A/N-It's short, I know. I'll be away for awhile so no updates for at least a week. (Sorry!) But I thought I should give you SOMETHING while I was away. So, please enjoy and, if you want, send a review! All those positive reviews make me all bubbly inside. ^^ Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far! :D

Axel frowned as he watched the blonde Twilight soldier stare out of the window. They were being flown to Traverse Town as per the King's order. Axel had to beg to go with and give the teen a proper send off. At first Xemnas was reluctant but after a couple of pleads from Axel, he agreed. Axel wasn't sure why the King agreed so easily, or changed his mind so quickly, but he was happy he could at least spend a few more minutes with Roxas.

Demyx was sad to see Roxas go. He gave a small wave as Roxas boarded the G. Ship and the younger blonde returned it. Roxas's wrists were cuffed so he couldn't hijack the G. Ship but he didn't seem to mind. He wasn't planning on trying to flee. Traverse Town was the only place he thought of going and he was headed there already. Why waste the energy?

Axel cleared his throat and Roxas glanced at him. "So, you ready?" he asked.

"For what?" Roxas shot back. Axel chewed on his lip ring.

"To see what's left of your home. I don't know how many people you managed to save, but they're what's left of Twilight Town now and you're a part of that."

"What's your point?"

"I just wanted to know if you had accepted it." Roxas turned his gaze to the floor.

"Yeah, I did. I watched my home burn, Axel. I know it's not coming back and I know there were no survivors. The few who got out were the ones who lived, save the ship I was on. They're all dead."

"Except you."

"…except me…" Axel nodded. As they approached the refugee world, Axel did something strange. He tied his hair back in a large pony tail and then put a helmet on his head. Roxas thought it looked more like a metal hat since Axel's hair stuck out behind it, but there was a visor that fell down over his eyes and nose. "That's…shady," Roxas commented.

"I'm not going to get a warm reception there."

"But it's your home. Wouldn't they at least be neutral towards you being a Knight?" Axel tipped his head to the side for a moment.

"Oh, right!" He chuckled. "It's been so long they probably won't even recognize me anymore. Plus this is more for the refugees. They don't need to memorize my face." Axel tapped the side of the metal visor with his finger. Roxas nodded.

"Can you even see out of that?"

"Sure. They're like sunglasses. I can see you but you can't see me."

"Why don't you wear that around the castle?"

"Because it gets hot on warm days and if I'm not fighting there's really no need." Their stomachs lurched as the G. Ship began its descent. "Here we go." Roxas turned back to the window and watched as they passed through the clouds into Traverse Town. The world was dark since it was evening there and many of the buildings were lit up. In the distance, he could see the make-shift buildings of the refugee camps. His heart sank as he realized his people were there.

The G. Ship landed softly and the air grew quiet. Axel stood and stretched, his chakrams clinking softly at his sides. Then he turned to Roxas.

"Take a moment if you need it. I'll be outside," Axel stated. He pulled out the set of keys to unlock Roxas's cuffs and jingled them in the air. Then he headed to the back of the ship.

Axel waited as the door hissed open. He looked out at the crowd of people who had gathered at their arrival. Many of them had worried or livid expressions. Axel sighed and stepped outside. The people tensed at the sight of a Knight in their world. Axel was glad most of his face was hidden. Whispers rose through the crowd as they tried to determine why there was a Knight in Traverse Town. Axel leaned back against the side of the ship and waited for Roxas.

It was a couple of minutes before he heard the sound of Roxas's metal greaves clink against the floor of the G. Ship. The Twilight solider had been given his armor and weapons back before his departure, in which Roxas was grateful.

The crowd tensed further as they heard the sound of slow footsteps from inside the G. Ship. Several men held up random objects they had picked up to use as weapons. Then the footsteps stopped. Axel stood up straight and peered inside the ship. Roxas was surveying the crowd from the shadows. Then the teen stepped forward again. Axel strode up to him and unlocked his cuffs.

"Good luck," he whispered.

