3rd chapter, yay! I didn't think that I would get it up so soon, but I guess I really want to get another chap. up. Thanks again to all of you reviewers, even the one who said it was "desperately cheesy." I guess I gotta figure out how to make is not so cheesy, but then, I'm a cheesy person! Lol.

Yet again (I forgot to do this in Chap. 2) I do not own Kingdom Hearts 2, or any of it's characters. It belongs to Square Enix and Disney. I wish I owned it, though. I would make some changes, like allowing you to view past cut scenes.

Last Time:

There was someone in front of me. Someone in a long black cloak.

I stood my ground, almost as still as the frozen Olette. I stared at the black-clad stranger before I regained my senses and began to back up. Or I would have, if we hadn't made it to the alley before the Usual Spot, and I wasn't already up against a wall. Nervous now, I gulped.

The stranger started towards me, and I all but "eeped." He reached a hand forward, and I squeezed my eyes shut, awaiting the contact, but it never came. What I did feel was a ripple in the atmosphere.

Cursing my curiosity, I looked up, and my eyes widened. There were now two figures, both wearing black coats almost identical to each other. They were facing each other, almost as if they were having a showdown.

The newcomer was leaner than the one who had "cornered" me. He wasn't quite as tall, but it looked like he had more muscle, and his stance had that look of defiance.

The first figure stood his ground, then shrugged, and disappeared through a dark portal. The newcomer chuckled. Hoping that he wouldn't notice me, I began to edge towards the Usual Spot. Bella let out growl, then a bark, and the figure (my "rescuer?") looked towards me.

"I wouldn't try to run. I'd have to chase you, and you wouldn't like that." The voice, a somewhat lazy tone that wasn't very deep, but not at all high-pitched, revealed that its speaker was male. It also sparked something else in the far corners of my mind.

"You know, I'm glad that they sent me to investigate you. You're great to look at, and I can guarantee that the other members wouldn't have as much patience as me." He cocked his head to the side and folded his arms across his chest. "Oh well. I guess you're lucky, too."

He lifted an arm up, and pulled his hood back. I stared at his fiery red hair, and then my gaze locked with his, and I was drowning in his green and gold orbs. Realization hit me. It was him.

"The name's Axel. It might do you good to remember it, as you'll probably be seeing more of me now." I blinked, confused, but he just grinned, showing off straight white teeth.

I was still up against the wall, and Bella was still growling, but not so much. I stared at Axel in disbelief. I couldn't believe that he was here! But you are in a video game, stupid. One that he's a part of!

"You're not a mute, are you?" My head shot up. He had broken me out of my stupor. "I really hope you're not. Mutes aren't any fun. They can't talk, and I like carrying on conversations, especially with pretty girls." Axel looked at me quizzically, obviously expecting an answer.

"No… I'm not a mute." Axel let out a sigh and looked so relieved that I couldn't help but burst into laughter. He stared at me, and his mouth twitched. I regained my composure and asked, "…What?" Axel shook his head.

"It's nothing… You're just really pretty when you laugh." I felt my face heat up, and thought that it was probably as red as my new shirt. Now it was Axel's turn to laugh. "You're cute when you blush, too! I'm really glad that I got this mission. This is gonna be great."

He was grinning, oblivious to me for the moment. I cocked my head to the side, confused. Bella wasn't concerned with my safety anymore, she was off sniffing around. The traitor. Olette was still frozen, but for the moment I was more concerned about something else.

"What do you mean, you were sent here to investigate me? By who?" Axel stopped his rambling, and looked very guilty. I sent him a glare. Hot game character that I was crushing on or not, I wanted some answers, and dammit I was going to get them!

"Uh… I'm not supposed to say… I probably shouldn't have even told you that much. Look, I'm sorry, but…" I cut him off with another glare. He put his arms in front of him for defense, but that didn't stop me. I started forward.

"I don't care what you're not supposed to say, I want to know why you've been 'assigned' to 'investigate' me, and why is it a mission!" I was still advancing on him. Man, I love it when my temper flares. "You're going to tell me right now, or I am going to- Ack!" Bella hand gotten between my legs and, while weaving in and out of them while I was walking, tripped me. I fell forward, and for a split second could see my head getting smashed on the concrete, but it didn't.

I was now pressed up against a hard, chiseled chest, held captive by strong arms. Blushing furiously, I looked up. Axel, being at least a foot taller than I was, looked down and smiled.

"What, did you think I wouldn't catch you?" He was still smiling softly,and had a kind look in his eyes.I felt my heart melt. "I'll always catch you." Butterflies in stomach? Check. Rapid heart beat? Check. Blush? Check. "You're my responsibility, I have to watch out for you. You know, make sure you don't get hurt."

Instant heartbreak? Double check. Payback? Oh yes…

In the split second that it took for him to catch me, my handprint was imprinted on his cheek in less time. He blinked, obviously stunned, and held a hand up to his wound. Now I was angry.

"I am no one's responsibility! Do you hear me? No one's! I don't care if I'm your mission, or whatever. From now on, if you're going to catch me, do it for your own reason, not because I'm some stupid mission! Don't you have a heart?"

I saw his eyes go cold, and instantly regretted my words.

"Fine, from now on, I'll do it for personal reasons. But you're still my mission." My hearted ached at his words and the tone of his voice. I longed to see that soft look in his eyes again. "As for having a heart… Nobodies can't have hearts," He spat out. I looked at him curiously. "And just so you know, this isn't for the mission."

He grabbed my arm with one hand, and with the other pulled me to him. Before I even had time to think, his lips descended on mine, and I was breathless. I heard a slight moan, realized it was from me, and blushed. I tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong, and he pulled me tighter to him. This time, though, it was Axel who groaned, and then pushed me away from him.

I stood, panting, glaring at him, hurt and confusion in my gaze. Axel stood a few feet away, equally breathless. He wiped his mouth, smirked cruelly, eyes still cold, and disappeared into a black portal.

Iwent to chase after him, but I felt another ripple in the air. Halting, I turned around. Olette was moving again! She had continued walking, that smile still on her face.

"The guys aren't that bad. I always have to break up arguments, offer solutions, and keep them on their toes about homework, but it's not as horrible as you might think. It's really great having three friends as great as them… Tori? Are you okay?"

I was staring at her, racking my brain for the reason she was saying that. Then it hit me. We were talking about her, Roxas, Hayner, and Pence before she was frozen. So that meant… She doesn't know what happened. Oh boy.

"Uh. Yeah. I'm fine. C'mon, let's get back to your boys, before they have fits worrying about us." Olette giggled, and I followed her, Bella trailing behind us.

What did Axel mean, "Nobodies can't have hearts?" I was determined to find out.

I put my fingers to my lips. Had he really kissed me? I could still feel the heat of his body and the pressure of his lips, so I guess he really did. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I jogged up beside Olette and listened to her as she planned our next shopping trip before we walked into the Usual Spot.

Well, there's the third chapter! I really hope that you guys liked it. I'm trying really hard on this story.

Oh, btw. I've got my sister drawing a few pieces for this fic. Just pics of Astoria, and her with Axel, Roxas, Sora, and anyone else she feels like drawing in. I'm going to try and put them up soon, so I'll be sure to put the link on my profile.

As always, R&R! Try to keep the flames to a minimum, though. I'm rather sensitive.

-Teh SadPanda