Man I feel soo bad about this T-T

Sorry readers for the long delay but here's the next chap. Please don't be mad at me but as you can see it will take me a while to update like I used to so patience is what I ask ^^

Disclaimer: (Look in first chapter)

(And about the title, well I didn't know what else to call it ^^; it sounds dumb xD)

Cat's and Man

A darkness in space lingered along my cold body like the fingertips of a leaf. My feet remained firm to the ground, a clockwise earth that had my memory rock back and forth like a rocking chair. Dust particles reflected from the mild white glow below me that could have been mistaken for the outline of a pool.

"An awakening?" I asked myself, walking towards the edge of the large plate to see a giant white staircase that descended in a spiral towards a never-ending vanishing point. The eerie sight had my limbs want to cower and the unusual quietness had my senses on a calm coaster of wanted relief. "Hmm…should I go this way?" I asked not myself, but to the entity that failed to voice a response.

"Deonna…"

My ears turned my head around due to the voice that was as sinister as the stairs I was to run down to. Uncanny this darkness was and how it appeared to make the platform lose its tranquil glow to a dull turd. My breathing picked up speed as I heard my name again in its own unwelcoming chant, my feet stepping down the giant steps in a hurry from the sound of my name, from him. My body felt heavy, but it wasn't achy nor was it irritable; the faster I ran down those ankle breaking steps, the more I realized how harder it was for me to move at all.

"Deonna…"

My breathing was heavy, my brows arched due to the speed running that was not going to get me anywhere at all down this deathly road. Ignoring my name, I looked up, my eyes observing a pool of stars and constellations that you would see through a telescope. My reflection was above as I stared agape, my breathing slowing as my arm reached towards the sky above. My forefinger touched the painted mirror as it rippled like a crashing raindrop to a pond. "A dream…" I spoke tenderly, smiling as I looked down at the never-ending darkness that was now a green plain below.

"Deonna…"

I gulped, descending down the stairs in a haste manner as I observed the grey cloudy firmament above the dark ocean below. The crashing waves numbed my ears as I leaned over the cliff to see the horrendous waves slap each other like hands to faces.

"Deonna…"

My chest grew heavy, ignoring the urge to turn around out of anxiety, not wanting to catch a glimpse of his face that felt so near. "Why you ignore me Deonna?"

My eyes widened, the crashing waves disappearing in a fog while the rest of the landscape turned dark, almost like what happened to the island.

"Hmm-who turned out the lights?"

My body shook, his hurtful aura breathing along my neck like a cat, his hand sitting on my shoulder, partially. I snapped like a rubber band, jumping from his midst as I held my hand out to call my weapon, any weapon for that matter. I couldn't help but grimace at his smirking presence, standing in a menacing stillness with his hands held behind his back. A spotlight blazed above my head, a performance he wanted me to flaunt.

"Hmph!" My hands reached behind my back, grasping the Katanas that has ghostly appeared, holding them in front of me for a fight that was probably going to start. He chuckled, the remnants of light glossing his suited silhouette form in the now dark room. "Ha you think you can defeat me with that?" he scuffed, taking a step forward for only the shadows of his wrinkled face and clothes to reminiscent in shadows. My lips formed its own crafty smile; what this person didn't know was what I already knew about this dreaming space. "Hmph, if there's one thing I know about dreaming, I know I have control over it and what happens to the things and people in it…" But a question still lingered in my head like floating dust; was this truly a just a dream?

He crossed his arms, his smile still unwavering. "Ahh, smart one you are, but…" he paused, his right hand rising up for a swirling wind of sparkles to form a red rose, holding it so the thorns wouldn't pierce his fingertips. "Not even a beautiful rose could be heard in its own woe…"

My teeth gritted, unflattered as I observed his eyes stare at the spinning rose that spun like a merry-go-round, then at me, his concrete grey eyes cutting through me. "Do you exactly know who I am?"

My body felt hot, scoffing a laugh with a smirk, trying to hide the fact that I was indeed a bit timid about all of this. "Heh, a psychopath who doesn't know the hell to leave me alone!" I dashed towards his shadowed form, swinging my swords at his disappearing smog.

'Eh?'

I turned back around not to see him, but to feel the aura of him on my back, his hands gripping my arms like tight ropes. My eyes closed shut, kicking my unmovable legs that felt frozen, suddenly my speech now impaired. His breath slithered along my ear, wickedness deep in his voice. "You see, not even you can save yourself, so what makes you think you can save the worlds?" My swords fell to the ground like metal poles that boomed the murky world I was in. My eyes shot open, my breathing escaping my lungs where my squirms became minor, listening to what he just said.

'Worlds…how did he…?'

His unpleasant air tickled my ear as he whispered, "You can never escape me, for I am a worldly character of events…for I am…"

I shrieked, my crusted eyes opening back to reality from an unpredictable nightmare. My heart was racing, sweating from the top to the bottom that either came from the sleep or the wet humidity in the damp jungle air. "Uhhhmm…" I moaned, closing my eyes as I prepared to stretch my aching limbs, trying to control my speeding heartbeat that started to settle. "Mmmm…" I finally sat up off my backpack that I used for a pillow in the middle of the night, holding my weight with my right arm as I elongated my left arm for relief towards the buzzing trees above.

Axel?

I wiped my nose, staring at a sleeping Axel that had moved from the spot right next to me; he was perpendicular to my position with his legs curled up to his chest, his hood over his head like a bonnet and his hands under his cheek like a pillow. A giggling temptation almost took over me, but surpassed the laugh as I leaned back on my backpack, holding my stomach for the morning cramps to come in. "Uhg…ow…what a horrible night…" I grimaced, trying to think of something besides the cartwheels that was being performed in my stomach. My eyes squinted even more, gazing at the blossoming trees that streamed light from the sun above to capture pigments of the soil around us like bright puzzle pieces.

"Attrox…" I whispered, gritting my teeth from saying that name, and a rupturing cramp that rumbled my belly. Attrox…was that him? Or was it just a dream? I remembered what Kingdom Hearts said before, that I can't just brush off the dreams I have all the time now. But of course that was a dream, but is it truly important for me to worry about? The more I thought about it, the more I began to believe that it wasn't any ordinary dream. But that could just be my emotions talking because anxiety and worry always delve in my mind around this time, but still, his name…he said was Attrox…I should take caution since Kingdom Hearts told me to…just to be careful…

My owl eyes blinked, rubbing my forehead from the oils as I sat back up, ignoring the pain in my pelvis as I spoke. "Axel you wake?" I asked, peering in his direction for a quiet response. He didn't move or even utter a word, just a moan that meant sleep. "Hmm…what should I do now?" I asked the air as I looked around the vacant area of vegetation and a dead camp fire, rubbing my head that roughed my hand from my unkempt hair. My eyes went wide, almost gasping as I pressed my hands against my skull. Shoot, my hair is messed up! Owh! Axel better not wake up seeing me like this!

With that thought I turned around on my knees, rushing in my bag to pull out a blue brush from the inside, pulling my hair band from my hair as I sat cross legged. I brushed my wholly hair back to it's originally form, even placing my scarf over it to stay down to some extent. Though I couldn't see the outcome, I grinned at my unseen results. Hmph! Now that's better…

I placed my hands on my hips, looking at Axel who was still in his sleeping position.

Good he's still sleep…

I then frowned, turning back around towards the ashy fire place, still gazing at him.

…but when will he wake up? Should I wake him?

