IT IS FINALLY DONE! WOOHOO!

Okay, this fic has been in my head for a few months now. Even though it's a high school fic, I reckon it's one of the most exciting and embarrassing times in a teen's life, so why not?

Oh, pairings? Mainly AkuRoku, but also ClouTif, Zemyx, AkuDem (past), LeoTif, ClouAeri, RikuKai, SoraRiku, slight AkuRiku, RokuNami, RokuHayner, SeifHayner. Uhm, I think that's it.

I hope I've kept the characters IC, I did try as much as possible.

And note, during French, Italics are when they're speaking French.

Rated M for swearing and ONE hectic scene. Also a bit of violence and drunkeness. Anyway, Hope you enjoy!

Roxas arrived at the new school gates that morning and looked up at the tall building overhead. It was intimidating, but with Roxas' height, anything taller than 5 foot 7 was intimidating. Oh, how he hated it. This was his seventh school in Roxas' school career, and first days never counted as much as the last one any more. Roxas wasn't overly excited, or nervous. He just hoped that this school would be his last.

Roxas walked up to the large steps where students were talking and laughing amongst each other. It was a normal day at the school as it was half way through the first term. Roxas would've come at the beginning of the year, but as usual, unforeseen circumstances came up, concerning his father's job: They moved to almost every city in the continent because of it. His mother insisted on moving the whole family with him. He hoped that now that his father had a proper contract in Radiant Garden, the family would finally settle in his home town. He also hoped that his childhood friends had not relocated to different cities.

After asking a girl for directions, Roxas set off on a short expedition through the corridors. He found the nerds arguing over a code stuck to a locker; the gangsters giving him the elevator looks and doing battles in the middle of small huddled circles; and the jocks posing and looking cool.

Roxas knew that water polo was incredibly popular in this school, more so than football ever was in any of the other schools that the blond attended. One particular individual, however, caught Roxas' eye. The reason being his hair was silver. It was incredibly rare to find it in a high school if the individual was not over sixty. Roxas only knew three that existed, and they were a trio of brothers that caused havoc in Midgar High. This boy who leaned against the lockers, talking quietly with the water polo jocks, was the kind of guy that was incredibly beautiful, hard to get and one that will break your heart. Roxas knew too many of them, and could spot them anywhere. He hated them. Roxas could not deny, however, that the silverette was absolutely gorgeous...and said silverette had clear knowledge of it.

Yes, Roxas played for both fields. Not for a long time, though. It was only before he moved back to Radiant Garden when he kissed his first boy. The boy happened to be his close friend, Hayner. Roxas' lips twinged with regret as he remembered the pained parting from Hayner. He continued to forge on through the corridor, his face betraying no other trace of emotion.

Eventually, he found himself outside his home classroom. He stepped inside, finding a few students already milling inside: filing nails, laughing, gossiping, flirting...ah, the joys of high school, Roxas thought, inwardly rolling his eyes. He stopped dead in front of his class teacher. She was slim and cute, her blond hair caught in a bun, a few stray strands framing her heart-shaped face. She wore red-rimmed spectacles and the clear blue eyes behind them were brimming with curiosity. Judging from the glass jars and posters lining the walls in the classroom, Roxas would guess that this teacher taught Biology. The teacher caught his eye and grinned widely.

"You're the new kid, huh?" she asked brightly. Roxas sighed inwardly. He hadn't had enough coffee this morning to deal with this yet. He nodded nonetheless. "Welcome to Radiant High!" Her smile grew wider if it could. "You're a short one, huh?" Roxas seethed slightly. "Don't worry squirt, I'm sure that your growth spurt will kick in soon!" She beamed and patted his head. Roxas fisted his right hand, breathing deeply to calm himself. It seemed the world wanted to pick on his shortness today. But this was only the beginning. "Your subjects?" the teacher asked, peering at the clipboard in her hands.

