A/N - Just some quick details about this story before we get started. This was my old FF Another Story. Renamed, Rewritten. This is the first chapter so things will start off slowly. I've done my best to edit it as much as I could without completely changing the context.

Story is Kingdom Hearts, I do not consider this a crossover with Final fantasy since all characters present exist in the KH world.
LGBT. I prefer not to use the term yaoi.
Mild language, Dark themes such as some forms of schizophrenia, Depression, Anxiety, Dealing with loss and grief.
Acts of violence. Maybe some anger issues in the future. Rated M for these reasons.

If these subjects are touchy for you, I'd advise to read with caution.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the current characters mentioned in this chapter however some OC's will be used in later chapters.

Now let's get started.

CoDependent

o1 – Denial

"Denial helps us to pace our feelings of grief. There is a grace in denial.
It is nature's way of letting in only as much as we can handle"
- Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Have you ever loved a friend?

Whispered the lightning as it struck somewhere in the distance, crackling into a buzz.

A cold breeze shot by, "Yeah.." it replied as it weaved itself through locks of hair.

How many?

"Just one." was the reply as droplets of rain drove down the cheek of someone who looked out into that distance.

"Just one? How much did you love this friend?"

A shaky sigh escaped those lips, "More than anything," he spoke words he didn't want to think, "he was my everything."

And how did that make you feel?

He blinked slowly, drops of water clinging closely to his eyelashes as he lowered his head, "on a winters day my soul was warm." looking down his eyes darted side to side, "On a rainy day my reflection was more alive. I felt like my world had been crumpled up like trash and thrown away; like I was just a piece of trash."

And what did you do?

"I closed my eyes. Hoped he'd come back." he chuckled softly, "Of course seconds into minutes. Minutes into hours. Hours to days... weeks then months passed." he shook his head, fist clenching, "I finally opened my eyes... he was never coming back." then those fingers slipped as the wind blew by, "I felt abandoned." said the man whose arms hung loosely, sorrow over filling his heart.

You felt lonely?

"Of course I did."

He's back now.

Just not the way you wanted.

Still lonely?

The voice replied, another crack of light breaking the sky apart. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, only opening them again to look down upon the street that was below him. The clock tower had always been a safe place to come to but it wasn't safe anymore, "Yeah.." was the answer.

Alone.

Forgotten in the existence of life.

One that means nothing.

Everything, everyone.

The one who mattered; gone.

Tearing a hole deep inside your core.

One that rips away at your soul.

An all over whelming feeling.

Dark and tainted.

He didn't say anything, just closed his eyes again, taking a deep breath to hold.

You're alone now.

He's gone.

Just get it over with.

And so he did. He took that step off the edge of the tower; the feeling of nothing beneath his feet as he fell.

Axel shot up from his bed; breathing heavy, eyes wide open and sweat pouring from his brow. He frantically searched the walls of his room before letting out a shaky sigh; running an equally shaky hand down his face and through his hair. He leaned over, stretching his back out as he laid his forehead on top his of knees; the fabric of the blanket cool and only slightly comforting.

It was dark and quiet in his room but inside his chest was the beating of a drum.

After a few minutes that dragged on, he managed to calm himself down and reached over to turn his lamp on; his eyes falling on the clock. It was roughly five in the morning, meaning he still had a whole hour left before he actually needed to get up. He sighed in annoyance. It wasn't the first time he'd done this.

In fact; how many times was he going to have that same dream over and over? How many times would it try and mess with his head; make his nights miserable? These were things he wondered greatly. All it managed to do was bring back painful memories he tried so hard to block out.

It reminded him of when he felt like nothing, even his life didn't mattered. It had been a year since some things had happened and he was trying to move on in his own way but, it seemed that trying to get over it was becoming nearly impossible.

So he stood up, cracked his back and made his way into the bathroom. Bare feet lightly tapping against the cool tile, he flipped the light switch on and winced at his reflection. Face pale, his hair; ragged. Small signs under his eyes that sleep was coming up short.

