Alright readers! Front and center! Today is the day you start reading this story! Well, you were anyways if you're already here! Pardon the annoying general sounding crap up top. To much on mah mind today. Anyway, yepperz! First KH2 fic and surprisingly enough, I'm happy with how this is going! Now, it is my first time so Axel may be a bit OOC. Also, THERE IS NO YAOI in his fic! Sorry, but some people might think Axel and his friend in this story are more than friends and I just want it stated that tey are nothing more than friends. Alright, now that thaty is settled on wards!
Disclaimer: WR does not own the rights Axel or Kingdom Hearts 2. She does though own the Nothings and the characters you do not recognize.
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The sound of birds and dogs calling out was the first sign of a new day. The sun had yet to rise into the sky; the heavens instead painted a gorgeous golden, developing to the darkened blues of the main night sky. Even with all that the full moon could be easily seen. Maple trees decorated the neighborhood of the town, their leaves the crisp autum colors.
And even beyond all that a red heard was just bringing himself out of the slumber with a start. Breaths came in deep ragged gasps as beads of sweat rolled down his face. Green eyes were wide and fear easily decyphered in his expression. The bed sheets were thrown everywhere, some even spilled onto the carpet below. Even with all the supposed tossing and turning his hair managed to keep to the same electrical socket look it normally carried.
Green eyes went to the nearby alarm clock that rested on a pile of old magazines. The red numbering read 4:56 AM. With a sigh he ran a hand through his hair, falling back onto the pile of pillows. Under an hour ago he had just fallen asleep. The nightmares kept him from falling alseep peacefully. Strange thing was he could never remember a thing about the dreams he had once he woke up. Removing his hand from his hair the redhead looked around his room. Everything seemed in order from the many clothes on the floor to the stack of CD's and skateboard resting against the wall.
Axel desided to roll out of bed then and there, reaching a head to flick the switch on the back of the alarm clock before hand. The last thing he needed was to come home to a ringing alarm clock. As he swung his feet around the side the rest of the sheets fell to the floor. Pushing himself into a standing position the black flame decorated boxers fell a tad bit lower around his thin frame. Many of the people he saw were always concerned for him with the enorexic appearance he had. A lot of people couldn't understand that it was his natural appearance.
Arms stretched upwards and a few cracks were heard as Axel stretched out his back. Feet lifted over the trash scattered around the floor as he made his way to the partly opened closet. Opening the wooden doors neon green eyes scanned the racks for today's outfit. Axel picked out one of his favorite outfits, most of it being black. A black button up shirt with flames decorating the bottom hung off his shoulders, the buttons being left unbottoned as black cargo pants with silver buckles covered his lower half. DC shoes covered his feet. As he proceeded to the hallway of the small two story home Axel made a quick stop to pick a pair of black and red bike gloves. The Nobody proceeded down the flight of stairs, pulling the gloves over his hands while doing so.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs Axel made his way across the hall to the kitchen; pulling a piece of bread in the toaster. Then moving on to the small living room hosting only a couch, coffee table, entertainment center, and TV as well as a few games and DVD's. Axel stopped in the entryway of the room, green eyes scanning over the immediate area. Not seeing what he was searching for he set out with searching behind and under things. Eyes lit up as he leaned over the armrest of the couch. A quick victory was stated before picking up the backpack he took everywhere and slinging it over one shoulder.
Axel hade haste to the kitchen, snatching the piece of burnt toast as it popped up. Shoving the piece of bread in his mouth Axel made his way to the main door of his small home. One hand reached up to swipe a key from their perch on a small ledge overlooking a small window next to the door. Once outside, the redhead turned to lock the main door before moving on to where he was going that day. Smile crossed his lips however the piece of toast blocked most of that. Turning again so his back was to the door neon green eyes scanned the streets.
