A familiar place [Axel]

[Aqua]

Radiant Garden....

Oh, how so much had changed in ten years...

Ten years, it has been years since she saw the sunlight... In a realm wrapped in darkness- it was a hellish prison with no chance of escape... And yet she did, unaware if two other occupants escaped- Aqua wasn't quite sure, but prayed that they did...

Her musings were cut short as she felt a drop of water on her nose, blinking she looked up as more rain accompioned it, before the Keyblade Master realized it a downpour rained down from the heavens.

People began to scramble for shelter leaving Aqua standing in the rain alone being soaked to the bone. Aqua attempted to find cover however the winds and rain nearly blinded her- as she pushed through the storm she noticed a figure... Tall and slendor with xpiked up hair. Or from what Aqua could see- thinking back she thought that this person in the rain was familiar- but that was impossible- right?

Not one to leave someone standing in the rain (literally) Aqua ambled through the heavy rain in an attempt to reach the person, hoping for the person to notice herm she shouted over the howling winds. "Hello! Can you hear me?!"

[Axel]

When the Ocean's Rose To Your Smile

It was strange, to say the least. Walking once more through the tired city. The giant castle that stood above it, gave off a foreboding feeling, one that Axel, even as a human, could never quite get used to. Whether it is rain, cloud or sun, Radiant Garden always filled him with some form of dread, before and after his transformation. It was strange, that whenever he tried to remember how he became a nobody, that time has been forgotten. The only time Axel could ever conjure anything up from those moments, had knocked him out, leaving the muted sounds of shouting. The words were inaudible, a mixture or screams and the lingering feeling of losing someone. That emotion scared Axel, because it seemed to feel different than the others. Any other emotion he felt wasn't the true thing, rather the 'memory' of it. When he actually remembers that inaudible sounds, to him it feels like real fear is gripping his body. That fear had come again, as he stood hood up and hands grabbing desperately at his coat. His skin rippled with Goosebumps, rising and falling like a large ocean.

Each breath Axel took was short, gasping, as if there wasn't enough air to fill his lungs. Around him no one took notice, rather they kept walking past, crowded against his body, causing this sudden claustrophobia to grow. One bumped into him, causing his hood to fall from his head, allowing the cool rain drops to fall upon his brow. It suddenly brought him back to the world, brought him back to where he was standing, beneath the shadow of the castle. Dark clouds had gathered around it, the odd flash of lightning, arced across the trouble seas that let loose their watery bounty upon the land. The rain wasn't simple and nice, rather it came down like a flood, torrents battering the buildings, filling the rivers and drowning the cobbold stones. It rushed over Axel, fast and smooth, stripping him bear of this odd emotion, stripping him of his past. Whether it was a good thing or not the Nobody didn't care. As long as he could feel free in some shape or form he was happy.

Taking a deep breath, he looked down around him, while most of the crowd had dispersed for shelter, there was still a fair few blocking his path and making it difficult to move. To be brutally honest he didn't care. Rather Axel felt like a walk through the rain was necessary and an odd reminder of someone. She had never told him her name, despite being together in the World of Darkness for quite some time. He wanted to escape with her, wanted to be free of the enshrouding loss and save her. Was it because she made him feel like he had a heart? Or that she was the main reason that he started seeing the reason of not having one? Axel couldn't be sure about how he felt about the situation of hearts, nor could he be sure about how he felt for her. But the moment the World of Darkness shattered, and those heavy approaching waves came towards them, splitting them apart. The only thing that ran through his mind was the desire to protect her, as if no matter for her strength and sound mind, she needed someone to lean upon...

"Bloody world coming to an end"

Axel muttered to himself in a heavy gruffy voice as he walked with his head down through the rain. It had gotten far heavier now, already soaking through his coat and unto his untouched chest. As he walked and thought, Axel suddenly heard the sound of someone calling after him, turning he looked and instantly froze. Stood before him in the rain was her, the girl he had met, the one he wanted to save, the one he had just been thinking about. Of all the places in the Fused World they meet here, in the rain, ignored by the general populace, accepted by the weather. The rain dripped from her, yet didn't make her look like a wet rat, rather it added a certain feature to her. As if the water was one with her and it could only amp up the beauty she held.

