Disclaimer: I don't own the characters from Kingdom Hearts nor am I making any money by writing this.

Part II—Aftermath

"I take it the mission didn't go well?" a voice asked, amused.

Three sets of eyes looked up to see Xigbar standing above them.

Axel gasped and suddenly remembered Zexion, momentarily forgotten in the confusion of arriving back at The Castle That Never Was. He untangled himself from the heap and took hold of Zexion, pulling him into his lap. Now that he was back in his human form, Zexion looked a hundred times worse. His hair fell across his face like a curtain and the visibly half was nearly translucent in the fluorescent lights. His breathing was faint, coming through cracked lips with a faint wheeze. His clothes were damp and when Axel pulled his hand away, he found blood on him. The source was a large gash in his side. His left side was badly damaged and Axel could feel the broken bones, a thought that made him shudder inwardly.

"Fuck," Axel muttered. His breath caught in his throat as Zexion suddenly moved around, his body spasming as he began coughing violently. His lips were spotted with blood. "Oh fucking hell!" He looked up at Xigbar, who stared at him one eye wide in horror. "Get Vexen! Get Vexen!"

Xigbar nodded and vanished through a portal. Axel turned to Zexion, who was still coughing, even worse than before. Even more blood spotted his lips. Axel reached up and gently wiped the blood away. A portal appeared in front of him and Xigbar stepped out, followed closely by Vexen and Lexaeus. Both their eyes widened, though only Vexen spoke.

"Lexaeus, alert the Superior." The Chilly Academic's voice was low, anxious. Lexaeus vanished without a word. "Xigbar, gurney."

"Right." Xigbar vanished through a second portal that remained open.

Vexen kneeled down next to Axel and Zexion and started examining the injured Nobody. Zexion finally stopped coughing up blood, but he did not appear to be breathing. Moments later, Xigbar brought a gurney through a portal.

"Be careful," Vexen said, watching as Xigbar stooped down to pick Zexion up. "We don't know the full extent of his injuries yet."

"Got it." Xigbar nodded and gently laid Zexion on the gurney. Then, he turned to Roxas and Demyx, who stood there staring with wide eyes, not really sure what to do. "You two with me."

Vexen turned to Axel as the red-haired Nobody got to his feet, now covered with blood. "No, you come with me. I need to know exactly what happened so I can properly treat Zexion's injuries."

Axel nodded absently, too stunned by what he had just witnessed and followed Vexen through another portal.

Xigbar pushed the gurney carrying Zexion to the edge of the portal, then stopped as he realized Roxas and Demyx had not moved. "Come on. I'm gonna need your help."

Finally, both seemed to snap out of their daze and trotted forward to follow Xigbar through the final portal.

They ended up in one of Vexen's examination rooms, the larger of the two. Xigbar directed them to a corner where they were to thoroughly wash their hands and put on gloves and smocks. They readily obeyed as Xigbar, already prepped, wheeled the gurney to the table in the center of the room.

When Roxas and Demyx came over, Xigbar had maneuvered Zexion from the gurney to the table and switched on the overhead light, bathing Zexion's body in bright light. The injuries looked even more gruesome and both Roxas and Demyx had to fight the urge to vomit.

"You're going to do exactly what I say, all right?" Xigbar said, his normally jovial tone serious for once. Roxas and Demyx both nodded. "Demyx, go over to the cart on the far side of the room." Xigbar pointed to the opposite corner. "The cart is on wheels. You should have no problem bringing it over." Demyx nodded and went to get it. "Roxas, take Zexion's boots and socks off. Be as gentle as you can and try not to touch his left leg. I think it's broken. I'll handle his cloak."

Roxas tried to keep what Xigbar had said in mind as he struggled with Zexion's boots and socks, but it was no easy task. Zexion gave several whimpers even in his unconscious state.

"I'm sorry," Roxas whispered., though he wasn't entirely sure Zexion could hear him.

Xigbar finally wrestled the zipper of Zexion's cloak down after some trouble and much cussing, revealing a pair of black dress pants and a white button-up shirt drenched in blood. Demyx brought the cart over and when he saw all the blood, his face paled dramatically.

Xigbar saw. "Go into the other room and get some towels, okay?"

Demyx nodded and hurried out. Xigbar rifled through the drawers until he produced an IV bag and a needle.

"If you don't like needles, then I suggest you look away," Xigbar said. Roxas nodded and stared at the opposite wall until Xigbar said, "It's okay to look now."

