Chapter 1
Memories Begin


Rain poured down heavily around the skyscraper. As usual, the sky was dark, a deep endless black the same black that all in the organization were destined to wear. A strong scent of heartless lingered in the air and Roxas was ready for them. In anticipation he flexed his hands, opening and closing his fists slowly, as if it had a purpose.
“None of us have a purpose.” He muttered through gritted teeth, “Damn Xemnas…”
Roxas had been sent by the one and the same Xemnas to deal with these heartless. Roxas hated his keyblades, hated the fact he of all the organization had them, but why? Gritting his teeth even harder he looked up the skyscraper, allowing the rain to fall on his exposed face.
“No, none of us have a purpose, except you.”
Dressed in his organization standard robes the red head walked out into the clearing and stood behind Roxas, who now, was grinning.
“Why, because of the keyblade?” Stuffing his hands in his pockets he faced Axel.
“No don’t be daft, Roxas.”
“Why then?”
“Work it out.”
Axel stepped toward the younger member and gently lifted off his hood. Roxas could feel the cold rain drops running down his neck and back, making him shiver.
“You shouldn’t be here, I’m meant to be cleaning this place of heartless.”
Axel’s face was so close to Roxas that he could feel his breath on his face, “I don’t see any heartless. I only see you.”
A shadow appeared behind Axel, “What like them?”
Axel looked over his shoulder, “Now that sucks.”
Roxas smiled, “I’ll meet you back at the castle.”
Giving Axel a wink he ran off, flicking his wrists he summoned Oathkeeper and Oblivion before slicing two shadows down the centre, dispersing into clouds of darkness. From the ground ten more crawled out of nothing, throwing Oblivion he took out four whilst blasting two more into ice. The remaining four pounced, but were sliced away. A similar fighting style continued for a good twenty minutes.
“God,” he growled, “This is so boring.”

Axel had teleported to the top of the skyscraper and was sat watching Roxas, jumping and spinning about with the occasional blast of ice or fire here and there. Secretly he wondered why he’d been told to go sort out the heartless, surely any member of the organization could have but Roxas was, apparently, the one for the job but it was all to easy for him. Xemnas had ordered if anyone helps the boy he’d see to them personally; which was the only thing stopping Axel from helping his friend so he could finish early. He crossed his legs and arms and looked like he was about to sulk when Xigbar sat next to him.
“Good isn’t he?”
“He can do better. This is child’s play for him. You know that,”
Xigbar shrugged his bulky shoulders, “I guess.”
“What do you mean, guess, of course it is! We’ve both seen how well he can fight why make him do this rubbish?” Axel’s hair was heating up and was close to flame, how dare Xigbar question Roxas?
Xigbar raised an eyebrow, “Watch it Axel, questioning Xemnas’ choice could be classed as treachery.” Shaking from head to foot all Axel could manage was a growl, “Now, now Axel, it’s not like you to loose your temper.”
And that was the final straw, Axel leaped at Xigbar, rugby tackling him in the stomach. Kicks, punches, fire and gun blasts ricocheted in all directions as they rolled about on the skyscrapers roof, biting, scratching until all dignified modes of combat were forgotten.
“Hey! What the hell is going on?!”
Axel looked up and bit his lip in shock, “Oh, err… Roxas, hi”
“Roxas get your pet off of me!”
“Pet?! Who you calling a pet?!”
Roxas thrust his keyblades between them and used them to push the two red faced, furious older men apart. “Christ, Xigbar go back to your duties and let me deal with Axel, ok?”
Panting Xigbar looked Roxas in the face, “No.”
“Fine,” Roxas spun and hit him across the face then in the stomach with his keyblade, “Now go; Xemnas will hardly be happy with you for fighting amongst fellow members again, will he?”
Going pale Xigbar nodded and teleported off the skyscraper, Roxas turned to Axel, dispelling his keyblades he put his hands on his hips in a, some-what, stern sister-like kind of way.
“What?” Axel was sat on the floor, starring up at the blonde with a big cheesy grin.
“Exactly, what was that about?”
“Erm… just something Xigbar said, it doesn’t matter now though....” Glancing from side to side, searching desperately for something to change the subject with when he realised Roxas was still standing, hands on hips, looking extremely confused.
Seeing his chance, the red head stood up and took hold of Roxas’ hands, pulling them behind the boy’s back. The blonde’s expression melted into a smile as Axel nibbled his neck. Wriggling his hands free he ran his hands through Axel’s hair, pulling him closer. A kind of wanting feeling aroused itself in both, a strange feeling that neither had really known, simply because, nobodies aren’t meant to feel anything at all…

