The Tale of Seven: Kidnapped Hope

[Rikugurl]

"Roxas!" Riku called as he wrapped his arm around one of the short blonde's arm as Terra took the other. "Hey! Calm down!" He called, trying not to be loud. They were still in danger of an avalanche and that was the last thing anyone needed right now. He looked around frantically though, seeing if ANYONE was doing anything. The waters were obviously freezing... so someone had to do something---
His eyes widened when he saw Sora slam his brother across the face, even Ven gasping as he rushed to the scene.

The other blonde looked at Aqua, running to her side to see if he could help.
Yea... carry the rope.
Carefully, he, Aqua, Fuu and Sora walked across the new ice to a safe distance (they hoped) and Glaceon did the rest. Blue eyes stared at the hole, worried even if the dumbass was kind of asking for it for being so reckless.

What the fuck was he saying? HE WAS FUCKING RECKLESS!

Fuu bit her lip as she watched more and more of the rope go down. How did he get so far down after what seemed to be a minute!? He wasn't even that heavy!
And how deep was this pond...?


In the water, ice and snow fell into the depths of the pond. Plants that were trying to survive the sudden cold were growing higher to get as much sunlight as it could through the ice. There were even shadows of Finneon swimming by, seeming to be in poor health from the sudden change.

But none of that matter as a body floated down through the freezing waters, no longer clear but tainted with frost and ice. Exotic eyes were closed and cheeks puffed out as air was obviously being lost... but his mind was gone. He was in such shock from the bitter cold that his brain couldn't work. He didn't have that automatic response that he should be trying to surface. His limbs went numb, no longer able to work them if he had the mind to.

He didn't even realize the rope that was going around him... or the tightening of it around his chest. Whatever that new pressure was though... it hurt as his muscles became so tight. Glasses were lost above him, floating pass him as he was suddenly pulled on.
What he felt next... was a strong push on his back and brought him to the surface faster...by a larger creature that seemed to know what they were doing.


CRAAAAAAAAAACK

Further off, another sound of ice shattering filled the group ears and they looked over, seeing a large white creature jump into another hole.
"What the fu---"
He went silence as he saw a woman in the distance running towards them. She was all bundled up and had a bag in her arms, flopping about.

Their focus on her was broke though as the blue fox surfaced and quickly got out of the way as Axel's body was pushed up onto the ice. He didn't even respond to gasping as he broke surfaced, just let the air out that he was keeping in. Next to him, a Dewgong appeared. "GONG!"

[Reno]

At the sound of the second large crack, some of those pulling on the rope felt their hearts stop - worrying that maybe it was giving out under them! Combined, they had nearly 500 pounds of weight on the ice!

But that was when they saw the new bit of help coming their way, a large seal-like Pokemon pushing Axel onto the ice with Glaceon. Once Axel was on the ice, the four started to pull more, moving his body as far away from the thin ice as they could. At the sight of his lover, Roxas started to cry harder, his legs shaking. "Oh god Axel..."

"Alright everyone move towards shore!" Aqua stated, and they all walked carefully along the ice until they were horizontal with Axel. Aqua had then stop and pull on him again moving him away from being parallel with the hole.

"Guys get back to the bank." Aqua said, "We'll pull him up onto it." Their was a nod of understanding and as carefully and quickly as possible one by one they got to shore, Aqua still holding the rope and getting to it last. everyone took the rope away and they all pulled one last time, muscles straining even as the new rescuer came and helped as well. After many minutes of work they managed to pull Axel onto the bank, the red-head shivering.

Roxas broke away from Terra and Riku hurrying over to the red-head. "Axel... Axel!" He ran a hand along his cheek, feeling how terrible wet and cold it was. "Baby... talk to me..."

[Rikugurl]

The woman crossed near the bank on the other shore, Riku watching her closely to make sure SHE didn't fall in as well. But she seemed to know what she was doing and had obviously tracked across this pond before. "Hold on! Please let me help!" She called as she grew closer. They didn't know who she was... or what she was doing here... but they used any help they could get. She took the back of the rope and started to pull as the others did.

