A little later then planned I present to you: chapter II.

Disclaimer: Same as usual, I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of it characters and so on.

Chapter II

"What's up, Rox? You're rather quiet tonight."

He hadn't noticed Riku taking a chair next to him. Not that he was paying attention to his surroundings. The girls were having a chat about whatever it is that girls chat about, and he figured Riku must've decided to flee and come sit with him as Sora seemed to like girl-chat. Which had always worried both him, Riku and Axel.

"Just feeling really tired, lately, that's all. Glad you're here, though," he smiled at the older guy hanging relaxed against the back of his chair. "It's been quiet a while."

"Yeah, I know. Don't think I didn't miss you guys."

"Shame you're leaving again the day after tomorrow." A real shame, since that's leaving me again with three girls and a guy who are desperate to solve my love issues and a man that I'm desperate to claim as my own, though wise enough to know that it's not going to happen.

"Sorry 'bout that, really, but I can't go skipping classes. I need all the study hours I can get." He took another sip from his beer. "Speaking of missing you guys, what's taking our goddamn redhead so long." His head turned towards the front door. A lot of people went in and out, but no Axel.

"He said he'd come. Probably got stuck in traffic, or something like that." He knew that couldn't be the excuse, since Axel lived rather close by. But the other possible reason was one that he didn't like to think about.

He'd actually strategically placed himself with his back towards the door, just so he wouldn't be staring at it all night waiting for read hair to appear. Because he knew that was what he'd be doing. And he didn't want to be the first one that Axel noticed, not the name he'd call, because that'd make his heart jump.

Riku just raised an eyebrow. He knew where Axel lived, too, and he wasn't stupid. He probably had an idea of what was going on. Roxas knew he either noticed something, or would notice something during the evening, since he was good at that, or the girls would tell him. No, the girls wouldn't do that, Sora would do that. Definitely. Now he could only hope Sora didn't 'accidentally' say anything stupid with Axel nearby. Who am I kidding, it's an 80% chance that he does.

The next hour went by without to much to worry about. Riku asked him how he was doing in school, how life'd been while he'd been gone. Xion had joined them as well, probably running from the extreme flow of gossip at the other table.

The peace rested until' Naminé shouted out: "There he is, at last!" On which everyone, even people who weren't with their party, turned their heads towards the door. Roxas did the same.

In the door opening stood Axel. Outstanding red hair as always, and one of the band shirts from his infinite collection. As predicted, Roxas' heart jumped upon seeing him, but sank down his chest again when he noticed that he was holding the door open. Holding it open for someone.

Joining him only a few seconds later was Veronica. She wore a band top and a leather jacket, making her a perfect match to Axel's outfit. He probably thought the same, as he put his arm around her shoulder, smiling.

While the couple greeted some of Axel's friends behind the bar, the girls and Sora quickly joined him, Riku and Xion at their table.

"Who's that barbie?" Naminé whispered, in a vicious voice. She glared at the girl who's arm was around Axel's waist.

"That's mean, Naminé."

"Oh, come on, Riku! Look at the layer of make-up she's wearing!"

"So she wears some eyeshadow, that's not a crime. Besides, it's black, not barbie-pink."

"She's bleached though, like a damn playboy bunny," Kairi joined her friend in her examination of the girl. Good thing she's not hearing this. Damn good thing that Axel's not hearing this.

"Who says she's bleached? My hair's light, too, and it's natural," Riku tried to object, but the battle was already lost. When girls decide they hate someone, it's almost impossible to change their minds with reasonable arguments.

"You can't go that light without bleach!"

"She's pretty skinny, actually," Sora carefully added.

"Probably has implants, too."

"I bet her name's Candy. Or another of those hooker names."

"Her name's Veronica," he interrupted their rain of accusations. He didn't know why he defended her. She was dating the guy he loved. She love's him, too, probably. Maybe just as much as I do. She was just lucky to be born a girl. Besides, he'd feel bad towards Axel if he didn't defend her even a little bit.

"I don't care what that bitch's name is!"

"She looks like a nice girl, Naminé."