Besides listening to the birds and Cicada's in the trees, I sure would like to hear from his mouth right about now. This large epiphany I woke myself into was flabbergasting; I liked Axel, or could it be something more than that. Besides the constant cramps, the uncomfortable terrain I slept on and the worry of insects crawling in my ear, I couldn't think of nothing else but him last night. But why was that? Was that what you called love? Did I love him? It not just his charming looks, or his annoying quirks and gestures that wrangles me inside, but, it's the way he is that has been catching me off guard ever since I've met him, even his annoying ways. It could be puppy love though…but… I heaved a heavy sigh, closing my eyes that stung due to fatigue, dropping my head towards my crossed lap. Ahh…who am I kidding…I guess I do…but I sure wish I didn't…the feeling of love is such a distraction and all you do is worry worry worry…

I looked back up with a frown, though, grinning gently at his sleeping form, wondering when I should wake him up. Hmmm, maybe a few minutes… I covered my mouth for a yawn, standing on my feet in a crouch position as I gawked at the black soot that was once wood. "Hmm…no more wood…duh Deonna. I'm so slow…man how will I function with no painkillers?"

"Hey what you doin' now?" a lying groggy voice said.

"Huh?" I asked as my heart felt weighed, turning my head in the direction of the husky voice. "Hmm?" Axel asked, his smile brighter than the shadows of his eyes that was partly covered from his hood. I almost gagged, suddenly not sure what to say as I felt my body heat up with the jungle. "Uhh…n-nothing…" I said, hiding the feeling of embarrassment with a small smile. I licked my lips, wishing that this loving feeling would go away. "You up now?"

He lifted his upper body up before replying, "Uh, well, I was already awake…" he said, moving his legs pass me in a stretch, yawning as he took his hood off while scratching his hair like a sleepy baby with baggy eyes. "Eh? Already up?" I asked baffled, narrowing my eyes at him as I turned in his direction. "I asked were you up earlier though?"

"Yeah I know I just wanted to see what you would do in the time being…" he said, finishing with a grin as he stretched his arms outward like arrows. I groaned, rubbing my cheek as I ignored his gaze by looking towards the ground.

"Whew…so how was your earthy beauty rest?" Axel asked.

My brows arched as I huffed, feeling my forehead bud sweat as I looked back up with a dead look, speaking in sullenness. "Just horribly Axel…" I paused, wiping my forehead as I leaned towards him on my knees, watching his brows rise curiously. "The dirt bed, the sleep, everything sucked, even the smell of the grimed soil bothered me!" But then again, who would even find sleeping on dirt lavishing? Before he could say anything I cut in. "Now my muscles hurt! And I'm still tired while my period wants to flow like a river! Y'know we should've just stayed up all night if I wasn't goin' to get any sleep anyway!"

"Deonna calm down!" Axel shouted, trying to shut me up with his body arching back with his left arm in front of himself, blocking my distance from him. "Just 'cause you're 'on' doesn't mean you have to go all buffoon on me! My night was not all rainbows and chocolates either!"

I jumped to my feet from my own excitement, whimpering as I dropped back to the ground, gripping my shoes as my eyes dilated. "Ow!" I cried, holding my feet, taking off my shoes. "Great what's wrong now?" Axel asked in petulance, scooting towards me as he sat on my right. I moaned, removing my shoes from my aching feet, rubbing them for aid. "My feet…they hurt like heck."

"Gee, you really are hurting all over…"

"Mmmm…" I pouted. Great! What does Axel think of me now? He surly thinks I'm crazy for yelling at him for no reason at all! Curse these feelings! This is exactly the reason I hate for liking guys! As I pressed my fingers on my feet once more I heard Axel chuckle, making my head turn in his direction. "What's so funny?" Is it my feet? Do they smell? Please don't let that be…

He wiped his face, looking back at me with a grin, still muffling slight chuckles. "Heh heh, it does suck to be a girl…"

My brows went crazy as I hit Axel's arm to move away from me. "Shut up you!"

"Hah ha ha ha!" Axel was laughing hysterically by now, lying on the ground on his side with his arms over his stomach like he was dying from laughter. "Ah ha…it sucks to be you!"

"Axel…!" I pouted, embarrassed of why he was laughing; it was because of me and my sore state. He thinks it's funny to see me like this? My body was now heated like a stove with the emotions of anger, sadness, pain and embarrassment, all stirring in a pot that was about to drip out. I gawked at him, almost on the verge of tears, but dared myself not to let them spill. "Fine! Just laugh! I hope you laugh so much that you explode like a red-topped volcano!" I hopped back up on my feet that twinged from the hard ground, grabbing my dirty cloak and back bag, marching off like a steamed train towards a random tree, making my own path through the jungle. I take that back! Why would I love that idiot! Probably 'like' but not love! I thought he didn't like pushing the wrong buttons anyway!

I wiped my eyes, sniffling as I heard Axel's voice behind me who had only a mild laugh in his speech. "W-Wait! Wait Deonna I'm sorry! Don't run off like that!" I stopped, looking down with my eyes closed, trying to rub the puffiness out of them. "You were the cause and I was the effect…" I mumbled as he ran in front of me. I didn't look up as he spoke. "Deonna you need to seriously chill…man it sucks that you're so sensitive right now…"

"Hmph, and I didn't think you noticed…" I said, looking back up only to roll my eyes at him. "Huh, you say that and you'll forget who does give a care…" he said, his right hand emerging from his side towards my face with the back of my shoes hanging from his fingertips. My eyes grew at the sight, my mind suddenly going blank. "Uhh…" I peered down at the earth, staring at my bare feet that were covered with dirt and grass that felt rather damp; no else wondering what was in this soil. "Ugh…I can't believe this…"

My morning just sucks!

I took them from his hands and put them on, but not before I could rub the bottom of my feet of muck and grime. "And don't make this day any worse than it already is with your emotional raids…"

"Yeah whatever you wish my master…" I said, wiping my hands together for the dirt to roll off my hands. Axel's arms were folded while his brow risen at me, taken back from my sarcasm. "Eh?"

I sighed, turning on my side to lean on a tree on my left, shaking my head in shame. "Sorry…I know I suck…" It was his turn to sigh, resting his hand on my right shoulder as he spoke calmly. "No worries…just take it easy today… My shoulders rose and fell, folding my arms. How am I goin to do that? I have a mission to accomplish.

Axel spoke again, sounding shamefaced. "And I know I acted dumb so sorry about that…just tryin' to lighten the atmosphere?"

Hm? Lighten the atmosphere? I looked behind my shoulder, shrugging apathetically as I turned away, starting to walk back towards the resting area. "Yeah, sure…a big failure on your part."

I heard him sigh again, letting out minor coughs behind me. "Yeah …even though you sorta went ape on me…" I smirked just then, a red and black bird with giant red wings seeming to fly right out of a painting through the branches of a tree. "Be careful or a real ape might just attack you."

"Oh so that's what you think about me…" he said with a mild chuckle.

Even I had to admit I wasn't that upset with Axel anymore, after all, it was a stupid thing to get mad about anyway, even though Axel was pretty insensitive about my feelings. Hmmm, yeah Axel sucks to...

We stepped out of the bushes, greeted by crawling shadows that swept back and forth in the ground where we slept. "Great shadows…" Axel growled, rushing in front of me for his weapons to appear in his hands. My chest ached momentarily, dropping my bag and cloak to the ground, forming my battle stance to end the evil vermin that formed twitching bodies on their little feet. We were done at least under two minutes, which was a big relief to my body; the bad thing was that I realized I was a bit musty from all the movement and the heat.

I sniffed my armpit that moistened my underarm sleeve that ranked, grimacing at the smell. My brows furrowed at my impeding thoughts. "Great…I got to wash up before Axel says something…wait-where am I going to do it anyway? I feel like a savage living in the wilderness now."

"Hey, remember I said we'll look for food in the morning? We don't have all day you know!"

"Uhh yeah…" I answered, turning around to lean on the side of the giant barked tree that was blocking my view from Axel. His hand was waving at me to come to him, his brows raised in curiosity. "Come on already…and what are you doing behind there?"

