"Roxas! What are you saying?" Namine cried, looking a mix between frightened and angered by his outburst. "These men just saved us!"

The blond boy turned his head away, shaking it vehemently and crying out as if in pain. Namine looked back at Axel, completely at a loss for what to do. He, in turn, shrugged and looked back at Leon, who was leaning back against the wall and looking as far removed from the situation as he possibly could. None of them had any idea.

Finally Axel sighed. Instead of avoiding the distraught boy, he strode over and knelt down in front of him. Namine looked hopeful, and the redhead saw Roxas visibly wince, weakly shying away from him. Was he angry or terrified? And why? What caused a reaction like this?

The wall behind Roxas blocked off any possible escape, but even if he could, Axel knew that with the sound beating he'd taken, the kid wouldn't make it too far on his own. He took the boy's shoulders firmly, feeling the smaller body tremble at the contact.

"Look at me..."

The blonde kept his gaze elsewhere, and Axel was surprised to see tears in his eyes. Axel was so confused he almost lost his resolve. Now the blonde was almost frozen, gripping his head with one small, shaky hand and looking everywhere but the man in front of him.

"Get away from me!"

Geez...Does this kid have some weird personality disorder? he thought.

"You're name's Roxas, right? Look at me." he commanded again, a little more impatiently. He didn't want to grab the boy and upset him more, but this behavior was getting old pretty fast, and the blonde didn't seem too intent on cooperating.

When Roxas finally looked him straight in the eye, Axel blinked. Those eyes that were once bluer than the sea were now tinted red; angry and burning like fire all on their own. The blue of those irises was not completely overtaken by it, but glowed with it.

"You need to calm down," Axel said calmly, pushing that strange sight aside for a moment. "Whatever problem you've got with me's gonna have to wait until we're somewhere safer. Okay?"

Roxas said nothing, but his jaw tightened a little, and he glared weakly as the redhead backed away.

"Murderers..." was the last thing any of them heard before the boy groaned loudly in pain. He gripped his head tighter for a moment, and then his hand and head fell limp as he slumped back against the wall behind him.

Namine moved quickly to catch him, but had a hard time sitting him back up because they were roughly the same size. Probably close in weight, too, but Axel couldn't be sure. Struggling, Namine turned back to him, wincing a little at the annoyed look he was shooting her. But, unable to ignore that begging face, Axel sighed and came back over to them, laying Roxas across his knee as he adjusted his hold.

"That was...interesting. Is he always this friendly to strangers?"

The blond girl looked down sadly, shaking her head a little. "W-Well, it's sort of...complicated. He's a little-"

"What's going on here?"

All heads snapped around, alarmed by the sudden voice. Just a little ahead, under one of the streetlights, the silhouette of a woman appeared, walking toward them slowly. The shadow grew, and soon she was right at hand, where they could see she was somewhat young looking. Her clothes were simple, if only a little brighter and more colorful than most of the other townsfolk, and her light brown hair was pulled into a long, loose ponytail that flowed behind her. Axel saw instantly that her eyes were kind, but stern; they held a soft urgency and warning in them that made her seem older, wiser...

"Namine, what have I told you about running out after dark? You both know better than that!"

Namine lowered her head and scratched the back of her neck sadly.

"I know...It's just, well, I..."

"No excuses!" the woman replied, putting her hands on her hips. Namine didn't seem to know what else to say to that, so she held silent. The overall silence persisted for only a moment though, and before Axel or anyone else could break it, the woman's stern look slowly melted to one of loving dismay.

"Honestly, what am I going to do with you two?...Come on now. Come back inside at once..." She glanced quickly at the newcomers before adding, "You may bring your new friends, if they wish. This isn't the place to speak or linger casually, I'm afraid."

Namine smiled softly, pausing to look back at Axel and Leon reassuringly. Although...

"Miss Aerith..." she said nervously, getting to her feet and running to the woman's open arms. "It's Roxas...he-"

The brunette sighed and shook her head. "Let me guess, it happened again, didn't it?" After a small, guilty nod from Namine, she sighed again, petting the girl's blonde hair comfortingly. "We'd better bring him inside. I'm assuming these strangers wouldn't mind stopping in for a drink?" She addressed the last part to the men with a small smile.

Leon was still silent, leaning with his back against the wall. He hadn't made a move through much of Roxas's little episode, but he watched the brunette woman curiously for a moment, weighing in the options.

"Thanks. It's greatly appreciated," was all he said.

Aerith smiled kindly, motioning them to follow her. "It's the least I can do. Thank you for looking after those two for me; they're quite the little handfuls."