It was a quiet little neighborhood with houses lining the streets, most unoccupied while the few that were taken held families within. The homes and neighborhoods surrounded the small shops in the center. Everything was in walking distance even if it was a few mile walk to the closest store. Around about half of the outskirts were farmland where Axel spent most of his time working. Wages were somewhat low but it was enough to get by. All in all Axel liked the little town. Everyone knew everyone and there wasn't much use for a car so the skies and air were always clear.
Most of the people here, though, couldn't understand why he wore black with the sun beating on him most of the day. Even so the Nobody couldn't explain the pleasure he got with feeling the heat. He didn't even sweat as much as others. It was kind of strange to him but Axel adored the heat and fire. However, for some reason, he didn't know why. His whole life before this town was a complete blurr, only a distant memory locked in the back of his mind.
More or less trotting down the driveway the redhead smiled and nodded to a new couple and their newborn daughter who had moved in across the street from him not that long ago. He took the first left that came to a new street and moved to the fourth house on the right. It was about the same size as his only a bit larger. His best friend and his parents lived there so it was only natural that the house be bigger to hold three people. A silver Toyota was parked in front of the garage.
"Cyro!" he yelled out s he took a spot at the bottom of the driveway.
A teen about 15 or 16 years nearly broke a run when the door opened. Chocolate brown hair was gelled back with a few strands hanging in front of orange eyes. A white tank hung loosely from his shoulders as camoflauge colored shorts covered a bit past his knees. A smile was on his face as Cyro made his way to Axel. The two exchanged a series of handshakes, ending with bumping of the hands.
"Working at the post office. Got it memorized?" asked Axel as he let his hand fall to his side and turning to contine down the maze of roads.
With a small snort and a grin the teen could easily reply. "Hell yeah! Puttin' up posters and deliverin' letters 'cross th' town. Who wouldn't have it memorized?" Cyro ducked an aim to the back of his head by the redhead and took off a few paces at a trot. Spinning on his heel the brunette turned so he was facing Axel.
Neon green eyes danced with humor even as his friend trotted off to the safety zone. "You're the only one that I know wouldn't be able to memorize it, Cyro." Axel ran to catch up to his human friend who turned back around.
It was about a good hour walk from Axel's house to the post office. However, with company to chat with it didn't seem to take as long as it originally was supposed to take. Both men were laughing as they entered the small building that was the post office. A large counter stretched from one wall to about three-thirds down. From there on was a wall and a door leading to the back. So far only one person was there. An old man who was seemingly loosing his hair. Axel was the one who entered first, a small bell on the top of the door ringing as he passed through the entry. Cyro followed right behind with his trademark smile on his face.
"Mornin', Boys," the old man behind the counter said with a smile and a small wave of his head. He continued with sorting the letters. "Axel, you'll be putting up posters around town and Cyro, you'll be deliving letters from Gery Road to Kingdom Drive."
The friends exchanged looks. They would be working on opposite sides of town after trying to get the same work scheduel to be together. Cyro was really the only person Axel could relate to. "Alright Mr. Toz," the two said almost in unison. Axel went to collect the posters he was to be putting up while his friend went off to get the letters and some sort of transportation.
Unrolling one of the large sheets of paper Axel's eyes scanned over the print. It was an advertisment for a town gathering to be held in the next few days. Kind of like a carnival only with no rides and a lot of different contests from food eating contests, best grown foods, to sack races and best skateboard trick for the teens. It was sure to be a hit with everyone in town.
"Hey, Cyro, you planning on going to this?" Axel held up the poster he had been looking at. After his friend nodded the redhead rolled the poster back up and shoved it with the rest in his backpack. "All around town, Mr. Toz?"
The old man looked up from the letter sorting to look up at him. "Yes, Axel. Ask Mrs. Kitreu to keep some at her shop and hand them out to her customers."
With a nod and a glance towards Cyro the redhead moved out the door only to hear the bell jingle again. His first stop would be the little flower boutequie then onto the rest of town. The streets were beginning to fill with people shopping and just gossiping while kids ran playing with dogs and chasing balls as well as different games. A smile couldn't help but come across Axel's face as he passed a group of younger children playing tag.