"AdMaths, English, French, Drama, History and Biology," Roxas recited without pause.

"Ooo, goody!" the teacher exclaimed joyfully. "Another student!" After a pause she said, "I don't have anyone that has your exact subject choice, as you have such a strange combination, but -"

"No worries, Miss," said a voice from the side of the classroom. "I'll show him around." Roxas turned. The voice came from a silhouette that was leaning against the window sill. Roxas squinted slightly as the figure came forward out of the shadow. Great. This guy was as tall as the friggin' door! His smile was almost vampyric and his bright emerald eyes glittered dangerously. His hair was a ridiculous shade of red, and under his startling eyes were black tear-drop tattoos. He was thin and willowy, but owned his height proudly. His hips were lined by his skinny black jeans, the waistband of his jocks peeping out, bangles decorating his thin wrists.

Roxas swallowed nervously. The guy's body was incredibly hot, and Roxas had to keep his breathing in check so that it wouldn't betray his current thought process. However, this was the only part of the guy that Roxas liked. "My name is Axel," the red head said with a dangerous grin. He leaned close to Roxas, the blond breathing in Axel's smell. "Got it memorised?"

Roxas glared at the thin red head. "It escaped my mind since you uttered it," he growled, not appreciating the interference in his personal space. Axel straightened, hands on his delicious hips.

"Well, that can only mean that some quality time should be spent together." His smile was bordering on evil.

"I can see the appeal," Roxas said, rolling his eyes.

"So, shortness, what are your subjects?" Axel asked, ignoring the blond's last comment. Roxas repeated them with deliberate slowness, as if talking to the local village idiot. Axel, unfazed, ran his bony fingers through his hair, his eyes calculating. Roxas couldn't help but eye the small patch of skin where Axel's shirt had ridden up. After a deep breath, Axel said, "I think we have French first."

"You think?" Roxas said, raising an eyebrow.

"I lost my timetable," said Axel smoothly, looking for his bag. "I'll compile them when we have some free time. But right now," he smiled at Roxas, "we have to leave for our first class." He hitched his bag onto his shoulder, grabbed Roxas' wrist and headed out the door.

Caught by surprise, Roxas stammered, "Shouldn't we get my textbooks first?"

Axel looked back at the blond and said, "Nah. You can use mine so long."

After trawling through a labyrinth of corridors, Axel greeted a few faces here and there – Roxas recognising no one, indeed they were at a pace where everything was a blur – the pair finally arrived at the French classroom. There weren't many students in the classroom, but Roxas looked at them cautiously. "Are you sure we're in the right classroom? Everyone looks a bit older than me," He said cautiously. Not to mention you, Roxas added mentally. Axel definitely didn't look like he was a second year at the school, and neither was he interested. He seated the both of them and before Roxas could say anything else, the teacher strode in.

"Good morning, students," the teacher said in lilting French. "Could you open up you honours set work book today. We will start reading and revising chapters soon." The class busily dove into their bags and withdrew a slim book. All but one. Roxas noticed the silverette from earlier sitting with a clear desk, his eyes betraying panic. Roxas looked at his own desk, where Axel had put his book in front of them to share.

"Honours?" Roxas whispered to Axel in English. "I'm in second year, not third. I think you led us to the wrong place."

"Nonsense," Axel replied back. "You'll do fine here, just -"

"Is there something wrong, Axel?" the teacher interjected the conversation smoothly. "Who is this you have brought to my class. I was not notified of his coming."

Axel cleared his throat and answered fluently, "This is Roxas, a new student. He has taken French as one of his subjects."

Roxas glared at Axel for speaking on his behalf.

"Is that so?" The teacher smiled mockingly at Roxas. "You look a bit young to be in this class. Your shortness betrays your age."

The class rippled into laughter. "Please, let me explain -" Roxas tried to say, but someone was leaning against his desk, uncomfortably close.

