All set and ready for a new chapter. Again, any questions you may have, I will gladly answer to the best of my abilities. I hope you are enjoying this as much as I am! The plot bunnies are gnawing at me!

Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me.

So, please enjoy and happy reading!

I don't know what's going on. Xemnas paired everyone together (well, mostly everyone) with their True Pairs? That's as berserk as The Puppy on one of his freak nights. Heh, he must have a good reason. Not sure why he paired me with Mr. Stick-Up-The-Ass though. Whatever, now's a good chance to rid him of those ears.

I have never before woken up in someone's arms. At least, as far as memory serves. It felt right though, safe. Familiar almost, but I know that I've woken to an empty bed surrounding me all my life. Then again, with everything I was learning about myself, I couldn't be too sure about anything anymore. And the way I connected with Axel and had easily fallen and cared for him raised many questions.

When I opened my eyes, I found a pair of beautiful green eyes looking back at me. A smile curled onto his face and Axel leaned forward to kiss my temple and stroke my cheek lovingly. It felt like a regular pulse, the bursts of happiness that I felt coming from him. It made me happy as well and I smiled without meaning to. This connection was definitely strange and I was feeling eager to learn more about it.

"Morning," he spoke. His arms, encircling my waist, tightened and he buried his face into my neck. It tickled, his strands of hair caressing my cheek and throat. I squirmed a bit and felt myself glowing on the inside. A strange feeling, like the sensation of loss was being pushed away. Had I missed this? Was it possible to miss something you couldn't remember ever having? Then, the feeling of sadness, a pang in my chest that I knew belonged to Axel as he held me tighter still. "I've missed you," he said

"I missed you too," I said without any thought. The words had just slipped out, the voice of another me, perhaps the one that remembered this handsome face. Regardless, there was true meaning and I meant those words, even if I was unsure how I was able to. He was glad that I said them, I could tell.

The feeling of soft kisses being left on my neck made me shiver. And no matter how good they felt, how enlightened they made me, and how much I wanted them, I pulled away slowly so I could look Axel in the face. I expressed my question through my eyes, still trying to comprehend everything that was going on. Clueless as ever, I spoke, "I'm lost. I don't know where I am. I hardly remember who you are." I rubbed the last bit of sleep from my eyes and looked around the room.

The glow of the neon novelties was bright enough to act as natural nightlights. I felt a bit drowsy, but that was only because I had just woken. I knew that once the post-sleep was gone, then I should feel well rested. My only problem was that I couldn't decipher what time it was. The clock on the desk was staring at me, bright red numbers displaying a time of 9:22. That wasn't helpful though. I may have just taken a nap. It was only about seven or eight, maybe, when I had drifted off to sleep.

Normally I would look out to the skies to figure these things out. In Twilight Town, the sky wasn't the biggest help since it was usually the same orange-purple all day long. Over time I had come accustomed to this and picked up on the subtle changes that depicted the time of day, the sky a bit lighter in the morning, and darker with more blotches of purple at night.

"What time is it?" I asked. I looked over towards the far side of the room. I had taken notice that the entire wall was glass and looked like it opened up to a huge balcony outside. And through that window, I saw dark, night skies and the biggest, brightest moon. Its shape was like a heart. The first time I had noticed this, the time before I had drifted to sleep, I had stared in awe.

"What are the small pink things floating towards it?" I asked Axel, watching as a few of those pink objects floated towards that wondrous moon, closer and closer until they collided with it in a small burst of white light.

"Hearts," he explained. I felt myself fall into wonder but I figured I'd get answers to that later down the road.

Now as I stared outside, more of those small pink hearts drifted towards that moon.

"It's morning. I suppose you'll have to get used to waking up in the dark again." He chuckled and stretched his arms high above his head, yawning widely. "We should go get breakfast."

Breakfast. Why did such a causal thing seem so strange, so ordinary for a place like this. It was hard to imagine the other members sitting so normally around a table with the scent of French toast and syrup in the air. This seemed highly unbelievable and that thought must have translated to my face, because Axel chuckled and shifted, sitting up and throwing the covers back.