I grinned sheepishly, clutching my bag strap as I advanced towards his position by the stoned circle of ashes. "Uh nothing just checking something out…"

His mouth was in a thin line, his small eyebrow up with the other one down, gazing at me in thought. "Uh…what?" I asked, having the urge to scratch my neck of uncomforting heat. He crossed his arms, his brows finally rising like mountains while his mouth opened in realization. "Ohhhh that…" His face was a bit pink, turning around with his fist to his chin. "Hmph and what's that supposed to mean?" I asked feeling infringed, crossing my arms as I speed walked behind Axel, carrying on to his left side as we entered the path towards the road. He shook his head as if it didn't matter. I groaned. "Geez you're such a pervert…" Wait, does this means I like a pervert? My choice of men stinks. "Hahahaha! You're funny y'know that?"

"So I've been told…but it's not funny what could be prancing around in your mind like a pony though…" I said in distaste, staring at his keen profile as I stumbled over an ingrown rock. He peered back at me, his eyes squinted with a grin. "You have a creative mind, not even knowing what crossed my thoughts just now right?" I growled, crossing my arms as I looked away, walking faster ahead of him for the way out.

He does have a point, all I can do is wonder…

The sun was beckoning, the humidity in the air thicker in the camouflages of green vegetation than it was in the sun itself. I wiped my forehead while surging my shirt at the same time in order to cool myself down. My tongue was dry of moisture, making me feel like drinking anything that seemed sanitary in this animal jungle. "Man its hot…" I said in grief, wiping my oily face as I heard my own stomach grumble. "Yeah it feels great doesn't it? Mmm yeah that's the stuff…"Axel said in bliss as he stretched out his arms outward, walking to my left on the road towards a more sunny area. My eyes squinted at him, huffing a laugh at his silliness. "Heh Axel I'm serious," I said as I fanned myself, walking behind him as he stopped to peer back at me, placing my other hand on my hip. "It's definitely hot here can we-"

Axel interrupted me, his body turned fully in my direction, gesturing his hands in the air as he spoke unrealistically. "Yeah? Want me to go lower the tempt of the sun? If I could, I would, for your sake if that's the only way for my ears to stop bleeding from your complaining. You'll survive so suck it up and enjoy the day."

I just looked at him in idiocy, my mouth partly opened in shock as I stuck my tongue out at him, crossing my arms in vex as I caught a glimpse of a smile on his face before turning away. How come he always smiles when he annoys me? "Stop smiling...it's not cute…" I said in gloom, even though that was only partially false. I felt him closer to me, his hand suddenly on my head saying, "Heh, you are so weak right now that it's laughable."

"And you're the most sympathetic and majestic being I've ever met …" I said in a squeaky voice, shaking his hand off my head as I spun around towards the other direction. "And where do you think you're going miss attitude?" I sighed, feeling a cramp rupturing, my brows hardened. "To the stream, river place from yesterday…"

"Oh alright…what for?" Axel asked, hearing his steps crunch the dirt behind me. My head cocked to the side, shrugging shyly without looking back as my face began to relax from the tension. "Mmm, y'know, to wash up some and stuff?" Axel then chuckled, finding his walking form at my left side. "You mean bathe in the river like a savage?" My eyes stared ahead, refusing to look at Axel since my feelings about him felt awkward when he said the word bathe. "Hmph, sounds like something you would do…" He tittered, finding my small joke funny. "You're humor is astounding."

"And even if I did, I wouldn't be letting you come with me."

"Of course you wouldn't."

After what felt like ten minutes, we made it to the river we found yesterday; the bad thing was two-horned warthogs already overtook the river. Seeing the sight increased my stress, crouching in the bushes with Axel as we looked onward, wondering what we should do. Axel spoke first with an idea of his own saying, "Y'know what I would do? I'll just scare'em off and eat'em for breakfast," he said, staring from the animals to me with a goofy grin. I just gave him a black look, finding myself gazing at him to long. "What? I heard they taste like chicken…" Axel didn't seem bothered by my stare, looking away as he stood up a little like he was sniffing the area.

"Hmm…are you trying to be funny?"

He looked at me, crouching back next to me with his shoulder brushing mine. "Did it work?"

"Ehhh I laughed inside."

He smiled, turning away from me. "Heh, time to start the show…"

Show?

With that, Axel ran forward as he pushed through the thicket like a tiger, shouting with flames circling his body in spirals like a madman coming out of a nightmare. My eyes widened as the whole area of animals went into a frenzy; even the birds in the trees ruffled the leaves to get away from the fire tornado, falling on me like soft kisses. "Get the hell out of my territory before I fry yea for breakfast ya stinkin animals!" The warthogs squirmed, wailing as they scurried into the brush while Axel chased them away. I finally stood up, stepping out of the bushes into the clear riverside, watching Axel come from the left where he ran the animals away. My lips turned into a smile, shaking my head as Axel huffed for breath. "Heh you happy now?" he asked, grinning that cute grin of his as he crossed his arms. "Axel you're crazy…" I said in a half laugh, suddenly a foul smell floating into my nose.

"Now that's something I never said I wasn't," he said as he pointed his finger at me. My face scrunched up, holding my nose from the stench that began to open my smelling senses as I looked around. "Do you smell that? Something stinks." I looked back at Axel whom had his nose covered as well, his eyebrows stitched together as a reaction. "Yeah it's starting to get to me to." It had a mixture of wet pee and dung, stinging my nose like a skunk. "Aw man let's go to the other side of the river before I vomit!" Axel suggested, heading towards the stream of water. I nodded, pinching my nose as I looked to the ground for waste.

I peered ahead of Axel who was about to take another step in the grass, but shouted when I saw a glob of brown under his foot.

"Axel watch out!"

"Whoa!" Axel shouted, jumping over his step as his body partially fell over the grassy ledge; his upper body was out of sight where his butt was only in view. "Ah…uh…ah… ahhahaha!" I laughed as I held my stomach with my arms, gagging from the smell that inhaled into my nose from my laughing. Man it stinks, but this soo funny! Axel's going to be totally red! I held my nose once again, running up to Axel in gags of laughter while he regained his fallen posture. "A-Axel? You okay?" I asked in part laughs. He sat back on his knees, wiping his wet face with his dirtied gloves, the front of his hair wet that dripped water. "Ngng…" he muffled, wiping his nose as he spit into the grass.

"Yuck!"

He then looked at me with a cute vexation, his face in hues of pink and red. "Oh, so you think this is funny huh?"

"Uhm," I began as I held my hands behind my back, gazing away towards the sky, "well…heh haha yeah haha!"

He groaned, shaking his hair that sprinkled water droplets on my exposed skin, cowering from the cool sensation "Hey watch it!"

He smoothed his hair back like the water was a gel. "Heh whatever…better the river than the poop…"

"Hahaha! Yeah…that was close to."

"Alright you had you're laugh. Let's get away from this stinking side."

We both jumped over the wide river, the smell of wet grass overcoming the stench that was on the other side of the river where we came from. I knelt down, stretching my hand towards the cool rushing water that licked my fingers clean. "Ahh…finally…" I looked over my shoulder at Axel who was standing, his arms crossed, appearing as if he was observing the riverbed along with me. "Axel you think this water is clean enough to splash water onto my face, probably not huh?" He stepped up to my right side, moaning in thought as he leaned over the edge. "Well sure, if you like the smell of fish…" He put his hands on his hips, shrugging at me. I sighed, turning back towards the water, cautiously dumping both my hands in the water like a bowel. "You're a water hater. Why am I asking you anyway?"

Before I brought my hands up to my face, Axel grabbed my hands, forcing them back down into the water.

"Wha- Axel what are you-?"