The aroma of flowers soon filled the air the closer he got to his destination. A small little flower store came into veiw soon. There were hanging pots outside with pots of yellow and orange flowers just waiting for someone to plant them in their yard. Stepping over a pot the Nodoby moved on into the store where the scents were even stronger. It was more like a little stand almost. There were no doors or walls, only shelves and buckets and baskets. There was a roof of course and a small counter in the back. There were a variety of plants and colors scattered around as well as gardening supplies.
Letting his backpack fall into his hand so as not to hit anything was a good idea. "Morning," he greeted the lady behind the counter. Her mid back length hair was pulled back into a pony.
She smiled at Axel. "Good day, Axel. You can put a poster on one of the beams outside. I'm afraid there's no room in here."
With a nod the redhead turned, nearly bumping into a Tiger lilly as he did so. Once safely outside with minimal damage to anything Axel turned, pulling out a poster form his backpack while doing so. "Hopefully people will be able to see this." A small laugh came from his lips at that. Now another problem came. How to stick up the posters. He hadn't grabbed any tape or a stapler at the post office. "Aw shit man!" Axel muttered to himself, glaring daggers at the poster. If it were't for all the flowers and the clay pots Axel would be banging his head against the beam of wood.
"There a problem out there, Axel?" the familiar voice of the lady came.
"No!" was his quick response. "I got it. Some flowers are just in the way."
"Alright. Don't break anything."
A sigh came. He hated lying to these people but at the same time it was easy. They belived everything you told them. That's what Axel didn't like about this town. Everyone was just to trusting. With one hand on the poster that was against the wooden pole the redhead let his head droop, trying to think of something to use to keep the paper up.
What sounded like a stapler reached Axel. He lifted his head to see a staple in the poster. Turning his head Cyro's smiling face was what he first noticed. "Mr. Toz realized you forgot th' stapler. Nice goin', Axel. Someone woul' think you of all people would remember sumthin'." He held a black stapler in his hands.
Tossing the item to Axel Cyro grinned. "Gotta go do my job now. See ya later, dude!" It was then Axel realized his friend had a skateboard with him. With a bag full of letters Cyro skated off to go across town.
Laghing slightly at the teen's antics Axel stowed the stapler in the bag and started off towards the General Store where Mrs. Kitreu worked. It would be best to get that over with. Meant fewer things to carry and put up. He passed many different stores, receiving hellos and greetings as he passed.
Strangely something furry brushed against him. Axel wasn't much of an animal person and the dogs and cats tended to stay away from him. The Nobody glanced down and strangly enough there was his navy colored creature there. Only up to about his knee the creatures fur was that dark blue with two large horns that curled under it's ears. A strange silver marking decorated the left side of it's neck as a docked tail sat behind it. Strange enough already silver fur covered the creatures paws, under belly, chest, and a few places on it's maw. It's ears were pointed and legs long with a bulky body.
Axel blinked at the canine as it lifted it's head. The redhead drew his head back slightly. This thing had no eyes. Not even eye sockets. "Strange," he grumbled to himself as the dog looking creature padded away. With a sigh Axel shifted his backpack on his shoulder his neon green eyes went to the sign of the store he was stanging outside of. Thoughts of the creature were pushed to the back of his mind as he realized that this was where he was going. The words "Kitreu General Store" in neat curved lettering hung close to the roof of the building.
It was one of the largest shops here. It was made out of wood by the looks of the outsides but inside one could easily see it was made from the same material as the homes. Inside was a series of displays. The stock ranged from food to shampoo. If you couldn't find one thing in a different store you found it here. And on the right side was where the counters were. Axel basically trotted over to the counter. However, instead of Mrs. Kitreu there to greet him he found a teenaged girl about a few years older than Cyro there. Blond hair reached about her shoulders and brown eyes were staring boredly off into space out a window. Axel could only stare and blink until she realized he was there.
