A

A.N. This story has been in the works a long time. In its orginal form it was the first fanfic I ever wrote, and Axel was a nice vampire. Didn't really like that version. The second version was slightly better; most references to vampire culture were removed and it was going to be mostly set in the human world. And still I wasn't happy. Paticularly not with vampire!Axel, because I could sense there was something missing. And then I saw Hellsing for the first time, and I realized what had been wrong. Suddenly the whole story turned around and Axel became a combination of Alucard (of Hellsing), the sadistic side of Fullmetal Alchemist's Envy, and Saix as he is portrayed in "Sephiroth's Guide to Love and Deception" (with traces of both Ansem and Riku from "Break Me, Shake Me"). Enjoy!

Warnings: This chapter is pretty tame. There's only a slight bit of violence, and Axel being ever so slightly suggestive. But I warn you, later on this will get dark. Barely consensual sex, torture, S & M, bondage, violence, the lot. You have been warned. And if it is not yet obvious THIS IS YAOI! Deal with it.

Pairings: Ultimately Akuroku, Soriku, Zemyx, Cleon, Marxene (Marluxia and Larxene), MarluxiaxNamine and possibly other pairings yet to be added.

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, Kindgdom Hearts 2 or anything associated. They all belong to Square Enix, as does Final Fantasy.

The sun slowly drifted below the horizon as evening came to Traverse Town. As the last traces of sunlight faded from the sky a tall man stepped out of an alley, his black coat concealing him amongst the shadows already there.

Cracking his knuckles he took a quick look around while shading his eyes with his arm. Satisfied, he pushed the hood back slightly, revealing emerald eyes dancing with anticipation.

"Well," he chuckled as a cruel smile blossomed across his face, "Let the hunt begin."

Casting another quick look around to ensure he was alone, he took a short run-up and jumped effortlessly onto the roof of one of the second story buildings surrounding the alley, then vanished into the night.

Only a few streets away a short blond walked through the darkening streets, cursing his misfortune. He had broken curfew yet again working his second job, and his father was going to thrash him. His fists involuntarily clenched at the thought of his bastard of a parent, prompting him to take a few deep breaths in an attempt to calm down. Walking through the abandoned street, he started as voice rang out of the shadows.

"Well now," a harsh voice slurred through to much drink said, "What do we have 'ere? A pampered little brat who's all alone in the big bad city."

An arm wrapped around his neck and covered his mouth as his attacker held a small knife against his jugular, and Roxas began breathing heavily as the throat-lock reminded him of the harsh beating that was waiting for him at home.

"Don't go screaming for help," the big man holding him warned, "'Cause if you did you'd be bleedin' your little 'eart out on the pavement and I'd be long gone before help arrived."

Roxas shuddered as the knife pricked his skin, the bead of blood sliding down the blade causing memories of past beatings to flash through his mind.

"Now, 'and over your valuables all quiet like," the mugger warned darkly, "And old Jack won't have to hurt anyone."

The blond whimpered and starting struggling as the memories became too much to take, past suffering starting to blend with the painful grip on his neck. Starting to hyperventilate, Roxas almost welcomed the pain that the man was causing, the shortness of breath and sharp pain of the knife the only thing keeping him grounded in reality enough to keep breathing.

"Oh well," Jack shrugged, digging the knife into his victim's skin, a thin trickle of blood flowing down his the boys neck, "People are easier to search when their dead anyway."

As footsteps began to sound, the mugger clutched Roxas closer and removed the knife, holding it out in front of him as his eyes narrowed angrily. As a small break in the cloud-cover let moonlight glint off the blade, a deep, rich chuckle echoed through the alley.

"You poor, pathetic human." A voice murmured, the soft sound perfectly audible in the silence. "I would find my friends obsession with your kind almost laughable if it weren't so pitiful."

Soft footsteps began to ring out as the laughter continued, and a vague form began to from the shadows in front of them.

"Not that it matters," the voice continued as the clouds drifted back in front of the moon, recovering the alley in darkness. "Inflicting pain, I find, is far more enjoyable when the recipient is someone you despise."

Jack, beginning to suspect the stranger of wanting his victims money for himself, brandished the knife at the barely visible figure.
"Leave me alone," he called, voice trembling with rage, "I'm warning you, if you don't find somewhere else to stick your nose into then I'll be sticking you."

As the figure continued towards them Roxas started to tremble, and Jack's grip on the knife handle tightened.

"Yes," the voice replied, "You've got a weapon." Amusement gave the strangers voice a sardonic edge as he asked mockingly, "Are you sure you're not going to hurt yourself, playing around with it like it's a toy?"

Jack stiffened, then lunged forward as anger momentarily overcame common sense, and blinked in shock when he continued with no resistance, passing straight through the deceptively shaped shadow. As Jack stood there, gazing around for the source of the voice, a dark figure dropped from the roof of one of the buildings on the side of the alleyway, a pale hand latching on to his wrist.

"Hello Jack."

The stranger started to chuckle as he watched Jack tremble, and a sadistic grin began to spread across his face. Still laughing he began to squeeze, and as the mugger started to whimper, his smile continued to grow, the slightest gleam of moonlight shining off ivory fangs.

"Now, now, now," he chuckled, "Surely you know that it's not nice-" his grip tightened mercilessly and Jack let out a scream, "- to go around picking on poor defenceless children who are all alone in the night." tighten

With one last brutal squeeze, he clenched his hand into a fist and Roxas could clearly hear Jack's wrist shatter. The stranger let go of the mugger's wrist and grabbed the front of his shirt, and brought his mouth close to his ear.

"Especially cute blond ones like this one," he whispered before sinking his fangs into Jacks jugular.

Roxas just stood there in shock, watching the stranger over the body of his would-be assailant. A few seconds later the stranger finally let Jack's limp, pale body drop to the ground and looked at Roxas, pushing his hood back to reveal emerald-green eyes and flame-red hair. Wiping away the trickle of blood running down the side of his mouth, he gave Roxas an arrogant smirk.

"So blondie," he asked, "I rescue you and I don't even get a name?"

Roxas blushed and looked down at his feet.

"M'not blondie," he mumbled, "I'm Roxas."

"Well Roxas," the stranger said, walking into the shadows, "It was nice meeting you and all but I've really got to run." He gave a savage grin, "See you round, kiddo."

"Wait." Roxas called, and his saviour turned back to him quizically, "What's your name?"

The stranger smiled and gestured towards himself theatrically.

"The name's Axel, Roxy. Got it memorized?"

And with that he turned around and vanished into the shadows.

"Axel." Roxas said, trying out the name, and slowly, hesitantly, he began to smile.

Well that's the prologue. Comments? Constructive Criticism? Review or email me!

Next Chapter: We meet Sora and Riku, Axel walks in on Zexion and Demyx getting it on, and Axel's motive behind saving Roxas becomes slightly clearer.