely to the ignorant figures on top of the bed, then before he could hear anymore moaning voices, Saïx stepped out from the large tent, shut it tightly behind him. The noisy environment outside the tent covered every noises that came from inside the tent. At least no one would recognize what was going on inside the dark brown tent….

'Why him…?' Saïx wondered, feeling pain inside his chest while walking toward his companions near the newly built dining tent. 'Why does he never see me…? What does he have that I don't…?'

"Saïx!" Larxene called while the said man approached her and a few Kingdom Hearts' crews. "So, what does the Superior think?" Everyone looked at him, curious and impatient.

"…let him be," Saïx answered, and this made a few gasps and snorts.

"But why?" Naminé and Yuffie asked together, being the most worried about Roxas there. "He is just a little boy; what if he gets killed?" the short-haired girl added.

"Xemnas is right, Yuffie," Xaldin snorted and crossed his arms casually. "Sooner or later he will have to go through the same thing. He has to show that he suits in our caravan. The sooner the better, though, so we don't have to waste time on him if truthfully he is worthless."

"Xaldin!" Aerith scolded softly. "That's really harsh!"

"But that's what Superior said," Saïx said calmly. Or more exactly, emotionless. Like he wanted to kill his emotion at that time. "This is his entrance test to join our caravan."

"But, but…," Yuffie drooped her head, deep frown on her face, showing her huge guilty feeling. "It's because of me, he is−"

"Now, now, little Mole," an amused chuckle cut the lean girl's avowal. Yuffie was a bit indignant toward the pet name, but didn't say anything. "Don't start playing who-to-blame now, it's really pointless. The fact won't change – the boy still in the Coliseum, ready to fight some hungry beasts." Gasps and more chuckle. "Don't exaggerate! We have faced something worse before, this is just a child play!"

"But, Roxas−"

"Don't underestimate him," now was Saïx' saying. "All of you know perfectly well to never judge from looks. Superior believes he can pass this, why can't you? Blinded by his innocence?" 'I was too, to be honest.' "He is innocent doesn't mean he is incapable to fight. Don't judge something you never see before. This is the perfect chance to see his performance. Besides, we won't let him die; for what reason Riku, Axel, Demyx, and Xion watch him, then?" Silence. "So don't let your emotion gets over you; you'd better practice for tomorrow night's performance."

Mumbled 'yes's were heard and everyone did seem calmer after Saïx' speech. Naminé was still paler than usual, but Aerith and Yuffie accompanied and persuaded her to the dining tent. The blue-haired man sighed. 'If I could do as my own words, it would be so much easier…. Why is it so hard to erase my own emotion…? Maybe it would be better being heartless….'

"Yo, Saï," a call and a tap on shoulder. "I'm gonna check out the kiddos, k'?"

"Serve yourself," the yellow eyed man said flatly. "Don't make anymore unrequired ruckus."

"Whatever you want," the eye-patched man grinned, then vanished a second later. Saïx snorted.

"Whatever I want, indeed…."

'What… is that…?'

Roxas' fingers went cold, and his legs felt like it weren't attached to his pelvis. His cerulean eyes glued on the figure coming out slowly from the gate across of him, wide and shocked. The figure, no other than a really big black leopard with shining golden eyes and narrow pupils, were eyeing him carefully, and with slow but certain pace, the hungry animal stepped toward the boy.

'Is that… a leopard…?' Roxas scrutinized as he tightened his grasp on a heavy sword inside his fist, trying to wipe the tremble there. 'I think I have read something about this animal in Ansem's book….'

His thought was cut short when the leopard growled at him, baring its sharp, huge teeth. The sound itself was enough to make Roxas jumped and almost scream like a little girl, but the fangs only increased the fear inside Roxas. Roxas might be trained as a soldier as well, but he was never in such situation – facing a real wild leopard. A huge one, at that.

'C-calm, calm, Roxas, calm…,' the blond teen tried to assure himself and readying himself. He held his sword with two hands in front of his body, directed to the approaching leopard. He walked away from the leopard carefully, making a large circle between them. 'Try to remember how to get this animal away….' Another loud growl. 'For the God's sake, stop shaking, you idiot hands! And feet! God, I can't concentrate−'

"Attack him already!" a spectator yelled, impatient to see both of the combatants in the arena only circling the place slowly. "We don't here to see a boy and a cat playing tag!"

Provoked, the other spectators started yelling as well, making the Coliseum blasted with unsatisfied yells and shouts. This distracted Roxas from his battle – he panickedly looked around at his surroundings. Many people made angry faces toward him, holding their fist up toward him, everyone snapped at him. Roxas never felt so uncomfortable, sad, and lonely like this before.

'But why…?' Roxas felt his eyes stung. 'I never did something wrong…. I'm not here because of my own will…. Do they want me to die…?' He felt cold. 'Just like Father….'

But something caught his eyes, deafing him from the noises completely. Four familiar faces were on the crowd, though they were far away from him, Roxas could see the worry on those faces very well. 'Axel, Demyx, Xion, and Riku…!' he beamed silently. 'They came for me?'

Roxas was too happy he was being reckless. The black feline was already near enough to jump at him and try to bite his neck with deadly fangs. Having a good reflex, Roxas automatically spun his body and swung his sword toward the leopard so it bit his sword instead his neck, but he didn't expect to earn such weight so both of them stumbled and fell to the hard, dusty ground, with the leopard on top Roxas. The spectators cheered, bringing gloom to Roxas' heart once again. 'They are indeed want me to die….'

