Taken ch.1 -Redone-

A/N I’m rewriting this whole series because I hate how poorly I wrote two years ago XD It should be better this time. Sorry if you liked the old one, but I’ve improved in two years and have new ideas for this, so I hope you’ll follow me on my course to fixing and finishing this story. I think it’s about time I show it the love it needs XD

Warning! Akuroku (Axel x Roxas), touchy feely stuff, Disneyness, yaoi and all that jazz, don’t like, don’t read~ I DO NOT OWN KINGDOMHEARTS OR IT’S CHARACTERS!

Read on~
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                                                                                 0-Roxas-0

   A sigh passed my lips as I dangled my feet over the edge of the drop off into the sea. It was probably a good 8 feet straight down, but I’ve never been afraid of it. Bored out of my mind, I prayed that my Red would come back, my eyes searching the clear blue water. All I see are the usual little fishes who dart away as soon a I move my foot slightly. The bolder ones come up to try and nibble on my toes, but it never hurts or anything, it actually tickles. The salty breeze came up to blow over me, giving me a nice big whiff of the ocean air. I live in a small, tiny town that if mentioned to an outsider would only arise blank looks. Twilight Town. Full of uncolorful people uncolorful personalities. The only one’s of interest are my brother’s and I. We all share the same sense of adventure, of wanting to just get out there and see what everyone’s told us is bad. All the corrupt and vicious life out there just waiting to eat us up at the first chance possible. I say, go ahead and bite me. Anythings better than this stupid place.

   My thoughts were all stopped when the familiar flash of red and various other colors greeted me. These colors being scales of something. It’s my Red. I have no idea what it is, but it always comes without fail if I’m here. I’m guessing it’s a fish..? I never know because it only ever comes out of the deep shadowy ink of the deep sea enough to flash it’s vibrant scales at me. Red is what most of the thing is, hence the nickname for it, but it has other colors over it’s fins and dangerous looking spines I’ve caught sight of before. I’m lucky this thing hasn’t attacked in the two years that I’ve been talking to it. Something tells me it’s more than capable of seriously hurting me. Though it’s never made any move to hurt me, it only swims along the edge of the dark abyss and the crystal clear water above. I’ve only ever seen the backside of it too. I have no idea what the front side looks like. I smiled fondly at the company I have now, putting my hand in the water, scattering a group of smaller fish in the process.

“ Hey. I was worried you skipped out on me, you jerk. It’s been an especially boring day up here, so I guess it’s my fault for coming so early. Our meet up is sunset and yet I came hours in advance.” I highly doubt whatever it is can understand me, but I just love being able to vent, even if it’s to a fish. Don’t think I’m crazy or anything, but to me it just seems….like it’s listening. You know? Like it understands what I’m telling it. It doesn’t go away until I tell it I have to go, so I’d stay that’s an impressive skill for some fish to do. “ Man, what I wouldn’t give to just be like you. Get to have the whole open ocean to just.. explore. That must feel so nice, getting to just go off on your own and not have to worry about anything. Hell, I’m 18 and still haven’t done anything yet! I finished school and am just itching to get out there, but of course dear old mom and dad aren’t wanting to let Sora and I go. Cloud went to the local college, but even he still lives at home. If I had the option, I’d go with you in a heartbeat.” My voice went soft as I gazed hopefully at Red, seeing something of a response from it. It flicked its tail at me, color reflecting all around it. My hand was still in the water, reaching for the mysterious creature.

   Something wet and very strong suddenly wrapped around my wrist, my breath catching in my throat, stopping the bewildered scream from coming out. Before I could react, a sudden voice sounded in my head, two bright green eyes coming into focus below the surface.