"Y...YOU! H...Ho...How did you find me?"

It was all he could muster, whilst the rain poured ever harder upon their chance meeting...

[Aqua]

[sorry for the crappy post]

Aqua could finally see more clearly, the rain however seemed to pound harder around them. She recognized him even in the downpour. The red headed Nobody who she faintly recalled though could not place his name... Odd... she remembered Terra and Ven now she would of thought she'd remember his? Or maybe he never gave her his name?

Moving closer she tried not slip in a puddle, despite her memory loss her training still kicked in. Sh wasn't the most skilled in phyiscal combat (that forte went to Terra) she was acrobatic and nimble- thus she managed to evade any embarrassing slip ups or falls. Through the muddy and slippery terrain she finally managed to stsnd face to face with the familisr nobody.

"You- I remember you..." She almost started fidgeting nervously. "But..." Aqua brightened up a bit. "I think it's better if we talk OUT of the rain."

[Axel]

Little Things, Little Differences

He watched her, gracefully dodge between the multitudes of puddles that churned the earth so. Each one to him was a mere trifle, but to something like an ant, it was a new ocean. For a second, whilst he waited for her to reach him, he allowed his mind to wander on that one single thought. An ant, a solitary creature yet capable of working in a large system. How would it overcome the obstacles it could face? How could it even comprehend the change in its normal world with a few small drops of rain? Do they have a higher sense of thought? To them is this a moment of fear and strife, rather than joy and life? The rain fed the earth, quenching its thirst from the long days in which Sister Sun scorched it. With each drop came the smell of wet soil, a sign of gratification, a pleasing way to thank the Heavens for this new bounty. But for the tiny ant, could it survive the drops? Or would this hell like bombardment forever scar the life it once knew?

Axel's eyes whilst staring deeply at the blue haired girl, couldn't help but wander to the puddles surrounding them. Watching as each drop rippled their surfaces, filling them more and more till they connected with each other. A smile grew on his lips, as he noticed something about the rain. It seemed that it, after falling as single drops, alone and separate from its siblings, they couldn't help but be drawn together. It gave Axel an odd feeling, as if he could almost understand their process, and agree with their tactics. He was part of Organization XIII, and yet they each worked on their own, but somehow were naturally drawn to each other.

As the girl spoke, Axel's attention was immediately drawn back to her, his eyes restoring their natural look. She seemed to enjoy their reunion, but something was off. She hadn't mentioned his name, that and she seemed very excited to see him. Sure seeing an old friend is one thing, but it seemed like their parting had been for far longer than a couple of months. Also that moment of being nervous almost through Axel off, making him feel like he had done something wrong. With a deep breath he lifted his face to the sky and felt the downpour pummel his skin.

"You sure about that? For once....I kinda like the rain"

As he dropped his head back down to her a large grin was on his face. It almost felt stupid, that it was so big, and even Axel himself couldn't put as to why. However he felt it from her, that same warm feeling in his chest, being pushed towards him. It was like her essence was trying to force a heart into him, trying to make him whole once more.

"But if that's the case then alright,"

He shrugged his shoulders, turned around and noticed a shop nearby. It had its sun roof out, thus allowing for the perfect shelter. Sure they could have gone inside, however Axel didn't want to, not because he wanted to enjoy the rain, but because he didn't want anyone to interrupt his time with the girl. Allowing his grin to shrink down, he planned to ask her name, to finally put a face to it, and feel that their friendship was solidified. He wanted to ask her so much, how she survived, had she seen any friends since coming to the Fractured World? Quickening his step and taking her hand Axel started to move towards the shop.