*  *  *

Axel awoke with a start. His body was covered in a thin layer of sweat and his hair was stuck to his back. Sitting up he looked around the room. It was new, clean unlike any of his previous rooms to his memory. The bed was soft and he kicked his sheet off, which made him realise he was only in his red boxers. Raising an eyebrow to this he got up and surveyed the room. The walls were white, as was the bed. It had one window which was small and a single chair, on which was a very odd pile of clothes. Picking them up he looked them up and down, shrugging he pulled them on and was stunned to find them a perfect fit.
“Okay, this is all just too weird.”
Walking to the window he looked out to find a school yard, with hundreds of identically dressed kids, of various ages, running around below. They were wearing the exact same trousers and shirt that he’d just put on. Looking back at the chair he picked up the tie and stood by the window, putting it on.
“So, if I’m here, wherever that is, where are you?”

*  *  *

They were sat on the clock tower in Twilight Town, sea-salt ice cream to hand whilst watching the people below. Roxas was smiling at Axel with an angelically innocent smile. Grinning, the red head poked him in the face with his ice cream, leaving a blue blob on his cheek.
“Now, lick that off without using your hands.”
Roxas nodded, “Ok, deal.” Sticking out his tongue he tried to reach it but missed, once, twice, three times. Axel was roaring with laughter as Roxas’ face screwed itself up in concentration, eventually he got a bit of it off.
“Ha! Got it!” he said, grinning triumphantly.
“No, there’s still some left,” Axel pointed to the remaining blob, “See?”
“Well to be honest, no I can’t.”
Axel leant over and licked it off for him, which made Roxas blush, “There, got it.”
Both sat for a while in silence, watching the sunrise.
“Hey Axel…”
“Yeah,”
“Do you recon we’ll be able to do this more often, I mean, if Xemnas keeps up trying to work out what’s happening in Castle Oblivion? Seeing as he’s not giving us assignments anymore.”
Axel shrugged, “Maybe. Why, would you like too?”
Roxas nodded, “Yeah, as often as possible.” He smiled at Axel warmly, “At the castle, we never get to be ourselves, together.”
Axel blushed and looked away.
“What? What did I say?”
He looked back at Roxas and grinned, “Don’t worry about it.”

Back at the Castle That Never Was that night, Roxas was laying on his bed in his boxers, starring up at the ceiling, his fingertips drawing circles on his muscular stomach whilst the other supported his head. It was raining again outside the castle, he could hear it splashing and hitting the roof and windows. For some reason, the scene felt kind of familiar, as if he’d either been here before or, he was meant to be again soon. Sighing in confusion, he got up and pulled on his leather robe. Clicking his fingers he teleported outside by the skyscraper. His bare feet could feel the tarmac under them. It was cool and wet because of the rain, it was oddly refreshing.
A shadow appeared at the other end of the court yard. Smiling Roxas drew his keyblades as hundreds more started to appear. Feeling like he should do this he quickly pulled up his hood and stood in the rain and waited, but none attacked him.
“Roxas, what are you doing this time of night.”
Roxas jumped and, dropping his keyblades, he bowed, “Sorry Xemnas.”
The bulky man stood looking down at the boy before him, his long silver hair flowing down his back was soaked already in the down pour. “That didn’t answer my question, did it?”
“I was bored, so I came out here to fight some shadows,”
Roxas stood up and pulled down his hood. Xemnas looked like he normally did, tall and regal like the self absorbed fool he was.
“Ah, keyblade master, carry on with your training.”
“It’s not training sir, its boredom practice these shadows pose no real threat to me.”
“Of course not,” Xemnas clicked his fingers and vanished.
Starring at where he’d stood Roxas picked up his keyblades and looked around for the heartless but they’d gone. “Xemnas, what do you want from me?” he whispered.