"Seriously man.." he mumbled out loud to himself, "Get it together.." tugging his clothes off he dragged himself into the shower; thoughts pouring down the drain with the rest of the water.

His childhood came to mind many a times. Back when he had a friend; a best friend whom he grew up with. This friend had moved a year ago, very unexpectedly. Afterwards the teen was in a state of shock. A lack of emotions as one would call it. He never really accepted the news until a while later when the realisation that what had happened had, well, actually happened.

He knew it probably sounded stupid, him of all people grieving over the lost of one friend. Axel had a history of not taking well to losing people. This time around he began to fake his feelings. Fake smiles, fake laughs just to get by so people wouldn't bother him. Truth was he was a warm person; when he really did smile. Knowing he couldn't fool those around him forever he had already began to suspect that this worried his friends and family. They watched out for him, silently though. Something he appreciated. They knew better than to barter on to him with questions about how he was doing or how he felt. If they knew any better they would know he felt empty. It was hard watching someone you loved leave you like that.

Still lonely?

He shuddered as he stepped out of the hot shower and onto the cold bathroom tile. That voice wouldn't let it go.

"Ugh.." he groaned out loud, "Maybe I'm just tired.." He blinked at the version of him in the mirror, rubbing a towel through his hair.

The voice he heard sounded like him. Like the real him he left back in the real world. The one he locked up inside his head because he didn't want to be bothered with it. The one who knew the truth, knew what was really going and wished to express that. To scream out loud all the things it knew, but he ignored it.

Walking back into his bedroom, his wet feet picking up the random fuzz balls from the carpet; he went to the drawer, grabbing some clothes and slipping them on. He soon then flopped on the bed and looked to his clock. It wasn't even six, yet he couldn't think of anything else to do at this time.

"When'd it start.." he said to his ceiling fan above him, "The nightmares.. the voice.. this waking up so fucking early shit.." it had been too long to pinpoint the moment. A few months plus some odd weeks ago he assumed.

He blinked up at the ceiling fan, thoughts pouring through his head before a small ring buzzed within the back of his memory.

His brows pulled together, "Today's.." he slowly sat up and tilted his head to himself, "Nah it can't be.. not yet anyway.."

He then lifted his brows as he reached under his pillow, pulling his cell phone out. Flipping it open he clicked on the c key, popping his calendar open. He silently thanked himself for this habit of keeping dates.

Blinking however didn't take away the fact that sure enough, there it was. A small little red box around the day under the current day. He clicked down and pressed on the centre key. Screen popping a window open that read 'I'm sorry' and nothing else; that was it.

August thirteenth. He flipped his phone closed and shut his eyes. It wasn't today but a week. A week from this day. The day that he...

He opened his eyes and stared up at the ceiling fan. The sudden urge to vomit was great in his stomach; the sensation making its way up his chest, burning him and his heart. Sitting up in bed, he reached over and grabbed his bag; pulling the strap up and walking out of the room, door softly clicking behind him. The hallway was quiet as well as the stairs down to the kitchen. He took note of his sister, up early for a change, laying her head on the bar.

Axel was a twin. His sister Kairi and him turned out to be two completely different people however. Different shades of red hair; his brighter, hers more darkly toned. Two of a kind coloured eyes. Opposite genders. He being taller than the other as well as being the one older by a handful of minutes. Fraternal twins.

Tossing his backpack down next to a bar stool, Axel reached up into the cabinet. Shoving the glass into the water fountain of the fridge, he stared; lips twitching slightly as the feeling of needing to vomit trickled its way up his throat.

He proceeded to chug the fluid down in hopes of sealing the demon away. Once the glass was placed next to the sink, he walked over to his other half and shook her shoulder. No response though so he shook her again and even went as far and lightly whacking the back of her head. He still got no response out of the girl and simply huffed to himself.

She did manage to roll her head and let out some sort of grumble. Axel just lifted his brow at this and shrugged his shoulders. Reaching down to grab his bag again he made his way out the door into the foggy humid air towards his car.