"This will be more cleaner…"

The spot my hands were in were warmer as the flowing water progressed through it like an invisible pot. My eyes widened at the change of temperature, finding myself awestruck. "Uh, Axel…how'd you do that?" I asked, looking at him to find him staring back at me with a smirk. His stark green eyes gazed towards the water where I was able to see his reddened ear, his glove slippery wet on my hand. "Well you should know I always have a trick or two up my sleeve…" He let my hands go; leaning back on his butt with his arms supporting his weight at his sides, his legs sprawled out in content. I looked back at him, pursing my lips together in a smirk as I rolled my eyes at him, turning back towards the river "Yeah sure…"

I changed my position as I took my scarf off, resting my weight on my knees as I leaned forward to splash my face with warm water more easily than before, using the small tube of cleanser I had tucked away in my bag. When I was done, I looked back at Axel to see what he was doing. To my surprise, his face was turned away, but his neck looked reddish-pink. My face twisted in uncertainty, shaking my head as if to air dry my dripping face.

"Axel you alright?"

"Uh…yeah w-why wouldn't I be?" He didn't even look at me, which meant something was probably up. My eyes squinted in suspicion, crawling closer to his stiff sitting position. "Axel really what's-wait is your face red?" He then looked at me, his face red as a chili pepper. My eyes widened at his brightened face, inching back to sit on my butt. My mouth was left agape, observing Axel's timid expression of uncomforting crankiness. "Axel what's wrong with you're face?"

"You happened…" he said lowly, looking from me to the grass between his legs, both his arms on his knees. My face contorted even more. "What?"

"Your butt happened!"

"Uh…my…butt?"

"Yes…" He then looked up, his eyes cold as ice trying to mingle with his red face. "Your butt was sitting in the air like a red target!" My heart throbbed like a bouncing ball, sitting back on my knees as I arched back with his hands on my hip in a stretch, catching a glimpse of my butt. "Oh?"

"Yeah. You seriously had no idea how much I wanted to just kick you into that river…" I gulped a knot. Man this is bad, especially for me…that's why he's blushing…because he was staring at my bu…?

My face felt hot, finding it rather hard to swallow my own spit. Even though this was an awkward situation, this could be quite entertaining given the right thought. I brought my hand up, fanning myself as I peered back at Axel, partially in abashment while Axel stared back, his body solid in uneasiness. "Seriously your b …" he caught himself, quickly turning away with narrowed eyes. "Ah never mind…"

"Hmph what?" I asked evoked, balancing myself on my knees with my hands fisted to my hips. He shook his head, avoiding eye contact. "Nothing-it's nothing important."

"Hmph, fine then…" I said with a smirk. I crawled closer to him, standing four-legged, turning around where my butt was almost in his face. As I expected, Axel yelped in surprise. "Ah what are you doing!" My head twisted over my left shoulder, finding Axel almost in a daze with his body inches away from me in fright, his face turning bright red again. I just giggled, crawling towards him once more. "What? I thought perverts liked this kinda thing…" I said, teasing Axel.

How much redder could he get?

He groaned, his teeth bare and naked. "I'm not a pervert!"

"Then why were you lookin at my butt? "I couldn't help it! It was just there like a frame! The only way to get rid of it was to kick you in the river!"

"Hmph…good thing you didn't…" I said as I crossed my arms, sitting back down on my knees. He sighed, shaking his head with his eyes closed. "Whatever…big legs…" he said, opening his eyes with a devilish look. My mouth dropped open, snorting as I looked away, remembering what happened yesterday. "My legs aren't that big you…you skinny…"

My face felt hot again, which meant it was Axel's turn to joke. "Ha! That's getting old y'know."

"Ugh whatever," I said, standing up, walking over to my backpack for more toiletries that was sitting behind me. "Just don't look at me right now."

"Whatever miss attitude…"

"Ahh thanks again for letting me use it," Axel said, peering behind himself at me, his hands threaded behind his head. "Next time we go to a world with Sea-salt ice cream, it's on me. Got it memorized?" My eyes felt heavy, weariness planted inside and out of my aching body as I just looked at him. "Yeah sure…" I looked away at the rooted ground, my face still flushed from what happened at the river.

Earlier after I cleaned my face, I went to change my pad in private. The last thing I did was brush my teeth, since the warm-hot water was distilled by Axel. But what surprised me was a shocker to me; Axel wanted to use my toothbrush to brush his teeth. I was skeptical about it, until Axel said he would just clean it after words with the water. I let him use it since I felt like being nice, but it was mostly due to a certain look he gave me that he probably didn't even know he had. Ever since then up until now, I was still blushing about it. "You should get your own y'know."

"If I had one I wouldn't be asking to use yours."

"Don't think I'm going to be letting you use it everyday because I let you use it today…"

"I figured you'd say that…" He looked back at me again, curiousness in his features. "How you feel with your…monthly thing?" I sighed, closing my eyes that stung as I opened them up again, gazing back at Axel.

"The first day is always the worst…"

"Hmmm, that answers my question, why do I even bother to ask," Axel said, looking back ahead, his hands still behind his head. After walking farther in the dense jungle, we ran into monkey heartless, which were accompanied by black purebloods that fidgeted like flies, the same one's we fought earlier. We fought them easy under a few minutes, even though my body was achy and less agile than before, leaving Axel to comment on my physique afterwards.

"Gee somebody was sluggish in the last fight. It felt like I was the only one working…" Axel said. He was walking next to me now, his near presence giving me a nervous streak. "Here have some Elixir," Axel offered, his hand dangling a bottle of Elixir for me to take. Slightly annoyed, I took it from his hand to open it. "Gosh you shouldn't have…"

I took a long swig, listening to Axel's complaint. "Miss attitude, don't get sarcastic on me after that. A 'thanks' would be nice?"

The Elixir disappeared from my hand, peering at Axel on my left side with a small grin as I felt my body shift from pain to only minor comfort. "Thanks Mr. Sensitive…" I snickered. His expression turned into bafflement, chuckling as he shook his head, using my shoulder as an arm rest for his heavy arm. "That's a lot of talk for someone whose hormonal levels are slightly off right now…" My brows furrowed, turning away at a purple berried bush ahead of me. "Hmph whatever."

"Ha! See? Getting mad at everything I say or do…" He then pushed my head like a boggle head, sending me into a frenzy. "Hey! Are you crazy!" I exclaimed, slapping his arm nonstop, making him cower.

"'Kay sorry my bad sheesh!"

I then stopped hitting him, staring at Axel in vex while he gazed at me in unease, rubbing his arm. "Guess I have to remind myself not to mess with you when you're on that womanly ride…"

"Yeah beware...or better yet how about not bother me at all?"

My ears heard a terrific shout of a monkey that seemed to have been all around, rumbling the forest that made the birds screech above. "Ah what in the world is that?" Axel asked, halting his steps in question as he looked around, regaining focus of his surroundings. "It's a monkey Axel…" I said casually, cocking my head at him. He narrowed his eyes at me, his face inching towards mine. "You didn't think I knew that smart aleck? Stop giving me answers I already know."

"Stop asking dumb questions that you already know the answers to."

Before he retorted, the monkey yelped again, making my head shot up to the trees. My eyes squinted, wondering why the monkey sound sounded drastic like it was dying. Then the roar of a predator rang my ears like a drum, my senses on the verge of fright. "Whoa what is that!" I yelped in surprise, jumping back into Axel's chest who held the side of my arms tightly behind me. My face became hot because of our position, but ignored it for my sake of not feeling awkward. He seemed calm due to the sudden animal sounds, and his body felt very warm. "Hmmm, don't know…but let's go check it out…" I peered up at him, my brows wavered.

"Huh?"