"Do you serve beer?" Axel chirped, suddenly back to his usual self at the prospect of a good drink. His hometown could only afford what they brewed themselves, which, in his opinion, was cheap and tasted like piss and vinegar.

Leon promptly smacked him, ignoring his pupil's angry groan as he followed the two women back down the cobbled street. Even in the dim lamplight, they seemed to know exactly where they were going, and in no time at all, they reached a small little place on the far corner of the street. The old sign read, "Madam Gainsborough's Adoption Center," and Axel frowned slightly as he looked over the run-down old building.

"Geez..." he whispered. It looked like it could use more than a little fixing up. The roof looked shabby, the walls looked faded, and overall, it didn't smell all that great. "Nice piece of work you've got here..."

"What did you expect?" Axel practically jumped a foot in the air, not realizing that the boy he carried was conscious again. He looked down to see a look of cold indifference in his eyes, that had now long returned to their original blue brilliance. There was still that undertone of deep loathing there as well, but Roxas seemed to be intent on looking anywhere but back at squirmed a little too, clearly uncomfortable, which in turn made Axel a bit uncomfortable as well.

What the hell is up with this kid?

"The city's a dump. It's not like they're gonna invest a whole lot of time or money in a shelter for a bunch of snot-nosed brats, are they?"

Namine looked slightly hurt, but Aerith simply shook her head and looked back at him sternly.

"Roxas, you really shouldn't say those things..."

"Why not?" he muttered back quietly, barely above a whisper. He crossed his arms in a perfect, childish pout. "It's true... No body wants us. No body can afford to adopt us now, with all these soldiers here sucking them dry..."

Aerith frowned then, stopping just short of the door and making her way over to Axel slowly. Roxas didn't move, didn't even look up as she approached, so he wasn't expecting the harsh smack on the top of his head. The blond groaned and rubbed the spot sorely, glaring up at Aerith weakly, but said nothing at all. Axel just gaped in half amusement, half shock. For such a kind, sweet-looking woman, she sure packed a punch! That really looked like it hurt!

Aerith rubbed her forehead for a moment, looking like she was developing a painful headache. Axel privately wondered if the boy was this difficult with everyone all the time. Then again, he'd only known Roxas for all of ten minutes.

"I won't put up with any of that tonight, Roxas." she said softly but firmly, making a point to watch him even when he looked away, still pouting, rubbing the additional bump on his head. "You're in a lot of trouble for sneaking out, and I'm already up to my ears in work. I can't understand why you do this. You know I don't like to punish you."

Roxas turned his cold, knowing glare to Axel out of the corner of his eye, fixing it there briefly before he looked away again. Axel blinked for a moment, both curious about what Aerith was talking about and why the kid was giving him such a cold shoulder. If looks could kill, the redhead was sure he'd have been dead several times over by now.

Aerith didn't acknowledge the exchange if she noticed it. But she had apparently finished her lecture, reaching out to pet the blond's head softly as he grumbled and and blushed slightly. Roxas heaved a heavy sigh and reluctantly leaned closer to Axel, trying to brush it off. The woman smiled, slowly dragging her gaze up to meet Axel's.

"Thank you again for keeping these children safe. I think he can walk on his own now."

The redhead smiled sheepishly, a slightly flush in his cheeks now too. Setting the boy on his feet at his side, Axel scratched his head awkwardly.

"S'no big." Then he felt the presence of Leon right behind him, the brunette a bit more articulate and dignified.

"Your hospitality is appreciated. We'll return to our inn soon, with your pardon. We wouldn't want to trouble you or your tenants."

Aerith met his usual stiff look with a brighter smile. "It's no trouble whatsoever. Let me just go settle the little ones in bed."

She unlocked the door in no time and led them inside the small, modest building. There was a counter on the far side of the room and several dusty-looking pictures on the old, peeling yellow wallpaper. Axel could only see it was yellow because of a few candles lit on the counter. He also saw a door to the right of the counter, and Aerith led them through to reveal a small bar/kitchen area. It was connected to what looked to be a playroom, and several younger looking children were play with a big red ball and other scattered little toys. The kids looked to be between the ages of 8 and 12 mostly. A little girl with light colored hair ran up to them, tugging slightly at Aerith's skirts.

"Miss Aerith, Seifer, Rai, and Fuu were picking on Selphie again! They tried to lock her in the closet!" the girl whined, hugging Aerith tighter. The woman sighed softly.

"Oh dear." With a glance back at her guests, she joked weakly, "I do love these children, but I swear they'll be the death of me one day." She smiled down at the little girl kindly, brushing a bit of hair out of her face. "I appreciate you telling me, Penelo. I'll have a talk with them later. For now, it's bed time."