I found that I didn't know much about what had happened the night before. I must have obviously been asleep before Axel since he was dressed in simple pajama bottoms and nothing else. How had I missed the heated warmth of his skin? And wasn't I cooking the night before with him and his unnatural body temperature surrounding me, holding me all night? Questions, that's all that filled my head these days.

I felt the heat, a very comfortable temp, leave as he got up and out of bed. A literal cold of the loss of his body heat and a metaphorical cool of the feeling of loss from not having his arms holding me anymore washed over me. I couldn't help but stare, watch as he walked to the bureau to get dressed. It was just one of those things, a moment where your eyes are trained to one object and refused to leave it, no matter how many times you try to turn your head. I was fixated and I didn't know why. I wanted to curl into that body, to be able to have some feel of his skin, some form of contact between us.

"Do you need a shower first? I took one last night before bed. It's open for you."

He was looking at me. I was looking at him but at the same time it wasn't registered in my head that we were staring at each other. By the time I managed to snap out of this trance, Axel was dressed in his black leather cloak and pants. He moved to sit on the edge of the bed after reaching below to pull out his pair of boots. He was sliding them on when he spoke again. "Are you going to answer me or have you lost your voice or what?" He turned around to face me and studied me with scrutiny. "Babe?"

His one word really knocked me over for some reason. That affectionate pet name, one a lover gives their other half. Why did he call me by that? Why was I happy to hear it? Why did it make me want to smile and dance and bask in the glory of being the only one referenced to by that name?

But how did I know he didn't call other people that?

I think I just knew.

"Shower," I said, almost like a robot, deprived of feeling. I understood what he was saying but his words seemed to flow in one ear and out the other. My brain was shutting down, I guess. There was too much to take in. "Yeah. I guess I will."

I moved slow. His eyes were on me the entire time and I just watched the floor beneath my feet as I padded off past him. "This door, right?" I asked and pointed to the door on the far side of the room. He nodded towards me with a frown. I could see the worry wrinkles on his forehead and wished they weren't there. "And what about clothes?"

"You're things are in here with mine," he said and motioned to the bureau. "Underwear in the dresser, top drawer. Right side is yours, left side is mine." He grinned, almost cutely. "Choose either, I don't mind."

I didn't have a reaction to that. I moved by him and opened the top drawer. I could feel my cheeks flame as I looked everything over. All normal. Boxer briefs, not normal boxers like I had at home. Well, whatever. If I had to wear the same thing as Axel (would I have to?) then I suppose boxers wouldn't work the best with the tight black pants. The thought made my cheeks flame even more. I think Axel picked up on this and he was behind me in a second and grabbed a pair of black briefs from the right side. His arms were on either side of my body and he held the under garments before me. His body heat was extremely warm and close and I could feel myself loosening up, getting more comfortable and my body asked to lean back into him. "Just for you," he said and I could picture his grin in my head. By the tone of voice he used, he had the face of a quite pleased predator.

"Thanks," I mumbled and snatched them, balling them up into my hand. I ducked out from between his arms and moved to open the bureau. Standing there, it was obvious which cloaks were mine and which were Axel's. Mine were shorter. I can't really say where my hesitation came from, but I was slow in reaching up to grab one of those cloaks. The material was smooth between my fingers. But something about it, a sensation that crept upon me. It was like a ghostly hand, invisible to the eye had reached out and slithering along my arm, creeping higher and higher. I pulled my hand back and bit my lip, unsure about the feeling I just received.

"They're enchanted," he remarked and reached up, pulling one of my shorter cloaks down. He held it before me, like he was showing it off. "With the lack of heart, Nobodies seem to have heightened senses in other areas. A better feel for energies and such. So there's magic embedded in these so that our energies are highly suppressed, at least to each other. And also, they are essential in ensuring that we are not entirely consumed by the darkness. They allow us to travel through the Dark Corridor without being attacked by the Heartless."