But, though he was below a hungry leopard and competing power with said feline, a smile crept his lips when he saw something on the audience seats; one of the spectators who sat near his companions was shouting,"Eat him, stupid cat!" but immediately silenced by hard blows on his back head, face, and stomach from angry Axel, Demyx, and Xion, while Riku was snickering beside them, but was quickly shutting himself up as well after got a yell from the three friends. Got spirited once again, Roxas pushed the leopard with much force and the black feline was thrown back a few feets from him. It landed with its four legs perfectly, growling while Roxas stood up, readying himself again. Louder cheers were erupted.

'So they don't want me to die,' Roxas smiled a bit, but turned into frown a second later. 'I think they want one of us to die. It was what that disgusting person said, after all. I'm here for their entertainment, no matter who is killed by whom, as long as one of us die, they will be entertained and satisfy.' Roxas sighed. 'What an immoral entertainment….' He shook his head and eyed the leopard. 'Do I really have to kill it…? It just like me; not here by its own will. Though it attacked me, I know it only want to eat…. They're really, really cruel….'

The leopard jumped toward Roxas again, mouth opened widely to bite the boy's body, but this time Roxas was ready; he quickly rolled to his right side, letting the leopard jumped through him. It quickly spun around so it faces Roxas again, but Roxas quickly jumped back, making some distance between them. He needed to think first.

'Leopard… let's see, what I know about them…,' he thought, but apparently the leopard was impatient to do the usual way of hunting – approach the prey slowly then jump at them and bite their throats – and it suddenly started running fastly toward Roxas, then jumped highly to him, sharp forepaw stuck out right to Roxas' chest. Shocked, Roxas quickly jumped backward, but its claws succeeded in scratching Roxas' chest.

"Aaah…!" the young blond screamed while his left hand immediately covered the opened flesh on his chest. Blood stained his white clothes and his pale, dusty hand. A terrible pain stung his said part of body, making Roxas wanted to lay down and cry. He couldn't hear loud cheers and boos or see the excitement from seeing his blood from his surroundings; he could only focus on the pain. This is the first time he physically hurt badly – aside from his experience when he got his Keyblade for the first time – so it's normal for him to feel it greatly and get really shocked; but it's not the right time, when a hungry leopard – and the hunger was increased because of the blood scent – eyeing him in the middle of Coliseum. Being numb, he didn't react when the leopard jumped at him again and pinned him onto the ground. It hurted him more, the weight on his chest, and Roxas could do nothing but coughing and breathing heavily.

'Is this… the end…?'

C'mon, Roxas! I didn't give you two Keyblades and made you making oaths so you can be eaten by a leopard! Do you still remember by your oaths? Your promises?

That voice again…. The voice that similar with him but not his, once again talk to him inside his mind.

'But this is so hurt…. I can't move my hands, or my body….'

What, so you are a wimp? And a wimp like you want to see worlds? Don't even dream of it, Roxas. I'm so disappointed. I regret to give you Keyblades. You don't deserve it.

Roxas felt his blood boiling. 'What do you know? How do you know whether this is painful or not? Don't talk anything you don't know!'

I know it, Roxas. I know it far plentier than you. And it's just a leopard. Do you think you can fight the Heartless if you can't even fight a leopard? Be real, Roxas. This world isn't just some fairytale, where everything will turn better itself. Indeed you will be helped by many people, Roxas, but remember this, you have to face your problem by yourself. Your helpers can only make you better, but everything depends on yourself. If you don't try to make effort to be strong, don't think you will survive.

Right when the leopard was going to bite Roxas' neck, a blinding light went off from the blond boy's body, throwing the black feline from him. The audience – the Senator, Axel cs, Sora cs, and the rest spectators – were totally awestruck by the light. The light was slowly faded, and the spectators could see the figure on the arena once again. A gasping Roxas, with a hand on his bleeding chest and the other holding a crusty sword, stood limply while the leopard, collided with the wall when thrown by Roxas' light, was fainted.

"…you're right, Voice," he whispered under his breath. He smiled, certain with himself. "I have to be strong to survive…."

After a few minutes of silence – being too awed – finally Axel jumped from his seat with Demyx, throwing their fists to the air excitedly (Sora was trying to do the same, but Zack and Cloud, fortunately, held him back).

"ROXAS WON!"

And this started blasting cheers on the audience seat, and Roxas never felt this proud of himself. At least, he could protect himself, though his chest throbbing painfully right now.

A/N: I'm still alive. 8p However long it takes for me to update this, I won't abandon this story. Never. And I will make some romance, and even lemon, but in further chapters, 'cause I want to make this story has plot and deep in meaning, and I won't make the only entertainment in this story is romance or smut (like many other fics do. I never hate them; I like them so much instead 8p) and how Roxas knows about 'love' slowly, he must know about 'friendship' first. Though some of us believe of 'love at the first sight', it won't be any continuation if we don't feel the real chemistry, right? 8p

Soo… if you find this story slow or lack of romantic things, that's how the story works, after all.

Thanks for reading! 8D

Ren-chanz: Hello! Nice to meet you too, and you can call me Rin if 'xTwoHeartsx' is too long! ^^ Thank you for reading, and it's great to know someone like this story! 8DD And you can find it by yourself by reading along the next chapters…. It'll be boring if I spoil it to you, right? I've prepared carefully for the plot, and I hope it'll satisfy you! 8DD