Roxas turned back around. Xigbar had hooked Zexion up to an IV and placed a breathing mask over Zexion's nose and mouth. Now, he was rummaging through the drawers again. When he straightened up, he had a pair of scissors that he used to cut away Zexion's shirt and pants, revealing even more blood.

Demyx returned with the towels and he paled even more at the sight.

"Leave the towels on the top of the cart and go to the waiting room down the hall. You won't be much good if you're fainting," Xigbar said. Demyx nodded and headed for the door. "Hold on." Demyx stopped. "Go find Vexen. He should be in his office." Demyx nodded again and vanished. Xigbar turned to Roxas. "What about you? You okay?"

Roxas swallowed hard and nodded. "I'll be okay."

"Good," Xigbar said. "I need you to get gauze—fourth drawer down. Put it on the gash on Zexion's side. Press down firmly, but not too hard to try and stop the bleeding. You think you can do that?"

"Yeah." Roxas nodded. He found the gauze and pressed it to the huge gash. It quickly filled with blood.

Demyx finally brought Vexen back. Lexaeus trailed behind.

"Roxas, what on earth are you doing?" Vexen demanded.

"He's helping me," Xigbar explained, looking up from whatever he was doing at Zexion's head. "I needed the extra hands."

"Very well." Vexen looked satisfied with Xigbar's answer. "Lexaeus, go wash up and take Roxas' place." Lexaeus nodded and headed for the row of sings in the corner. "Demyx, you may go to the waiting room down the hall." Demyx vanished without a word. Vexen walked over to where Roxas stood. "That's good. Keep the pressure on. I'll get you some more gauze." Vexen brought him more gauze from the drawer and joined Lexaeus at the sinks.

When the Silent Hero finally came over, he had stripped off his outer cloak and replaced it with a smock and swapped his standard Organization gloves with rubber gloves.

"I've got it now," Lexaeus said softly. "You can go to the waiting room too."

Lexaeus took over Roxas' position, freeing the blonde. He was glad to leave the room; the adrenaline that had been pumping through his system was finally wearing off and the shock he had felt was wearing off. It was finally sinking in what had happened.

He barely made it to the waiting room and collapsed in the first chair. Demyx was there, looking as queasy as he now felt. They were soon joined by Xaldin, who looked like he was in an exceptionally bad mood.

"Do you know what's going on?" he snapped.

"No," Roxas snapped back, not in the mood to be on the receiving end of Xaldin's rage merely because he was there. "As soon as Vexen came back, we got kicked out."

Xaldin collapsed in one of the chairs, exhaling loudly. Suddenly, he looked years older.

"Do you know where Axel is?" Roxas asked.

"Axel is being questioned by the Superior," a new voice said. Saïx stepped out of a portal, though all of them had been too distracted to notice. "The Superior wants to see you two immediately." Demyx and Roxas sprang up and followed him at once. They were surprised when Saïx held out a hand to stop them. "The Superior will see you one at a time, starting with Demyx."

Roxas nodded and backed away as Demyx disappeared into the swirling portal, followed by Saïx. With a light sigh, Roxas resumed his seat.

Not five minutes later, another portal appeared and Axel stepped out, looking immensely drained. He collapsed in the seat next to Roxas without a word. Xaldin scowled at his presence, but didn't say a word.

"It's all my fault," Axel croaked after a long interval. "If we hadn't split up…"

"There was no way to tell that was going to happen," Roxas interrupted.

"I still failed," Axel muttered. "I should have protected Zexion better."

"Zexion was the one who suggested we split up," Roxas pointed out. "And he was your superior."

"Zexion may have seniority, but I'm still older than him. Since I was the oldest, I had the responsibility of taking care of the rest of the group."

"We're all to blame," Roxas said softly.

They were silent until Demyx came back. Roxas rose and disappeared through the portal Demyx had created.

"Did you tell Xemnas about Sora?" Axel asked once Roxas was gone.

"Yeah," Demyx answered.

Xaldin lifted his head from where he had been cradling it in his hands. "Sora was there?"

"Yeah." Axel nodded. "He was the reason we were able to get out of the Pride Lands in one piece. He and his buddies distracted Scar and the hyenas, allowing us to escape."

"Xemnas was not wise to send Roxas on the mission," Xaldin said.

"I know," Axel agreed. "Things could have gotten even messier than they already had. I would have sent Roxas back pronto, but then I would have had to spill the beans."

Demyx was not as naïve as the others seemed to think. He knew there was a connection between Sora and Roxas, he just didn't know what.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, hoping to gain some more information about the situation.

"It's nothing," Axel snapped.