My brows were knit together at this point. I understood what he was saying and now very curious. "Like, how well is everyone with sensing each other? What's the extent of their skill?" I had no other way to word that. And if what he was saying was true, why wasn't I picking up on anyone's energies? To be honest, I felt something since I first set foot in this…place…but it was like one giant garbled mess that made no sense.

"Enough that we would be able to tell who's energy belongs to who and where they are. We pick up on moods, though Xemnas and Saïx disagree with that possibility immediately." He bent down and grabbed a pair of black pants that were folded neatly below our cloaks and handed them to me.

"Why would they disagree with the moods?" I asked. I gazed up at Axel, knowing full and well what my face must look like. I was told by Hayner that I looked like a seriously sad puppy when I was curious about something. Axel looked pained upon gazing at my face and looked away, averting his eyes to the neon light above the bed. Open 24/7.

"Well, that would be because we, being Nobodies, have no emotion. We're blank, beings with nothing. Or so we're told."

I was told something like this. The day before, in that white room with that strange freaky guy…and Naminé too, she said something about Nobodies.

"So, Nobodies. Tell me, how are we um, born? I'm not sure I understand too much." I bit the inside of my cheek, a show of insecurity, but not clearly visible to another person. I looked down at the pants in my hands, the briefs gripped in my fist. A hand beneath my chin forced me to look up. Axel was smiling down at me but it wasn't happy or anything of the like. It was hard to tell just what it was he was expressing. I felt something heavy through our connection, like a major secret that weighed heavily on him.

"We'll save that for another time. Perhaps later today. I'm not sure what Xemnas had planned for us. Or you, more particularly. So go ahead with your shower, I'll be waiting for you right here." He handed the cloak off to me and I took it, feeling its strange sensation lap at me and run up my arms and over my chest. A shield, I thought, wanting to refer to it as something harmless. It was harmless. It was only a new impression that I would have to grow used to. Just like so much else.

I walked to the bathroom with small steps, looking out the back glass wall the entire way. More hearts, three that I could see drifted up towards the moon disappeared with a small burst. Another mystery to add to the list.

Once the bathroom door was shut behind me it felt like I could finally let out a small breath of relief and I felt my entire body loosen up, all tension that kept me upright gone. I hunched a bit before straightening up and getting a good look. Like the bedroom, the bathroom was very accommodating. Huge in my standards. With a long, marble countertop that held two sinks. Products were organized along the surface. It was like a married couple occupied this place, his and her products set up neatly. Only here it was his and his products. I walked closer and looked at each. My nose scrunched up as I looked at them closer. The brand names were nothing I've ever heard of but it was the same exact stuff that I used on my own hair to keep my spikes upright perfectly. How odd. Could it be that…was this stuff mine?

I sighed and shook my head. Just get through this. Don't be surprised by the small things anymore, just play along with it until you get answers.

The shower was big enough. All glass and it could clearly fit more than two people if the chance arose. Separate from the shower though, was a jacuzzi tub that looked extremely inviting. If I wasn't pressured on time, I'd take a long soak and someone would surely have to drag me out. And by display of how Axel felt towards me, he wouldn't be bashful in anyway of doing just that. Or he'd probably join me.

I shivered at that image; Axel sinking into the bathtub with me, hot water growing hotter with his added heat and bubbles floating around. It felt more real, like a memory rather than a pleasant thought. Man, what did we do before?

I stripped my clothes, intent on getting in the shower and out of here quicker. My shirt flew up and over my head as I tore it off. I unbuttoned my jeans, wondering how I was able to sleep in them last night. I glanced up briefly in the mirror at that moment and I stopped what I was doing, my jeans sitting just below my hips, boxers being shown as well as one other detail I had been too distracted to remember. Now, it was present, clear as day and completely colored in. XIII. It was there, on my hip, bold black lines that no longer looked like a nasty bruise. It was now a tattoo, etched into my skin permanently. I didn't want to think about it. I didn't want to know I was marked, that I really was number thirteen. This one mark, it was evidence, undeniable proof that I had, in fact, once been part of this organization.

