NOTES FROM THE BAYO:

Sorry, sorry! D: I took so long, didn't I? Forgive me! But I finally updated for you all. :3 Thanks so much for the lovely reviews—I love 'em to bits! If it weren't for them, I'd probably take even longer to update. xD Sorry 'bout that, again. But this time I promise that I'll try to get the next chapter in soon—but please, keep reviewing! It keeps me going! ♥

Thanks so much again, guys!

Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts belongs to Square Enix, while this story belongs to me! So… no touchy, por favor!

Y N I T S E D ›› D E S T I N Y

. CHAPTER FOUR .
Don't be Afraid

So maybe coming to The World That Never Was was definitely worth it. Excluding all the scariness, the darkness, the weird Nobody occupants, and the depressing beggars, my (hopefully) one-time trip to this place was made worth while just by the mere introduction of the Flurry of Dancing Flames—Axel. My conscience was drifting in cloud nine as my two favorite characters in Kingdom Hearts history sat chatting, in person, only several feet from me. I was paying absolutely no attention to anything they were saying; all that my mind could focus on was the stunning blonde-haired lad and his equally stunning fiery-headed friend.

I had tried to mask the unnaturally large grin that was plastered on my face, but after trying for the tenth time, I decided my efforts were fruitless, and gave up.

Ah, the bliss of dreams…

"How'd you survive, Axel?" Roxas piped up. He was plopped next to me on one couch while Axel, who I simply could not keep my eyes off (come on, you know you wouldn't be able to, either), sat across from us on another ripped-up couch, a small table separating us. "I thought you put your whole 'being' into that attack?" he asked with a hint of hurt. My grin widened in amusement. He was so cute when he was sad.

"Bah, just some last-minute phrases from a fading traitor, the victim of a valiant sacrifice—you know, just some famous words to be remembered by," replied the sarcastic red-head, his form casually out-stretched on his furniture. He waved a hand dismissively. "No, I really did, actually. I have no idea why I didn't die off to Purgatory or something."

They were just small words exchanged by these two former best friends, but I could tell they've missed each other a lot. If Roxas didn't regain his memories as a Nobody, I was guessing he was trying desperately to retrieve them—if not for himself, then for the person who seemed to have earned his respect as a best friend. And just by looking at Axel, it was obvious he missed the blondie, even if he wasn't the same 'Roxas' he knew. It was all very sweet to watch.

"But," Axel spoke again, emerald eyes flickering to his lap. "I guess when something that doesn't really exist 'dies', they really don't die. That's another downfall for us; we can't make any heroic sacrifices, 'cause we won't go anywhere except here—the home of all Nobodies."

I wondered—maybe that's how the Organization managed to survive, too?

Roxas nodded solemnly. "I guess so. But I guess that's a good thing." Ocean blue eyes caught jade. "In case you didn't notice, I didn't exactly drop by just to say hi."

"Could've fooled me," Axel shrugged, but chuckled and shook his head. "Dumb Roxas hasn't changed a bit, always getting himself in trouble. What's up? Another universe to save?"

"Don't know yet."

"I wasn't being serious," the master of fire huffed. "But, before any stories and unraveled mysteries are swapped, I must inquire."

Roxas stared at him quizzically. "What?"

"Who's this kid?" A finger was jabbed in my direction, and suddenly I was pulled into their reminiscing conversation that was about to turn into a request for assistance towards the salvation of all that existed. "She's been sitting there since we've started talking, and hasn't said a word. Is she a new Organization member or something? Your girlfriend? Ooh, what'll cute little Naminé think, Roxie?"

The blonde Nobody sighed. Obviously he was used to the ex-Organization member's sarcastic, but utterly curious questions and comments. I was too, but I still found them completely adorable. "No, Axel. She's gonna be helping me out on this rescue thing."

"I'm Destiny," I finally spoke, pink coloring my cheeks as Axel skeptically eyed me. I tried my best to keep from squealing and totally freaking them out.

"Destiny, huh?" he repeated, optics narrowing. "So how did the Heartless/Nobody get to you, kiddo? Oh, that's right—Nobodies don't remember their pasts. Sorry 'bout that."

I blinked. What was he talking about—oh yeah! I'm guessing he thought I was a Nobody since no heart-people live here. Seems logical enough; as logical as Axel could get, anyway. "Well…"

Roxas chuckled nervously. "Um, Axel, Destiny's… uh… not—"

"I'm… um… 'complete'?" I squeaked.

"—a Nobody."

Axel stared at us with a nonchalant gaze. "Oh, I get it. So then—wha!?"

Before I could blink in reaction to his outburst, I felt a tight grip grapple my arm and I was forcefully yanked to my feet. My eyes soared up to meet with a pair of bright eyes that looked deep into mine, and Axel fluttered them once before releasing me, stepping back and palming his face. My unharmed hand shot up to rub the area where he grabbed, a pout on my face. "What was that for?" I winced.

"Why'd you bring a Somebody here, Roxas?" Axel snapped, eyes shooting to the blonde, who was as confused as I was. What was he so shaken up about? "Why's she in the Organization uniform?"