"I don't believe you. There's something you're hiding from me, isn't there?" Demyx said, shaking his head.

"There's nothing. Just drop it, okay?" Axel hissed.

"All right," Demyx said reluctantly and didn't press the matter further.

They sat in silence for a long stretch of time until Roxas came back through a portal.

"The Superior wants to see Axel again," he said.

Axel sighed and got to his feet. "It must be time for me to receive my punishment."

He vanished through the portal Roxas made, closing it behind him. Roxas took the seat Axel had vacated and glanced at Demyx. The Melodious Nocturne's face showed the same amount of nervousness he felt. Hopefully, Axel's punishment wasn't going to be too severe. It hadn't been anyone's fault things had turned out the way they had, least of all Axel's. How was he supposed to know that Zexion would be cornered by all three hyenas and then Scar would show up? The Superior needed to blame someone, so he was blaming Axel.

Roxas blew out a stream of air through his teeth, effectively creating a hissing sound. Demyx reached over and took his hand, giving it a gentle reassuring squeeze. Don't worry, he seemed to say with this wordless gesture, we'll get through this somehow. And in spite of everything that had happened, Roxas smiled.

Lexaeus finally came out, peeling off a surgical mask from his face. At once, Roxas and Demyx were on their feet. It felt so good to be up after countless hours of sitting in those stiff, uncomfortable chairs. Xaldin was slower to rise. He was concerned for Zexion, yes, but he hadn't seen what Zexion looked like when he was brought in, not like Roxas and Demyx.

Lexaeus never lost his calm disposition as he said, "Zexion is stable, but his injuries are extensive. He'll be on the disabled list for a long time."

"What exactly is wrong with him?" Roxas asked.

He was surprised when Lexaeus looked grim. He was always so calm, and never showed any sort of emotion. He kept it all inside him and never lost his calm exterior. Roxas felt a sense of foreboding. Whatever was wrong with Zexion had to be bad, if Lexaeus was upset.

"The entire left side of his body was crushed except for his head and neck, which were only bruised. He suffered from a lot of internal injuries and bleeding as well as external bleeding from his side, which was badly torn and required stitches. He paused and sighed softly. "Vexen doesn't know when he's going to wake up." Demyx and Roxas shared brief looks of horror before Lexaeus continued, "Vexen has restricted visitation, but you can go in briefly to see him if you want."

Roxas and Demyx both nodded. Lexaeus brought them into the recovery room where Vexen was flitting around the only occupied bed in the critical wing.

When he finally moved out of the way, Demyx and Roxas both gave low gasps of horror. Neither of them was sure what to expect, but it was bad. Zexion was hooked up to several machines and there were tubes running everywhere. He wore a neck brace, keeping his head straight and his left hand was in a cast. His left leg was also in a cast, kept elevated by a pile of pillows. He looked so young, so fragile.

A soft gasp caused Roxas and Demyx to turn. They hadn't noticed Xaldin follow them in and now he stood, staring at the horrific sight in front of him. After a few moments, he stepped forward and whispered the unconscious boy's name. In a tender moment that was so unlike him, he reached out and gently touched Zexion's uninjured hand.

"Oh fucking hell." The new voice caused all of them to turn.

Xaldin's eyes narrowed and he let go of Zexion's hand. "You shouldn't be here. You were the one who put Zexion here in the first place."

Axel didn't argue. "I know. I just wanted to make sure Zexion was doing all right."

"You're not wanted here! Now leave!" Xaldin snarled.

Hurt, Axel turned away. With one hand, he reached out and created a portal. He looked so dejected, so defeated as he stepped through the portal. Roxas quickly made up his mind and chased Axel through the portal before it closed.

They ended up in Axel's room, which was in its usual state of disarray. Axel stood with his back to him.

Roxas cautiously stepped forward. "Axel?"

Axel turned. There were tears in his eyes. Roxas stepped forward more.

"It's going to be all right," he said softly.

Axel shook his head. "Rox, there's a chance that Zexion isn't going to wake up. If he doesn't…well let's just say things won't be good for me."

"Zexion will wake up," Roxas murmured, unwilling to make himself believe Axel's words. "He's strong."

"I hope so," Axel said. He sat on the edge of his bed. "I'm already in a lot of trouble as it is. I'm still going to be punished whether Zexion wakes up or not."

Roxas joined him on the bed. "What is your punishment so far?"

"So far, I'm being put on lockdown for two months and during that time, I'm stuck on cleaning duty and kitchen duty with Xigbar," Axel responded.

"It isn't fair," Roxas said. "Demyx and I aren't being punished and you're being blamed for everything."