"Thanks," Roxas mouthed. Axel nodded slightly and turned back to the crowd. Roxas stepped out of the ship and onto the cobbled street of Traverse Town. There was a long pause of silence. Then a woman from the crowd shoved through the people and flung herself around Roxas.

"You're alive!" she cried.

"Oh my god, it's Roxas!" "Roxas!" "How is he alive?!" "I thought his G. Ship went down!" "How did he make it out in time?" A handful of people shoved past the others and swarmed around Roxas. The blonde blushed furiously at all of the attention. He was pulled away from the ship with the Twilight refugees pounding him with questions.

Roxas looked over his shoulder at the receding ship. Axel was still standing there, his expression unreadable with the helmet and visor. Then the red head turned and boarded the G. Ship, and then they took off into the evening sky, vanishing from view. Roxas felt his heart tug sadly. Despite Axel being part of something he utterly hated, Roxas had grown fond of being with him. He was going to miss hiding out in Axel and Demyx's room. Most of all, he was going to miss them.

XxXxX

Roxas followed the crowd of people until they reached the refugee camps outside the main part of Traverse Town. He was actually impressed by the progress they had made over the past thirteen years. The homes were simple two story buildings that appeared they were made from cookie cutters. Many of the refugees gave Roxas light smiles as he passed by. Farther on the horizon, he could see the workings of new homes being built for those who recently came from Twilight Town. Roxas wondered if his future home would be there.

They passed through a market area they had set up for people to re-open businesses. Roxas peered at all of the interesting and inspiring goods as he walked past. The group of people he was with started to disperse. A few rambled idly to the blonde about the world but he didn't really listen. Roxas was lost in his own thoughts.

As he strolled by a small café, he nearly tripped over his feet as he stopped dead in his tracks. There, with their back turned to Roxas, was a man with a gunblade on his back. Roxas's eyes widened and he dashed over. He slid to a halt alongside the table. The man glanced up from his coffee. Roxas made eye contact and simply stared.

"Captain…" he gasped. Seifer smirked.

"Well, look what the trash dragged in," the man commented. He motioned for Roxas to sit. Roxas eagerly sat in the chair opposite from his previous superior. "You made it. I thought you were dead after Fuu's ship went down."

"I nearly died, but someone was nice enough to patch me up." Seifer raised an eyebrow. He would have raised two but his left eye was missing, hidden behind a white eye patch.

"I'm not sure who the bigger idiot is: you or the guy you saved you."

"Probably both. How did you get out? Last I saw you, you were still on the ground." Seifer sighed and sipped his coffee.

"We saw the G. Ships from Hollow Bastion and we knew we had to get the carrier off the ground. I grabbed a kid under my arm, and dragged a couple onto the ship right before we took off. We barely made it out in time."

"What happened to your eye?" Roxas inquired.

"The windows erupted with the world's destruction. Stray glass shard impaled me."

"You survived the darkness between the worlds with the windows out? That's impressive."

"Yeah, well, we tried."

"So how many made it out?"

"Close to five hundred, about four eighty five. Radiant Garden has been extremely helpful with helping me organize the refugees from Twilight Town. It's been a mess since we arrived. But I got to hand it to those Garden folk. They really know how to make a person feel at home even in the shittiest of times."

"Where are you staying?"

"Up the road, which reminds me…" Seifer turned and pointed farther down the street. "See that guy with the long brown hair?"

"The guy wearing six belts?" Roxas pressed.

"Yeah, that nut job. Turns out he's that fucker I was telling you about. Long time, no see, huh?" Roxas stared at the other man in awe.

"Wow, that's incredible. So are you staying with him?"

"Damn straight, although it's like living with a terrible roommate. It's bittersweet to see your childhood rival alive only to find you both still hate each other just as much as when you did as a kid. We don't exactly get along."

"You never got along with anyone." Seifer burst out laughing, nearly spilling his coffee.