"It was mine," Roxas answered, a brow arching as he and I exchanged glances. "What're you so worked up about…?"

"If we're caught with her, we're as good as Dusks!" he barked curtly, before turning to me. "Did anyone see your face when you came?"

I stared at him numbly. "Well, I did walk here…"

"Wonderful, real smart. Dangit…" Apparently his good mood had reached its conclusion. "I at least expected you, Roxas, to know the dire differences between Nobodies and Somebodies!" His finger pointed rudely at me. "This kid has a heart, and we don't. So you know what that means?"

He shook his head slowly. "Um…"

"Light, squirt! Light!" Axel finished. He captured my wrist and yanked off the glove, revealing my small hands. He tugged off one of his own gloves and held it next to mine for comparison. "She's bright! Her heart gives her color! If you're gonna risk your behind walking her through this place, cover her completely, put her on a leash, and drag her! If they notice even one speck of her brightness, her identity's revealed!"

I cast a worried glance at Roxas. "That's not good." The rules here were way different than what I saw in the game—this really was like another sequel.

He was shocked, as well. "They've really stepped up their defenses, eh?"

"Like heck they did," was his angry response. "And to conclude our big problem with a bigger one, word of her appearance must've gotten to the higher-ups; I wouldn't be surprised if Saïx or Xehanort himself came to get her. Somebodies are a rare thing to see nowadays…"

"I would ask you about it, but I'm guessing time isn't in our favor," Roxas said in a surprisingly calm tone, while I was in a completely opposite state of mind (that consisted of me trembling and twitching anxiously).

"Right on the nail, as always," Axel shook his head. I was startled when I noticed a smirk on his face. "Trouble always seems to wreck my days of boredom with you around, Roxas."

"You know you missed it," the blonde retorted.

"Yeah, can't lie about that one," the red-head said with a shrug. "We'll hold a Q and A session once our rears are on safe grounds."

"Roger that."

I would've stood there with a soft smile on my face at the grins they exchanged with each other, but a scratchy banging on the door interrupted the moment.

"Time's up," Roxas murmured as his lithe form darted to the window.

"Can you fight?" Axel asked me.

"Nope," I answered shamefully.

"Joy." The banging continued, and a yell from Roxas indicated an escape route through the window. "Let's go, then—don't lag, or you'll be left behind," Axel warned, turning and sprinting towards the blonde. I gulped and followed in suit.

I stared over the sill, and gulped as I realized we were about three stories from the ground. Axel and Roxas had effortlessly leaped to the bottom, waiting for me to join them. "Um… you aren't… serious, are you…?"

Did I mention heights weren't my favorite thing, either?

"I want this dream to end now," I whispered to myself. "I'm sorry, Roxas, I…" I felt so dumb. Axel was staring up at me with a disappointed look on his face, and my heart was throbbing painfully. My body did not comply to the jumping thing. Were my legs capable of handling the pressure, anyway? I couldn't jump—I was too afraid. And now I was being a burden not only to Roxas, but to Axel, too… how embarrassing.

"What's wrong?" Roxas glanced up at me, a worried look on his face. The banging on the door continued, along with a few angry shouts.

"I—"

The door finally gave in and the receptionist strode in with a wild expression, followed by a few burly men who I guessed were security guards. I was caught.

"There she is, the filthy little brat," the lady hissed. "She nearly blinded me with that skin of hers!"

I spun and gasped, pressing my body as close to the ledge as possible. The woman glared at me with such angry, frustrated eyes—but the one thing that stood out the most in her was… emptiness. It made her look terrifying… or terrified. Her body almost glowed with rage as she neared me, and I scolded myself for stupidly forgetting to write my will. Fearfully clutching at Sora's necklace I screamed, her nails about to dig into me. Why did she need the guards, again?

I inched further back.

This was too real to be a dream.

But this had to be a dream.

Yet… why I so afraid…?

"Get away from me!" I hollered, and as if on command a bright light burst out of nowhere, engulfing me in nanosecond blindness. Suddenly I found myself standing alone in an area of nothing but white, and I fearfully gazed around, my eyes terribly wide. "Wh-where…?" In the distance I could hear a painful roar with the voice of the receptionist, and I gasped as the light started to fade.

Don't be afraid…

"Destiny! What's wrong?"

The light faded to a pair of concerned blue eyes, and I blinked several times to gain my bearings. No longer by myself in the room of pure light, I was now officially thrown back into my nightmare for the moment—The World That Never Was—accompanied by Roxas, who had pulled poor Axel into our silly mess. The blonde's palms had seized my shoulders and lightly shook me; although, it took me a few seconds to fully realize where I was. "Are you okay?"

"Roxas…?" I wearily asked, eyes wide. Wasn't I just by the window that was three stories high and about to be done in by a crazy receptionist? "How did…?"

"I thought I'd had to carry you down, but apparently not," Axel piped in, who was standing beside Roxas with a small smirk. "Nice jump there, kid."