"New kid, huh?" the stranger said. He was wearing a beanie and a sleeveless white coat. His face was adorned with a smirk and his eyes showed malice.

"Seifer, care to express your interest in the new student?"

"Certainly," Seifer replied, not looking away from Roxas. "I was wondering if the boy should not be sent to primary school, where children his own height would be more acquaintanced with him."

The class laughed louder. Roxas glared daggers at Seifer, who coiled slightly under their intensity. Then he uttered something that sent the whole room into stunned silence.

The teacher broke it by saying, "Roxas. Please make your way to the principals office." Roxas closed his eyes, chiding himself on letting his tongue lead his anger. He stood up and sighed resignedly. Seifer looked like he wanted to murder the blond. He returned to his seat, his eyes never leaving Roxas. The teacher, however, continued to dictate his class as if the incident never occurred.

"Riku, would you be so kind as to read to the class?" Roxas turned for the door, identifying the silverette once more. So his name was Riku, Roxas mused, and he seemed to be in a spot of trouble. Roxas grabbed the book from the desk, and made his way to the door.

"Teacher -" Riku started.

Roxas walked up to Riku's desk.

"Yes?"

The blond casually slid the set work book on Riku's desk before walking out of the classroom.

"Could I share my book with Axel? It seems he has none."

Roxas followed the instructions a janitor gave him, and a few minutes later, he found himself outside of the principal's office. Sighing slightly and readying himself with an explanation, he knocked on the door. "Come in!" said the jovial reply. Roxas opened the door to find the most strangest principals he had ever seen. It seemed the man had a fascination with Disney, posters and miscellaneous items littering his office spoke of his obsession. On his head of neat brown hair, perched an Alice-band with Mickey Mouse ears. Roxas looked at the man strangely, hovering at the door wondering if he came to the right place.

"Come in, come in!" the man said with a smile. "I did say so, didn't I?"

Roxas hastily sped into the office, looking uncomfortable. "Sit down, why don'cha?" the principal said with a warm smile. "Have a biscuit or sumthin'. I'm afraid we won't have much time for tea, but I'm sure it'll be enough to get to know each other." He beamed at a shocked Roxas, who dropped into a comfortable chair opposite the desk. "So, you're the new kid?"

Roxas nodded, reaching into a Donald Duck jar close to the edge. "Welcome to Radiant High!" the principal said warmly, helping himself to a biscuit. "I'm Mr. Mouse, pleased to meet ya."

"Wait a minute," Roxas said, frowning. "Isn't this about the thing I said in French?"

"Oh no, no," said Mr. Mouse with a chuckle. "No, that's not why. I'm only tryin' to make you feel comfortable. However, I had to find ya from the honours class. Did'ya stumble into the wrong place?"

"No, sir. I was led by Axel. I'm not sure he knows the timetable well," Roxas replied politely.

"Ah, helpful Axel," Mr Mouse smiled and leaned back in his chair. "He will do very well indeed."

"Um, sir, isn't Axel too old for second year?"

"Depends what the normal age is," Mr Mouse replied, his eyes twinkling. "Axel is not your normal student, Roxas. Always remember that." Roxas added mentally, he's not normal, full stop. "By the way, short as the class might be, I wanna keep you in honours French so long. See how ya fit in. I'll arrange for the slight shift promptly."

Roxas, stunned, said nothing.

They preceded in polite conversation until the bell rang for the next class. "Oh!" Mr Mouse exclaimed. "We musta lost track of time! On to your next class then!"

Before Roxas could say that he didn't know what his next class was, he was shooed out of Mr Mouse's office and the door shut behind him in finality.

Outside it, Roxas found a familiar brunette bounding towards him.

"Roxas!" it exclaimed loudly. Before the blond could even reply, never mind recognise the voice, his vision was filled with chocolate brown hair and his lungs airless. "Oh I'm SO glad you're here!" the glomper exclaimed noisily. Other people in the corridor started to stare and Roxas was getting uncomfortable. He pried himself from his attacker and noticed the crown necklace.