Swallowing the lump in my throat I closed my eyes and undressed without looking into the mirror again. I shed my jeans and boxers quickly and hurried to the shower. My frustrated tears mixed in with the water drops that rained down over my head from the nice shower head that was directly above, hanging from the ceiling. I could distinguish them, taste their salt content on my lips when I opened my mouth for a moment.

I stood there, water splashing over me for a while before I finally let everything sink in. I was here, a place I was once before. I didn't remember it, but that would surely change, I was certain. I would remember, recall moments I had here and the faces of all those people will return with more definition than the small reminder I had yesterday when I first arrived. Everything will be back to normal and I'll function just as I had before. I had to, because I had no other options. Axel was the only person I had to trust now. And I didn't even know if I could trust him or not. Something told me yes. Past emotions, a previous connection between us. Whatever it was, it was there and it was screaming at me to accept him and bond with him. Because if I did, then everything would be okay. He'd protect me, for sure.

I got out of the shower and dried off with the fluffy towel that hung from the rack on the wall opposite the sinks. I pulled on the boxer briefs, feeling not so uncomfortable in them before pulling the pants on. They were snug but offered enough room to move freely. Lastly, I looked at the cloak resting on the countertop and picked it up. I didn't get a shirt to wear underneath this? Wouldn't it get sticky or something?

Oh well, I thought, suck it up. I slid my arms into the sleeves and zipped it up. The stings for the hood, decorated with small silver ornaments, jangled when I moved but the sound was pretty cool, actually. I loved the sound of bells, small ones to the large ones that chimed on the tower back in town. The sound reminded me of them.

With one last glance in the mirror I opened the door, feeling a rush of cool air invading the previous steamy room. I walked back into the bedroom to find Axel lying back on the bed, eyes closed and hands behind his head. I'm not sure what it was but I took noticed to the absence of his presence, the feel of him when I approached. That was one thing I liked, the feel of his warmth in the air. This cloak was suppressing that and I wasn't quite sure I liked it.

"All ready?" he asked and opened his eyes. He didn't move, watching me instead. He then beckoned me forward with a sinister finger. I moved to him, taking a step closer to the bed before he grabbed my forearm and yanked me down. I fell on top of him with a small huff and he chuckled heartily. That eased my annoyance and filled me with mirth. His lips sought mine and captured them. I had no strength to resist him, no will to reject the soft feel of his lips kissing mine. I was kissing a familiar stranger and I couldn't pull away. Instead, I leaned into it, feeling my half heart pour open, my soul searching for something, stretching and crying for his. My entire body tingled and my hands moved to grasp his neck lightly in hopes of keeping his head still and not breaking the connection. I didn't know what was happening, not understanding why I was so wholly enjoying this and craving more of it, craving more of Axel. I didn't….I couldn't possibly be so comfortable with him already.

He pulled away. Something truly was happening between us. As though being able to read my mind, he spoke, "Sometimes the mind can forget a face, the heart can forget a touch." He smiled and kissed me deeply. "But the soul can never forget its perfect match."

There was something so perfect in the way he said that. I shivered and he ran his hands over my back and up again before cupping my face. I wished that we could just stay here all day, to talk and kiss some more and just be wrapped around each other. I knew that dream was thwarted when he said, "Now let's really go. I'm hungry."

I moved off of him and sat on the edge of the bed. He moved off and ducked down to look under it, pulling out a pair of boots, similar to his own. "Just for you, madam. May I assist you?" He pulled off a British accent well and I chuckled. He looked at my bare feet for a moment and went to the dresser to get a pair of socks that resided with our underwear. He pulled out a pair of plain black (I was starting to notice a color pattern) and kneeled down before me. He looked up at me quickly and brought one hand up, grasping my ankle and just holding it. I wondered what he was doing, because really, I could put my own socks and boots on.