As he moved his eye caught the sight of a small ant, riding the waves of a puddle being shocked by rain, on a small green leaf. At seeing that Axel smiled as he closed his eyes, refusing to look up into the sky. Why would he do that? Because high above in the space surrounding their world was a being who looked upon him and wondered...

What could a tiny ant do to her?

[Aqua]

It seemed oh so quiet- as though the world went silent and on the sounds of the raindrops were heard. Aqua was no stranger to quietness, be surrounded by it almost all her life. Even back in The land of Departure Aqua didn't get her first taste of the wide bustling world until she went through a ton of training.

No- she was used to the silence, for many it would drive them insane, for the blue haired woman it was comfortable...

Blinking lightly as a drop of rain landed on her brow she felt the young man's lengthy slim fingers intwine with her's as he pulled her towards an seemingly empty shop. The streets were all but barren now as Aqua noted only a few people were caught in the rain.

Ocean blue eyes kept a quick glance at the red-headed man in which only knew by appearance and not by name.

Names were important, they signified who you were, made you who you were. Names were also pointless- they were there to make you be noticed, pretty little titles that made you feel special or important...

Aqua cherished her name no matter how odd or simple it was-it made her who she was. Though without a name of the man before her she had no clue how to address him. Mister? Mr.? Sir? Or something more informal? In the end Aqua felt weird not knowing a name to the face, as feeling dumb for not asking him before- back there...

As they got through the rain which felt like eons Aqua found it hard not to question him- There were so many things she wanted to ask him! 'How did you escape?' 'Do you have any friends or family?' 'Do you know anyone I know?' ... 'What's your name?'

Breathing lightly in the cool moist air she finally after much thought decided to ask... Stopping she looked into his eyes curious, searching.

"I- hate to ask so suddenly, but I never had gotten your name... It's odd just making up names for you so- is there something I can call you?" She continued to stare a light smile on her face. "If it helps I can give you mine."

"My name is Aqua, it's nice to meet you again." And with that- she waited for a response...

---Notes;; Ugh got lazy on the ending x.x

[Axel]

A Shy Flame

It felt good; holding her hand...it was like fulfilling some form of a dream. In all honesty with their current situation and the fact they met, it did seem like one. Axel half expected the world to snap away into a dark void, his eyes opening to some manner of beast that fancied him as supper. Yet that wasn't happening, he could feel his skin shiver due to the cool crisp air, the water slowly making rivers down his cheek. The warmth growing from her hand into is was just as real, and so was the feeling that grew inside of him. Axel's memories began to flare up, a grand mixture as it always was, but he was able to make out a few; loneliness, excitement, and caution. It was strange, seeing someone he thought was dead, alive. Yet there she stood, walked and even talked to him. Axel restrained his grin, trying to keep it under wraps but failing miserably. As they stepped under the canopy, Axel's body couldn't help but miss the heavy rain that had pelted it. As he turned to look at her, Axel didn't even notice that he was still holding her hand, his fingers casually resting between hers. Had her gaze not been so...captivating, Axel probably would have noticed, but he couldn't help himself.

When she asked him his name, Axel felt the pang of caution rise, now overtaking the excitement and replacing the loneliness with sorrow. He couldn't help but show it in his face, his brow furrowing slightly, his eyes looking around him erratically. He was lost for words, sure maybe she only just forgot his name, but what else had she forgotten? Did she even truly remember who he was? What they talked about? Sure the time spent in the World of Darkness, seemed to be fuzzy in Axel's mind, but that was probably because he had practically been brought back to life.

"I...uh.."

He suddenly stopped as he heard her name. Aqua, simple, reflective, beautiful. It matched her personality, her eye color, everything about her. Axel's worries seemed to wash away all of sudden, whether or not he willed it he didn't care. He smiled as to hearing it, mouthing it quietly to himself, making sure he had heard it right. A chuckle was allowed to roll off his tongue as he looked back into Aqua's eyes, now also searching, hoping to find the girl he had met all those months ago.