We followed the animalistic hums, cautiously stepping through the bushes as we found our mark. We knelt down, hiding ourselves in the bushy thicket from the gorilla and leopard fight that was before our eyes in the clearing, a giant tree to the right side that hung ropes of vines like an escape route for either party. My eyes were bulged, gazing among the mighty hefty sliver back gorilla that was rampaging against three brawny leopards, who gracefully swung their paws, trying to claw the giant monkey like a cat would do a bird. I gasped, admiring the Leopards giant canines that previewed a chomping death to its victims. "Whoa, what an event of a lifetime…" Axel said with a smile in his voice, but at the same time with a wincey bit concern. I looked to my left at Axel, who didn't seem to notice I was staring at him with worry. "Hmmm, so you're saying…you…like that?"

He looked at me, shaking his head in opposition. "No I'm not saying that…it's just interesting to witness something like this, y'know?" He then smiled, peering back to the battle of animals. "Wanna bet? I say Leopard slug Gorilla…"

"Yeah how about…no…" I said, rolling my eyes at him, witnessing a Leopard snipe its teeth into the gorilla's leg; I grimaced, the leopards physical appearance intimidating me, having my heart race to a burn. As the gorilla roared in pain, my heart brunt like a burning flower, the leaping leopards pouncing on the gorilla like a mouse while the others netted the ape to the ground with their wide paws. Why…does it hurt now? No…it couldn't be…could it?

Axel spoke up with uncertainty, not realizing that I was in a mind of daze. "Uh, if you wanna go we can now…since things are getting more gory a-" I interrupted in a shout, pointing my finger at the leopards that took over the gorilla. "No wait! Look!" The leopards mouths became inflamed with a dark vapor that poured out like vomit, gorging the gorilla in its dark mist that screamed. I gasped, standing up in excitement with my mouth left agape. "Wait a sec! They must be Heartless!" Axel inquired, standing up with me in haste, making the bushes scratch against each other in rustles.

The temperature seemed to rise as one of the leopards gazed in our direction, licking its black lips as it stared at us in savage hunger. "Oh crap…" I whimpered, a gulp following down my dry throat. Axel nudged me with his elbow, not taking my eyes off of the Leopards that now knew of our presence that began to stalk us with their slit eyes. "Deonna don't be intimidated ye hear? If you can beat Cerberus than you will certainly beat these guys."

My sweaty fingers slid as I tightened them into fists, a small grin quietly appearing on my face. "Uh yeah-you're right…um yeah let's take'em out…" I said, trying to sound confident but still carked by how they pounced on the gorilla. "That's the spirit," Axel wallowed, stepping out of the bushes like a snake, agitating the giant leopards that roared at him. My forehead sweated balls, calling my weapons in sprinkling sparks that cooled my sweaty hands. Axel seduced the leopards, charging them up in contempt who forgot all about the gorilla that limped away in heavy huffs towards a more shelter area of botany.

"C'mere kitty kitty! Leave the monkey alone and I'll make it worth your while!"

Flames appeared in Axel's hands, his erected sharp spikes ready for battle as they spun to a stop. The three leopards formed a line, growling snarls that shaped in grimaces in our path of vision. The leopard on the left roared at Axel, while the other two gazed at me, the steps nonstop in a predator motion. I wiped my forehead, stepping out of the bushes, wondering, waiting for the Leopards to make the fist move on us. The big Leopard snarled once more at Axel, just close enough to pounce on him for lunch, which he did, sending a chain reaction to the other leopards to commence at me.

"Ha!" Axel yelled in excitement, jumping back to boomerang his weapon at the Leopard in mid-air, while I gripped my Keyblade, watching the first Leopard jump into my comfort zone, its claws jutted out instinctively as it roared viscously, its fangs begging for a bite. My brows hardened, avoiding the attack by running towards the leaping leopard, jumping as I swung my Keyblade at its muscular body like a baseball bat. The leopard flew towards the ground in a thud, hissing as it tried to get back up on all fours while the other leopard started a run, leaping towards me. I held my breath, shot my blade at the Leopard's face in an uppercut as it flipped over behind me, crashing on top of the prickly bushes in a heavy groan.

"Huff huff huff…" I panted, turning back around at the Leopard that attacked me earlier that was circling me in an arch shape back and forth, growling at me as if to loosen my grip, its teeth sharpened as a dagger. I grabbed my blade with both hands, watching the leopard charge at me once again to try and dip its claws into my skin. I swung at it, its paw deflecting off my weapon like a bullet as it roared in disdain. "Haa!" I slammed my blade into its teeth baring face, having its body fall to the ground like a bag of potatoes, its body rising like erupted mountains for air and the stress of its defeat. I panted like a dog, my stomach releasing more cramps as I grunted in pain, holding my stomach with my left hand as my body sloped forward for relief.

"Ugh…" My teeth gritted as my eyes sealed shut from the pain.

Axel…

The leopard roared like a lion, the leopard who was still fighting Axel from earlier.

"What is that all you got!" I could hear Axel near by, shouting like it was a joy ride he was on, and what a ride it was.

Before I could open my eyes to see who was winning between the two, my inner sense woke me up from my dilemma, my eyes popping open as I felt a wild darkness stir my surroundings. Wha? I glanced over my shoulder, witnessing a flying leopard about to swoop on top of me as it roared. "Ahh!" I shouted, its paws nailing me to the ground like giant hammers, my chin hitting the ground like a shoe. My breathing sped up, huffing dirt out of my face as my teeth became bare. Oh god what now! The weight was unbearable as its giant paws overlapped my shoulders blades that seemed to crush my muscles, ranging its teeth into my ponytail like a hook that pulled my head up like a hanger, closing my eyes shut as I yelped. "Ahhh!" I tightened my right hand, not realizing that my Keyblade was out of my hand. No wait my blade!

"Agh!" The leopard let go of my hair, only to press its big paw on my head, a dark mist fogging my vision that felt cold and dense. I gasped, struggling to get from under the giant cat. "Ah no!" I shouted, pulling on the dirt like a rope to escape the smog and the leopard's presence. "Axel!" I shouted, not sure if he heard me or not as I continued to pry myself from under the leopard, who only pressed its body on mine like I was a rug. An essence came into my mind, a familiar spirit that spoke in the position of a loving parent that I've grown to know.

'Inner strength…use it…'

"Kingdom Hearts…" I moaned, my eyes closing, my brows arching as I remembered what I was to do for the worlds. No, I can't give up now…I can't let him win! Not the darkness!

"Ugh!" I yelled, feeling a tingling sensation over take my body like an explosion, an energetic wave coming from my limbs that circled all around in the colors of electric blue hues. The leopard roared, flying off my back as I jumped up on my feet, calling my weapon to my hand once again as I breathed deeply, suddenly my senses heightened like a wolf as I watched the growling leopard on my left limp towards the giant tree as a retreat, but only fell on its side as if out of energy, or better yet dead. I wheezed, sloping over my blade that I leaned on for support as I felt for my sweaty forehead with my hand.

W-what just happened…just now?

A headache brewing, my numbed ears focused on a voice that I haven't heard up until now during this rustle.

"Deonna!"

I sniffled, wiping my face that felt stained with dirt, turning slightly to my left without saying anything as if to be mute. My eyes were distracted though, observing a bubbly glob of dark tar that was eight feet away from me where the first leopard I defeated laid; was this the outcome of its conquer?

"Deonna! Are you okay!"

I swallowed, bowing my head as I reached for my forehead again, feeling the headache spread through my skull like roots. A leopard roared, but that wasn't what had me jerk just now. It was a hand that grasped my arm, tugging me in his direction for a response. I faced him, staring back at his anxious green eyes like I was a dead doll, quietly observing the smug of dirt on his cheeks and face. "Deonna snap out of it! Are you alright!" It was Axel. Of course it was Axel; who else would show me concern after annoying me all day and almost being eaten by a leopard?

Instead of replying to his worried call, I watched the last scratched up leopard fling itself into the brush, its little army of three defeated. "Uhh…" was all I could say, for I was still in my mental daze of strain. I didn't realize Axel was looking along with me, swearing at the leopard before focusing his attention back on me. He grasped my other arm, shaking me gently as if to get a reaction from me. "Deonna are your hurt?"