Then he tickled the bottom sole of my foot. And I screamed pretty much the most un-manliest scream possible. I struggled against his hold, trying to pull my foot back but he wouldn't let up. "Axel!" I wasn't even laughing. Did he not get that I hated being tickled more than anything? "Serious! Stop!"

And he did. Long enough to tackle me and pin me to the bed where he began to attack my ears. I pinned my blonde ears back in hopes that that would help but it didn't and he went on his merry way, fingers enticing my ears. I grabbed hold of his wrists, twisting my head this way and that way. I didn't want to hurt him but the guy was about three seconds from a knee to a very unpleasant place.

"Stop!"

His hands stopped, his fingers relaxing. He hovered above me, straddling my waist, his face inches from mine. The tempting lips that I wanted to taste once again, oh so badly were so close to my own. I felt my own lips part with want and I lifted my chin, trying to get closer but not making the first move. Then he moved his face, burying it into my neck and nipping at my skin devilishly. I gasped, letting go of his wrists in favor of running my fingers through his hair.

"I missed you so much," he breathed against my neck, hot air sending shivers down my spine. I arched into his touch, my movements feeling so strange. It was like I was in this position before, I moved so naturally with him. My head rested against my shoulder as I allowed him full access to ravishing my neck. But, much to my displeasure, it didn't last long. He pushed up and grabbed my hand, pulling me to my feet beside him. "Food," he groaned. I couldn't suppress my grin and nodded. Food sounded nice.

The dark portal opened behind me, completely catching me off guard. I was led, a hand wrapped around my shoulder to keep me close, straight into the portal. The darkness consumed us both and I heard the sound of it closing behind us.

The thing about these portals; it was completely dark. There was nothing but black all around, darkness being your only friend. With one exception. Your destination was the only light. Literally. The doorway out of here was a light that seemed to suck you in, draw you to it and it enveloped you and the next thing you know, you're suddenly in an entirely different place from where you started. In our case, we were standing in what I could only guess to be the dining hall.

It wasn't white, as I had suspected it would be. It was large, like every other room, and three of the four walls were glass, just like the one wall in our bedroom. And my expectations for the table were blown away since I was expecting a long marble table. Nope, instead it was circular with multiple chairs around the entire edge. And it wasn't marble, instead another stone that was more silvery in look. It looked smooth like marble though, glassy on the surface and I could feel its coolness beneath my fingers. The other, non glass wall was metallic with markings molded into it. The oddest thing was the keyhole shaped portal. I had this strange feeling telling me that it acted as a doorway. But it wasn't in the wall, the way a normal doorframe was. Instead it was set just before the door and the entire middle was filled with a flowing blue mist. That was the best way to describe it. I'd rather call it blue liquid instead, but how could that be possible?

The table wasn't empty. Demyx was there, munching away on a bowl of cereal. He looked up when we entered and grinned excitedly. Beside him was the gray haired, boisterous guy. The gears in my head began to clink and clank as I found the names that had magically popped into my head yesterday. That there was Xigbar. And right beside Xigbar was the blonde with the piercings…Luxord.

"Morning lovebirds," Xigbar said and laughed before chugging whatever was in the black mug before him. He eyed me with that one golden eye which crinkled as he smiled. "Aw, I see you didn't have a good time last night reconnecting. What a shame, little dude. I was sure that upon remembering Axel there, you two totally would have…"

"Yeah, so it'd be great if you shut up," Axel said. I glanced up to see that his green eyes were narrowed. Xigbar smirked with triumph and Luxord chuckled heartily. Demyx, meanwhile, lowered his head and slurped the milk in his bowl.

"Touchy now, aren't we? Maybe you're prudish, seeing as you didn't rob Demy over here of his cute little ears," Xigbar teased, seemingly knowing what buttons to push to send Axel off. I felt a nervousness pool in my stomach, feeling the heat of anger flash through the redhead. I gulped and had the impulse of taking Axel's hand within my own, thinking that maybe my touch could comfort him. My hand wouldn't move though. I just turned my eyes down to the floor. I knew that the annoyance I was feeling inside wasn't Axel's and I wish it would leave.