"Damn, kid. You really don't miss a beat. I suppose we'll have to go talk to him…"

"Why?"

"He'll arrange housing for you. Oh goody!" Roxas wasn't sure if he found Seifer's sarcasm creepy or frightening. Seifer drained his cup and stood. Roxas followed his lead. Then the ex-captain brought Roxas over to the man with a plethora of waist ware. "Squall! I've got another one for you!" Seifer shouted as they approached. The brown haired man turned, lowering a clipboard he held in his hands.

"Seifer, I told you it's Leon now," Leon protested with a frown.

"Pfft, what's the difference? You're always going to be Squall so why change your name?"

"Because that was my old life."

"And changing your name is helping you move on…yeah, yeah. Blah blah blah and shit. Look, do you have room for this pint sized teen or not?" Roxas scowled.

"I'm not pint sized!" he protested. Leon smirked.

"I see you're a Twilight Guard," he noticed.

"Was. Not anymore."

"Sorry to hear. Seifer gave up on his position too." The elder blonde lacked his golden armor and was instead in boots, a black vest, black pants, and a white sleeveless trench coat. His trademark black stocking cap was still donned on his head. "I'm Leon, by the way."

"Roxas."

"Nice to meet you. I'm with the Restoration Committee here in Traverse Town. Our office is in the house in Third District. You're welcome to stop by tomorrow."

"Maybe." Leon nodded. He flipped through the pages of his clip board and scanned the lines of text.

"Well, we have some room with Xion, if you're interested. She's right about your age too."

"That's fine." Leon nodded and jotted some notes down.

"Alright, you can follow me. I'll see you later, Seifer."

"Whatever," Seifer responded, wandering off. Roxas followed Leon through the lines of homes until they ended up at number XIII-XIV. The first number was the street and the second the house. Leon knocked at the door and it opened a moment later.

A girl poked her head out. She had short black hair that curved around her face and bright blue eyes. Roxas felt his stomach clench. The girl smiled and opened the door wider.

"Hello, Leon. Who's this?" she asked.

"Xion, this is Roxas. He just got here today and I was hoping to board him up with you for now," Leon replied.

"Oh, but of course!"

"And Naminé won't mind?"

"She keeps to herself and we have the room."

"Alright. I'll leave him with you them." Leon nodded and headed off down the street. Roxas turned to Xion.

"Hi there. I'm Xion." She offered a hand and Roxas shook it. "Come in! I'm sure you're tired."

"Thanks," Roxas muttered. He stepped inside the house and Xion shut the door. The home was cozy. In the front was a small living room, a side bathroom, and the kitchen with a small table to eat at. On the left side of the home was the stairs to the upper floor.

"Welcome! Come on, I'll show you your room." Xion led Roxas upstairs. There were three bedrooms and one small bathroom. The first was completely white with drawings taped up on the walls. The second one was white as well, but the walls had been painted over with yellow. The third room was the same but with light blue walls. "You can stay in here. We keep the room open for when Kairi comes to visit. You can stay here." Roxas stepped into the small space. There was a bed, a single dresser, a mirror, and a lamp on a tiny nightstand.

"Thanks again," Roxas stated.

"Sure. Why don't you get settled in and I'll meet you down stairs? We can find you some clothes when the shops open tomorrow."

"That would be great." Xion smiled brightly and left Roxas alone. The blonde sighed and started removing his armor. When he was bare, he put his swords in the dresser and walked across the hall to the bathroom. He showered, letting the hot water run down his spine. His side ached slightly at the pressure.

Once he felt clean, he dried off and crawled back into his black uniform. It was dirty and worn from the lack of washing it. Roxas had rinsed it out a couple of times while in Hollow Bastion but the fabric was beyond soiled.

He made his way downstairs and found himself an overstuffed armchair to curl up on. Xion came from the kitchen a few minutes later, noticing the strain on Roxas's face.

"You don't have to talk if you don't want to," she commented, sitting on the loveseat to his right. Roxas closed his eyes and rested his head against the back of the chair.

