358 Days

By SunflowerGem

A/N: Okay! Now for a real story. Since it's summer I'll be updating on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or sooner if I get the urge to post. Please note this isn't the EXACT story. I've rewritten it in more of a medieval setting, but in such that still retained the classic style of KH. Also note that while it's a retelling of 358/2 Days, it will be more story driven on RokuXi, so if you don't like the pairing, don't read this, okay? Nothing bad, just some cute stuff to make the plot not as monotonous as in the game (I loved every second though) so yeah, thanks for clicking on this and please take the time to Read and Review!

Roxas stared around his room, which was decorated simply and plainly with gray walls and white furniture. It was strange not to be in his own bedroom, which he had outfitted with trinkets and every color of the rainbow. But this was his life now, at least for a year.

Truth be told, he did have reason for leaving. As the only son of his county's ruler, he had always been told what to do. To everyone around him, he was the perfect boy. To his father, however, he was a failure. Of course he had put up with him during childhood, but once teenaged years hit, he was through with all this crap. He started practicing with his Keyblade instead of attending important meetings and hanging out with friends until he was forced to come home. Becoming more rebellious each day, Roxas had angered his father until he had been banned from everything but breathing.

Then there was the fact that he would someday obtain his father's status. Even him leaving could not escape that. He did not want to have anything to do with his "family blood" but by law he was forced to take his father's place the day he turned 18. He hated this looming threat which had hung over him his whole life. And the day he did become a legal adult he took off from home. But he knew it wouldn't last. They would find him.

As much as he hated to admit it, he didn't know much about the world outside his house. He was dreadfully inexperienced when it came to normal life. Being a strong fighter, thieves were nothing to worry about, but when it came to life, he was completely baffled.

Of course his mother, who had always fretted over him, had contacted him and told him of a neighboring country he could find work and home using his skills as a Keyblade wielder. That "country" turned out to be some dark world with a bounty hunter firm called "Organization XIII". She had also told him that if he gave his father some time to cool off, she was sure he could come back.

"As if I would" the teenager muttered to himself.

But now it seemed that things had gotten a little better, as his reached into his pocket and clutched the latest note from his mother. The last part of which still lingered in his mind.

I know you turned 18 last week, but I've convinced your father to wait one year, but after that we'll be forced to make you assume your position as head of this household. Please Roxas, do your best. For yourself, and for me.
Love you always, Mom

That was seven days ago. Roxas knew he had only one year, no 358 days, to make his own life, or else he would be doomed to be a stuffy nobleman forever. Even if he didn't go back, they would come looking for him. There was no escaping it. But at least he had some time to be free.

"So that's why I'm here." He thought, still taking in his surroundings.

"Yo! New kid! You done unpacking?" A tall, slim man with bright red hair said, entering his room.

Roxas jumped in surprise, "Uhhh…. Yes sir." he replied, a little nervous.

"Ah, good! Then you better go report to Saix, he hates people being late. Especially rookies."

"Ummm…. Yes sir. I'll go right away" Roxas didn't really know what to say. Other than to his friends he never talked much, and almost never to adults. He began to walk towards the door awkwardly and just as he was about to leave the man spoke out again.

"Hey new kid! Don't be so stiff, it'll get you killed around here. You'll be fine, just relax, okay? Oh! And my name's Axel. A-X-E-L, got it memorized?"

"A-X-E-L. Got it. Thank you, Axel, I'm Roxas."

"Well nice to meet cha' Roxas, I hope I'll see you around

"Definatly. Ummm…. Do you actually know where Saix is? I'm still a little lost."

"Down the hall, last door on your right. Good luck."

Roxas called a "Thanks!" as he began walking down the hall. He saw many passageways spiraling off downwards and he noted that this place was much bigger than it looked. As he approached the end of the hallway he took a right. The door opened to a large room adorned with only a few sofas. Two men were sitting on one in a far corner playing a card game, while another strummed a sitar looking bored. As he stared around he didn't notice a tall man walk up behind him.

"You're late, rookie."

Roxas spun around to see a tall man with blue hair and a scar across his face glaring down upon him.

"I-I'm sorry sir." He said rather lamely

"I knew I shouldn't have sent Axel to see how you were doing. It seems his work ethic has already worn off on you." The man sighed and handed Roxas a piece of paper with a few lines of information written on it. "Can't be helped now though. You can use a Keyblade can't you?"

"Yes sir."