The girl nodded, hurrying back over to the group, telling them it was time for lights out. Aerith looked to Namine next. "Dear, could you help me tuck the children in? You know how they love your stories before they go to sleep."

"Of course, Miss Aerith," the blonde said politely. Compared to Roxas, she was a sweet, helpful, perfect little angel. Axel was still baffled by it all when the two women excused themselves to go help the kids, leaving him, Leon, and a very disgruntled Roxas left waiting by the bar.

The blonde said nothing, though he did glare pretty heatedly at the two of them for most of the time. Finally, after several minutes of awkward frustration and tension, Axel couldn't take it anymore.

"Alright, kid. Do you wanna just say what's wrong? Do I have something on my face or something? Huh?" He gestured with wildly waving hands, sounding very exasperated. Leon said nothing to back him up.

Roxas spared no hatred in his voice as he spat, "You bring a curse with you, you selfish pigs! You just don't care what you destroy to get what you want!"

"What the h- What does that have to do with anything?"

"I can see it!" the boy snapped harshly, pointing an accusing finger at Axel. "Your eyes! Your whole being speaks of your cruelty! You who bring those terrible curses, born of fiery demon's wings!"

Axel paused, seeing that heated, red glow returning to the boy's eyes. Fire? Did that mean the boy knew about their dragons?

"Roxas, you need to calm down." All heads turned to see Aerith reentering the room, closing the door softly behind her. The boy's eyes narrowed, seeming more on edge as she approached him, but the woman did not go to him straight away. She went to a cabinet lining the top of the bar along the wall and pulled out a small bottle of something. Then, pulling out a small spoon, poured a crystal-blue, gellous liquid into it before she approached the blonde.

"Take this. It'll help you sleep."

The blonde looked like he was considering bolting, but Axel, by some instinct, moved between the boy and the door, cutting off his possible escape. He didn't know exactly why, but was given long enough to think about the action. Roxas made a small hissing noise, causing the redhead to recoil back slightly, but Aerith firmly thrust the spoon towards him, and with some reluctance, he accepted it into his mouth. Grimacing at whatever the taste of the medicine, Roxas seemed to slowly calm; his breathing became less erratic, his hands unclenched beside him, and his shoulders relaxed. His eye became blue again and even became a little droopy. Aerith saw this and smiled softly again, placing a hand on his back.

"I'll be right back again. I truly am sorry about the delay. I'll just put him to bed and deal with the punishment later."

They disappeared into the back area again, and soon Aerith was back in no time at all.

"I sorry about him, too," she said as she approached the bar, leaning down to brush a bit of dust and dirt off her skirt. "For reasons I can't fully explain, Roxas has these little...phases of his. He turns wild, like an animal."

Axel blinked. "You mean he gets mad? Or crazy maybe?"

She shook her head. "No, it's not really that. It's more that...he's scared. He reacts like an animal like that when he doesn't know how to react. But no matter what it looks like on the outside, he's just scared, I can feel it. The poor thing." She opened a different cabinet this time and pulled out a big bottle of something. Axel perked up instantly.

"Free beer? OW!" Leon retracted his hand and looked away indifferently. Axel grumbled, rubbing his sore head. How did he always manage to do that and look so nonchalant?

Aerith chuckled a little. "Sorry. I don't mean to laugh, or bore you with our stories. I just get so used to it, being around the little ones so long. My life has become entirely about them," she said, smiling a sad, warm smile.

Axel caught it. "But what about you? Don't you go home to a family of your own?"

The woman's face looked momentarily pained. "I...I can't have children. Not anymore."

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't to-"

"It's fine, it's fine." Aerith looked at him firmly. "I get more than enough out of working here with these children. They're mine until they can find a good, loving home. It's always sad to see one go, but I know in my heart I've made a difference in their lives. I hope they'll always remember me, and think of me once in a while." She sighed, setting two glasses down beside the bottle. "Would you like some?"

Axel nodded avidly, while Leon's was a bit more reserved. They each took a glass and thanked her in turn.

"But wait," Axel said, "Aren't you having any?"

Aerith looked surprised. "Oh, me? No, no! I don't drink this stuff! The only reason I still have any of it is because my husband used to be a connoisseur! I've kept these around because they make me think of him."

"Oh...Then, are you sure it's okay to have some?"

"Yes, yes, it's fine," she assured them. "I keep the bottles as mementos. There's no use in the saving the drinks when I don't even like them. Though, it is a problem when Seifer and his little group try to get into them."

Axel choked a laugh. "Oh, really?"

