The prologue was pretty boring wasn't it? But I hope the first chapter you will find to your liking. I was working on this during my History class and supposed to begin typing out our rough drafts for this paper. I got halfway into my paper before my brain died. So to revive it I started working and editing this.

Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts doesn't belong to me and neither do its characters. They all belong to their rightful creator and Square Inx. Yeah, I only own the plot.

I hope you all will enjoy this chapter.

Redemption
Chapter One: And So It Begins…

Voices were speaking in her head. Or so she prayed it was in her head. As soon as she had let out that scream she had smacked the door back into place, locked it, and slammed her back against it in hopes for it to further stay in place. Now voices spoke in whispers and she nestled her head into her arms trying to block them out; she couldn't. They kept at it chit-chatting away and she couldn't help but listen at times.

"I swear I didn't know anyone was in there!" It was the 'pedophile' who had been caught opening the door and staring at her in complete shock because he hadn't expected anyone. Not because of, well, how the incident was presented itself in.

"We should try to lure her out with cookies and milk!"

"First of all, that is the dumbest idea I have ever heard. Second of all, ninety-eight percent of the teenage girls here are on a strict diet. And third of all, Santa does not exist." A voice, identified by Kairi as a male, sniffed.

"Does too, how else do you explain the notes he leaves me every night whenever I left some for him?"

"Oh, never mind."

"What are we going to do?" It was the one who had the idea of luring her out with cookies.

"She's seen us now, so there is nothing we can do." 'Pedophile' answered glumly and seemed to chuckle giddily the next.

"We?" The unknown person sniffed again. "You were the one that barged in on her. You were the one she saw."

"Sure, blame it all on me."

Kairi jolted as a hesitated knock sounded and she held her breath. Where they going to try and break the door down once they found it was locked? Had no one heard her cries of distress? And that's when she remembered it was the island's anniversary. Her parents must have tried waking her up and shrugged it off. They were important part of people and couldn't afford to be late.

'Why did it have to be today? WHY?' Another knock sounded at the door and she tried to stay in place instead of scrambling back into the tub. She carefully stood as another knock sounded and determination set on her face she reached for her clothes; her plan forming in her head.

"Maybe she left."

"I highly doubt that." The tone was said in disbelief. "She most likely fainted from fright."

"I dunno," the older voice gave, "she seems like a tough cookie to scare."

"I'll get some cookies!"

"For crying out loud; she is not going to come out for some cookies!"

"… maybe chocolate cake; everyone loves cake. And they love it even more if it's chocolate."

Two groans of pity and annoyance were given.

"OK, how about ice cream?"

"It's not even noon yet!"

"Yea we still have," shuffling sounded trying to find a clock, "three minutes left."

"Must I do everything myself?"

"I wouldn't do that."

"Yea, she might be ready to hit you with a broom."

"Tell me three people you know who keep a broom in the bathroom."

"Uh…"

"Exactly," there were still murmurs of 'I wouldn't do that' and 'Are you sure you wanna do that' when the doorknob began to turn half way before stopping, "the little—she's locked it." Numerous tries were given before something slammed into the door.

"She might be using the bathroom."

"What type of person would use the restroom while she believes a pedophile is in the house?"

"I am not a pedophile!"

"She doesn't know that, imbecile."

"Now she knows."

"Would one of you idiots make yourselves useful and open the door?"

"Try asking nicely."

"Yeah, she might answer it if you ask nicely!"

"…"

"Ow! What was that for?"

"Oh forget it, I'll do it myself!"

Everything seemed to have gone in slow motion as the door was finally kicked open and she saw his forest green eyes, aiming her hand and keeping it steady, while he seemed to raise an eyebrow before lifting his hands to protect himself before the impact. She pressed her forefinger down and listened as he howled, stumbling backwards and allowing full access for her to escape.

She sprinted out and ducked before the first pedophile could catch her and was so close to the door…

"What in blazes is going on in here—?" Another figure appeared in the bedroom door and she braced herself for impact finding it was too late and than found her chin forced upwards to have crystal eyes stare into a pair of emerald ones. "—hiya princess."

"You know her?" The younger voice of the pervious three spoke while gritted curses sounded in the bathroom; he was most likely washing his eyes out in the sink.

"Know her?" She watched in disbelief as a smirk plastered itself on his face.

"Um… that's what I asked."

Kairi felt her eardrums failing her; her sense dying slowly from the shock that took over her body. This was too much. It wasn't real. It was a dream. It had to be a dream. That explained the reason of why he was there in front of her. Why he was gripping her chin as the other hand held her shoulder. She had sleepless nights for the past days and her body must have given out. Maybe she was having a concussion or in a coma. It explained everything.

Sora had told her; he had informed her of what happened to him. And that he wished he could have said 'I'm sorry' in person for kidnapping her and unable to stop the emotionless Nobody in taking her into their custody now. And after that he was gone.

He was no more.

"Of course I know her." He confirmed with a slight nod of his head. "I was her captor."

'A… Ax…'

It was barely a whisper as she let out, "Axel?"

"Um… I'm sorry again for attacking you with hairspray."

"Hmph," the man sniffed as he remained in the shade of the pineapple tree and his lips seemed to move in secret whispers; he was able to finally see once again after splashing his face missing out on all the small talk occurring and once he finally reentered the room, a fellow comrade had grabbed his arm and they traveled to the smaller island.

Unlike him though she and Axel remained in the sun; sitting in the sand while they discussed amongst themselves. Unlike them the man who she had screamed 'pedophile' was laying on the dock and getting a tan. And unlike him the younger comrade, who must be around Axel's age at least, was acting like a five year old; him splashing around in the water. She had soon learned his name was Demyx because he had been excited to meet her and introduced himself.