"It's Axel, A-X-E-L, Got It Memorized?"

The Nobody couldn't help but sink into his usual bad habits. Whenever some information regarding his name or something came up, he can't help but spell it out for people. However he wasn't trying to be condescending, how could you take it that way, when he was smiling like a sweet school boy? Axel shuffled his feet, only then realizing that the entire time he had been holding onto Aqua's hand. With a start he let go, muttering apologies and looking around, pretending as if he had noticed something.

"I...uh....so..Uh...where did you go?"

It was a panicking moment for the Nobody, one which prevented him from creating a proper question. However it would have to suffice for now. After acting like a cat spinning around to get comfortable, Axel eventually found his position to stand. He was standing with most of his body facing Aqua, but still at an angle. Axel looked out down the road, watching the last of the stragglers take shelter, from the storm. It was a nice feeling, one that he was hoping, wouldn't end.

[Aqua]

[sorry for the short post low on muse]

"Axel..." Aqua smiled her expression bright despite the gloomy atmosphere. "Yes, I think I can remember that." She giggled at the Nobody's antics- it was... what was the right word for it? Cute? Yeah, he looked almost lost, but in a puppy-like way. But- why was he so nervous? It couldn't be because of her could it? Aqua shook the thought away before looking at Axel with twinkling amused eyes. However they soon lost their glimmer as she looked away silently her hand on her chest gripping over her heart as though in pain.

"I- don't remember exactly what happened..." She stared off at the city around them continuing to talk. "I.. remember the dark realm, and going off to explore this- castle of sorts and then- nothing." She spoke her tone exasperated. "I awoke and found myself here in this distorted world." She sighed as though frustrated but not at Axel or anything, but herself for not remembering the reason for the gap of memory.

Maybe it would come back to her in time? Turning to face Axel the bluenette wanted to know where he had went as well- she was worried when she had gotten her bearings and realized that Ansem the Wise and the nobody (now who she knew as Axel) were gone. "Do you- know how you got here? Do you remember anything Axel?" Maybe- if he knew, maybe they could piece together why people were appearing here and the worlds were being connected... And find out whoever had caused this!

[Axel]

"After the waves separated us. I lost consciousness...I awoke in a place called Midgar, horrible full of disease and death...”

Axel's expression looked glum, his eyes focused on his fist as he clenched it tightly. He couldn't help but remember how weak and tired he was when he walked through those empty streets. When his eyes met theirs, nothing happened; he was empty and strangely so were they. While he spent his first month in Midgar, Axel had thought that he had come to the real World That Never Was. But after some testing, he soon realised that rather than trying to command them to do his bidding. He ended up in the jail numerous times for assaulting and disrupting the peace. A grin grew on Axel's face when he remembered how stupid he felt each and every time he tried to control the people of Midgar. Axel turned to look at Aqua, noticing how frail she looked in the rain. He felt like it was his fault, removing that smile from her face.

"Afterwards I lost all hope, but eventually decided to try and right the wrongs I had done...so I have travelled all over this Fractured World..."

He broke off for a second...

"But righting the wrongs...seemed wrong in itself...if you understand?"

He guessed that she wouldn't, and wasn't angry at that. She wouldn't know what he was, or who he was. Sure they spoke during their time in the World of Darkness, but it seemed that she had forgotten most of it. Taking a deep breath, Axel sighed, watching his the air coming from his mouth turn into something close to smoke. He remembered the first time as a Nobody he saw this happen, and felt nothing. Yet now, next to Aqua, he felt like a child, curious as to how it happened. Looking back at the town, Axel saw a flash of lighting streak across the skies, the thunder soon following booming across the land. Signalling yet an even heavier pour of rain, this shook the roofs all around them. The sound was deafening to say the least, and really annoying.

"I managed to meet some of my...friends, apart from that nothing special really"

He kept his eyes on Aqua, wondering what else to say...