"Oh! Sorry." A small blush spread over her face. "I was…er….thinking." The girl moved some papers around on the counter to make some room should Axel have any purchaces.
The movement of a tabby she-cat caught his attention. Axel grinned at the cat as it rubbed against his leg. "Hey, Krib." A shrug came from the older man. "S'ok. I'm just here to deliver some posters about the festival. Is Mrs. Kitreu here?"
He saw the familiar flower pattered dress from the corner of his eye. Axel turned his head to see the 50-year-old making her way towards the counter, a small lagh coming from her. "I'm not dead yet, Axel. This is my neice, Rea." His green eyes went back to the girl who had moved to make room for her aunt. "You said you had some posters."
Snapped out of his thoughts the redhead rummaged through his bag for the stack he had been given. "Yeah. Mr. Toz was wondering if you could keep these on your counter for the customers." Axel held out the many papers to her as he slung his bag back over his shoulder. As she took the advertisments he waved a small good bye. "I have to finish posting these. See ya later, Mrs. Kitreu, Rea."
He started towards the door, stopping just before he reached it. "Hey, do either of you know about those strange navy furred dogs runnin' around?"
Mrs. Kitreu looked in thought for a moment. "Oh! We call them Marut. They help protect the town. Don't worry, Axel. They are harmless."
Harmless my ass! Axel thought to himself. "Alright. If yo say so." It was then he exited the store to go on to finish the rest of his job. When he was done the Flower store, General Store, Clothes Store, and almost every other store there except for a few were advertising the festival to be held in the nest few days. As far as he could tell the day went quickly and Axel soon found himself back at the post office with an empty backpack and a stapler half full. Cyro was there waiting for him, looking bored as hell with nothing to do.
As Axel walked through the door his friend leaped up from where he was sitting, eyes bright and a smile plastered on his face. "Finally! I was beginnin' ta think you weren't gunna be back 'til nex' mornin'!"
Axel found himself soon being dragged out of the post office and back onto the streets where he was before only moments before. "Now why would I want to stay out until dark?" It was a joke but weather or not Cyro caught it or not was never stated.
Stars were beginning to dot the now pink and blue skies as a moon hung to give more light. A few streetlights were flickering on but there was still sunlight spilling over the homes and onto the streets. Axel and Cyro were really the only people out besides a few storeowners. The two left the shops behind as they entered the home-lined streets.
"Dude, I saw th' strangest lookin' creature ever t'day. Blue fur and the crazyest designs that rival even your hair!" Cyro explained in good-humor.
Casting a small glare at Cyro Axel had to shrug off the comment. Cyro was only joking around. "Yeah. Same. Mrs. Kitreu called it a Marut. Think a goat and a dog got it on?" Axel grinned slightly at his friend who looked at him like he was insane.
"You kiddin', man? Had to beh a ram. Not a goat." The human grinned slightly and the redhead knew what was coming next. "Got it memorized?" Of all the people he knew Cyro was the only one that gave him grief about that one saying.
Axel held back the urge to hit his friend over the head. "Whatever. Hey, See ya tomorrow at the festival, right?"
"If my mom will let meh."
"Right. Bye, Cyro." Axel waved to his friend as he, Cyro, moved up the driveway.
Shifing his backpack so as it didn't slide right off his shoulder. The rest of the walk was a quiet one with only a few of the Marut creatures crossing his path. They gave Axel the kreeps just looking at them. He wouldn't put it past anyone here to get guards that would tear the town apart if someone said they were nice as a dove. And Axel knew first hand, Doves aren't always cute.
Reaching his home the Nodoby unlocked the door with some difficulty with finding the key. He dropped his backpack at the foot of the stairs before climbing them, nearly slipping and falling back down halfway up. As he reached his room Axel kicked open the door, pulled his shoes off, and just fell right onto his bed. His face in his pillow the redhead reached a hand over to switch the alarm clock back on. And for once, he didn't have any nightmares.
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Wow. Long chapter. R&R Please! Reveiws make meh happy.