"It's all right," Axel replied. "I'm totally to blame for what happened. If you want to argue with the Superior, then you can do it. I don't recommend it, though; Xemnas is already pretty pissed off. Arguing with him might make it worse."

Roxas nodded. The last thing he wanted to do right now was piss off the Superior even more. "I'm going to go see where Demyx got off to."

"All right," Axel said. "It's probably for the best. The other members probably won't like it if you and Demyx hang out with me—I'm irresponsible and a bad influence."

Roxas bit his lip. It was horrible to hear Axel sound so dejected. Normally, the red-haired man was the most enthusiastic Nobody in the Organization, aside from Demyx, of course. It made his stomach hurt. He opened a portal to the hospital wing and stepped through, allowing it to close behind him.

Demyx wasn't there.

Roxas turned to Lexaeus, who was still by Zexion's side. "Do you know where Demyx went?"

"His bedroom." Came the simple answer characteristic of Lexaeus.

"Thanks," Roxas said and hurriedly created a portal that led him right outside Demyx's door. He knocked and fidgeted impatiently while he waited for a response.

Finally, Demyx opened the door. "Yeah?"

"We need to talk," Roxas said. Demyx let him in.

"What's up?" The Melodious Nocturne asked, closing the door.

"I'm worried about Axel," Roxas replied. Before Demyx could respond, he continued, "His confidence took a huge hit today. The others are looking down on him, so he's starting to look down on himself. We need to be supportive and help him through this."

Demyx nodded. "I totally agree. I know Axel would do the same for either of us."

"Yeah," Roxas said softly.

Several days passed. Zexion didn't get any better, but he didn't get any worse either. His absence was noticed by everyone, even by Xion, who hadn't been a member of the Organization for very long. Demyx and Roxas visited him whenever they could, whenever Vexen would let them.

And he had yet to wake up, which had everyone concerned.

Demyx spent more time with Zexion than Roxas; the blonde had other things to worry about. He thought Zexion liked it, though Vexen disagreed. Despite all of Demyx's efforts and protests, visitation remained strict.

He got one ally, though, a surprising one.

"I think you are correct," Lexaeus said to him one day as he left the hospital wing, kicked out by Vexen yet again.

Demyx stopped walking and looked at Lexaeus, confused. "What?"

"I've noticed a difference with Zexion. After he is visited by someone, he seems to get better, but after visitors have been banned, he seems to get worse. Vexen does not believe social contact with others has any effect on the healing process, but I believe Vexen still has much to learn. Will you come with me?"

"Come with you where?" Demyx asked, still really confused.

"To the Superior's office," Lexaeus answered. "To present my findings. I believe of all the Nobodies, you have the greatest effect on Zexion, that is, it's most noticeable when you are around. I think having you around will help Zexion's recovery will go quicker."

"You love him, don't you?" Demyx suddenly asked.

Lexaeus shook his head. "Even if I were capable of feeling that emotion that is not how I would feel about Zexion. He is like a son to me. I was…much older than him when we first met. I was in my thirties and he was eight. We adopted him and raised him the best we could. That's all I've ever seen him, as my son."

Demyx was surprised Lexaeus was telling him this. The elder members, who had spent the most time together before coming Nobodies never talked about their previous lives. Demyx never would have expected to hear it from Lexaeus, the least talkative of the group. He felt honored that Lexaeus had opened up to him, trusted him with this knowledge. And he knew exactly how to repay him.

"Let's go see the Superior," he said.

Lexaeus created a portal and the two of them stepped trhough. They were right outside Xemnas' office. Lexaeus knocked.

"It's me, Superior. May I speak to you?" he said.

"Yes, of course Lexaeus." Came the reply. "Come in."

Lexaeus opened the door and they went in. As was customary, Xemnas sat behind his massive desk, looking incredibly intimidating. Lexaeus, however, wasn't intimidated.

"There's something I need to discuss with you," he said, stepping forward. "Vexen has restricted visitation to Zexion and I don't think it's what's best for him."

"Why do you say that?" Xemnas asked, looking at Lexaeus curiously.

"I have noticed that when Demyx visits him in the hospital wing, he seems to do better and after he leaves, he seems to do worse." Lexaeus gestured at Demyx. "I don't think it's just Demyx, but he appears to have the most effect on Zexion. I believe that Demyx, and everyone else, should be allowed to visit him without any restrictions."

"If it's what best for Zexion, than I will agree. However, I would like proof before I agree, all right?" Xemnas said.

"All right." Lexaeus nodded. "I will get you proof."