"Roxas, that nice girl is -" she hissed, but couldn't finish her sentence, as Axel en Veronica joined them at their table. The girls tried to straighten their faces, but didn't really succeed. Axel seemed to ignore it though.

"Nice to see all of you together again! And just great to see you again, dude," he said, as he and Riku bumped their fists together.

With his typical bright smile he started to introduce Vero to the group, his arm still around her shoulder and her's still around his waist. In a nutshell, the first thing he'd seen were her leather boots, after he'd fallen of a low wall by acting like a complete idiot. It did sound like something that would happen to Axel. Roxas could imagine some of the possible opening lines he'd used lying in the dirt at her feet. The idea made him smile inside somehow. Maybe it was the fact that Axel never changed, no matter the time, place or situation.

"So, how much do you charge per hour?"

Kairi's sharp words had cut a silence into the conversation that hadn't yet begun. For a long second, nobody seemed to know just how to react. Until Vero flipped her off and said in her soft voice to Axel that she was going outside for a smoke.

Roxas felt Kairi's words ringing in his ears. Please tell me she didn't. On the other side of the table he could see Riku think the same thing. The older man opened his mouth to say something but no words came out. And no words could fix this, everybody felt it.

When Vero was out of sight, Axel seemed to explode.

"WHAT THE FUCK?"

"Hey, you don't have to shout." Kairi rolled her eyes, which only pissed Axel off more.

"What was that for?"

"I said, don't shout! And you know we're right."

"Right? RIGHT?"

"Axel, it's a goddamn whore." Naminé made a dismissive gesture with her hand and Roxas winced. Naminé, please just stop.

"You don't even fucking know her!"

"We don't want to know her!"

Axel shook his head. "Fine," he said, still angry, "have it your way." He walked off, in the same direction Vero had gone in. It was obvious that he tried not to get too angry in a public place, though everyone in the room was already staring, some more obvious than others.

Axel'd always had a rather explosive temper, but he was working on it. As Roxas saw it, the trips to the therapist seemed to have been very useful. A few years ago Axel would've flipped the table over. He was glad the redhead had learned how to control himself, though it was Axel's hot-blooded side that he'd always adored. Even now.

When the girls started to comment on the couple's, according to them 'theatrical', reaction, Riku got up. "I usually don't choose sides, but you girls are acting plain cruel. I'm really disappointed." Drink in hand, he followed Axel while the girls just glared at him.

Roxas glanced at Sora and Xion. They were both looking very uncomfortable with the situation. Guilt, shock and confusion playing in their eyes, but they weren't doing to do anything against Naminé or Kairi.

Naminé and Kairi, who he'd always seen as caring people. Sure, they could be real bitches, but aren't all girls when they're angry?

This time though, he didn't feel like they had reason. It hurt him to see Axel with someone else, it really did, but he couldn't blame that person.

Roxas closed his eyes for a short moment before he got up as well and followed Riku's example by leaving, though he didn't add anything to it.

It was rather chilly outside. I shouldn't have left my jacket inside. He gazed around for a bit first, though he could hear Axel and Riku talking quite clearly.

He wanted to talk to Axel. He wanted to tell him that he didn't agree with the others, that he liked Vero. I know I can, since you like her. The last thing he wanted was Axel being mad at him.

But he didn't go to Axel. He knew his courage would desert him and he wouldn't be able apologize much. It seemed a much better idea to leave the talking and the calming down to Riku. Instead, he turned to his left and saw Veronica leaning against the pub's front.

Vero was looking at a distant point in front of her, but when she heard his footsteps she looked up, exhaled the smoke of her cigaret and smiled at him. It was meant to be the same, friendly smile she'd given him earlier that day, but Roxas noticed her eyes not telling the same story.

I'm sorry I was so late!

Anyway, hope you guys liked this one as much as the first. I'm not sure when chapter three will be popping up, since I'm kind of stuck there and school's trying to see how far they can push us before we drop dead.

Please review and all that jazz.

I could probably use some advice here and there, so don't hesitate to tell me when I made some mistakes!