Riku and Terra had to hold Roxas back even more as more of Axel's body was dragged out, drench and his warm layers pretty much lost to the freezing waters, along with his glasses. At least his pokeballs were still on his belt.

The redhead started to cough, but it was labored and weak, irregular as his eyes slowly opened. The two men couldn't hold back the blonde as Axel got onto the shore but by the time he reached his lover, he was violently shaking and didn't respond to Roxas's touch.

The woman dropped the rope and reached to her belt, taking another pokeball and tapping it.
An energy flashed and a pokemon appeared that made everyone double take. It was an arcanine... but obviously older than Arcy for he had a scruffier mane and some battle wounds on his legs. "Aaaaaaaarc!" He called before looking down at the large group.
"Kennet, please take this man back to the house! He'll die if you don't get him warmth!"

The tiger dog nodded in understanding and quickly went to the redhead, leaning down nudging him with his nose. The thin man rolled over the dogs head and laid across his back as the dog stood. With a mighty leap, the arcanine was halfway across the lake and ran towards the forest across.

The woman looked back at them all before pointing to the rim of the lake. "The ice there is hard and sturdy, so you can run across. Please, we have to hurry before your friend gets any worse!" She suddenly turned and started to run back to where the dog had gone.

Speechless and without much option, the group quickly followed.
They ran across the lake and up the bank on the other side before going into a snowy trail. They followed that for about ten minutes until they reached a very small little village that was snowed in, smoke pouring out of chimneys. The woman ran to a house not far away and opened the door, letting the group in.
It was a strange looking house. It was as if they were trying to turn what little space they seemed to have into some sort of place for aid as some beds were pushed in the corner.

Axel was upon one of them.
A man of rough complexion was drying the redhead's hair quickly as a little girl was piling blankets on top of him.

[Reno]

"Arr...?" Came a curious noise from the smaller Arcanine as... ANOTHER APPEARED?! Her eyes widened some and she shifted nervously, watching as he took Axel and hurried away with him. She watched with a tilt of her head as he disappeared admiring his... tail. Yeah...

She came back to attention when she heard her master call and followed the eight across the ice keeping a far distance from them because she certainly weighed more then all of them combined! In minutes they were within distance of a house and the newest member of this human pack hurried to the door, opening it and allowing the rest of the humans to pile inside.

They were all in such a rush her master forgot to call her back and left her and the other Arcanine outside. She shifted uneasily, walking close to the window and peering inside, a brown eye glancing from the corner were she could see powerful stripes. She looked back at the window were she could see her reflection, straightening some and pawing up at her bow to make it straighter.

Inside the warm home, Roxas broke away from the group again, squeezing his way along the other side of Axel's bed where he;d be out of the way. Just looking down at the red-head. His lips... they were turning blue.

The man glanced up at the blonde and back at the group momentarily, but went back to caring for the freezing red-head without much of a word.
"Is there anything we can do to help...?" Sora ventured, feeling nervous for his friend and not wanting to just stand around and do nothing.

[Rikugurl]

As the door closed, the two large dogs were left outside, though one was more use to it than others. The older one had a certain air about him... like he was the protector of this little mountain town that wasn't even on the map. He certainly didn't seem to like the snow any as he obviously kept it dry around his home.

He looked back from pawing at some fire wood, seeing the female looking in the window and... pawing at her face?
He rose a furry eyebrow before walking over to her slowly. "Arr....caaan...?"
"Are you alright?"


Inside, people didn't see the random butterfly pokemon that were busy bringing blankets into the room for the girl to take. She grabbed the last one they had and walked over, fanning it out over the man and counted them up. Eight blankets. That should be more than enough! She swallowed though, her face still red before she looked up. "All done, papa..."
She was still embarrassed to see her dad strip this man head to toe in a second!

The woman pulled down her hood of her jacket, revealing a short cut and was golden as a shiny arcanine! Her green eyes stood out and she had a cute, humble face. "Oh no... I'm sorry but... the only thing you can do is wait... and hope." She looked over at the bed, seeing the redhead shiver and his breath labored. With a shake of her head, she looked back at the group. "The lake has gone down almost 30 degrees since this freak snowstorm hit. It's like a death trap now. I knew I should of put warning signs up yesterday..."