"Good, I'm assigning Axel to teach you for now. But I expect you to hold your own in a few days."

"Thank you."

"Get to work."

Roxas nodded and turned back towards the door he came from to find Axel. But before he could reach for the knob it opened and a small girl about his age came through the door. She wore the same uniform black cloak that he did; only it fit her more like a dress. Her fair skin was framed by raven black hair that shone as it caught the light. She tilted her head and gave him a quizzical look.

"You new?"

"Yeah…" Roxas gazed at her "My names Roxas." Roxas felt the words slip out rather slow and his heart pound. What was wrong with him? As a noblemen, he'd been introduced to countless girls. But this was different. Almost enthral-

"Uhh… Roxas?"

"Yes?"

"You're in my way."

"Oh… Sorry." Roxas felt his cheeks flush as he stepped to the side.

"No problem. I'll see you around, okay?" She walked past him before turning around to flash him a smile. "Hope you like it here."

He watched as she accepted a mission from Saix and teleported using a dark cloud of smoke.

"Roxas! You okay?"

Roxas snapped out of his daydream to find Axel was standing beside him.

"Y-yes, I just met someone and I was just thinking about them."

"Oh? Who?"

"I'm not sure… She had had dark hair and blue eyes though. You know her?"

"Xion? I can't get her to say more than two words to me. Larxene used to train her to be a Keyblade assassin just like you, but she couldn't get her to say much either. I'm surprised she talked to you."

"Really? She was nice."

"Well glad you've got a buddy, but we've got to get going on a mission or I'll hear about it from Saix."

Roxas smiled "Alright! I'm ready to go."

Roxas stood with Axel in an empty city square. He saw a vibrant sun looming low on the horizon in the distance. It's strong rays reflected off the many bricks that made up the town, causing them to almost glow.

"Where are we?" He asked. He'd never been very far from his home town, much less his home country, and Axel could have swooped them anywhere with his teleporting magic.

"Quiet place called Twilight Town. It's about 12 units west of our base, and it's nighttime for them right now so we don't have to worry about pedestrians."

"Nighttime? But the sun hasn't even set all the way."

"In this place the sun never sets, don't ask me why though."

"That's…. different."

"You'll be surprised about how different countries are from each other. Each one has a unique population and lifestyle. But you'll get used to it, don't worry."

Roxas nodded, still a little confused, but adapting.

"Anyway, let's get started with your training. You got a Keyblade right?"

"Yep." Roxas held out his hand, the air shimmered for a minute then a Keyblade flashed into view.

"Okay! Now today we won't be fighting anything, but keep your eyes open none the less. Do you know how to use magic?"

Roxas stiffened. Magic hadn't been required in his school. That was only for certain apprentices. He thought back to a few things his friends once told him, put up his palm and…

Fwooshhhhhhh…..szlzlzl

A small spark emerged from his hand, looking wimpy as it tried to stay alive, but went out few seconds later.

"Ummm… I'm working on it." Roxas said, embarrassed. He stared at Axel who stared blankly back at him. Silence stretched for what seemed like forever before Axel let out a small sound that soon exploded out of his mouth.

"BWAAAAHAAAAHAAA!"

"Axel! What's the matter? Are you okay?"

Axel stared at him, perplexed.

"Roxas….I'm laughing!"

"Oh... I guess I forgot what that sounded like."

"You don't know what laughter is? We may be heartless bounty hunters, but here at the Organization we like to have a good time."

"Um… Okay. I'll try."

"Yeah…." Axel seemed a bit confused but continued on "You do that. Anyhow, about that magic, we need to work on it or you'll never be able to defeat Heartless."

"Heartless? What are those? I thought we were bounty hunters."

"Well yes, but often we're hired to take out mysterious monsters called Heartless. No one's really sure what they are, but they're a real nuisance to locals, so that's where assassins like us come in. We almost never kill real people, and killing heartless brings in quite a paycheck."

"Oh…"

"So now about killing them you usually wanna go for the head, unless you can find some other weak spot….."

Axel started explaining everything to him, it was quite confusing to someone so sheltered, but he was able to wrap his head around it. He killed monsters for a living, not his ideal job choice, but fine none the less. He was so absorbed in the lecture, however, that he didn't notice a slim girl slink away from her place in the shadows.

A/N: So…. Did you like it? Yes? No? Maybe so? Please review with positive feedback and constructive criticism. And thanks for reading!