They stood around and talked for a bit about nothing in particular. Various topics from the age of the drinks to the history of the town.

"So, are these soldiers here new or have they always been this strict here?"

Aerith sighed sadly, lowering her eyes. "Zhari used to be a beautiful city before they came. It seems so long ago now. But the knights came here almost a month ago, and now everything is in ruins. All for their selfish greed."

"Do you know what it is they are seeking?" Leon asked simply. Aerith shook her head.

"No one knows for sure. Some of the old men say they are here to bleed us dry, taking what little we have left back to the queen. The dragon riders and their soldiers certainly have stolen enough gold from the rest of us." She spat the name 'dragon rider,' and Axel had to wince slightly. Perhaps everyone here had it out for them. Would they hate him and Leon too, if they knew about their dragons? "But I've heard other rumors that it is a single object. Or a person who might be keeping the object from them."

Axel hummed. "I wonder what they're after."

"They won't tell us, but people have been disappearing little by little since they came, and now they're even refusing to let people out. I had meant to send a letter to an old friend of mine, but they aren't allowing anything to leave the city once inside." She sighed. "I'm afraid you two might be stuck here a little while."

"Not if I have something to say about it! Just let them try and keep me in here!" Axel said, pounding his fist on the counter. Leon looked a little startled by the suddenness, but Aerith just looked away sadly.

"I'd just accept it, young man. Whatever brought you two here in the first place would have been better off ignored. Now you're trapped like the rest of us."

Axel looked ready to protest, but Leon spoke up before him, still quite calm. "Have the soldiers given any idea as to when they'll leave?"

Another head shake. "They seem to be here indefinitely. It does make me worried though. About the children." She clutched a bit of here skirt in her hands and twisted it absently. "No one will adopt them in these hard times, and with the city shut off, I can't leave with them."

Leon looked vaguely worried. "Speaking of your children, I would keep that wild boy of yours inside for a while. He caused quite a stir with those soldiers. I only hope they won't hold a grudge."

Aerith paled. "He didn't..."

"He did. Hopefully the dark will have protected those two from being easily recognized. I myself will have trouble keeping this one out of it," he motioned to Axel, who scoffed, "Even in the dark, I believe it is hard to mistake this hair."

"Hey! The hair is cool!" Axel grumbled back, unaware that Aerith was looking paler by the second. "You're just jealous!"

"Oh my. This is...this is terrible," she said, drawing the two back to her. She looked almost pale enough to be ill. "If they come here, they'll see him."

Leon nodded. "You have to keep him inside as much as possible. Namine might be harder to recognize, but Roxas also has very distinct hair."

"Oh Gods," she whispered. "I...I can't protect him from that. If he stays here, they'll find him for sure. I couldn't bear it if they took him away."

Leon paused for a moment, looking thoughtful. He then slowly approached the woman, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Axel may be overconfident, but I assure you, we will not be in this city much longer. Perhaps we could take him with us."

The redhead's jaw dropped at that. "What?"

Aerith ignored him as he began instantly spewing reasons why this was a terrible idea, looking up at Leon hopefully.

"You would do that for him?"

The man sighed, but nodded. "We could not keep him with us, mind you. But we could take him, help him find a new home somewhere else, if that would help him."

"No way! No way in hell is that angry brat coming with us!" Axel couldn't believe what he was hearing! Why did Leon suddenly care about this kid? Axel had decided he didn't really like him right away!

Neither Aerith nor Leon were listening to him though.

"You would do that for him?"

Leon smiled. It was strangely natural, considering everything. The idea must have pained him, at least a little less than it did Axel.

"For you, Madam, I'm willing to try." But unlike Aerith, they had something to lose if this went wrong. The boy could tell others about their dragons, or just make the whole journey even more tiring. Either way, Axel wasn't liking those odds.

Aerith stepped away from him, crossing her arms in thought.

"I don't know..." After a pause, she looked back them. "Give me til the morning, and then I'll have an answer."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Leon, have you lost your mind?" Axel growled once they had been shown out and the door closed.

"Be quiet, Axel," the man hissed back, waving a dismissive hand at him. "Do you want the soldiers on us for being out at this hour?"

"No," he mumbled back. "But I don't want that kid coming with us! What about the-"

Leon cut him off abruptly. "I know, I know. But I know what I'm doing. I get a sense there's something about that kid. I want to know what it is."

Axel knew that arguing was pointless by now. Once the hermit had his mind set on something, it was almost impossible to change it. Believe it or not, he was more stubborn than even Axel. The redhead sighed heavily, eager now to just go back to the inn and sleep this all off. Maybe the idea would look more appealing then.