She suddenly bow. "I'm so sorry..."

"What... happened to him?" Ven voiced softly as he watched his identical twin.
The woman straightened and rubbed her hands together. "I'm afraid he went into shock and has..." She glanced at him again before shaking her head. "Some stage of hypothermia. His body temperature is below average I can imagine. Gin?" She looked over at the man, smiling to him softly. "Can you take his temperature and if he's too low, get out the heated air."

The man nodded and she looked down at the little girl. "Can you start some tea, sweetie?"
The little girl smiled and nodded. "Yes mama!" She skipped into another room as the woman presented a small sitting area. "Please, rest your feet. I will fetch warm water to soak your feet in."

[Reno]

Arcy huffed a little, angry at how messy her bow looked. Where was her master when she needed him?! Her paw froze in midair though when she noticed the reflection of the second dog beside her own.

She quickly lowered her paw, straightening herself and shaking her head so her mane and chest hairs puffed out a little more. Her tail fluffed up some and she looked at the dog with a smile, purring softly. "Arrrc, arcaaanine~"
"Why yes, yes I am~"

Goodness, it had been so long since she'd tried to impress someone.

She moved her paws just a little, a movement hopefully noticed, so the laid over where her stomach showed to hide the pudgy she had gained from so many lazy years on Mirage. even all the running she'd done lately had not yet taken care of it all. It was a bad time to be fat!
"Arrrcanine. Canine nine arrr..."
"Thank you for your assistance. You sure are strong..."


The man smiled to his dear daughter nodding, knowing she was still a bit embarrassed and the wet clothes strewn on the floor basically indicated why. "Good job honey." He rubbed his hands carefully in the towel wrapped around the red-head's hair, trying to drain out more of water. It wouldn't be good enough...

He looked up when he heard his wife call and nodded. "Of course dear." He stood and everyone tilted their heads up in shock. He was like a giant! Tall like Axel but built strong especially in the shoulders like Terra, he easily towered over most of them. If it wasn't for how kind his gray eyes seemed to be some of them might have even been afraid of him. He strode out of the room quickly and instead into their bathroom. There was some rustling and noise before he came back out, a thermometer in one hand, a blow drier and comb in the other.

He set the second and third items on the little stand near the red-head's bed, noticing the small blonde hadn't moved an inch from where he was, caressing his fingers gently over the red-head's forehead. He decided not to comment and instead turned on the thermometer, hearing it beep. He reached over and pulled down the blankets some, revealing a bare shoulder. He moved the arm sticking it carefully under the armpit, holding onto it so it didn't fall due to Axel's shivers. "Hey kid?" Dull blue eyes looked up at him. "Know how to use a blow drier?" There was a wordless silence before their was the smallest nod.

"Good." He reached out with his other hand and held it and the comb out to him. "Dry his hair. There should be an outlet right behind you." Another nod the blonde uncurling the cord to the appliance and sticking the plug into the wall. He carefully removed the towel and spread Axel hair across the pillow, trying to keep it away from affecting the thermometer. He turned on the blow drier, the hum loud in the room as he gently combed through the tangled dark red locks and ran the warming heat over them.

The rest of the group could only helplessly listen to the woman, sitting down at the area. Sora and Ven's eyes were glued to their twin even as he started to work on Axel's hair. He was practically emotionless but they knew it wasn't truly what he was feeling. Could feeling the emotions raging through their own hearts. It was almost an unbelievable amount of pain and fear and guilt. But they knew they would of felt the same had it been their lover's.

They watched in silence, as the man named Gin took the temperature once under one arm and then again under the other. It was one many of them recognized - when they were young their parents did that too, to reassure the reading was right. After the second time he pulled the covers back up to the red-head's chin. His face was grim as he got up, handing his wife the thermometer before going into another room - presumably to get whatever she had asked of him before. The look on his face filled none of them with hope.