"Uhm…" I looked down, my back muscles aching along with my pounding head. Do I really have to answer?

"And that blast- how did you do that?"

Blast…what blast? My eyes widened faintly, remembering how that leopard flew off of me earlier before overtaking me into darkness. Oh right…that power…that blast…

"The blast…" I finally said, looking back up at him, finding his worried face warm me inside. "It…felt awesome…but…" My face drifted back towards the ground.

"What?"

The corners of my mouth arched up, shaking my head as I chuckled lightly without adding stress to my headache. "It drained a lot of my energy…and I feel weak right now," I said in a strained voice, looking back up at him for a facial reaction. He closed his eyes, sighing in a deep breath of tiredness. "Look, my hands were full with that other heartless," Axel began, finally opening his eyes. "I was even surprised at how fast you got rid of that other heartless so quickly." Hmph and he said it would be easy…but I guess we were both unprepared with the dealings of that kind of heartless… "You know I called you to help me-"

Wait.

I almost gasped; reaching my hair where my ponytail was with my hot hands while Axel finally let me go. Oh no my hair! How mush damage is there? I seriously got to get my hair done after this.

"Oh great now my hair's messed up…" I whimpered, feeling my arms cramp within the sudden movements I made for the attention of my hair, turning slightly to my side. I noticed Axel fold his arms, grunting irritably as if to be annoyed. "So your hairdo is more important than your overall wellbeing right now?"

"Uh…"

Well, my hair is part of my being…since it was part of the mauling of a leopard… But I didn't feel like telling him that. I turned partway in his direction, my hands still touching the wretched ponytail as I sheepishly grinned back. Before I could say anything, Axel rolled his eyes, dangled a yellow bottle of elixir in my face while his eyes went in another direction, his brows still stitched. "Just shut up and drink this…and tell me more about that blast…"

"Fine then Mr. Cheeky," I snorted, taking the elixir from his hand and gulping a long swig for the beneficial effects to abolish my negative energy. The headache, cramps and backaches seemed to diminish; only a minimum of pain lingered on my nerves, the elixir clouding my grief. My eyes closed, licking my lips from the sweet taste as I focused back on Axel who was still observing another part of the area, the elixir vanishing from my hand. "And don't tell me to shut up."

"I'll tell you whatever I feel like telling you," Axel said, his expression changing from dullness as he turned back to me, a smirk now on his face that seemed he didn't want to show. I placed my hands on my hips as my legs shifted, one brow up and the other lowered. "Axel don't make me feel more stressed than I already am," I said, my head starting to pound again. "And if I could I would puke on you." And that is no joke; if my head kept hurting the way it did earlier I could literally puke.

For a second his grinning face became stiff, and then he let out a sigh, rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms, gazing away. "Okay sorry sheesh." He then scratched his head, his expression turning into an irritated pout like he was at a lost of words. "How come it's always me saying 'sorry'?" he mumbled, looking back towards me as he petted my head with his hand, a mild reluctance in his effort. I raised my finger about to respond to the obvious answer before he interrupted me, stopping the petting motion. "Don't answer that…"

"Uh, eh kay…"

"Ugh…women…"

"Huh…Axel…" I groaned, hiding a smile as his hand fell off my head, gazing at his still irked expression. "I promised we'd find some food in the morning so I'ma stick to that promise…"

He totally looked pooped and irritated, though his body language didn't say that as he began to walk away towards the place we came from. He stepped through the bushes and grabbed my hidden bag, walking back over to me for me to take. My brows curved, hesitantly lifting my hand for him to keep. "Uh, can you hold it for me? My back still uh, sorta hurt…"

His brows grew closer together as he groaned, recoiling his arm back. "What am I you're servant?" I held my hands behind my back, looking at the sparse canopy above as I thought within a second. Yeah totally… "Uhm…"

"Don't answer that."

I giggled, rubbing my nape as I felt my face become warmer than it already was, watching Axel put the bag on his back in grumbles. I then found Axel staring at me with keen eyes, his expression still stoic and brazen like a statue; he was starting to freak me out, especially with his upset glares which made my body heat up. What is wrong with him? "Uh Axel what's wrong with you? What is it?"

"Hmmm…your face… it's dirty…"

My speeding heartbeat began to settle, squinting my eyes as I took a step closer to him to observe his dirtied face while he stepped back, his eyes widening. I grinned. "Yeah yours is to…"

"Oh is that it?" he said, regaining his posture while he cleared his throat, wiping both his cheeks with his thumb. I did the same thing while he continued on. "So, tell me already about that power you showed out earlier."

"Hmm oh right that…uhm…" I mused, tapping my finger on my upper lip, shifting my weight onto my right leg. "That power…it was like…being on air…" I said nostalgically, closing my eyes in memory. "Hmm, nice…" Axel said smoothly.

I nodded. "Mmm…yeah…but I'm not sure where it came from, but that voice I hear all the time…" I said looking back at him, noticing how his eyes were focused intensely on me in interest, sending my temperature to rise steadily once again. "T-That voice…it told me to use inner strength…and I guess I did." My head bowed partway towards the ground, still wondering how I called upon the power.

"Hmmm, heh heh heh…you're a special case you know that?" Axel said in small laughs. I shrugged, biting my lower lip as my face felt hotter, looking back up at him with hesitance with a grin.

"Yeah, so I am-" I cut myself off, observing Axels face that seemed hardened with a cold far off gaze like he was staring at something behind me. I swallowed, turning partway in his eyes direction. "Uh, Axel what is it?" I then saw it, my heart now mimicking jumping jacks.

What stood before me was a man, tall, lean and muscular in appearance with tan skin that looked dark in the shade of the trees. Clumped dark sandy dreadlocks that went pass his visible collarbone, all the while wearing a dark loincloth of animal hide as his sturdy right hand held firmly to a long pointed spear. My eyes bulged out, my breath catching my own breath as I stood still, observing his dark sunken eyes and toned muscles, my mind going blank.

Oh my gosh, there is a wild man half naked standing in front of me! And that spear sure does look sharp!

"Uh…m…" I gasped, my tongue twisted. The man grunted, taking a step forward with his bare hard feet. Axel then grabbed my shoulder, standing in front of me while I looked behind his outstretched arm. "Who are you? And where did you come from?" Axel said in forceful solemn voice. My lips almost smacked at his question. Duh Axel he lives in the jungle! Any civilized person would know that! And why are you standing in front of me? I'm sure I can take care of myself, especially since I just beat up two leopards, even though that man is sorta' intimidating.

But besides that I liked how Axel was showing how protective he was of me, which I tried to ignore given the situation at hand. The reserved man then did something I didn't expect my ears to hear. Within a moment the man opened his mouth, replying to Axel's question, "Tarzan…"

I blinked, awestricken. Holy cow he speaks! And it's English!

"I Tarzan…and this my jungle…" the man named Tarzan said, finishing his harmless introduction, his sunken eyes still focused on us. "Ahh…" I whispered, a grin growing on my face. Wow, maybe I should tell him my name…hmm…he doesn't seem savage or anything, or else he would have been attacked us like those leopards from earlier which were clearly savage… Even though he seemed standoffish, I sensed a gentle being from him, or it was probably me just being naïve. Either way I wanted to see what else he was capable of doing. Axel didn't say anything, just a moan escaping his throat like it didn't matter what Tarzan said to him. If Axel wasn't going to say anything back, I certainly was.

My heart throbbed, taking a step forward at Axel's side with a small grin.

"Hi, I'm-"

But Axel interrupted me, grasping my shoulder from advancing any further. I looked at him in defiance, observing his solid face.