[Aqua]

Aqua frowned remembering the sudden rise in waters in the Dark Realm, how it swept up everything as the dark sea seemed to drag everything away. But after that it was a blur, she realized soon after awaking she couldn't remember much and found herself stumbling around searching for answers. Her brows furrowed she tried to imagine this place- Midgar. It sounded like a horrible place void of any light she inwardly shivered though from the rain or the dark feeling she got by the name of it she was unsure.

Looking up at the red headed nobody a look of confusion crossed the woman's face. Why would helping people be wrong? Even if you did horrible things in the past you could always try to mend and fix your mistakes. Quietly she wondered what this man- Axel had done in the past, however pushed the thought aside. The past didn't matter, it was good to reflect but not to stay locked into. The Axel she knew right now, as her friend was more important than the one that existed before...

Still- she wondered....

"I'm sorry.. I can't understand, I- I've always tried to do what's right. Hoping to save people from themselves..." She paused then continued. "When I failed with my friends- Terra and Ven- I felt terrible, and I never wanted to repeat that mistake." She looked up with sad yet firm eyes into Axel's bright green ones.

"There is nothing wrong with trying to right your wrongs and definitely nothing wrong with making mistakes." She looked away slowly eyes downcast. "As long as you try..." She spoke in an almost far away tone her voice distant as though locked in a past memory, as though she experienced something she never wants anyone to witness...

Her voice got quiet as she apologized. "I'm sorry Axel... I shouldn't act like I know you. I- really don't know you outside of what I learned in our past conversations..." She turned towards him and looked at him in the eyes. "But now-" She smiled gently. "Now we have a chance to learn more about each other again." Her smile started to fade as she looked slightly hurt.

"I wouldn't be a good friend if I didn't know anything about you after all..." As she spoke the rain pounded harder as Aqua absentmindly moved closer to the Nobody in hopes of escaping the wind and rain, unaware if this would effect the man in anyway. "We should really get to somewhere more dry..." Aqua commented as she watched lightning flash across the sky. The storm didn't seem it wanted to let up... Though it was odd... it never rained like this before in Radiant Garden- so why now? Was it something to do with the combined worlds? Was the weather from other worlds casting over to here now? Unsure Aqua had a distinct feeling that something was coming, unlike anything she had ever felt before...

She truly hoped she was wrong.

[Axel]

The Dripping Drops of Time

Axel heard her words, and couldn't help but smile. She hadn't changed, in the time that they have been apart, not one thing about her had changed. It was a surprise really, since everyone he used to know acts different. The new worlds, their wealth, their ability to stir some of the most lost emotions, managed to ensnare all of those that got caught. Hell, even Axel had to admit, he was different, he wasn't the same person as before. Then he was a mess, a man whose mind could only think about one person. That person, drove him to destroy those he worked with, drove him to betray people that had trusted him, hell even grew up with him. Yet now, after knowing that his friend was long dead, knowing that in this new world he would probably see him again, after finding his own feet. Axel became a person that was controlled, that made his own choices. To be brutally honest, it was as if for the first time he could act like a grown up. The thought while stupid did bring a smile to the Nobodies face. One that stayed there despite the hurt looks that appeared upon her face. It wasn't that he was laughing at her in any way, it’s that the person that she is just made him smile. Nervous as hell when she stepped close to him like that, but still happy.

He couldn't quite understand it, but the feeling he got, was nothing to different to the feeling he got from Sora before he died. That feeling of something taking shape in his chest, that the idea of a heart was so unbearably close he could almost act without relying on his 'memories'. While Axel knows he should steer clear of it, he couldn't help but be drawn to Aqua, to what she could do with him without 'doing anything'. He put his hand upon her shoulder and spoke in one of the gentlest voices he could muster.