Roxas had noticed it as well and as Gin left he looked down at his lover his vision blurring some. "Axel..." He whispered, voice choked up as salty water started to crawl down his cheeks, "I'm so sorry... this is all my fault..." He gasped softly, feeling the blow drier and comb being taken from his hands. He looked up at who had sneaked around him, seeing Sora standing there, giving him a reassuring smile as he took over his job.

He wanted to protest but no words came out. Instead he felt comforting hands wrapping around his shoulders, turning him around and tugging him close to another warm body. The blonde's vision blurred more, barely able to make out Ven's features. He didn't mind either way as laid his forehead on his twin's shoulder, shoulders shaking as he cried.

[Rikugurl]

The woman took the thermometer and her eyes closed, seeming to know the outcome already before putting it into her pocket. She pulled her jacket off to reveal and nice dress, with soothing colors of green. She hung up her things before taking the other's blankets and warm outerwear to dry them off and get them warm. It took her no time to hang the things over the fire before she tossed some more firewood in.

At that point, the little girl walked over with a tray, some of the cups hitting against each other as she obviously found it a bit heavy but she managed to get it to the table with ease.
"Thank you Lilo." The woman smiled as she ran her hand through her daughter's hair.
"Anything else, mama?" The girl asked as she looked up at her mother.
The woman nodded. "Just two more and then you can play with your pokemon. First I need you to boil some water and fetch the buckets for our guest. Just leave the water on the fire. Then when you're done, please feed the pokemon."

The girl smiled and nodded before heading back into the kitchen, watching out for her father that passed by as well.

Ven rubbed his brother's back as he rocked him a bit, his blue eyes dull as well as he could feel the pain. God... he didn't know what he'd do if it was Terra in that bed.... suffering. Everything happened so fast... it didn't seem to make any sense. How could something so... life risking happen in 5 minutes!? He couldn't blame Axel though... all of them thought it was a meadow.
"I'm sorry, Rox..." He spoke softly as he ran his hand through hair that felt much like his. "I shouldn't of pushed the subject..."

He sighed as he heard Roxas sob, that this was all his idea and his fault. "No it's not Roxas... it was an idea... and you had no idea this was going to happen..."

They all shifted as they heard the blow dryer stop and another machine start to work. Looking over, they could see something like an oxygen mask go over Axel's nose and mouth as Gin pressed it firmly over his face.

"What's that...?" Riku ventured, looking at the woman as she turned to him. "It releases warm air and allows the lungs to warm up and when he swallows, it will go into his organs as well. We need to heat his core before anything else... or all the cold blood might end up into his heart and it will stop..." She trailed off, hearing one of the blondes sob even more.
"How do you know all this?" Riku asked again, his eyebrow raising.
The woman seemed to blush as she smiled. "My papa was a scholar, a brilliant man. He knew everything about anything! He use to be a tutor and the only teacher in this village... and also acted as a doctor when he could. When he passed away, he left me with all his things so I could give aid to people as well..."

Her voice lowered as she looked down at the floor. "Another doctor moved up here about a year ago though... which made me happy because... now I can do what I really have a passion for."


The large dog blinked, hearing the purr and youth in her voice before blushing a bit, looking away as he shook his head from some snow fall. "Can...nine cane, Arrrrrrrrrcane, nine nine."
"I....have to stay strong so I can be a gooooooood rescuer."

Before any more conversation could happen, a while seal slid down the hill and bumped into the male dog's leg. "Gong, gong! Dew gong, dewgong!" The while creature clapped her hands as she smiled. "That was so much fun! I can't wait to that that again!"

[Reno]

Sora's eyes saddened as he heard his brother blaming himself for the incident. He knew it was a normal response but... if it was anyone's fault it was his own. He had been the one to construe the idea to get UP here. He shook his head, dislodging those thoughts. This wasn't a blame game. All they should be concerned about was saving Axel's life.

When Gin returned he rose an eyebrow curiously seeing the blond had gone through some sort of Mitosis because now there were two of him. Maybe there was a little bit of Meiosis going on two, because he swore the brunette looked very similar to them too!

"Alright, that's fine." He told Sora, instructing him to turn of the blow drier and instead fit the mask on over Axel's head. He plugged in the machine in another outlet nearby and finally flipped the switch. The machine humming as it started to pump warm air into the red-head's body.