"It's alright. I've come to terms with the loss," Roxas replied.

"Do you want to talk for a bit? Maybe get to know each other more?" Roxas took a long time to reply.

"Sure." Xion smiled.

"Alright! I'm Xion and I'm one of the child refugees of Radiant Garden. I came here when I was six so I'm nineteen. I'm living with Naminé, who is two years my junior. Her sister, Kairi, is my age but she moved away awhile back to deal with the stress of the war elsewhere. So what about you?"

"Roxas, Twilight Town, eighteen, no living relatives." Xion frowned.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked quietly. Roxas grunted his reply. He was sitting sideways in the chair, head on the back, and knees curled up to his chest. Xion stood and walked over to him. She stroked his head gently. "I know what it's like, Roxas. If you want to talk, that's fine. If you want some time by yourself, I'll give you your space." Xion's hand trailed down the side of his head and brushed against his cheek. Roxas placed his hand on top of hers, holding it to his face.

"Will I lose you too…if we become more than just acquaintances?" he asked softly.

"Eventually. We all die, Roxas."

"…that's not what I meant…" he muttered so softly Xion didn't really hear him. Xion smiled lightly and kissed the top of Roxas's head.

"Let's get you to bed. You could use some rest." Roxas failed to protest and she urged him to get out of the chair and head upstairs. Roxas crawled under the covers of his bed and slipped into sleep. Xion let out a soft exhale and watched him lay in the land of dreams. His face looked pained and a tear slipped from the corner of his eye.

She heard the door open downstairs and then close again. A minute later, Naminé climbed the stairs and looked at Xion with a curious expression.

"We have a new tenant," Xion explained. Naminé peered inside the room to look at Roxas.

"Where's he from?" Naminé asked gently.

"Twilight Town." Naminé frowned. "Yeah. His name's Roxas. He's between our ages. The poor guys just got here today."

"Isn't he the one they brought from Hollow Bastion?" Naminé pressed. Xion turned back to Roxas and then to her friend.

"He came from Hollow Bastion?!" Xion hissed.

"That's what I heard. One of the Knights dropped him off a short while ago. I heard the rumors all throughout the Districts."

"How is he not dead?"

"Xion, let it go." Naminé smiled softly. "It is what it is. We have to be here for Roxas, not press questions he already is thinking about to the forefront of his mind."

"Mmm. You're right, Naminé. If Roxas wants to talk, he'll tell us in his own time." The girls headed downstairs and left the blonde to sleep alone.

XxXxX

Axel entered his room with a sigh. Demyx sat stirring a pot of instant noodles under the dim kitchen light. Axel groaned softly and dragged his feet over to his wardrobe where he began peeling his armor from his body.

"Don't tell me you miss him already?" Demyx asked.

"No. I just got chewed out by the King and Queen," Axel replied, utterly deflated.

"Oh, right. Ouch. Sorry, man."

"Don't sweat it."

"You didn't need to defend me."

"Better to have one take the fall than both. Plus you hate it when people yell at you."

"Ain't that the truth." Demyx poked at his noodles. Axel changed into some sweatpants and dragged himself over to his bed, leaving his chest barren of a shirt. "Going to bed?"

"No, I'm going to Wonderland," Axel grumbled as he crawled into the sheets.

"Have fun!" Demyx called, pulling his pot off of the stove.

Axel settled down and buried his head into his pillow. As he teetered on the edge of sleep, he inhaled deeply and realized his pillow still smelt like Roxas.

A/N-*Epic battle music* Hark! A wild Rokushi appeared! It used Lovely Kiss. It was super effective!

(It seems weird and confusing but it's developed later! I was just too tired to write more! Sorrys.)

Musical Muse-Hahaha, more like musical distraction. Opening song to Sekaiichi Hatsukoi (oh dear, I hope that's spelt right!), dang is that song peppy; I just couldn't concentrate with it on, had to dance! (And no I don't know the official name of the song...)