"You never failed, failing would mean that you wouldn't have tried to do what you could"

He gave her a wink as he looked around, ignoring the ominous feeling he was getting down the back of his spine. He then suddenly remembered an old hideout him and Saix used to relax at, long before their names had an 'X' in it. Grinning widely he let his hand slide down her arm, taking a hold of her hand.

"Until this rain stops we have all the time in the world"

For a second he had the feeling that the rain would have instantly stopped right there and then. A pang of guilt overcame him, as if he said some sort of ultimatum that when it stops raining he is gone. What if she took it like that? What if in the seconds he was thinking this to himself, the rain stopped and he would be in a super awkward situation. Luckily for Axel, the heavy booming of yet more thunder, followed by even heavier rain, reassured him that this storm only had more in store. It was only then had he realised that his face was showing his initial worry, one which he quickly fixed with a stupid grin.

"I know just the place to go, me and....a friend used to hang out. It isn't perfect protection from the rain, but it’s better than this thing"

Axel prodded the cover above, causing a waterfall of rain to cascade down to the floor near the pair of them.

"But, you’re going to have to brave the rain with me"

He smiled as he walked out into the rain, his jacket instantly getting soaked. Laughing hard as to how cold it was, Axel unzipped the thing from him, letting it hand over his shoulder. The wet leather slapped against his naked chest and back, showing off the dark red with white striped shorts he was wearing underneath. The belt buckle on them, looked something child like, similar to a shield that Axel once owned. He found it after becoming a Nobody, and kept it safe, thinking that maybe it would help him get his heart back. Stretching his arms out in the rain, he smiled, wondering if Aqua would remember him. He had half the mind to see if she did, however he wanted to see if she could say it, the name he used to own. Looking down at his belt he smiled up at her.

"Like the buckle? It's an old shield I used to own, back when I was a kid"

He pointed to it, reaching out with his hand to take her to the hideout, while also looking hopeful, that she would remember his original name.

[Aqua]

(FFFFF- I'm sorry for the long wait! D'8)

Aqua couldn't help but smile at the red haired Nobody's words. The man found a way to comfort her without even trying. It was odd, but a wonderful feeling in her heart, as she felt as though a burden that laid on her heart was lifted. It was definitely a good feeling. "Thank you Axel." She spoke sincerely as she smiled watching him as he moved. She agreed anyplace was better than where they were standing currently. "Yeah, let's go." Aqua smiled. She could brave the rain with him...

She paused as she watched him unzip his cloak which showed his odd (to most) pants, with a familiar buckle... One that a similar red head wore... But it couldn't be? Shaking her head mentally she began to think she was just overreacting. There was no way after all... 'L-Lea?'

She thought her bright blue eyes widening in the dreary light. "Uh- yes. Yes it's interesting!" She blurted out blushing as she felt a sense of embarrassment flood her being, before the Keyblade master looked away quickly. "Um- so Axel? Where is this place you and your friend used to hang out in?" Hoping to get her mind off of her thoughts about a past person she questioned the Nobody. But it didn't mean she wouldn't confront him when they got there...

She wanted- needed to know if this was the same boy from ten years ago. And if it was- what happened to him? What happened to the boy named Lea, Ventus's friends? Here she hoped to learn about the former somebodies past... What could of happened to him? What happened then? Ten years ago?

'Lea...'

She needed to know!

(FFFFFF- fail post sorry x-x)

[Axel]

10 Empty Years

"Heh you okay? Not afraid to hold my hand are you?"

He laughed softly and smiled warmly as he took Aqua's hand, resisting the urge to blush himself and look away. In truth Axel himself was a bit afraid, but he conquered it, refusing to have Aqua feel his hand shaking ever so slightly. Taking her firmly, Axel smiled and opened his cloak around her, letting it shield her from the rain. It wasn't as good as an umbrella, the torrential downpour was still soaking the pair of them, but it meant that she didn't get that soaked, and she was kept warm. It was only then, when Axel realized how close she was to him, now that he had wrapped his cloak around her. He was still wearing it, meaning that the only way she would stay dry was up close. Whether or not she was going to move away, Axel dreaded either outcome. If she stayed then he had to try and not look nervous with her being so close, if she left, then he had to deal with rejection. Not like he cared or anything, but if felt like if she rejected Axel in anyway, then that feeling of almost having a heart would be lost to him again. Xemnas said it had affected him, changed him to act more irrational. He had, when he first met Aqua, thought it to be true, however, now Axel felt like it was some sort of excuse. That it denied who he really was, that he was some sort of 'broken' nobody.