"Wha-"

"I don't like this," Axel began almost in a sharp whisper. "I can't trust a person, a stranger who appears out of nowhere like this…especially someone who might be crazy."

"Uh…" If that was the case how come he came on to me so desperately when we first met? When we were both on that cliff at the islands…?

Whatever concern he had, it didn't dwindle me none one bit since he was sounding like a hypocrite. I began my introduction again, ignoring Axel's harsh concerns.

"Ahem, like I was saying I'm Deonna…," I said, brushing Axels hand of my shoulder as I took a few more steps up to the man, who seemed a bit dazed at my response, making minor movements with his legs. "A-And this is Axel…" I raised my hand at Axel as a directory for Tarzan to follow. And I just stood there, smiling grimly for a response back from him. It appeared as if the man was thinking, now gazing at us like we were bright stars, and then a smile appeared saying, "Deonna…Axel…" My eyes widened, nodding in excitement. "Yeah that's right Tarzan…"

I looked behind my shoulder at Axel, wondering what he thought of this encounter; his forehead was still wrinkled, peering away in opposition with his arms crossed. My brows curved, clearing my throat as I turned back to Tarzan. Gee Axel sure can be harsh…

But when I gave Tarzan my attention again he was already an inch away from my body, tugging gently on my spiral curl like it was a tiny tail.

"Eep…" I almost squeaked, my face turning hot again. Oh no what is he doing? I should just back away but does he know any better?

He was so close that I could smell the jungle on him and a bit of must, but observed his face and strong jaw and saw that he was indeed handsome. "Hmm…" he moaned, inching closer to my face as if to sniff my hair. Just then, a shout had both Tarzan and me jerk.

"Alright that's as far you're getting jungle man!" Axel yelled, grabbing me by the waist away from Tarzan forcefully. "Ah ow!" I yelped, finding myself almost hanging in Axel's arms like a rag doll, his arms gripping me above my breast where his arms now circled me. Tarzan snorted, inching back on the offensive. I peered up at Axel, my brows arching as I tried to get out of his tight grasp.

"Axel what's up with you?"

"No Deonna!"

"I can handle myself!" Axel grunted, loosening his grip on me as I jumped out of his arms. "Hmph!" I peered back at him, ignoring his disturbed expression as I looked back at Tarzan, confusion on his face as to what he did wrong; he looked hurt, reminding me of a lost puppy for some reason. I smiled at him with gingerness. "Axel he's innocent…" I said, glancing behind my shoulder at Axel and turning back around. He's like a little kid…he probably doesn't even know what he done wrong…but he didn't even really do anything wrong…

But when I turned back around he was just that, gone, sending my head to twist in different directions for him. "What the-where'd he go!"

"Tree?"

"Huh?" I then looked at the big tree that was slit at the bottom of the trunk, finding Tarzan climb up to the first branch swiftly like a monkey, even mistakenly catching a glimpse of his buttock on the way up. Oh wow…He then put something down on the branch, quickly observing the area like a bird. He had to be at least twenty-five feet up in that tree and I felt astounded at how a regular human being could just climb up a tree like it was nothing with such swiftness. No doubt was this man raised in this jungle, and to a certain degree I felt inspired somehow.

"Wow Tarzan is awesome," I said in wonder as I clasped my hands together, feeling like I was turning into a fan of the jungle man.

Axel snorted. "Pfft cha wah? He's nothing special even I can climb up a tree like that!"

"Ha! Yeah right, not like that, not that fast. Please, don't hate on the jungle man…" I countered, peering at Axel and looking back at Tarzan.

"Pfft why would I hate on a man who climbs trees like a monkey?"

Tarzan than spoke, speaking loud for us to hear. "Heartless been here!"

My brows twisted, wondering how he figured that out. "Uh yeah, how'd you know that Tarzan?"

To my surprise Axel asked along with me as he stepped up to my left, his sarcasm on the down low as he gestured his hand. "Interesting, how'd you come to that realization?"

With that Tarzan jumped from the tree to ground level on his knuckles like an ape, leaving me grinning. He walked up to us using his knuckles like front feet on a monkey, speaking when he stopped a foot away from our feet. "Gorilla tell me heartless was here, so I investigate area for them…"

"Oh?" Axel asked, a mischievous tone in his voice. I glanced at him, shaking my head at him in annoyance. "The monkey told you that? You're saying you can talk to primates?"

"Yes," Tarzan replied, scratching his head.

"Hmm…" Axel leaned forward as to examine Tarzan more closely, then arched back upright, crossing his arms with his hand to his chin. "I guess that would make sense…"

"Pfft Axel…" I miffed, rolling my eyes. I know why Axel said that only because Tarzan acts like a monkey in a few ways, but even I had to agree with that one…

"Uhm, where do you stay Tarzan? Do you know where we can find food?" I asked, leaning over my knees at him. Tarzan grunted, nodding. "Yes, I will take you to my home," he said, turning around, walking forward on his knuckles. "If it is help you need me and my family will gladly help, Jane know what to do…"

"Huh? Jane?" I asked, wondering what I heard was a girl name. Tarzan twisted his upper body in our direction, his head nodding once again. "Yes, my wife…"

"Eh? Wife?" Axel asked in bafflement, his arms still crossed. My brows rose, slightly confused and shocked as well. Wow, married, interesting…that was least expecting…but still a girl who lives in the jungle, finally someone who understands my pain!

"A girl here? Please take me to her Tarzan…" I begged, walking towards him as I felt bits of pain swell my insides. Tarzan brows rose at me with curiosity, examining me in a way as he replied, "Uh yes…and food you will eat…"

I looked at Axel with a grin, finding Axel smiling along as well. Awesome we hit the jackpot…

Tarzan then broke our gaze, speaking to me in worry. "You hurt…"

"Huh? Uhm…" My body spun back towards Tarzan who was now standing, observing me attentively for a reply while I stared at his squinted grey eyes. Wow he sure has a strong gaze…

"Gee, well not really, not anymore, but I'll be fine thanks…" I said with reassurance, scratching my earlobe, pondering how he knew I was in a way hurt. Tarzan grunted again, shaking his head. "My home is not that far, but I sense you should be carried there…"

Just then I felt my heart go 'Ba-Dump!' my face experiencing a tingling sensation. "Uh wha-you don't have to…?" I said, glancing at the ground, feeling my arm pits sweat. Tarzan knelt down, crouching over in front of me.

Huh?

He turned his head around, a small smile on his face. "Please, we get there faster this way…"

"Uhmmm…" I moaned as my finger reached my lip, glancing over at Axel for his expression; his lip was in a fine line, shrugging at me as if he didn't mind with his nonchalant eyes. "Uh heh heh…okay…?" I said with unsureness, looking back at Tarzan with a wayward smile. "Okay Tarzan…if you insist…"

Tarzan then made a monkey sound as if pleased, turning his head around for me to get on as he stood up half way, noticing how his back was slightly arched forward. Hmmm, probably from walking like an ape…

I gulped, standing on my tiptoes, grasping his neck that was covered with thick dry dreadlocks, his skin partially covered in sweat. Wow how interesting will this be…just what I wanted to do, get on the back of a sweaty ape man, well it's better than walking I'm sure…

By then, I was now on Tarzan's back, all the while smelling the scent of blueberries off of him. Quietly, I was grinning to myself, admiring Tarzan's gallant trait. "Tarzan you're such a gentleman…" I said, gazing back at Axel who appeared to be blank in the face, his standing position stiff as he gazed on. I could have laughed but didn't, but just continued on with my teasing. "Unlike another person I know…"

Axel's wide eyes blinked, retorting to my frivolous wit in a defiant manner as he sunk his chin to his chest. "Hmph, y'know I can be a valiant guy when I want to be…so don't make it seem like I ain't…"

"Hmm thank you…" Tarzan said, making me give him my attention again. "No problem it's only the truth." Axel scoffed, mumbling loud enough for me to hear. "Pfft you don't even know him…" Shut up Axel!