… Huh?

"I jumped?" When did this happen?

"Get her! GET HER!" screamed the lady from above, who had a glare sharp enough to pierce an army of armed soldiers. "She's a monster! A monster!"

Finally the security guards sprung into action and leaped from the window. Our rebellious little trio was already on the run.

"If you don't have an escape plan, I'm gonna have to slaughter you," Axel grumbled as we tore down the street, shouting at random Nobodies to get out of our way or be stomped. Most of them were wise and leaped out of our stampede when they saw the couple of burly guards chasing us. Some even joined them in the chase.

"Don't worry, I do—the Gummi Ship," Roxas replied in pants. I mentally groaned—that meant we had to weave our way all the way back to where we parked it: the farthest area from the Headquarters.

"And where's that?"

"District thirteen."

"… I hate you."

"Save the hate for later—just run!" I yelped, seeing that the security was hot on our tails.

Axel growled and spun. "Crap," he muttered, and in a swirl of darkness his trusty chakrams appeared in his hands. Expertly spinning them between his fingers, the red-head's eyes glowed as he roared, "Burn!" Roxas and I peered over our shoulders back at him as he summoned a tall wall of fire that blazed behind us, creating a thick barrier between us and our pursuers. We heard the guards yelp in fright and surprise.

"Haven't lost your touch, I see," Roxas murmured to his companion and friend.

Smirking arrogantly, Axel shrugged. "You're looking at the master of fire, Roxas."

"That wasn't the least bit cocky," I grinned sarcastically.

"Pipe down, Tiny," he snorted.

Our pace became more relaxed at the assurance of the powerful fire Axel courteously provided for us, and we managed to reach the ship in one piece. I slumped against its hull, completely wiped out of all the stored energy I had—which wasn't much to begin with. Roxas fell over on his hands on his knees, messy blonde hair shrouding his face. I heard him mumble something about 'being out of shape' discreetly. Axel, on the other hand, didn't appear to be that tired. His chakrams disappeared from his grip and he occasionally glanced back towards the area we ran through, checking for unwanted company.

Talk about running for you life…

"That was… scary…" I panted.

"We're not safe until… okay, maybe we're never safe," Roxas laughed tiredly. He straightened himself as much as he could. "Let's get going to Radiant Gardens. Leon and them must be waiting."

"Yeah, before we're even more busted," Axel added, his arms crossed.

"You're coming with us?" Roxas asked. I glanced at him hopefully. Despite my extreme exhaustion, I still wanted him to join us so bad. Not only would our fight power increase drastically, but I'd get to travel around with the men of my dreams! … The men in my dreams, technically, but…

… Aww heck, I didn't even know if I was still dreaming or not…

"I'm already in trouble if I stay here," the man said, raking gloved fingers through his red mane. "Besides, staying by yourself and doing absolutely nothing all day gets to you, so… why not relive my days of trouble with Roxas on this little sha-bang?"

"I knew I went to the right guy," the blonde flashed him an absolutely adorable grin, and the Gummi door snapped open with a firm knock. "It's a long flight to Radiant Gardens, so we'll have plenty of time to talk. C'mon, Destiny, I'll show you how to work the controls."

"R-Really?!" I excitedly asked, bounding after him as he sauntered in. I paused at the doorway and glanced back to Axel, who was standing there, glancing towards the Headquarters with a strange look in his eye. "Axel—! Don't lag, or you'll be left behind!"

Emerald eyes shot to me in an intimidating stare, and I laughed, disappearing with him into the shuttle.

Don't be afraid.

I hopped into the main control seat as Roxas stood to my right, tutoring me on each of the buttons' uses. Axel poked his head over my right shoulder and grinned like a mischievous kid, prodding a big red button that looked like it wasn't supposed to be prodded.

You have the strongest weapon of all.

"Axel…!" Roxas growled as the sprinklers sprung to life above us, showering us until we were drenched. I wisely tugged my hood firm over my head and smirked at him, happy that I was dry.

The red-head laughed and pointed at Roxas. "You invited me, Roxas!"

Destiny…

"I'm feeling regret now," the blonde wiped water from his eyes and shook his gold mess of hair. He slapped at Axel's hand as it reached out to press another button, and tapped the same big red button to shut off the sprinklers.

"Everyone ready now?" I asked. Not waiting for an answer, I quickly flipped switches and pulled levers. The door slammed shut and the ship vibrated, the rocket engines humming as we began to ascend. "Then let's fly!"

"Hey, wait—!"

"Did you teach her how to steer?!"

They both cried in unison, "Destiny…!"

The name fits you well…

A/N: And here you guys goooo! Hope you liked it! Next time will be questions, answers, and Hollow Bastion! Everyone say yay! So stay tuned, and review, you lovely people. ;3

Special thanks to ChibiChibiLove, paige, MistFaerie93, Igor Lollipop, strawberyla, Hatake Umino Nezumi, and Liah Cauthon for the reviews! Love you guys!

-- Bayo-Bayo, signing out!