He created a portal and stepped through, Demyx following. They ended up in the hospital wing outside the critical ward, where Zexion lay.

Once the portal closed, Lexaeus stopped walking and rubbed his forehead. "Xemnas always enjoys making things difficult."

Demyx was surprised that Lexaeus, of all Nobodies, was speaking ill of the Superior. He'd expect that sort of talk from Marluxia, but not Lexaeus. Apparently, the relationships between the original six members of the Organization were a lot more complicated than first appeared.

Lexaeus looked around. "Now where did Vexen go?" Without waiting for a response, he walked off.

Demyx stayed where he was, not really sure what to do. Moments later, he heard raised voices. Curious, he listened to what they were saying.

"I don't agree with this!" Vexen shouted.

"You do not have a choice." As always, Lexaeus was calm.

"Still…" Vexen protested. "We're taking a huge risk."

He appeared in the doorway, followed by Lexaeus, and brushed past Demyx without a word.

"Even," Lexaeus growled.

Demyx's breath caught in this throat as he realized that Lexaeus was calling Vexen by his Other's name. And he had never heard Lexaeus sound so angry before. Vexen stiffened at the name and didn't say anything.

"It is what's best for Zexion," Lexaeus continued. "The Superior wants proof and if I can get it, he will agree to lift the visitation restrictions. Do you dare go up against the Superior?"

"Of course not!" Vexen hissed. "I would never dream of disobeying his wishes."

"Then don't." Lexaeus was unusually stern.

Vexen clearly didn't approve of being spoken to in this way, but didn't protest further.

"Very well," he muttered.

Lexaeus turned to Demyx. "You'll report here tomorrow at your convenience. Stay as long as you want. All you have to do is visit him like you normally do. Leave the rest to me. Understand?" Demyx merely nodded.

The next morning, Demyx showed up in the hospital wing. Vexen glowered at him when he arrived, but allowed him to enter Zexion's room in the critical ward.

Demyx had to wince when he first set eyes on Zexion. He looked even worse than the last time Demyx saw him. If it was possible, he was hooked up to even more machines. All the color had been drained from his body until his skin looked almost transparent. Thin lips were pressed together into a sort of frown. His breathing was regulated by a machine and the hissing sound from the machine made Demyx feel sick. There were less bandages now and Zexion no longer wore a neck brace, but large purple bruises stood out against the pale skin of his neck.

Demyx felt another wave of nausea and choked it back. He had to be strong, for Zexion's sake. He drew in a deep breath and stepped forward. He reached out and gently touched Zexion's uninjured hand. Even through his gloves, he could feel that Zexion's hand was icy.

"Oh Zexion," Demyx breathed.

He reached out and gently brushed Zexion's bangs aside so he could see the Cloaked Schemer's face. He had never realized how young Zexion was. He thought back to what Lexaeus had said.

"I was…much older than him when we first met. I was in my thirties and he was eight."

Zexion never publicly celebrated his birthday, just like the other founding members, so his real age was unknown. Demyx thought for a few moments.

Based on what I know, I'd say he's about nineteen now, twenty tops. He thought, staring at Zexion's pale face. He's the second-youngest member, if I remember correctly from Xigbar's big mouth. He was the youngest until Roxas joined and I was the second youngest. So he's at least between fourteen and twenty-two.

Demyx sighed softly and settled himself in for a long day.

A/N: Ugh, this is turning out to be way longer than I thought. I'm splitting it up again, so instead of three chapters, there are now going to be four. I decided that I needed an entire chapter of Axel and his angst at least instead of just a couple paragraphs or a brief mention. He deserves much more than that so that's what he's going to get.

I'm butchering Xigbar's name. First I typed: "Zitbar" and then "Xigbat." Oy.

Like I mentioned before, this is a bit AU because of Sora's arrival in the Pride Lands. I was a bit hesitant to include him, but decided that it was okay, and went with it.

I know Xion joined the Organization at about the same time as Roxas in 358/2 Days, but as I said before, there are some events that make this slightly AU. So just deal with it.

I totally just added in a reference to Naught But Ash. Didn't plan it at all, especially since I started writing this before Naught But Ash, but I'm thinking of interconnecting the two stories so this may end up in the Naught But Ash canon.

I had fun with Lexaeus in this. ^^ Just like I had fun with Aeleus in the first chapter of Naught But Ash.

Sorry this chapter took so long to finish. I was uninspired/unmotivated. Hopefully the next chapter won't take as long to finish.

And if there any typos, I apologize. I only briefly glanced at the chapter and didn't do any careful proofreading.