“ Hold your breath.” Nearly hyperventilating, I didn’t know how to react to the very humanlike hand wrapped around mine, and the unreal red mane of hair floating around a very man looking face. Without thinking, I followed it’s order, my eyes widening at a strong tug making my body leave the shore. The next thing I knew, I was suddenly surrounded by water, my eyes barely making out the male shape from before. It’s thumbs came near my eyes, getting them to reflexively close as the digits gently rubbed them. “ Now open.” Not sure about this, I cautiously, slowly, opened them little by little. As soon as I did, I was amazed to find that my vision was perfectly clear, even underwater. I could make out every little detail of my captor, the way his red hair floated around him, lacking gravity down here. His face was thin and had prominent cheek bones which had some sort of marking on them. Though the most startling thing was the gills on its neck and the spines flaring out on its forearms, or the odd texture of its skin. Glancing down, I found the same pattern and colors on scales that I assumed were just a fish’s for two years. M-Mermaid?! Man?!

  I think he caught onto my panic because he reached out and ran his hand through my hair with a reassuring smile, letting me know that I wasn’t in any danger. His spines are in a relaxed position, not in a threatening way at all. My lungs burned with the need to breathe, and I was just about to try and let him know that I needed air when his thumb ran across my lips. My face flushed slightly at him touching them, because honestly, fish man or not, he’s fucking hot. Exactly my type. Damn it Roxas, now is not the time to let your hormones rage! This,...man was give me a very curious look, like he’s never looked at something like me before.

  If I could open my mouth, a squeak would’ve came out at him wrapping his arms around me, pulling me close. Instead a few tiny bubbles came out as some salt water filled my mouth slightly. His wild hair tickled my face at his closeness, my toes rubbing against his beautiful tail, the feeling all too surreal. My eyes widened at his face coming even closer, his body heat clear on my face. My lips parted slightly as his brushed mine, capturing my lips before anymore water slipped in. I made a muffled sound in my throat as I felt my heart throb painfully at being suddenly kissed by this man. I felt my face flush a dark red as I grabbed onto his upper arms, needing something to keep my sanity. My eyes closed halfway, my letting him do whatever he wanted. Fuck what the hell is happening?! I’m not supposed to let strangers just fucking kiss me! Especially not strangers who grab me from the sea! I was surprised yet again when I felt him lip my lips before pulling away, my lungs not burning for air anymore. I opened my mouth, surprised that not water filled in. I can...breathe?!

“ That should last you for a while.” The voice came back into my head, the man looking quite pleased with himself, not letting my go from his hold as he swam easily around, the tiny fish moving away from him like usual. How do I even talk to him…? I don’t have the ability to talk to him through my mind… “ I can hear your thoughts. All you gotta do is think.” The voice answered as he gave me a smirk, still looking very alluring despite everything. It’s hard to tell myself that I’m just dreaming when I can feel his tail brushing against my legs with his every movement, the texture very smooth and pleasant.

“ You can just hear me?”  I tested out in my head, giving him a curious look, unsure of this man after he just grabs me and kisses me. Sure it was to save me from drowning, but still…

“ Yes. I also know you find me attractive and want me to press my lips back to your’s again.” His smirk only grew wider as I became flustered yet again, my blush coming back full force. What a cocky thing he is…

“ N-no I don’t…” He only laughed, running a hand down my cheek, the feeling of his hand different from a normal one. His was textured and rough, probably covered in small hooks to help hold prey or something. He’s very flirty...who knew..

“ I remember that the action of pressing your mouth against another’s is called kissing, right? It’s an intimate act of love, correct? Or it could be a gesture of sexual want. I’m guessing that it’s sexual want, am I right?” My eyes avoided his as I tried hiding how much him purring in my head riled me up. What a jerk! You don’t just tease someone after you practically kidnap them! Though I guess I did just ask for it…. That I’d give anything to be with him.. I never thought that it was possible though!

“ I-It’s also very rude to pick fun of people! I don’t even know your name yet!” Giving him an upset look, I rested my head on his chest, comforted to hear a heartbeat there. Plus this guy is oddly warm…

“ Sorry, I’m Axel. Nice to meet you Roxy.” I blinked at him already knowing my name, well, it’s an annoying nickname of my name, but it’s still me regardless. “ I’ve hung around you for two years, I’ve heard people call your name before.” Ah, okay, that makes sense then. It’s not some magical mermaid power or anything. Axel…. fitting. It’s really cool, I like it. I like being able to see his face finally and knowing that he’s a hot man, not a fish. “ Sorry but I can’t keep you like this for long. Both of us will get in trouble if I do. Plus your brother is looking for you.” As he said this, I heard a muffled call of my name, it probably being Sora looking for me. I didn’t realize that it had already gotten dark. I felt an odd want to just stay with Axel, his body heat lulling me into a comfortable state that I didn’t think was possible with some stranger underwater. Plus I can feel the air he gave me running out, so he’s right.

