Chapter 2 - Hey, How Do You Do?

I just wanted to thank you! I'm really new to FanFic so, if you would understand if I screw up or am late or something. I'm not sure if it's a good thing, or a bad thing. But I've already gotten three reviews and ugh just THANK YOU.

I will answer each one at the end of the chapter. ^ ^

Disclaimer - It's a fanfiction because I don't own it. I do not own Counting Crows or any of the songs as well. I don't own other bands I mention. I know I forgot last chapter, and this is also the only disclaimer I'm making. Thank you for your time.

Things in 'quote marks' will be my attempt at referencing a Crows's song. Also my only time saying that. Italics in thoughts, bold is emphasis on words.

I set my packed guitar by the front door. I was staring at the paper again before slipping it away. I dialed into my phone.

"Hello?"

"Terra?"

"What is it, Vanitas?" I just wanted to catch up with an old friend; but found myself asking.

"Those three customers? Do you know them?"

"All I really remember is Roxas works part time at a contracting store so he sold us the wood we used to build our bar. Not the other two, really."

"Just asking. Do you wanna go out for coffee tomorrow?" I grumbled. I think I settled for not getting in touch with Xion again. Terra chuckled and hung up after saying "Sure. I have to go for now. Night, Vanitas."

I stretched my arms out over my head and a large black shadow moved through the dark in front of me. I snap the lights on to find my dog in front of me.

"...Hey Blazer. I'm home." I got down in front of him, petting his fur on the top of his head. I was worn out, so tired. I didn't get all the way to the bed, falling onto the couch. I curled into the backrest, my back facing outwards. Blazer hopped on, big dog but he found a place the get comfortable, with his head resting on my lower back.

The next morning was mostly me sleeping in and waking, remembering that Terra and I made plans. I changed and hurried out the apartment while tugging the last shoe onto my heel as I hurried out.

"I'll be back later, Blazer." I was responded by a low-throat grumble that was cut off by me closing the door. I started the hurry down the stairs.

When I made it to the cafe I should have found a table for Terra and I. I was going to take it as a chance that I saw Xion there.

"Actually, I'm applying for a job." That's how she responded when I jokingly asked if she was stalking me. We were face to face at a small table, each a coffee in hand. Well, she had a soy latte so I'm sure that counts as coffee.

"You're looking for work?" I smirked. I had the day off today, where I worked at a different cafe. If I visited the cafe I worked at, that'd defeat the purpose of having the day off. It was on the other side of town and I worked there with Ventus who was probably on his shift right now.

"Yea. I think I'd enjoy being a hostess." She took a small sip after stirring the straw quietly for the empty moments. "I don't think I'd mind waiting on people and taking orders and serving food. I could see myself in that department, for a while at least."

"I work at a cafe a lot like this one. It's miserable."

"Yea. You seem like the type." She smiled, twiddling her thumbs. What does that mean?

"Here comes Terra." I nod at the door as my friend made an entrance. He went searched the cafe, spotting us and he walked over. Xion smiled at him as he took a seat next to her.

"Hello, I'm Terra. You were at the pub last night, right?"

"I was! Xion." They shook hands. Terra started to explain that he owned the place with his wife Aqua. He talked about how they planned on selling it before Kairi, their youngest, would graduate and- Wait. What?

"You're selling the pub?"

"Not for a long time, Vanitas. Aqua and I can't run it forever and we're not going to expect the kids to do it.

"Yea, but why when Kairi graduates? You won't need the money for kids my then, and you'd have tons more time."

"We'll need the money from selling the pub and the money we'll be saving. We'll be around 40 when Kairi's out of high school. Riku would be a couple years into college by then, and we just don't wanna be stuck around. Aqua wants to travel the world when it's over but we've got years on end. Kairi's only in 1st grade."

"You better pick someone cool to take care of the pub when you go." I growled under my breath. Xion giggled and Terra just looked at us all weird. And we kept talking, drinking coffee. I kid you not, all of us ordered about three cups. Eventually, Terra had to get going so he could watch the kids as Aqua opens up shop. I was walking with Xion around town as we looked for different places for her to apply.

"So, why'd you move up here?"

"You remember Roxas and Namine? I lived up here when I was a kid, but my dad and I moved away. I completely lost touch with them, but when I was in highschool, Namine contacted me once more. I was in my junior year and we'd video chat, text, five hour phone conversations and all that jazz. When I graduated, I didn't know where to go. I stayed in town for a few more years, when Namine and Roxas suggested I moved up there, I didn't pass the opportunity I got rid of about everything, except for a box of clothes and blankets, my laptop, a radio and my CDs. A few weeks before my 24th, I was ready to go. I had enough money for an apartment and a plane ticket. Two days ago, I took a plane down here, Namine picked me up from the airport. We probably got back to her place at 1 in the morning. The time difference was hard at first, but I've already adjusted quickly. Yesterday, they took me around town to celebrate. Basically about it."

"About it? That was practically your life story." I chuckled, waving my hand.

"All right. I probably shared more than I needed too. What about you?" She skipped a step ahead of me, a sweet smile on her face.

"Born and raised here. Funny how when I moved into my own place, my mom started her own travels. She'll probably be back, Yuffie is watching her place. I've known Terra, Aqua and Ventus since about junior high. I learned guitar because, I don't know. I was a fan of Kurt Cobain I guess and wanted to learn some songs. I got into other music, but that's that. I'm not really doing much. I'm turning 28 in a couple months. I have a dog and a messy apartment, that's about all." She smiled at me.

"It's nice talking to you."

I know the chapters a little short. It's just how I write, short, quick, to the point I guess. I'll possibly work on longer chapters. Anyway, REVIEWS.

Emo Unfaltering

"Well, very well written, no typos (I despise typos), a nice way to start a story, and the characters were introduced. What can I say? Other than good job!

A lake of kudos for you."

Ooh my! ;_; Thank you! I hate typos myself and try to fix'em as I go. But the better thing is just step away for a while, check again. There's probably typos but I'm sorry if there are. I'm either short and too the point, but other times I just ramble on. Mostly, I ramble on so I find myself cutting over half of what I write most of the time. I'm still sorta introducing characters before I introduce relationships (by that they're mostly going to be friends in the start. I'm sorry if it's too short.) I just hate "will you be my girlfriend" type of things. That's too... Unrealistic. And though, yes it happens, still. Thank you.

MistyLuck

"I like it! What I particularly like about AU is that you don't have to know exactly what's going on because it isn't based off of events in the actual story, only the characters are. I'll be looking forward the the next chapter! (though between movies, writing, and absolutely no wifi, I may be very late. Just as warning)

Keep on writing Chu-chan!"

I'm not sure if it counts because I know you personally (thanks for finally convincing me to get a fanfic account, by the by.) But I love you. I totally understand! You don't know Kingdom Hearts (for the most part...I think.) Most people don't approve of this pairing... (ie. How Amber reacted when I told her that I was writing a VaniShi fic. "Pfft. Vanitas doesn't deserve love." ;_; Bull. I ship it.) I'm going to miss you, Nani-chan. But I love you and thank you and ksdhfksdhfsh. (Love from your Fangirl Knight Butler.)

RO-VAN

"I loved it..is it a story or a one-shot?

_RO-VAN"

Uhm... Not a one shot? XD One shots have more conflict than that. And I'm evil because I prefer stories over one-shots. And this is chapter two so...

Once again! Thank you everyone who read, reviewed, (I even got a favourite and a couple follows.) Just. Thank you all. I'm new and I'm pretty proud (though I doubt I'm special.) I mean, I'm not famous. But here's chapter two, happy birthday.