"Breakfast. Let's go get some Roxas," Axel growled out and took my hand, leading me towards that blue swirling portal. I kept my mouth firmly shut though. I had a good bit of words to spurt out at Xigbar. It was smarter to keep all of it to myself and let Axel handle things. At least until I grew more familiar with everyone here.

Just as we started through the portal, I heard the distinct sound of a dark portal opening and Xigbar's amused laugh of, "Aw Dem, I didn't mean any harm." It was my only indication that Demyx was upset and had left. Curious, that's what I was.

The portal led us into an industrial sized kitchen. There was everything that was needed, including all sorts of appliances, plenty of counter space and so on. The theme of dull colors dragged on into here as well, seeing as the walls were that metallic silver, lined with the strange patterns. And the counter tops, not to my surprise, were white, like marble. This entire place must have been styled by one person, or they didn't have many resources when building.

"What was Xigbar talking about?" I found myself asking. It must have been an unconscious reaction because the words left my lips as I was stupidly staring at the place around me. I followed closely behind Axel, feeling his radiating warmth surround me in this oddly chilly kitchen. He stopped before the large steel-plated fridge but didn't turn to look at me. Instead he sighed and I noticed that his shoulders hunched a fraction and I felt bad, like I had intruded upon something.

"It's nothing to worry about." He must have felt the need to tell me things, since he didn't stop there. "Just, Demyx and I had been partners before and it's not exactly secret that he's a tad bit smitten with me."

I quirked my brows and frowned. "But Nobodies don't have emotions," I said. It sounded stupid, like textbook knowledge. I scolded myself as he chuckled bitterly.

"Like I said Rox, the emotionless thing is completely ridiculous. Emotions don't just come from the heart." He stopped and finally turned to face me, a single finger moving to trace the line of my jaw. " We also have souls. And logically, brains which scientifically proves that we have emotions. Endorphins and all of that fun stuff." And he turned back and opened the fridge, sending out a wave of chilly air that attacked me.

Okay, so I understood where he was coming from with the whole emotions thing. I still felt unsure though, maybe because of everything going on around me. I was starting to feel anxious and nervous again, wanting to be back in the bedroom, or rather, back in Twilight Town where I was familiar with everything and I had no worries, just boredom and the impending doom of school.

"I kinda want something light. Toast and jam…maybe some fruit too."

In my head, this sounded strange. I couldn't explain the feeling, like I knew somehow that this wasn't a normal breakfast for Axel. I suddenly spurred a new way of going about everything and I decided to follow along with these feelings I was getting and ask questions or voice what I was thinking.

"You're normally a big eater, aren't you?"

We probably weren't ever going to get to make any breakfast with the amount of times he stopped what he was doing so he could turn to face me with some look. This time it was a look of delight and mild surprise. I blushed under his stare and felt him take a step closer to me.

The hand under my chin made me look up and his lips were on mine. I was easily getting used to kissing him, finding it as natural as any part of nature, like something that was just supposed to happen with no hesitation. And he wouldn't stop kissing me, not that I minded. With every touch of our lips, I was beginning to comprehend the fact that there was no denying anything. We must have been together before. It was so obvious, and it finally dawned on me, cemented itself as a fact that was to be known. Axel and I were together before, intimate just like we were now. The thought, so pleasant to think, sent shivers through my entire being.

"Your memory is getting better," he mumbled against my lips before smiling. He backed away and ruffled my hair, then tugged one of my ears. I wasn't expecting this move and I let out a small hiss, backed up instantly with a horrible blush and my tail bristling just a bit.

"Ooh, kitty's angry," he teased and turned back to the fridge.

I helped get our breakfast. Which was a strange thing only because Axel already knew what I wanted. "Grape jelly, not strawberry. And orange juice with no pulp." I was not expecting this and it freaked me out just a bit. I repeated in my head that I was here before and Axel knew me probably better than anyone else. Very freaky.

