Chapter 1

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to present, Man Not Caring.

I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. It was six in the evening and I didn't know what to do. Every normal kid my age would be anywhere but home on a Saturday evening, so why not me? Because I was grounded. And why? I mean, don't we live in a country where everyone has the right to have his own opinion and should be able to express it? And that was all I did. I just told my old math teacher, who was the reason I nearly failed class, that he was an idiot and that I was happy that I finally don't have to bear with him anymore.

Yeah I just told him how I felt. That was all... well, and then I repeated my words on his car. But it was an accident, really. I mean I didn't plan on doing something like that, but I just couldn't help myself. Who could blame me?

Asked and answered: My dad. He was really angry when he found out. I think I'm really getting on his nerves, but hey, not every kid can be perfect. Everyone has made mistakes, have they not? I mean, I am a kid who gets in trouble... very often. When there's a party, I'm there, I drink quite often, I smoke sometimes, I am a member of a gang named 'the Organization'(I know it's a stupid name but I wasn't the one who came up with it) my friends are all idiots, according to my father, and my grades are bad. But other than that I'm a very nice person. But that doesn't seem to count.

So that is the reason I was sitting in my room with absolutely nothing to do. All of my games were confiscated by my father and I was not allowed to use my computer or the TV. My cell phone wasn't with me either, because my dad said that I would only get distracted if I had it with me. So the only things left in my room were some schoolbooks so I could 'learn' for the year to come.

Honestly, what was my father thinking? Did he really expect me to do this? I mean we're in the middle of the holidays, damn it! I barely touched those books when I had school, so why would I look at them now? You see, I'm not to be envied.

I was beginning to doze off; I already felt my eyes closing. But of course there had to be something that prevented me from doing so. And in this case, it wasn't something, but someone.

When I opened my eyes again, I saw the most annoying person in the world. But before I could register what was happening I send out a little shriek.

"Aagh! Axel! What the hell are you doing in my room?" I quickly got away from the face before me. That redhead was sitting on my bed and was smirking.

"Woah, woah. You didn't have to shout like that. I didn't mean to frighten you. But you were looking so cute just now."

"I wasn't frightened! And what the heck do you mean with cute? Are you trying to hit on me?"

"Well, what if the answer was yes?" He leaned closer. His face was only inches away from mine now.

"Axel. Get the fuck away from me!" I shoved my pillow right into his face.

"Roxy," he pouted after he threw the pillow away. "You don't have to be so mean, I was only kidding, you know."

"Whatever." I looked around in my room and saw that my door was closed. "How did you get in my room anyway?"

"Roxy," he shook his head, "there's something called window, you know."

"And you know what, Ax, there's something called door, too," I sighed.

"The door? It's not like your father would let me in. Besides, I don't really want him to know that I'm here."

"Are you afraid of him or what?" I asked without hiding my smirk. Axel's face was so priceless. Seemed like I hit a soft spot there. "Oh come on, my father isn't that bad."

"I'm not afraid of him. You're imagining things." He looked away.

"Hm, actually my father isn't even here."

Axel lightened up the moment I said those words. "Really now? Why didn't you say that earlier?" He got up from my bed. "Then what are you still doing here, come on let's go and have some fun."

"I can't." I simply shook my head.

"Why's that?"

"Because I'm grounded."

"... So why aren't we going then?"

"Axel, you know what the meaning of being grounded is, right?"

"And since when do you know it? It has never bothered you before. You would still go. And this time your father isn't even around." He looked at me, confusion present in his eyes.

"Even if dad isn't here that does not mean I'm alone. Leon is here."

"Well if it's only Leon, what's the matter then?"

"What do you mean 'only Leon'?" Axel and me both looked at the now open door, only to see a very annoyed looking Leon leaning on the doorframe.

"Oh, hello Leon. What's up?" Axel asked innocently.

The scarred brown haired 'best friend' of my father only raised an eyebrow. "What the hell are you doing here, Axel? First off, Roxas isn't allowed to meet friends right now, and second how many times have we already told you not to come in through the window!"

"Hehe," Axel said while scratching his head, "I just wanted to see Roxas again. I mean, it's summer vacation and everyone is enjoying it except Roxas who is stuck at home!"

How true those words were. I really hated being home all day and it would have been relaxing to spend the day with Axel. But I also knew that there was no use in having this conversation, because my father was as cold as ice when it came to his rules. And Leon was always on my father's side when it was about these things.

"It's Roxas' own fault for getting in trouble again. And this is his punishment, so he has to live with that." I sighed. As you can see, Leon was taking his best friend's side again.

"Why are you grounded anyway?" Axel asked, who was now looking at me again.

"You know that car thing I pulled."

"But that was last month, was it not? Shouldn't your punishment be over for that already?"