"It's this way..through the main square"

Axel's smile faded a bit as he began to walk, slowly heading to the square that was nearby. His minds memories were racing, remembering all the time he had spent here playing, laughing with Saix. The thunder roared louder, the lightning ripped the clouds in two as the storm continued. It was raining so hard that even Axel was starting to get a bit scared from it all. He turned them round a corner, and there it was the large square. Axel, glanced down to Aqua, and could instantly remember the first time they had met. It brought back a small smile to his face, though it was short lived, as he looked up to the sky. He could tell that they wouldn't be able to reach the hideout in time.

"The storm looks pretty bad..."

He looked around for some shelter but he couldn't see anything nearby. Looking down he sighed.

"Do you know of anywhere we could stop for a second? Just till the storm dies down?...Though it’s only been getting worse ever since it started...I don't know if we should risk it...but the choice is up to you."

He tried to offer up a warm smile, but Axel was soaked and cold, though still adamant at keeping Aqua as dry as possible, and he was worried about the storm. Never before had Radiant Garden have something like this, and even without a heart, Axel couldn't help but feel a bit worried and scared.


[sorry for crap post, I hope you don't mind me taking a tiny bit of control, I can change if you want, I thought it would help progress the thread xp]

[Aqua]

"No, I'm sure I can handle it." Her tone was amused, even if she seemed worried about the storm she tried to lighten the mood a bit more. She felt his hands entwined with her's and could swore she felt it shake. 'It must be the rain...' She thought as she glanced up at Axel, as her gaze turned outward. She noticed that the torrential downpour was only getting worse and this only seemed to confirm her feeling of dread. What in the name of Kingdom Hearts was going on here? As Axel lead them towards the square Aqua heard the cracking of the lightning tearing through the sky and absently bit her lip in worry.

This didn't seem good for them to be out in, absently Aqua moved closer than before against Axel her hands tightening in his, as a form of 'safety blanket' to quell her sudden fears of the raining heavens above. She felt childish holding on for someone for support of something so little as a thunder storm, as she had seen far worse things than just a little rain and light.

Even if the rain was pouring down on them like a hailstorm.

Her thoughts were broken when they stopped and the fiery Nobody's voice rang out in the gloomy darkness. Nodding Aqua realized they had nowhere to go until the rain ebbed down... This only reaffirmed her desire to get out of this storm. "Let's- let's keep on going." She spoke with a calm yet determined tone. "It's better than be stuck out here, don't you think?" She questioned but it was more of a statement as the blunette looked up at Axel with bright amused eyes. Besides- Aqua was sure it could be worse...

And the rain started to slightly let up, if only the smallest of fractions.

It must of been a sign of good things to come.

Or so she believed.

[Axel]

Yea it could be worse, when Axel thought about what Aqua had said. True they could be frozen solid, locked in battle against an army of foes, or Axel suddenly becomes naked and wakes up embarrassed. When he felt Aqua's hand tighten its grip in his, Axel reciprocated, feeding back whatever strength he could. He wasn't afraid of rain or storms, rather the nobody enjoyed them, however the problem with this one, was that Radiant Garden never got storms. Sure it rained and once or twice there was the occasional streak of lightning, but it was never to this level. From what Axel could piece together from his memories as a human, he could only remember seeing lightning strike 10 times. One bolt every other year was literally about it. You could say that the fear of lightning dropped due to the numerous arguments Axel has had with Larxene, but even now she would agree that this was overkill. Fuelling his determination, Axel began to walk with Aqua across the square, heading towards the castle itself.