Roxas looked back, his eyes puffy and red-rimmed and at the sight of Axel now he felt his legs go weak. He looked just like... mom....
"Oh god..." He whimpered when he heard the other woman's response having to cover his mouth with his hand as he cried harder, leaning against his brother again. He felt another pair of hands rubbing soothing circles in his back.
"He's going to be okay Roxas..." Sora said softly, trying to reassure him.

Meanwhile the others at the table were holding their cups of tea close, enjoying the warmth it brought to their bellies and their hands. They listened to the woman's responsed curiously, partially because they were itnerested and partially just to keep their eyes away from the sad scene across the room.
"And what's that?" Terra finally asked.


The Arcanine tilted her head curiously about to compliment him that he already was a good rescuer with how fast he took care of Axel - but they got interrupted suddenly by the Dewgong who came sliding down the hill and running into HER soon to be mate!

The minute she heard the voice though her ears flipped back some. It was a she! Great. Competition. "Arrrcanine... arrr!"
"Well I would hope it does not happen again!" She looked in the window, seeing her all the humans circling the tallest of them. "It must not have been fun for that pup to freeze half to death."

[Rikugurl]

At the question, the woman blushed as she watched her daughter bring in barrels, placing one next to everyone's feet before grabbing her little coat by the fire.
"Well... They have an opening in Pastoria City that I applied to and was hired. We were suppose to move a few days ago... but that's when this random, unexpected storm hit. I'm not sure if you're familiar with what a Rescue Center is, are you?"

Riku had to laughed, shaking his head some as he leaned back. "Hahaha, of course. If that redhead was up and about... you wouldn't hear the last of it." He glanced over at Roxas, his smile fading. "Our friend Roxas, here," He presented before continuing, "He's also a Rescuer. He specializes in Dark types."

The woman's eyes widened as she looked at Roxas. "Oh really? Dark types? You must be really skilled. I heard they weren't easy to work with at all..."
Roxas was silent, not seeming to care about his compliment.

So Fuu decided to keep up their minds. "So what do you specialize in....---?"
"Oh... I'm Firi!" She giggled before heading to the kitchen, coming out a moment later with a large bucket of water that was steaming. Everyone got the idea, taking off their shoes and socks before putting their feet in the bucket.
"I specialize in Ice type...which is quite ironic due to this sudden storm." She spoke as she started to fill up the buckets, making people sigh in relief, feeling their bodies warm up already. "My daughter too is working on becoming a Rescuer and she is specializing in Bug type. All the butterflies you see around are hers. She caught them, trained them and evolved them. I'm really so proud of her..."

Ven frowned as he looked outside, seeing the little girl giving the tiger dogs and seal some food. He wished he was that talented when he was young....


The larger dog blinked as he heard the other, looking at her before cocking his head some. "You consider your masters as your pups?" He asked politely and as she confirmed it, he looked into the window as well, watching them all talk. I never thought of it that way before. Honestly... I never had the opportunity to have pups of my own.... His strong eyes glanced at the smaller female, a soft smile on his lips and----

"KENNET!? NYMPH!? DINNER TIME!" A voice called and a little girl all bundled up walked over, her hands full of Pokeblocks. She blinked as she saw the other big dog and smiled. "Oh! And your new friend can have dinner too!" She giggled as she handed each a pokeblock to eat from her hand. As Arcy ate hers, the little girl pet her head. "You're a pretty girl~"

[Reno]

"Come and sit down Rox..." Sora murmured but the blonde stubbornly shook his head. Sora hesitated glancing at Ven then sighed and shrugged. He didn't blame the blonde with his desire to stay close to his lover. At least he wasn't crying anymore. "Well if you need us just call okay?"

He rubbed the blonde's shoulder before carefully walking down to the table. He reached out, picking up his own glass of tea, looking up at Firi. "Well, thank you for all your help. We're sorry about the inconvenience." The woman brushed it off, saying it was no trouble at all.


The smaller dog smiled fondly, looking at them all wandering about. She had taken care of many of them for so long... "Well of course, they need so much looking after." Her tail wagged some at the smile he sent her way, a little blush on her cheeks - thankfully her fur hid it!