He shoved his keys into the door, yanking it open; throwing himself in seemed okay at this point, barely missing hitting his head as he sat down. His bag taking over the seat next to him as he put his keys in; the radio would fill the eerie silence.

Of course not for long as he pulled his brows together, shutting it off. It was too much racket for the morning and his headache. Then it hit him, how long had he had this headache? Massaging the bridge of his nose, he set a time on his phone. A short 'rest of his eyes' as he called it, wouldn't hurt anything. Plus he needed to wait for his sister to come outside so they could go to the school. Today was group orientations after all.

In a week huh.. a voice echoed throughout the car.

Axel hummed, "Yeah.. it's a Wednesday too.. go figure."

The thirteenth.. some birds chirped nearby.

"Yeah.."

Of August.. the voice didn't sound too pleased by this.

He arched his brow in semi sleep, "Um yeah.. that an issue?"

Oh no. Just.. important.

Rolling his eyes, even as they were shut he replied "Not really. Just another day."

Oh it's special. the bird's chirping grew closer.

"What makes you say that?"

He's coming.. was the reply and Axel felt his brow flinch.

Suddenly before he had the chance to say, or think anything else on the matter, a vibrating beeping could be heard throughout his car.

He grimaced opening his eyes and flipping his cell open. Smashing the centre key and opening his car door with a bit more force than he really needed, the following actions proceeded; the redhead went inside, grabbed his sister, dragged her to the car, she got in, then he slammed the door a bit too harshly flinching his sister awake and the two finally set off to school.

It was a short drive as Axel turned the keys, started the vehicle and drove off. Curving roads, small buildings, tree after tree were the only things this typical urban place had to offer. After finding a space to park in and quietly noticing a small white car driving past him, he lifted a brow. The sudden feeling that swept over him at the sight reminded him of something along the lines of déjà vu if nothing less.

Shutting the car off he leaned over to shake his sister's shoulder, "Hey Kai wake up.. we're here."

"Mm.." she lifted her head and looked over at him, "School already?"

He lifted a brow at her, "Nah Kai, it's just group orientation. Go sign up for your sports classes okay.."

"Wait.." she mumbled, grabbing her stuff and trying to unbuckle herself, "Why are you here then?"

"I'm your ride smart one." was his reply as he reached over, undoing the seat belt that kept her trapped before finally answering, "Here for music.."

"Oh.." she muttered as he then thanked her brother and nodded; the two of them getting out of the car and making their way towards the building they finally took their separate routes.

Axel pushed his way through the glass doors and into a separate building from the main school. A sigh escaped his lips. After reaching the student's lounge, the redhead saw a few people there but choose not to greet them. Instead he headed for the desk with the schedule slips and grabbed one; heading outside through the back doors to the lunch area. He lifted himself on top of a picnic table, pulling a pen out of his bag and began to fill out the form.

The sky was clear, the clouds far away; wind soft and warm for August. The quiet hum of cars, people and chirping birds made him stop; take a deep breath and look around.

"It's just.. so calm.." he mumbled to himself, "Feels off.."

After spacing out for awhile, he put his pen in his pocket; heading back into the band hall and sliding the paper into the submissions box. He nodded his head a few times at the people who waved and shot him smiles.

He had the rest of the orientation day before him, which was going to end at lunch. The rest of the student body who signed up for extra classes would be getting their schedules at the end of said lunch. That gave him a good few hours to do whatever. With the rest of the day in mind he headed past the band hall and down the long hallway, taking a left towards the main offices and his destination.

After sliding the door open, he stepped in and shut it softly, "Hey Aer.." he said with a small smile on his face.

Said person looked up and smiled widely at him, "Morning Axel. How was your summer?" she asked with a tilt of her head, palm and pen resting at the base of her jaw.

Axel relaxed a bit more, pulling up one of the chairs, sitting backwards and leaning over the back, "Boring just like every year."

Now Aerith was one of the few people Axel liked. She was a kind hearted lady, treated everyone in a motherly fashion and generally was someone that students liked. A school couldn't ask for a better nurse and student counsellor; that and she taught the health class. Axel however knew her more wild side.