“ But-” I was cut off by two soft lips pressing against mine yet again, my mind whirling at the action, not prepared for it. Nervously, I reached out to tangle my fingers in his wavy mane, enjoying this a lot more than I should.

“ Don’t worry Roxy, I’ll come back. We’ll see each other again. I promise.” The redhead explained as he pulled away with a smile, kissing my cheek in farewell. The man gently took my hands from his hair, tilting his head in amusement before he winked and swam off before I could say anymore. Suddenly having the need to breathe again, I started swimming up to the surface, gasping for air once I finally broke the water. Fuck it’s cold up here..

“ Geez! You scared me Roxas! What on Earth were you doing down there, you weirdo!” Sora teased as he helped me back onto the shore, my body shivering as I tried standing. Using Sora for support, I finally was able to get on my feet again, my lips still tingling from Axel’s lips. God...am I sure I didn’t just make all that up?! I mean, who’d believe someone like me babbling about something as unbelievable as mermaids. I turned to Sora desperately, wanting to know if I was just going crazy or something.

“ Sora! Did you see something down there with me?” I asked urgently, praying he did so I could tell myself that it actually happened and that Axel is real. I really hope so because I don’t want to think I just made up losing my first kiss to a man who’s half a fish… Sora gave me a bewildered stare, looking caught off guard by my sudden urgency to have him tell me that he saw something.

“ No…. why? Should I have? I didn’t even see you till you popped up. Had you stayed down there, I would’ve never known you were down there.” The scared looking brunette explained, not sure what I was talking about, probably looking for a joke somewhere in my words.

“ O-Oh, no reason. I’m just...curious is all. Never mind. Let’s just hurry home or mom and dad will have our heads.” I easily brushed off his concern, wishing I could walk on my own so I didn’t have to be next to his intense staring, but my legs feel like jello. I can’t walk well on my own. We’ll meet again. I promise…..the words rang in my ears as I bit my lip, not sure how I could’ve made all that up. It was too real to be a dream...but I don’t believe in mermaids… Urg! This is so confusing! What’s even more confusing is me being attracted to him. I’m not gay! At least last I checked I wasn’t...Great, a fucking fish man is making me question my sexuality.

   Once we got back home, I saw Cloud leaning against the door, his arms crossed in front of his chest. He doesn’t say much, but he’s really nice. It takes a lot to get him talking, but he’s always been protective over us. This only being proved when he ran up to us, scooping me up into his arms as he hurried us both inside. Cloud took me up to mine and Sora’s shared room, tossing me on my bed, throwing my pajamas and a towel at me.

   We all settled in on my bed after I was changed and wrapped up in a blanket. It’s not as warm as Axel was...This is our nightly routine. We all sit on my bed and Sora leads the conversation while Cloud and I put in things every now and again. It was very relaxing to sit here and listen to the ocean’s noises. The calm lapping of waves hitting the shore, the chirping of the insects of the night. I just wish that his voice would stop running through my head, his gorgeous smile crossing my vision every now and again. My lips haven’t stopped burning with pleasure since then either.

“ Hey! Have you guys heard the new rumors?!” Sora excitedly started with his usual enthusiasm, the brunette always being a sucker for the local hearsay. One thing this town has plenty of is rumors or superstitions. They fly around like nothing else, everyone knowing them within the end of the day thanks to the small size of the town. Sora especially loves them and comes to Cloud and I the second he finds out. Of course we both knock down the ideas he gives us, because both my eldest brother and I both don’t fall for them as easily as gullible Sora. “ Well there has been this huge rise in people going missing and everything and finally this one guy’s family was worried and kept tabs on where he said he was going, and it turns out he was going right to ‘the point of no return’!” The point of no return is this one spot in the ocean that’s just like our own personal Bermuda Triangle where it’s said that if you row a boat into that zone, you’ll never come back. Your boat will just float back to shore without you in it. Stupid idea really.