"Nope," I stated firmly, annoyed. "My dad said I would be grounded for 2 months, and because he really had been pissed off, he is determined to pull through with it."

Unfortunately, Leon noticed my annoyed tone. "Can you blame him for that? Roxas, you really are troublesome, you can't deny it."

I rolled my eyes. Troublesome. How I hated that word.

Leon turned towards Axel again. "For your information, these 2 months have been shortened anyway. Today is the last day of his punishment."

"Why's that?" Axel asked, "You just said your father wanted to pull it through."

I looked at him. "Didn't I tell you? Today my brothers are coming over. My dad said that I should help them get used to their new environment or something like that. And that isn't going to happen if I'm grounded."

He stared at me. He was obviously confused. "Since when do you have brothers?"

"Looks like you didn't tell him," Leon said, amused.

I rolled my eyes. "To answer your question Ax, I've always had brothers. And today is the day when they will come here and start living with us. That's the reason my father isn't home. He's on his way to get them."

Axel looked thoughtful for a moment. I'm sure he tried to process the new gained information. "So you have brothers, you never even mentioned and they are coming to live with you."

"Yes, that's what I said."

"That's... cool. I never would have guessed you had brothers. How many are there? Are they younger or older than you? Are they just like you, because that would be hilarious-"

"Man, Axel you seem to be more excited about that than me." I sighed. Axel was really annoying. And now you see why. When he is excited about something he just can't shut up. But I didn't want to ruin his mood so I answered his questions.

"I have two brothers, Sora and Ventus and they both aren't like me. At least not anymore. They are more... decent and well-behaved, I guess. Sora is one year younger than me and Ventus is older by 20 minutes or so."

"20 minutes? Are you saying he is your..."

"Yeah, Axel, Ventus is Roxas twin brother," came the reply from Leon who, by the way still looked very pissed off. "So you have all your answers, I think you can go-"

"Twin? You have a twin brother? So there is another Roxas walking on earth?"

"It's not like he is my clone, Axel. And it's no big deal, anyway."

"No big deal? Didn't you just say they are coming to live with you? Wait, why are they even coming to live with you? Why weren't there here from the very beginning?"

"I told you my parents got divorced and after that me and my dad moved here, right?" He nodded. "My brothers stayed with my mom in our home town, which is very far away from here. But now my mother has to go abroad for at least one year and she can't take Sora and Ven with her. So they will be staying here for the time being."

Axel stared at me with amazement, but before he could pull another comment on how great and cool this was, Leon cut in. "Axel, I'm happy you are so enthusiastic about this, but I want to remind you that your presence is still not tolerated here. So if you could just leave, while I'm still patient with you?"

The redhead stared at Leon before he muttered something about Leon being no fun or whatsoever. "Well you know, Leon, I think I am not to be blamed when I just want to visit my friend. That's what friends are here for, is it not?" He slung his arm around me. How did that guy get behind me? I'll never understand how he does it.

Leon raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, but most of Roxas' 'friends' are just little idiots." I wanted to respond to this but Leon continued before I could say anything. "But I have to admit that from all of Roxas' friends, you are one of the more decent ones."

Axel seemed to be satisfied by this answer. "Good that you realized that too."

"... But I still want you to leave."

"I guess I knew that you would say that. Okay then I shall take my leave." He was at the window in less than a second. "Bye Leon, bye shortie. You won't have to miss me, because I will definitely come back tomorrow. I want to see these Strife brothers, you know." And before I could shout at him for calling me shortie and Leon could shout at him to not use the window as an exit, he was long gone.

Leon rubbed his eyes. After a few minutes he looked at me. "Your father will be home late tonight," he said.

"I know. That is why you are here; so you can keep an eye on me, you don't have to repeat it again."

"Yeah, but my father called me just now. He is in the hospital, so I have to go visit him."

"Why is he in the hospital?"

"Well, apparently while taking a walk in the forest he somehow fell and rolled down a hill right into a lake. He has several bruises and cuts and his leg is broken."

"And why did he fall?"

"He saw a woman."

"And?"

"Well...he had a... leg cramp."

"... Your father is weird."

"I know. But because of this I have to go now and your dad will not be home until midnight. So you will be alone for about six hours. And I want you to behave. You will not leave the house and you will not invite any of your stupid friends. You will spend the next six hours alone in your room. Are we clear?"

"Why do you assume that I'll cause trouble? Don't you trust me?"

"Well as a matter of fact, no. So promise me to behave."

"Fine." He looked at me with a serious face. But I already lay down on my bed. "I will take a nap 'til he comes."

"Whatever. I'll see you tomorrow." With that he left my room. I really wanted to take a nap. I didn't want to get in trouble again. But it's really hard to resist...

I finally reuploaded the story :D

I want to thank my beta reader CutePiglet for betareading :)