But after that it was Axel who talked to her. Why? She guessed it was because his other 'friends' figured he would be able to get along better with her. Which they did even if that wasn't the case when they had first met. He told her of how they ended up waking in her house, scattered, unsure of where they were at first. And after finding the bathroom downstairs and taking it, Demyx had whined that he needed to go too. Thus the bargaining in on her; she couldn't help but wonder if they did a thorough job searching her parents room. Their bathroom was a whole lot better compared to hers.

The breeze sang to her pulling her hair back and allowed the sand to dance. Seagulls squawked in the background in search of some food left by the children from long ago. Tree leaves swayed on their feet as everything was at peace.

"Don't mind him; he's a grump who holds a grudge against someone even if it was in self-defense."

"Ha! Don't act like what you did, VIII, was in 'self-defense'!" The man shrilled with anger with a mocking laugh and Kairi watched as Axel inclined his head towards him, his intimidating mask in place, the mocking laughter died on his lips.

"I never was defending myself; I was just stating a fact. You always hold a grudge against someone for the tiniest thing."

"And you're one to talk?" He snorted as if disgusted by how high of an opinion the redhead held for himself. He rested the tips of his fingers against his forehead, brows wrinkling in thought or perhaps memories, as his expression was dead stone.

"Whatever," Axel turned his attention to Kairi and smiled in a friendly manner, "so is your Keyblade master showing up anytime soon or is he planning something… romantic… for tonight?"

Kairi wasn't positive if her face had faltered or if he had seen the hidden crush in her eyes. But his grin shrunk and he glanced back into the ocean heaving a sigh of regret. He balanced his right arm against his knee that was pulled up to his chest and slowly nodded in understanding. She glanced away too and up at the sky, her heart beating with an ounce of false hope that the ship would actually come into view. It would be perfect timing really. What was she supposed to do with four members (or would they be 'ex-members' now?); her parents would refuse in letting them stay.

The entire citizens would. They looked like shady characters and it didn't help with their attitudes nor they attires. Although she secretly wouldn't admit she maybe someone in the town would take Axel in. And Demyx too; he was too adorable to turn down.

But 'Pedophile' and 'Mr. Shady'… they were a different story. 'Mr. Shady' more so than 'Pedophile' perhaps because even the guy who had stumbled in on her wasn't so stuck up as the man in the shade was.

"Kairi…?" Axel's face was too close for comfort and she felt her face heat up. "Are you feeling OK? You spaced out on me."

What sounded like a snort came from the corner behind them. It was apparent how much 'Mr. Shady' hated Axel; she had a few guesses why. But deep down, she had seen that Axel was a good guy. He just didn't want to lose his best friend. A gloved hand was waving in front of her face and Kairi bounced back into reality.

"Heh… sorry Axel, I was lost in thought."

"Getting too hot out here?"

"Axel, I've spent most of my life here. I can handle this mild heat."

He grinned before leaning back on an elbow and staring up at the sky. "Sora's still out saving the universe, huh?" Emerald eyes connected with bright blue ones and an image of Namine replaced her somebody for a quick second. "And you're left behind again. That must suck."

"Actually… he's been gone a month now."

"That shouldn't be bugging you. He's been gone longer before and you're complaining that it's now been a month?"

"He had promised to be back after two days."

"…" He cocked his head to the side and studied her. "He said he'd be back in two days after he left? … and it's been a month?"

"He didn't say he would; he promised he would."

His eyes casted towards his comrade in the shade; they both seemed to know something it seemed.

"It was the King who summoned them."

"'Them'?" 'Mr. Shady' said in a mocking tone and his voice seemed nasally too. Her head switched sides and watched as the guy's eyes became two totally different sizes; one going wide and the other narrowed. Never before had she seen someone's eyes do that and it sent shivers down her spine. Wait a second when did it feel like a freezer?

"Mm-hmm, Riku was summoned to see the King too."

"I'm sure they're fine; they're chosen Keyblade masters after all." Axel tapped his temple as he said the three famous, "Got it memorized?"

"I know but… I still can't help but worry."

"DAMNIT YOU LITTLE—!"

The three turned their focus to the dock watching as Xigbar now stood, head to toe soaking wet, as Demyx sprinted away from the dock and towards the shack, waving to Kairi and Axel as he passed by with a 'Hiya-guys-by-ya-guys' and broke down the wooden door. Axel released a snort and Kairi covered her mouth to keep herself from laughing, but she was failing miserably. 'Mr. Shady', however, shook his head at the energetic lad and than at the outraged man who was now chasing after him.

"Foolishness,"

"You better keep running, Demyx!"

"Hey… Axel, can I ask you something?" Kairi asked as her controlled her fit of giggles and smiled as he turned to watch her; Demyx making yelps in the background and saying 'Stop shooting me!' but neither were paying much attention at the time. "Before Sora and Riku left… I had found a bottle that had floated up on the shores."

"Did it still have beer inside?"

"Well, no it didn't."

"I've lost interest in this story then."

"Axel!"

"Ignore him," the other said and he approached them; him towering over them, "tell me of this 'bottle' you found."

"It had been from the King and well… here…" She pulled the parchment from her pocket and Axel opened his mouth to remark of 'You've had that in your pocket for how long' when suddenly 'Shady' frowned as his eyes scanned the parchment.

"Trust me when I say I have seen the King Mickey's handwriting and my memory serves me well," they glanced at him and Axel muttered 'You mean 'if'' and he shook his head, "no, it does. And this is not the mouse's handwriting."

Too easy that you could see coming, another boring chapter, pretty funny, a good first true beginning start? Am I keeping them in character, sort of in character, or not at all? Please review to let me know. Thank you.