"Sora?" Roxas said in disbelief.

His cousin looked at him, their eyes exactly the same, Roxas' only being a few shades lighter. They basically grew up together, with twins Namine and Kairi. "I can't believe you're back!" Sora continued in embarrassing loudness. "Why didn't you TELL me? How long have you been here?"

"It's my first -"

"I've been here since beginning of the year and it's been AWESOME! I'm so excited we're back together now, aren't you?" Sora was bouncing off the walls with energy, always has been. Roxas looked at Sora with stunned silence.

Eventually he said, "I thought you lived here, Sor."

"Oh yeah. Mom had to go to Destiny Island to write a book or something during first year and I had to go with her and stuff. Hey! What class do you have next?"

Roxas' eyes widened. "I actually have no idea," he said.

"Oh, well, I can take you to Maths-light I guess. It's really chilled, you'll LOVE the teacher."

"Wait wait!" Roxas cried out before being dragged by his hyper cousin. "I do AdMaths." Sora looked at Roxas in awe. "I'm just waiting for Axel. He apparently is showing me around today."

"Axel?" Sora pulled a face. "Who's that?"

"Boo." The voice behind Roxas scared the living daylights out of Sora, who promptly screamed like a traumatized school girl. Roxas looked behind him, raising an eyebrow.

"Was that really necessary?" he asked in a pained voice. Axel merely grinned at him. Roxas rolled his eyes and said, "Sora, this is Axel."

"Oh, THAT'S Axel! Psh, I know him. He's been here for AGES -"

"Okay squirt!" Axel cut in loudly, leaning forward and placing his hand on Roxas' shoulder. "Time to go! Say goodbye to Roxas now!"

"Bye!" Sora said obediently, and bounded down the corridors.

Axel chuckled. "Little squirt," he muttered.

"That 'little squirt' is my cousin," Roxas said irritably.

"Make sense," said Axel, now leaning back, examining his fingernails. "He possesses your air of shortness, just short of cute, poor thing."

Roxas raised his eyebrow again.

"By the way," Axel said, attention still on his fingernails. "You two took ages in there. What did you do?"

"We just talked," Roxas responded shortly.

"Yeah, Mike can be a real talker," Axel smiled, his eyes on the principal's closed door.

"Mike?"

"His first name." Axel then started. "We don't have any time to dawdle, Roxie!" he exclaimed. "To our next class!"

"If you can lead us to the right one this time," Roxas muttered. Axel took no notice, grabbed Roxas' wrist and frogmarched down the corridors once more. To his surprise, the teacher was also a silverette. His features were akin to Riku's, and Roxas squinted as he tried to work out what relation the teacher had to Riku. His concentration was broken when he saw the rest of the class. He smiled with satisfaction. It was small, and the students looked more his age. Perfect.

He settled in a desk next to Axel – having no choice in the matter otherwise – and leaned over to the red head. "Is he related to Riku?" Roxas looked directly at the teacher.

"Oh, yeah. Uncle. Has three kids in Midgar."

Roxas' eyes widened in comprehension. That all made a lot of sense.

The teacher was a stern man who was referred only as Sephiroth, paid scant attention to Roxas' presence, and preceded to write on the blackboard the rules for differentiation. Roxas smiled contently and wrote notes in his book quietly. Sephiroth quickly and thoroughly went through the explanation, thereafter setting the class with an exercise.

Too soon, a breath was at his neck. Irritated at being disturbed, Roxas looked up. Axel was hovering over Roxas' work, peering at it in interest. "What do you want?" Roxas growled.

"Sheesh," Axel said, taken aback. "Kitty's a bit upset."

"I don't like being disturbed," Roxas said, his tone unchanging.

Axel smiled mischievously and said simperingly, " Don't you wanna help me with this exercise quick? I promise it won't delay you for long."