*  *  *

Axel had left his room and was walking through the empty dormitory. He still had no idea where he was. He’d never seen this world before and, even though it felt like home, it was strange simply because he could feel warmth in his chest, a homely warmth, how he knew it was this he had no clue but that’s what his mind was telling him. Hands in his pockets he glanced at doors to other rooms, down side corridors and at portraits on walls. Then he saw a room that felt familiar.
“But I’ve never seen this room before…” he muttered.
“Axel!”
“Huh, wha-?” he turned, at the end of the corridor stood a girl with long blonde hair, also in a similar uniform to his but with a skirt not trousers.
“What are you doing Axel? Why weren’t you in lessons?”
“Lessons?”
She put her hands on her hips, “Are you okay? Or have you forgotten we’re at school still?”
“Erm…”
“Oh come on Axel! Have you even forgotten my name? It’s Naminé, remember now?”
“Naminé…”

*  *  *

“Axel, you’re to go to Castle Oblivion and find out what Marluxia is up to.”
“But Xemnas I-”
“No, Axel. You’re going tomorrow. Understood?”
“Yes Xemnas. I understand.”
“Good.”
Axel watched as Xemnas settled back into his chair. Roxas had watched the previous and current transaction with keen interest but was now starring into space. Axel shuffled in his seat, he didn’t want to leave him, especially now when strange things where going on within the organization.
Xaldin was now in heated conversation with Luxord, Xigbar, Demyx and Saïx about something, so heated a conversation that Xemnas thought himself worthy to watch. Sitting back, he slipped deep into his chair.
“So, I’m to be Xemnas’ little spy.” Axel gritted his teeth in anger. “I’m not his pet to do with as he wants.”
Roxas sat up, “I’ve got to go.” He announced, “Sorry Xemnas.”
Xemnas inclined his head, “Don’t worry, you may go.”
Roxas looked to Axel, “Come on.
Axel breathed out a sigh of relief both teleported out of the room.
They were at the Altar of Naught; Roxas was stood by the edge looking down over the World That Never Was below them. Axel guessed he must have teleported to that exact spot; he was getting good at this teleporting business.
“So, you’re going to Castle Oblivion tomorrow then?” he muttered, refusing to look at him.
“Yeah, I have too, you know that.”
Roxas sighed and spun to face him, “I don’t want you to leave. This place is terrible, I’d never noticed before now but, somehow, I’m beginning to see it.”
Axel bit his lip, “Rox, I won’t be gone for long, I’ll make sure of it.”
“I don’t care though; I don’t want you to go at all.” Roxas almost ran to Axel but he’d stopped short and just stood there, arms by his sides, hands in fists and tears in his eyes. “Please don’t leave me here alone…”
Axel was shocked, he’d never seen Roxas even come close to crying, nobodies didn’t cry, when would they know when to? They couldn’t feel sadness yet, here he was and, just by looking at him, he felt the same sadness too. He bit his lip till it bled; he had no clue how to deal with this situation. Suddenly Roxas broke out of his barrier and ran to him. He had to make a small jump to throw his arms around his shoulders but still he reached and he hugged Axel tightly.
“I’m gonna miss you...” Axel whispered, holding Roxas tightly.

The next morning Roxas woke up and almost rolled into Axel. The red head was practically cuddling the pillow, his mouth was open as he snored yet he looked so peaceful all Roxas could do was watch him.
“I don’t like it when people watch me sleep,” Axel muttered as he tried to roll over but Roxas grabbed his shoulders, pinned him down on his back.
“Well, you look so cute I just can’t help it.”
Axel raised an eyebrow, “Cute? I don’t do cute.”
Grinning, Roxas pressed his forehead to his, “I’m not going to let you go anyways.”
“Oh, I think you are.” Giving a wolfish grin Axel flipped Roxas over and kissed his chest, making him bit his lip to suppress a gasp. “I think I win this round,” Axel muttered teasingly.
Roxas growled, “Err, no.” With all his might he wriggled and squirmed and kicked but he couldn’t get Axel off him, he just grinned as Roxas tried. Eventually he gave up and just laid there.