I was glad he decided to go with something small because, though I was hungry, the nerves in my stomach weren't making me feel too great and I knew eating something big wasn't going to help in any way.

On our way back to the dining room, I noticed Axel already digging in, taking a healthy bite out of the peach he had grabbed hold of. And as we walked out of the portal and to the table (which now held two more occupants beside Xigbar and Luxord) his peach was already halfway gone.

"Hungry?" I asked as we sat down, Axel sitting next to who I recognized to be Marluxia, and I took the seat next to him. The five of us, me, Axel, Marluxia, Luxord, and Xigbar were all sitting together, no seats vacant between us. Across the table, however, there was one lone member. The lone female, Larxene. Instantly, I felt the sheer coldness radiating off of her. And somehow, I felt like it was directed towards me.

"Take it down a notch Larx, the kid just got here. Don't scare him off." Marluxia had spoken, his voice somehow deep and sultry but lacking the intent of being sexy. It was the voice of a natural flirt, I thought, finding the hairs on my arms and neck standing just from the sound.

Larxene directed her glare from me to Marluxia and promptly flipped him off. She pouted angrily, arms crossed for a moment.

"The wrong side of the bed calls to you, doesn't it?" Marluxia went on. I could feel the smirk in his words and glancing over, I noticed the actual appearance on his face. The girl didn't seem thrilled one bit and her cold aurora suddenly turned murderous. But Marluxia didn't back down. Instead he clucked his tongue and shook his head. "You need to be a bit less angry. Xemnas might think you believe you have emotions." His last line was ended with a gasp.

"Fuck you!" Larxene pushed away from the table, hips swinging dangerously as she stomped to the portal that led to the kitchen. Once gone, the silence was momentary before broken.

"If you weren't her best friend here, you'd be dead right now," Luxord spoke with an amused chuckle as he took a sip from his mug that sat on the table. "That girl might as bloody well kill something. It'd probably help her."

I still couldn't shake the coldness I felt from her, the harsh look she had thrown at me. I was shaking in my seat, unable to reach for my food, unable to move period. I just stared down at my plate, so confused and disheartened, deprived of any feeling of comfort I previously had. And it wasn't until the hand on the back of my neck, squeezing gently, a sign of support and a signal that Axel was there, by my side to watch out for me, that I relaxed. The only one I could trust, the only one I had to trust at this point. I had to believe that he brought me here for the right reasons.

"Larxene is just a bitch and she will always be a bitch," Axel commented, piece of toast sticking out from the side of his mouth. He wouldn't look down and meet my eyes. His thumb, so warm, stroked my neck up into my hairline and down to the top of the cloak that covered me. On the inside I was purring with delight, my shaking seeming to stop all at once and my comfort levels slowly beginning to rise once again.

"It seems like it's been so long Roxas," Marluxia said. It took a moment to realize that he was speaking to me. I glanced up quickly, embarrassed by my late reaction and I nodded my head.

"Uh, yeah."

Real intelligent Roxas. Very smooth.

"Didn't think you'd come back after running off on us like that. Totally thought you were hell bent on getting out and staying out." Xigbar was looking at me with a lopsided grin, sitting casually in his chair with one arm draped behind Luxord's chair. "But, little dude, we did miss ya. Now I know ya didn't expect big tough Xigbar to say something like that, but it's true. We missed our resident temper tantrum runt."

I didn't know if I should take all that as insulting or as something else. I knew that I must have had a stupid look on my face. Most likely because I felt stupid for not knowing what the hell he was talking about, and because Marluxia began to laugh…loudly.

"It's obvious someone's lost. Now now Xigbar, don't make his amnesia ridden mind have to work harder."

Somehow this all felt like a joke on me. Not the best way to boost my morale, thanks guys. Mentally I sighed, wishing desperately that I could remember more about everyone and my time here. I was simply drawing up blanks, straining for something that I knew would have to come to me gradually, however slow and painful the process. I was overwhelmed at the moment and wanted nothing short of returning to a place were it was just me and Axel.