Roxas' eyes narrowed and he clenched his teeth in anger. He then explained to Axel what was required of the exercise and how to go about doing this first question. Axel, however, was not paying the slightest bit of attention. Then the shadow of Sephiroth loomed over their table. "Doing Axel's work then, are we?" he asked, his voice emotionless.

Roxas looked up, chiding himself again for quickly lowering his standards in Sephiroth's eye. "I was only trying to explain -"

"Axel needs no explanation of any kind. I'm sure he knows the laws of differentiation backwards. I suggest the pair of you return to your own work before I start handing out detention."

Roxas jumped quickly to his own work, while Axel grabbed his pen. Roxas tore a piece of paper from his notebook and scribbled furiously, Are you trying to get me into trouble in every class?

Axel's reply was swift. I'm not straining myself, it's pretty easy anyway.

Roxas crumbled the note into a tight ball and threw it at Axel's head. The red head chuckled, causing Sephiroth to look in their direction. Roxas hurriedly bent over his work. Later in the lesson, Roxas found that Axel solved the most difficult of questions with ease, his mind sharp and his pen moving swiftly. Roxas mused that there was more to this guy than he thought.

"Oh, FINALLY!" Axel exclaimed, standing up and stretching his long body. Roxas noted with interest, again, the little patch of skin that peeped from under his shirt as it rode up Axel's form. "SO hungry," Axel continued passionately. The red-head speedily packed his bag, hauled it onto one shoulder and turned for the door. He looked at Roxas over his shoulder, who hadn't moved a muscle since Axel last spoke. "You comin' or what?"

Roxas looked away from Axel's emerald gaze, feeling uncertain. Sure, Axel had certain charming qualities, a vibrant, unique personality and an incredibly hot body, but Roxas wasn't sure he could fit into Axel's world at all.

Very round peg. Very square hole. No question.

"I dunno," Roxas said, slowly. "I think I'm gonna stay and do some work. I'm really not that hungry."

Axel turned around and faced Roxas fully. He leaned in so that his face was right up by the blond, looking at the new kid incredulously. "If I'd known you better, I'd say you could eat a Heffelump. Whole. I know that look, and I know it anywhere." Suddenly, Axel grabbed Roxas' wrist and led him from the classroom, weaving through the trafficked corridors. No matter how hard Roxas' tried, he couldn't get out of the other boy's grip, nor could he persuade Axel, not with the amount of hungry, loud students in the corridors.

When they entered the dining hall, Roxas noted the cliques seated at their separate tables. Axel dragged Roxas away from the stereotypes and sat him down to a motley crew of a table. "I'm gonna go get chow," Axel said to the petrified blonde boy. "And while you're waiting, you can introduce yourself to all my wonderful friends!" He grinned and left Roxas.

The blonde boy swallowed nervously. He was not good at introductions, and always gave the wrong first impressions. He hoped that this time would be different. With a deep breath, he faced the table...and greeted with a pleasant surprise.

Opposite the table, sat Sora, eating messily (a long time tradition that the cousin never failed to lose). He was too busy talking to their childhood friends, Namine and Kairi, to notice Roxas' presence. Roxas immediately smiled, all his anxiety dissipating. The four of them had known each other since they were three. They all went to school together until Roxas' father got his new job and had to move. And now they were finally reunited once more.

Kairi was an outgoing, slightly boisterous girl, an attacker in hockey, and completely fearless. Namine was quiet, reserved and shy, but incredibly talented. Her art is well known in the school and at local art galleries too. As twins have their nature, they are similar to a certain degree: They were both be-freckled (Kairi more so), with slightly upturned noses and pale skin. While Namine chose to leave her hair to her natural colour – pale blond, touching her shoulder-blades – Kairi cut hers shoulder length and dyed it a deep wine red. What Kairi wasn't, was Roxas' first kiss. That title belonged to Namine (taken eighteen months prior). She spotted Roxas, and her cold blue eyes lit up instantly.

