AkuRoku - I'll always protect you (part 1 of 2)

 The Heartless approached on all sides. I gripped Oblivion and Oathkeeper tightly in my hands, bracing for the attacks sure to follow. I raised Oathkeeper to strike when a circle of flames surround me, enclosing me in protection and not burning me. I felt the wind change behind me and turned to see him, The Flurry of Dancing Flames, slightly injured but still in shape to fight. Axel raised the Chakram in his left hand and said, "I'll always . . . protect you."

    And with that, he lowered the round wall of fire and began attacking ruthlessly. I did the same, watching out for him as he did me. At times, a Heartless would nearly get me, only to be burned to a crisp within seconds. Same goes for Axel, minus the burning and adding the slicing. This went on in a pattern for quite some time before a Heartless managed to avoid both flame and blade alike and struck Axel in the shoulder. Time came to a standstill as he fell to the ground, the flames and Chakrams having disappeared at the same time. The Heartless ran off, little cowardly bastards. I fell to my knees beside him and grasped his hands in mine. Even through the gloves, I felt his hands were cold as ice.

    "No . . . Axel . . . Stay with me, please!" I couldn't have helped the desperation and fear in my voice. My grip on his hands had gotten tighter as the tears fell onto the leather of his cloak. To my surprise, Axel had returned the pressure with equal measure and shot me a weak smirk.

    "Roxas . . . no need to cry . . . As long as you walk this accursed world, so shall I. I . . . I'll make sure you survive, no matter the cost, even if it means my life." The last words came out in a barely audible whisper. Tears washed down his face, having left clean tracks in the ash and blood coated there. I was lucky he was gripping my hands, for if he hadn't been, they would have been shaking uncontrollably, just as my shoulders were from the jarring sobs escaping from me. Axel grinned weakly up at me and released one of his hands to wipe the tears away. Said hand slid down my face to my neck and forced me down. I obliged, wanting to feel his body if this were to be the last time. I hoped it wasn't the last time.

    After a few moments of peaceful holding, I heard what sounded like someone warping into the empty room. I heard footsteps approach us and I immediately turned around, standing in a defensive position, my body and Keyblades shielding Axel's body. I nearly keeled over with relief that it was only the Superior. Xemnas looked at me in concern.

    "Roxas, we need to move him if he is to survive. Please, step aside and go back to the Castle." He said gently. I did as I was told and warped back to the Castle, not caring about the stares and whispers I heard when they thought I wasn't listening. I went straight to my room and plopped on my bed, crying myself to sleep to the sound of Axel's laughter echoing in my dreams.