“ And? It’s probably just some pirates or something looking for something worthwhile. Nothing to get all worked up about.” I waved Sora’s interest in the subject away, not finding it anything to discuss about. I watched as Sora puffed up his cheeks in anger, never being one to enjoy when we both shoot him down.

“ Well you didn’t listen to the rest of the story Roxas! There was this fisherman who saw the whole thing go down, and he said he saw something with the upper body of a person and lower body of a fish grab him right out of his boat! It was a mermaid! Or merman, they didn’t say really.” Sora gave Cloud and I a bright look as he held his arms out to emphasize his excitement. My body went cold again, having Axel brought to the front of my attention yet again. Usually I’d be the one to pop in and say ‘ No way is there such a thing as mermaids!’ but…. My hand unconsciously went up to touch my tingling lips, Axel’s body and hands feeling like they were still on me.

“ There’s no such thing Sora.” Cloud piped up, crossing his arms over his chest as Sora deflated, giving our brother a pout.

“ There is to! That guy saw it! If you’re so sure, why don’t you go out there then.” Sora huffed, not enjoying being told otherwise. Cloud shrugged, not retorting to Sora’s request.

“ Okay. I will. When I come back, I’ll prove you wrong.” Cloud easily said, shrugging his shoulders yet again. “ I’ll go now.” He stated, leaning towards the widow, getting a terrified squeak from Sora.

“ Hey! I was just kidding!” He tried, not wanting Cloud to go out there. To be honest, I don’t want him to either. It’s bad enough that I know they’re out there, I don’t want my own brother to get taken by some fish…I couldn’t bring myself to open my mouth to try and stop him, I was still in inner turmoil about the fact I was kissed by a real fucking mermaid. It wasn’t a dream. It couldn’t be.

“ And I’m not. I’m leaving. I’ll come back. I promise.” Cloud declared as he swung his legs out the open window, his face as stoic as ever while my youngest brother started freaking out. I swallowed my fear and looked over to my daring brother, reaching out to grab his shirt, stopping him from jumping out the window.

“ You better come back or I won’t forgive you.” I told him, knowing there was nothing I could say to get him to not go out to the point of no return.  He gave me a nod before he gracefully jumped, landing perfectly before his shadow silently creeped over to our shead, returning not a moment later with a row boat held above his head. The only sounds of him leaving were the waves still meeting the shore and a small splash before the shadow of my brother began rowing. Sora and I still had our heads nervously sticking out of the window, Sora looking much more concerned about this situation than I was. “ Don’t worry Sor. He’s not weak. Cloud knows what he’s doing. The only thing we can do is sit here and wait for him to come back. He’s not stupid, he has both brain and brawn on his side.” I tried, giving my brother a confident look, needing to stay strong for him. If I don’t stay strong, who will? Cloud was our rock, without him, it’s up to me to look after and stay strong for Sora until he returns. Sora’s too emotional to be anyones rock.

   With that, I crawled under the covers of my bed, Sora crawling in with me. My bed’s big enough for two. He’s done this since we were little. If he ever felt worried or scared, he’d crawl in my bed. I ruffled his hair affectionately, hoping myself that Cloud would return like he promised. With that, I fell into a restless sleep, both worries of Cloud not returning and memories of Axel dancing me around underwater drifting into my mind.

                                                                                 0-Cloud-0

   Maybe it’s stupid of me to willingly go out and search for whatever it is that’s been stealing people, but I can’t find the time to care. I love my brothers and don’t want anything to happen to them, so I’m doing this to prevent either of them sneaking out on their own. If they see me come back safe and sound, they won’t want to go out and look for something.

   It didn’t take me long to row out to ‘ the point of no return’, thus began the waiting. I have no idea what time they said it was that people get taken, but I’ll wait out here until something happens.