"Oh, hi," she said in quiet surprise. Namine smiled and waved at Roxas. Roxas returned both.

Kairi looked distractedly from Sora's story at her twin sister. "Yeah, just ruin the story, won't you?"

"No, no. It's just that Roxas has joined us."

Kairi looked at Roxas with wide deep blue eyes, wooped and dove right over the table and crash-tackled her childhood friend to the floor. Students gathered round, expecting a fight. When Roxas got Kairi off him and instead exchanged lung-squeezing hugs, the small crowd dispersed muttering in disappointment. With a sigh, Roxas seated himself back down.

"Ohmyword, Roxas!" Kairi squealed, clasping her hands together, taking her place between Sora and Namine. "When did you get here?"

"Uh," was all that Roxas could manage before a large tray crashed before him, heavily laden with food. Axel plomped himself next to the blond and smiled with his vampyric canines. "Bon Appitet," he said in a low voice. Roxas heart started running a marathon or something, because whatever Axel just did...was darn sexy.

Fighting his blush, he paid attention to his lunch. The food didn't look bad at all, and this is saying something; some of the food Roxas had seen in his past school have been darn right scary. The blond's stomach grumbled in protest, desperate to get some food into his system. Slightly embarrassed, Roxas picked up his fork and began to eat.

In between mouthfuls of food, Axel introduced the members of the group that Roxas didn't know.

Tifa was a tall, beautiful and extremely dangerous-looking girl, with long, smooth, dark brown hair tied back in a loose ponytail. She wore a black tank top, a pair of grey shorts and suspenders. She seemed friendly enough, Roxas decided, as she beamed at him with chocolate brown eyes and a smile.

The boy next to her seemed completely emotionless. He had blond spikes that had even more length than Roxas', cold blue eyes, a thin mouth and a pale, slightly freckled skin. He was handsome enough, but he seemed incredibly austere. Roxas tried not to laugh when Axel introduced him as Cloud. Cloud gave Roxas an imperceptible nod and continued eating his own food.

Demyx was on a whole other planet. He wasn't paying attention to anything around him, largely because of the giant headphones covering his ears, and Roxas could hear a faint melody coming from them. His hair was cut in a messy mohawk, with the sides of his head shaved. His eyes were big and round, full of surprise and energy. Roxas noted the large amount of jewellery Demyx wore around his wrists and neck.

As Axel finished, a flash of silver caught Roxas' eye and he turned. It was that water polo player from French, Riku. The jock was standing at the foot of the table, holding his tray.

"Riku!" Axel exclaimed. "Come join us!"

Riku gave a smile akin to a smirk and said, "Na, I just came to say thanks to your friend for saving my ass in French." He nodded at Roxas, who swallowed his food slowly, looking slightly on guard.

This was the only time when Roxas could get a good look at Riku. Well built arms, no doubt a six pack underneath his tight shirt (he does play water polo after all), clear turquoise blue eyes and broad, tanned shoulders. Wow. Who didn't want this guy, Roxas thought. "What's your name, by the way?"

Roxas replied, "Roxas."

Riku smiled, without the hint of sneering. Roxas didn't smile back, but held out his hand to be shaken. Riku then straightened and then said, "So who's all coming to my party this Saturday?"

Everyone's ears pricked with interest. Riku's laugh was low and inviting. "My place at 7:30. See you there." He winked at the table and then disappeared.

"Nice," Axel said with a sly smile. "I was wondering when the old man was going to throw one. It's about time!"

"Yeah, any time Riku has something at his place, it's amazing," Tifa said with a small smile. "I wonder if he'll have us play there." She stood up to go to Riku's table, where a bunch of jocks were sitting and laughing loudly.

"Why would he invite us though?" Roxas asked, suspicious laced in his voice.

"Ah, Roxy. This guy ain't like all the others. He happens to be my best friend...and possibly a crush on our Kairi here."