Before it could amount to anything though ANOTHER female interrupted. This time it was a human girl though and a very young one at that. Her tail wagged as some of the food was held out to her - well she was hungry...

She lent down eating the food happily, enjoying the petting and compliments. She licked up the crumbs left before giving the girl a sloppily wet kiss on her cheek as thanks. "Arrr~"

[Rikugurl]

Time passed, some talk filling the house as darkness came upon them. The guest were given a nice meal, with meat, veggies and sauce. The family learned that the redhead they were caring for was the nephew of the woman who started the Pokemon Rescue Organization but she said she wouldn't mind who it was. A person in need deserved the best treatment.

When dinner was done, Sora and Riku offered to do the dishes, looking out at the people's small share of land as seeing how peaceful it was. They found out that this place was called Belita Village, which meant small beauty. They were also trying to get on the map...

Outside, the dogs spoke a little bit before Firi popped her head out, calling back the dewgong and saying good-night to the tiger dog. He barked back before looking at the female. "You know, the lake is beautiful when the sun sets over it... want to see?" Arcy wouldn't say no for the world.

When the woman noticed that Kennet wasn't in the barn, she decided to have the group sleep in there. There was a fire stove and some lofts, the barn being dry and warm and perfect for them all the rest. She apologized but her home just wasn't big enough for them all to sleep inside. However, one was allowed to do just that. Roxas was given permission to sleep with Axel, actually having benefit him. It would keep him warm and his progress as slowly coming around. It seemed like they prevented any of his organs from shutting down and his violent shivers calmed down.

Down by the frozen lake where all the trouble started, a large tiger dog reached up and took a branch with his jaw gently, the limb being pulled down and freed from it's snow as luscious Starf Berries came in reach for Arcy to pull them and eat.

[Reno]

"Oof!" Sora exclaimed as he fell into the makeshift bed next to Riku. "What a day!"
Terra lounged back on his pillow, arms under his head as he looked up at the ceiling. His look was a bit thoughtful. "Anyone notice how many of us have nearly died in that past week?"
"Tch, what's that supposed to mean?" Aqua asked curiously, cuddling with Fuujin.
"Well, you two nearly fell off that boat. I nearly drowned. Now Axel nearly froze to death. I wonder whose next." He ended ominously.

"Don't say that!" The littler brunette cried and threw the pillow at Terra, knowing him upside the head.
"Ow! I was just making an observation!"
"Well don't, they suck!" Sora huffed and was about to lay back down when he pouted. "Can I have my pillow back?"
"No it's mine!" The gym leader hugged the pillow possessively. Ven bitched next to him and he growled. "Fine."

Sora smiled as the pillow was tossed back to him. He fluffed it out and started to lay his head on it when-
"Though I hope it's you next."
"OH THAT'S IT!" The electric trainer got up and snatched his pillow before going right over to Terra and started to smack him with his pillow.
"Ow- hey! Stop it! Ow! Ven get your - OW! - rabid brother away from me!"
Aqua started to laugh at the scene. This was great nightly entertainment. "Terra you're getting beat by a midget!"
"I am not a midget!"
"Yes you are!" Terra stupidly agreed making daggers of blue glare at him and two pillows came down for him. SMACK, SMACK! "OW! VEN WHY YOU?!" The blonde grumbled something about being the same damn height.

Sora cracked a smile before leaving the brunette to wallow and climbed next to Riku again. "That was fun."


An elegant tail wagged a smile on the pretty dog's face as the berries were held out to her. "Oh! What a gentleman~" She complimented before leaning over, carefully picking off the berries with her teeth. "Mmmm, they're very good!"

[Rikugurl]

Ven rolled his eyes as he pulled his pillow back and turned away, snuggling into the warm features that were in it. In a way, this was kind of a blessing. If Axel hadn't fallen through the ice, they might all had to sleep outside in the snow.
He grinned as he pushed his butt up against the brunette's thigh, wiggling it a bit so Terra would get the idea.... but instead of smacking it our saying something dirty... Ventus let out a loud fart.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!" The laughed his head off as Terra flipped out, even Fuu giving a chuckle.