I felt the lips on my cheek first, then the nose that nuzzled the same spot. "Ignore the bastards," Axel whispered. He then nudged my neck with his nose, placing a soft kiss at the base. "And eat something please. For me? You need food."

I couldn't tell him that my appetite was shot and I had no interest in the food before me. But I had this overpowering urge to make him happy. So I picked up my toast and nibbled it. I could sense that he wasn't satisfied but it was better than nothing.

The sound of the dark portal opening caught my attention, as well as the other's. Out walked Vexen, blonde ears upright, long skinny tail flicking around. He didn't look exactly happy, not too friendly at the moment. He looked tired, in need of something to restore the lost energy within him.

"Aw sweetheart, tired? If you just came to bed at a reasonable hour, then you'd be well rested."

"Don't," Vexen ground out, "refer to me with such a term. I might have slept better if I didn't think your insatiable lust wouldn't get the better of you."

"I wouldn't even dream of catching you off guard. I only bed with the willing."

"And proof to your lie would be your disgusting hands trying to have their way with me. Don't expect me to be joining you in bed anytime soon and do expect to serve some repercussions due to your harassment."

Vexen walked towards the kitchen portal, leaving an air of annoyance behind him.

"The first night and ya already try to sleep with him." Xigbar shook his head as Luxord's shoulders shook with laughter. Even Axel looked mildly amused, as thought this were an everyday occurrence. I felt no sense of shock, instead having the impulse to roll my eyes and mouth a 'typical.' I kept my mouth shut, feeling better.

Marluxia rolled his eyes to the ceiling, doing his best to look innocent. "What can I say? For a man his age, those ears need to be rid of. And there's nothing I like more than stealing ears."

My hands reached up towards my own ears, the soft feel of them calming me, knowing that they're still there. He noticed my movements and laughed aloud, waving a hand at me.

"Don't worry, you're off limits."

"Damn straight," Axel confirmed. I felt loved right there, felt Axel's love and protection through the connection. Heat exploded from my belly and I couldn't find the will to eat anymore.

"Alright, so enough of the lovey dovey crap. We have a mission to fulfill," Xigbar said, standing from his chair.

"Whatcha got?" Axel asked, sucking a bit of jam off his fingers.

"There's been a heartless explosion. Xemnas wants as many as we can get. So don't expect anything fancy for a while." Luxord said, his accent heavy. He drained the rest of his drink and stood up beside Xigbar. "Mainly he wants us all to supervise it and make some appearances. He's hoping to draw Sora out so he can release the hearts."

"But he doesn't want us to fight Sora, does he?" Axel asked. He looked as concerned as I felt. I didn't want anything bad to happen to Sora.

"Avoid the possibility at all costs. That's what he told us," Xigbar spoke. "It's mainly get the heartless to do their job, attract attention and get out. All the while making sure that we'll be able to capture some strong hearts."

"Sounds…" Axel was either fetching for the word he wanted to use, or he let the pause linger for some reason or another. "Lively. Fun for the whole family."

The three plus Marluxia laughed and I felt like I should be part of that, laughing along. Maybe that's what the me who was here before would have done. Maybe that's what I will do, in due time when I remember where I am and who I was.

The dark portal opened behind us, the presence suppressed but still strong. An air of superiority was what I felt. I turned to look, seeing Saïx standing there, looking just as happy as ever. Xigbar and Luxord slinked off through their own portal.

The feeling of Axel's hand on my neck calmed me. Something about Saïx's presence was almost intimidating. Between the tight lipped frown and the eyes that seemed to hold nothing at all, I could only imagine that Saïx was just what all Nobodies were supposed to be. Deprived of being.

His voice was lighter than I expected when he spoke.

"The Superior wishes to see you."

Another one has been dished out. Hope you enjoyed, though there really wasn't much to it. I'm hoping to get into the explanations next chappie. And what could Xemnas want? Heh, I really don't even know.

TBC…