Kairi, who was having a conversation with Sora about potatoes, looked up, horror in her eyes.

"No, friggin' way, Axe!" she said, her voice half in awe. "There's no way Riku will go with me...I play hockey!"

Axel laughed. "Oh, I don't know Kairi, I think something might happen here."

Roxas noticed Sora looked a little downtrodden all of a sudden, and finished his lunch in a forlorn fashion.

"Hey, Roxas!" the brunette suddenly exclaimed, a thought jumping to him. "You remember you told me you got into the swimming team in Midgar?"

Roxas frowned, unsure of the nature of the question but nodded nonetheless.

"There's a swimming team in Midgar?" Axel muttered.

"Mmhm!" Sora said, excitement sparkling in his eyes. "Anyway, here we got quite a hardcore team. Maybe your should try out, ya know. See what you made of here."

Roxas looked thoughtful. It was a while since he last swam competitively, but since he returned to Radiant Garden, he was itching to get back into shape. This would be his chance.

"It's a good idea," Axel said, smiling slowly.

"Yeah, we always need good swimmers," Cloud interjected quietly.

"Cloud's our swimming captain this year," Tifa said with a trace of pride. Cloud looked slightly embarrassed. Roxas should've known. The broad shoulders, tanned skin, slightly built body. Roxas betted against himself that the swimming captain would have large feet, but then certain images popped in his mind that he certainly did not want to deal with at the moment.

"Yeah, I'll give it a shot," Roxas said with a determined smile.

That afternoon, straight after school, Axel, Roxas and Cloud were at the swimming pool. Roxas was equipped with his cousin's board shorts – it would hamper his speed somewhat, but it was better than swimming in his birthday suit! Axel and Cloud were both armed with a stopwatch when Cloud instructed Roxas to swim two lengths freestyle.

Roxas' hand slapped against the tile and surfaced out of the water, shaking his hair out his face. Axel and Cloud exchanged a look and compared their times. "Not bad," Cloud eventually said. "You do qualify, to say the least, but I think you can do better than that. Again."

Roxas obediently swam back and forth, until Cloud with satisfied with his time. Roxas was thankful that his stamina remained from the hard training he did at Midgar, but it was not what it used to be. Cloud helped Roxas out of the pool and handed him a towel.

"Congrats Roxie," Axel said with a triumphant smirk. "Welcome to the swimming team." Roxas' eye twitched at the new nickname, but didn't say anything.

"Practice is three times a week. Don't miss a single one of them," Cloud added in clipped tones.

"Ouch," Roxas replied, but he was smiling.

"Yeah, it does get hectic," Axel replied, nodding. "Oh, heads up, here comes the water polo team."

Indeed a line of boys walked out of the changing rooms in nothing but speedos. Although Roxas knew quite a few people would be freaked at the sight (including some girls he knew), Roxas accepted it in his lifestyle as it was a necessity in swimming. He couldn't help but cautiously eye Riku's well-toned body and also, suprisingly, Seifers. Last came Roxas' history teacher: a tall, broad shouldered, austere man with shoulder length brown hair and a commanding stride. He was, however, fully clothed.

"Get in and start warming up," Leonhart instructed his water polo team in a tone akin to Cloud's. Said Cloud was looking at Leonhart venomously. Roxas immediately wondered what the reason was for the tension. Leonhart was approaching the trio at the edge of the pool. He glanced at the stopwatches in Cloud's hand. "What's his time?" he asked curtly. Cloud told him in a tight voice. Leonhart looked at Roxas stoically. "Warm up," was all he said, and then strode off to the other side of the pool.

Roxas and Axel exchanged surprised looks, the latter giving a low whistle, all the while Cloud standing behind them seething silently.

So, what did you think?

There was a reason why some things are the way they are. Just be paitient, dears.

PLEASE review :). Will make me post more chapters, promise!

Signing off:

Caneater.