Riku just rolled his eyes as Sora laid back down with him, wrapping an arm around the slighter waist. "Relax Terra, he's just trying to keep you warm~"

As the laughter died down, and silence took over... there was a voice that broke it. "So... we can't leave until Axel gets better.... right?" Fuu asked as she looked up at the dark ceiling of the warm barn.

Inside, the small family was sleeping peacefully. In the living room/rest room, the two lovers laid in the small bed. Some blankets were taken away and the machine was on low. The redhead's shiver became shallow as his breathing picked up some strength. Tired eyes slowly flickered, the sharp edges opening slowly. "R-rox...as...?"


Kennet smiled as he watched Arcy eat, his own tail wagging as she seemed to like it. "I'm glad to hear that. They're my favorite~ He purred as he headbutted her playfully under her jaw.

[Reno]

Terra huffed a little offended but he felt something rubbing up against his leg, raising an eyebrow and smiling. Well if that was an apology groooope-

"UGH VEN!" He yelled when he was farted on. The blonde started to laugh like a maniac. "You jackass!!" He smacked him upside the head.

Sora chuckled as he heard Riku's response, cuddling close to the silverette. Soon the laughter fell away and Fuu broke the quiet that fell in it's place. "Well we could." Sora said, a yawn interrupting his words. "But, I mean... personally I'd rather not. I know there's nothing much we can do to help him get better then to give him our support but I think that's important." He laid his head against Riku's shoulder, the gaze in his eyes far away, thinking of the day barely a week ago when someone else he cared for had been in such a position. He wouldn't leave Axel too...


In the same first-aid room, the blonde was hidden under the covers, his hands rubbing still numb fingers of the red-head's long hands between his own, blowing warm air across them. The rest of his body was pressed close to the other male to share some of his body heat with him.

That's when he heard it. The barest hint over of a voice the humming of the air machine.

His name...

Roxas breath caught and he wiggled his way out from under the covers, blonde hair popping out first before distressed, hopeful blue eyes looked up at the other's face. "...Axel?"


The other Arcanine laughed at the playful action before she grinned, batted him with a paw. "Oh is that so?" She stood and walked around him, flicking the underside of his nose with her tail. She turned to face him lowering her body some on her front paws and wagging her tail playfully.
"Come and get meeee~"

[Rikugurl]

Fuu nodded as she listened to Sora. "Right.... an army is as fast as their slowest person."
The saying of course was flexable, everyone knowing what it meant.

Ven sighed as he heard them talk. Who knew when Axel would be ok... and who knew how much time they had before things started to get really bad. He didn't WANT to leave Axel here... but there was little they could do and little he could do. Besides... he had Moltres. He could easily catch up to them if they left him here to recover.

But it wouldn't just be Axel they left here. He was sure... no, positive that his brother wouldn't leave the redhead's side.

He turned, laying on his back. "I still find it all weird... how we all met each other in the same place. We didn't know each other at all but we all became friends... and then we all started going out... and now... shit, we can't live without each other. Now we're all homeless which means when this adventure... that we're ALL on, is done... we can create better lives for ourselves."
The barn was silent as they all thought about it.
"Maybe that dumb redhead was right about the coins being fate..."


Axel's breathing sped up a bit but calmed as narrow slits opened up more, a glint of green being seen through red eyelashes. They struggled to stay open, closing now and then and not getting them open any wider than that slit... but he was awake. Unfortunately, his shivering started to pick up a bit as his mind came back.

"Mmn.....w-what.....ha-happ...ened?"


Kennet wiggled his nose as the female flicked her tail against it before turning to look at her. He seemed to grin as he was challenged before suddenly getting down lower. "You shouldn't of said that!" He barked playfully before he sprang at her, his large paws hitting the snow as Arcy dashed away. He laughed before following after, having no problem catching up but giving her some leeway to continue the chase.

They ran through the forest, ducking under tree limps and jumping over fallen trunks. Their heavy paws made the snow fall from the trees they passed, making the snowflakes shine in the dark night.