Found

A dark, pitiful figure sat silently upon the sodden, cold ground, everything about her so still and meaningless that it was as if she wasn't there at all.

Though the truth was, she didn't want to be there at all.

Xion hung her head down so it was almost touching her raised knees, her wet black hair hanging limply like a veil covering her face.

Very little breaths were made considering how exhausted she was. Every bone in her body ached like they were screaming in agony and her blood felt like ice as it continued its cold journey like an endless river.

A gut wrenching sensation took place within her suddenly as an awfully familiar sound was made and her fingertips began to twitch as if they were bracing themselves in anticipation.

The sound drifted through her ears and into her mind, infecting it with dismay. Inside her an alarm was beating all around, sending shock waves through her blood while every cell in her tired body begged for mercy. As this panic tore through her, Xion's exterior remained composed.

Letting out a small sigh, she raised her head slowly. Her weary eyes trailed up a black robe much like her own and came to meet a bored face at the top.

The rain dampened Axel's flaming red hair which remained as spiky as ever, defying the means to be flattened in this harsh weather.

His emerald green eyes stared down at the girl on the floor, as if in an attempt to bear a burning hole through her aura.

Xion's own eyes dared to meet them but found themselves quickly darting away again, unable to hold his hard gaze. Instead she looked at his body, holding her breath in a complete dread of what he'd do to her.

She watched as Axel raised his arm and she shut her eyes tightly, too tired to fight back and too useless to put a meaning to action.

She waited patiently for a painful blow or a forceful grip to take a hold of her, but it never came...

Hesitantly, she looked up to see her friend holding a hand out to her, a tiny smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. She searched deep within the swirling emerald pools of his eyes, seeking out any signs of deception, but she found none. All she could see was her friend.

'C'mon,' he said.

She slipped her trembling hand into his and allowed him to gently help her to her feet.

To her surprise she was pulled into a tight embrace that instantly ceased her shaking as she felt his heat cascade around her. Keeping a tight grip on her hand, he summoned another portal. Xion had done this before, she knew the drill.

Her mind was sent into a sudden blank, however, when she thought she heard Axel mutter an apology. She shook her head free of the thought. Though she could have sworn it so, he couldn't have really said it...could he?

With a slight nod of what was to be short-lived acceptance, she was then led into the dark corridor.

Led back to the castle...

Led back "home"...