   Hours had flown by and the water was completely calm, there were no signs of thieves, nothing. Only the soft whispers of the sea around me. I sighed, wishing that this wasn’t such a boring task that I had to do. I said it myself that there wasn’t anything out here, and now I’m almost sorry I was right.

   I perked up when I heard a splash, my head snapping to see what it could’ve been. I caught the dark sky being reflected by the glimmering water as a tail slapped the surface. Just a fish. Of course. What else would it be? Laying back, I welcomed something or someone to try and steal me, guessing that I was in for the long haul. I’ll wrap this up at first light and head back home if nothing out of sorts happens.

                                                                                 0-Roxas-0

   Roxas….

   I shifted in my sleep as I heard my name being called, the voice drifting around in my head. I tried to make sense of it, but I was so out of it that I couldn’t. Deciding to ignore it, I let my mind go once again, it just barely sinking into sleep before it called again.

Roxy!

   It sounded much more urgent this time, plus Roxy isn’t something either of my brothers or parents call me. In fact… there’s only one person I can think of that calls me Roxy… Axel…?

Yes, it’s me Roxy, now come on.

   Come on…? But why? Why am I even hearing him now anyways? I’m sleeping. It must be just a dream. Better to ignore it then. No reason to get worked up about a voice when there’s no body attached to it.

Roxas.

   I nearly jolted upright in my bed at the closeness of the voice. It sounded like it was right in my ear. My heart pounded as I looked next to me, only finding my passed out brother Sora. There’s no way it was him calling me. He’s clearly asleep and has been for a long time. His mouth is wide open and his disgusting drool is all over my pillow. I’m going to kill in in the morning for that. Remembering why I woke up, I carefully scooted down my bed, looking out the window I had left open. Staring at the sea, I felt the pull, the want to see him again just to tell myself that I wasn’t nuts. This time, I’m not going to let myself be swept away by his flirting. I was just shocked and accepted it is all. That’s not happening again. Glancing back at Sora, I heaved myself up on the sill, using a board propped up against the house to help be descend. I’m not as graceful as Cloud so I need a little help.

   At the feeling of the cold Earth beneath my feet, I shivered, not enjoying the cold on my toes. My skin broke out in goosebumps as I cautiously edged towards the water. I swear if he’s not there… Taking a gulp of air, I gathered the courage to kneel at the edge where I had sat earlier, feeling like a complete moron for sneaking out to go try and see the merman that I heard in my head.

Sorry.

   My face contorted in confusion at the random word from him. Sorry? For what? What’s there to be sorry about? He called me out here, and now he’s saying sorry? I can’t even see him with the water being this dark. The air caught in my throat as two hands suddenly burst from the water, my balance wavering as a strong tug had me plunging face first into the water. I was about to panic before I went limp at those lips covering mine again. It wasn’t because I enjoyed it that much, though I did, but because my body just suddenly stopped moving. My mind started going black as I felt the life in me just drain away. What….why…?

Sorry for that Roxy.

                                                                                 0-Cloud-0

   I returned at first light like I had told myself, nothing happening besides that fish splashing. What surprised me was a distraught and sobbing Sora running up to me before I even had the boat on shore. What happened while I was gone…?

“ C-C-Cloud! It’s R-Roxas!! He’s gone! I looked everywhere and I just can’t find him!”  My blood ran cold at that, fearing the worst. Why would he have suddenly up and disappeared?! He has no where to go! I pulled the sobbing Sora in for a hug, since he’s the type to need physical comforting when he’s upset. Glancing out at the sea, I narrowed my eyes, now even more suspicious. Maybe…. there is something to this rumor…? Looking down at the shore, I found a pair of foot prints stopping at the edge of the water before there were some marks that looks like something was pulled in. I need to go back…. Roxas is out there. I know it. I’ll just have to be live bait then.

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A/N So, how do you guys like this better? I think it’s a thousand times better XD And I’m going to be hard at work getting the other chaps redone, so please follow along with me again~ I’d be cautious with going ahead, since ( depending on when you’re reading this) I may not have done the other chaps yet, so if I was you, I wouldn’t read ahead if the other chaps look like shit XD Because the storyline is probably going to be vastly different. Please tell me what you thought! It gives me inspiration~