After some chit chat with the lady, he found himself sitting with his chair next to the window, leaning his head against the frame. His elbow rested on the seal, head supported by his palm as ear buds lightly hung through his hair and into his pockets. His eyes closed, lyrics flowing through from the iPod in his pocket into his mind.

As he sunk further in a dazed, half awake, half asleep state, he barely took notice as the door slid open. Footsteps walking towards where Aerith was sitting, happily working on things.

You shouldn't be sleeping here y'know.. a voice said in the back of the redhead's head; the lyrics becoming a dull hum somewhere far away.

"Morning Aerith." a deep low voice chimed in the distance.

"Morning Xalden." she voiced her reply in a sweet manner.

"I've brought some more paperwork." he said softly, "Transfer student who has special needs."

"Special?" she replied, her words fluttering through Axel's headphones.

"Just a simple case of chronic migraines and sleep deprivation. It's simply a permission form so you can give him medication and let him lay down for awhile.." he trailed off.

Axel unconsciously shuffled in his seat as his feet began to grow numb. The sound of paper being tapped on wood echoed through his head.

"Oh.." Aerith softly exclaimed lightly to herself, "I never imagined him of all people.. Transferring back I take it?"

"Seems so.." came the blunt reply, "It's been a year since him and his brother moved away. I'm sure they'll be fine fitting back in."

The redhead flinched slightly, "I'm sure he'd love to hear the news." Aerith's voice reached across the ceiling.

Even with his eyes closed, Axel felt the pressed of eyes watching him. Aerith and Xalden were looking over in his direction. Heavy weighed feeling on his shoulders as he soon felt his heartbeat increase.

Speaking in a more hushed manner the older man's accent became more profound, "Oh I see Axel's here.. Napping before orientation?" the teen assumed Aerith nodded as he continued, "Alright. Well I'll be taking my leave."

Hear that? Transfer students, a voice said in a manner that fit the lyrics Axel had long ago blocked out to eavesdrop with.

Xalden and Aerith exchanged farewells before the door slid open, footsteps exiting and the entrance to the room shut again once more.

Axel lightly opened his eyes, turning the volume up on his iPod with his thumb. He glanced over to take note of the young woman as she flipped through the papers. Lightly licking the tip of her finger being turning to the next page.

The redhead's eyes slowly moved back down to see where he was slouching back in the chair, hands now in his sweatshirt pockets. He took a moment to study a small hole the was starting to form in his jeans.

Who do you think they are?, the voice asked over the song.

Axel increased the volume, his thoughts linking back, "How should I know?"

The voice hummed, but was lost within the images floating with the lyrics. Losing himself in them didn't seem like a bad thing at the moment.

The redhead started to stir a bit, feeling his body being shook back and forth by the shoulder; soft voice whispering to him, "Axel.. Axe time to get up hun.."

"Mm..?" he looked up, rubbing at his eyes only to meet up with those of Aerith.

She smiled gently at him, "Hey there sleepyhead, orientation is about to end." she stood more straightly, hands on her hips, "You should head into the auditorium."

He sat up and glanced at the door, "How much time do I have left?"

"Half an hour." she smiled brightly, causing him to slump back into his seat.

"Really?" he whined, "You could have let me sleep a bit longer."

"Ah but the chairs in there are cushioned aren't they?" she went to go back to her desk, tapping her pen, "I'm sure you'd rather get in there early and relax instead of in here."

"Point taken.." he nodded.

Standing up he stretched his limbs out and popped his back in the process. He shuffled a bit, reaching for his bag and tossed it over his shoulder. As he made his way towards the door, he went to go slide it open to notice a familiar face on the other side. Said face sent him a smile, so sliding the door open he returned it.

"Heya Axel." a dirty blond haired male said as he stepped inside beside the other teen.

"Uh hey Dem.. what's up?" he responded as he stood by the doorway, hand still on the sliding glass.