"It's not too far..just arou..."

Axel cut off when he felt his senses go berserk for a second. It had been a long time since he had gotten such a feeling. The last time it occurred was back before his death, when the worlds were filled with...Heartless. For a split second, Axel felt like there was a flood of them, as if they were raining down upon Radiant Garden, hidden in the clouds. He hadn't noticed that he was staring up into the sky, his face full of shock and worry, yet his body tense, and ready to attack. When he noticed, he kept that stance for a second more, just in case one of the uncivilised buggers decided to reveal itself. He looked down at Aqua, changing his face so that he was back to being warm and kind.

"A..around the corner! This way.."

He began to walk a bit faster, keeping Aqua close, waiting till she looked the other way, before he looked over his shoulder. The gates of Radiant Garden loomed ahead, broken and derelict. Rust stained it's bars, moss and plants bursting through its brick walls. The castle itself, was still looking beautiful, if menacing in the stormy light. It was strange, how the rest of the city was looking like death, but this one item stayed untouched. Axel looked around, from the higher viewpoint the pair had. Most of the town looked the same, however you couldn't deny the degradation in its inhabitants. Being part of the Southern Continent, it didn't escape the Mist, nor did it escape the unknown diseases and curses. The North had industry and war, the West, feral and natural. But the South seemed to have collected all the negative energies and worries of the other continents and fused with it.

"I..I can't believe it...it’s still here after all this time"

Axel's mouth hung open, a smile slowly starting to spread upon his face. The sight of the old hideout managed to distract his mind from the other matters, for the moment. Grinning he let his clock drop, meaning that Aqua would get soaked. Clinging to her hand tightly, he smiled back at her warmly. But it wasn't a smile she had seen before, this was an old one, one that looked better on a small kid than Axel.

"Last one in is a rotten egg!"

He chuckled as he began to run towards the door, only to stop, his laughter fading, his smile dropping, and his head hanging in the rain. Fear, or the memory of it, or maybe it was apprehension? Or nerves? For someone who can't remember how he died and became a Nobody, coming back to where he was as a human, was a big thing. Would he find any clues inside? Would he find Saix, sitting calmly and waiting for him? Or will have some other kids broken in, and changed everything removing his last shred of humanity? Axel didn't look at Aqua, but his voice, feebly attempted to string a sentence his hand holding hers, shaking, and the other touching the doorknob.

"...A...afraid.."

[Aqua]

The rain didn't cease. It was terrifying in a way, though Aqua had only been in this world a few times she was sure that this kind of storm wasn't natural for this kind of world. She wanted to 'eep' as Axel darted off causing her to get soaked in the downpour, but steeled herself a smile on her face despite the freezing rain. Then she heard it, almost as though it rang over the low rumble of the thunder. It sounded so young and childish. Looking at Axel's face she wanted to do a double take. His face looked so young and familiar!

Could he be...?

Running after Axel she couldn't help but yell for him to wait. She was worried that she would lose him... She already had lost her friends once, she didn't want this again... not with her first friend outside of Terra and Ven... Rushing up to him the rain making her clothes cling closer to her body, she boldly ran up the fire-based nobody worry on her features as she watched him. He seemed so happy that his old hideout was their-like he just found an old friend after so many years...

Then she noticed it, his childish and happy look disappeared and instead was masked with a look of a fear. Unsure on how this came to be, as just seconds ago he was laughing like a child, she felt him grasp her hand again. Like a child needing support scared of the big bad monster hiding in the closet. Though Aqua didn't see Axel as a child per say, it was just what it felt like to her. Grasping his hand she frowned but smiled warmly comforting him. "It's alright Axel. Whatever we see in there, we'll face it together." She reassured, she cared for Axel, she didn't want to see him like this.

Or she wouldn't be able to forgive herself.