"Hmph at least on my first encounter with him I have a feeling of trust, unlike the first time I met a certain red-head…"

Silence.

I smirked. Ha ha! Victory is mine once again!

"Ahem, where did you say your home was again Tarzan?" Tarzan moaned, pointing his finger ahead of us. "West…"

"Ah okay uhm-"

Tarzan than gripped my legs, tightening his hold on me. "Hang on…"

"Uh yea?"

Before I knew it Tarzan was running, running like a panther towards the tree he came down from as the gush of wind blew past my face. "Wh-oa..!" Tarzan was breathing hard, climbing up the big tree with me on top of him like a cub. Ah no! Please don't drop me! What is he doing! My eyes were closed with my face buried between his shoulder blades when he stopped. With reluctance, I brought my face off of him and looked down, amazed at how far off the ground I was and at how quick Tarzan was in doing that stunt; well I have been higher, the only time I didn't mind was when there was water at the bottom, and there was nothing of that nature, just hard core ground. My eyes spotted Axel down below, his hands on his hips as he gazed back up at us with narrowed eyes. My lips smiled, waving at him like I was on a Merry-Go-Round while I perched my legs on the thick greenish branch like I was a bird, all the while balancing myself. "Hey Axel!"

Axel then smirked, waving at me with two fingers. "Hey how's the weather up there!"

"Ah!" I sighed, raising my head up and then down with my eyes closed, absorbing more of the humidity in the air which I wasn't exactly fond of. "Just great! And you don't look so tall anymore yourself! You're like a red ant that could be stepped on!"

"Heh, I fail to see the humor in that!" I giggled to myself, grasping onto Tarzan once again for him to take me away. Heh heh, Axel's so cute…

What I thought when Tarzan said he would carry me to his home I figured we would do it by foot; it didn't cross my mind that he would deliberately swing me with him in the trees to get there. When he first climbed up that tree with me on his back I didn't know what he was doing, until he jumped for a vine while I was having heart palpitations in his arms. It was something I had to discipline myself to get used to since it was much faster in away just like Tarzan said, while Axel had to run to keep up with us like a dog. Honestly I was scared for my life, hoping, praying that Tarzan wouldn't drop me to the jungle floor, but a tingly bit of entertainment seeped through me that reminded me of the sensation of diving into a pond or a river; scary fun I would call it. We soon made it to Tarzan's place, not really sure what to expect but a village type of region, not a place where yellow tents were set up and human hardware all around.

"Ah whoa…" I gawked, observing the dense area of human equipment scattered about, a bowel with tall cliffs façade around the camp while a giant house nested in the palm of the massive tree beside the campsite. Okay I was totally not expecting this…

"Hmm, seems like jungle man's more advanced than we thought…" Axel said who was now standing at my side. I grinned, walking up to a counter of metallic pots and papers splayed underneath, observing the written handwriting that seemed unreadable in its curving style of writing. My eyes squinted, leaning over more closely for better comprehension. "Hey what you doin'?"

"Uh, just trying to read what this says…"

"Huh? Let's see…" Axel said as he slid his hand under my chin, tugging on the paper underneath the pot and whipping it up to his face. I looked up on his folded arm, trying to get a better look as well. "What's it say?"

Axel moved the paper out of his face, his eyes slit. "Uhm…the language is weird…it's too fancy for my eyes." He then gave me the paper, scratching his head. "Why you so interested anyway?" Axel asked, walking over to a machine on my left with buttons like a piano, fidgeting with the machine like a little kid. "What you're not interested in the different culture of a social group?" I asked, overlooking the handwriting that was actually cursive that appeared all scrunched up together, even my eyes finding it unreadable. Hehe, Axel can't read cursive…but then again this is not no ordinary cursive either…

He then looked up from playing with the machine, his head rising to the air in thought. "Huh…hmmm well I've had my share of recon once in my life…"

"Huh?"

Axel shook his head, waving his hand at me to come closer. "C'mere check this baby out."

"Huh? What is it?" He shrugged as I got closer, glancing back at the machine. The mechanism was metallic with a few rows of small buttons that projected from its bottom in the front and an elongated pole on top that was attached to two arched connectors of some sort that connected back to the machine. My brows contorted, touching the warm machine, my fingers falling upon the buttons gently. "Hmm…wonder what this thing is…"

"I don't know what it is, but it makes sound," Axel said, moving my hand away for him to play it like a piano, the pole sliding with every sound it made. "Tic tic tic tic tic ding!" Then the pole went back across the machine. My eyes shot open. "Axel leave it alone you might have messed something up!"

"Hmm…" he then looked away from the machine, walking pass me on my right towards a layer of yellow material that went overhead like a bridge while two hunks of sticks holding it up like tent. "I was getting bored anyway…where's that Tarzan guy anyway?"

Looking for Jane right? That's why he left us here…

Axel spoke to soon. "Oh you were right Tarzan we do have visitors…" a woman's voice said.

Huh? I turned from the machine, looking for the voice of the woman. I looked in Axel's direction, finding my target that was standing in front of Axel where Tarzan also stood, sitting on his knuckles. Hmm there she is…I thought, walking towards their standing positions as I caught a glimpse of messy brunette hair from the woman's head. "Hi, the name's Axel. Got it memorized?" I heard Axel say when I got there, standing on his left side as I observed the woman's features; she was a fair skin woman with dark blue eyes and thin red lips. Her messy yellow blouse went well with her long green peasant skirt and unkempt long brown hair, her feet bare and dirty like Tarzan's, her height only a about three inches above me. Hmmm, she certainly seems more civilized than Tarzan. How's that? Was she raised in the jungle to? Probably not…so I wonder how the two of them met… I smiled to myself. But besides that I can finally ask her for some pain killers now! She must have some since she lives in the jungle and have found a way to endure menstruation!

The woman nodded at Axel with a smile who then stared at me, her smile unwavering and pleasant. "Hello my dear," she greeted, extending a rough hand towards me, "I'm Jane Porter but you can call me Jane." Her voice had a certain accent to it that sounded innocent and nice, striking my interest with a smile. "Hello I'm Deonna," I said, shaking her hand. Jane then took a breath of relaxation, clasping her hands together with an exciting shriek as she spoke.

"Alright! Where are you two from? Another world I presume?" she asked. "Uh…" I scratched my head, wondering how all these people knew of the different worlds we went to. Axel chuckled, crossing his arms. "Obvious ain't it?"

She nodded. "Yes indeed, ah…it's so nice to have someone else to talk to in this jungle and to learn of where there from…" she said in a dreamy way, holding her skirt as she swayed in mild spins. I giggled while Axel agreed. "Yeah, being in isolation can sorta' make a person crazy and lonely huh?"

My lips smirked, nudging his shoulder as I replied. "Yeah, somebody like you…" referring to how lonely Axel was before he met me. Axel grunted, laying his hand in my face as a nuisance to irritate me. My ears heard giggling from Jane as I pried his hand off my face, holding it as I asked Jane my most desperate question. "Mrs. Jane, do you have any painkillers? Something to ease my aches and stuff?" Before it all comes back on me like falling bricks? "Uhm…" she mused, her brows curving as she tapped her finger on her lip, placing her other hand on her hip. "Painkillers? You mean…?"

"Like medicine for that 'time of the month'." Jane's lips opened, nodding her head as to catch my drift. "Ohh that you mean…" she said as she observed me with tender eyes with an understanding smile, gripping my left shoulder as to bring me closer to her. "Of course I do Deonna, herbs should work for you, wouldn't leave England without them that's for sure," she guaranteed. I nodded, pondering what 'England' was.

"But first you two should eat and then I'll ask you my questions…and if you have any I'll answer them the best way I can."

Yeah, I got a few to spare…

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