The other teen just shrugged, holding a smile to his face, "Oh just dropping some papers by." he motioned towards Aerith, plopping a stack of clipped papers on her, "Hey Aer.. brought these for ya."

"Thanks Demyx." she said as she picked the stack up, tilting her head, "Oh.. transfer papers. Thank you." she smiled a bit.

Demyx smiled back just as brightly and nodded, "Mhm."

Axel stood awkwardly in the doorway, raising an eyebrow before Demyx turned around to shrug his shoulder, walking out the door. So the redhead, following suit, slid the door closed behind him.

"So Axe.." Demyx said as he twirled around on his heels, "Heading to the auditorium?"

"Yeah.." was the simple reply.

"Coo', I'll come with then." the other said as the two began to walk down the hallway. After opening the doors and entering down the walkway, Demyx turned to the redhead, "So did ya sign back up for the music group?" he asked.

"Yeah I did." was Axel's reply, "Figured I might as well since it's our senior year and all."

"Well that's great! The guys really missed you." the dirty blond smiled as he took a seat off to the side, Axel slipping in next to him, "There were so many pieces we wanted to do last year but without you they pretty much just sucked."

The redhead let out a low chuckle as he leaned back and crossed his arms, "Well don't worry, as long as the boss man didn't get rid of my beaut then we're cool."

Demyx went to open his mouth to say something as he leaned to his side before he noted a friend of his walking down the aisles, "Yo Zex!" he called out, "Come sit with us."

Looking back for a moment, the redhead noted this as the silver tinted bluenette Zexion sat on the other side of Demyx. The two of them exchanged greetings before Demyx turned back to Axel, slightly nudging his arm.

"Oh yeah man, don't worry." he replied to Axel's earlier comments, "She's still in there."

At that moment however the principal went to stand near the podium. Tapping the microphone before giving his short speech to those who held their orientation before the rest of the school. Eventually the students present were all handed their schedules as their names were called out one at a time.

Once receiving their papers they were told to make their way out into the halls and were dismissed for the day till next week when classes started.

After making his way out into the hall Axel never got the chance to check his paper before the dirty blond snatched it away from his grip.

"Dude.. I gotta see what classes we got together." Demyx explained himself.

The taller redhead simply rolled his eyes and held his hands on his hips as he watched his friend's eyes dart along the page, "Well?" he asked.

"Well ya got Maths with me 'n Zex here. Then we got Science together with Larx." which Axel raised his brows at cause he didn't quite know who that was before Demyx chirped in, "And of course we all have band together."

The bluenette standing next to him simply crossed his arms. Light smile on his face as he turned to Axel, "I suppose you and I will be doing his maths homework for him in that case?" he directed, which the redhead laughed at the disappointed look on Demyx's face.

"Oh c'mon." he whined as Axel patted his shoulder, chuckling lightly, "I'm not that bad.."

Just then the dirty blond's younger sister made her way over. The girl has a small light frame. Her body covered in nothing but white clothing. Hair seeming brighter blonde that it should have.

"Hey guys, looking at schedules?" she asked. Her brother replied and went to reach out for hers to compare schedules.

"Well Axel, it seems we have gym together besides just band." the girl pointed out.

Axel mused over this, "Heh, yeah that's going to be interesting. Can you even run Naminè?" he teased.

"Oh hush you." Naminè softly chuckled, "Well c'mon Dem, mum's waiting for us."

"Alright, well later guys." he waved, the two of them leaving the redhead and brunette together.

Said bluenette spoke up, "I suppose I'll be heading home as well. It was nice seeing you again Axel. We should talk sometime."

"Yeah, you too.." he waved bye to the silver bluenette, before going off to find his sister so the two could be their way.

A/N - That's that for the first chapter. I hope you enjoyed. I apologise for the slowness. Please do think of this as a prologue to get the story into the mood and place. Give you some idea of sorts. It'd mean a lot if you would Follow/Fav or review. If you see any grammar mistakes or issues I will be quick to fix them. Do point out issues to me. It means a lot. I will try to post new chapters every Sunday or every other Sunday to help motivate me to finally finish this plot line.