Here it is! Extra-long chapter like I promised!

Sorry it took so long, I mainly write this when I'm school and I have no more pre-planned chapters so the next update could be a while…..or maybe it won't, you never know with me.

I would like to say a big thank you to my first reviewer, neko natari-chan, and everyone who added this story to their favourites, alerts or even just read it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

I literally wanted to bang my head against the desk.

Why the hell do we need to learn so many God damn formulas that effectively do exactly the same thing? Why did we even need the formula in the first place?

Maths used to be easy. All you had to know was add, subtract, multiply and divide. Now it's all stupid symbols we don't really need.

The only thing I've remembered about maths since Primary School is something my Grandad said to me:

"You know how maths is made out to be really important? Well it's not. I've hardly ever used all the bloody, complicated things I was taught and I doubt you will either. I got a 'D'. That D's never done me no good and it ain't done me any bad either. It's a bloody letter; nothing more."

And I remember that lesson well. So I don't really see any reason to worry about maths. That includes doing classwork, paying attention in class and doing homework. I don't even go to detentions because it's all so pointless.

It was obvious I had given up and couldn't care less about the subject but my teacher seemed prone to believe that she could change my ways. What a stupid idea.

"Axel, can you tell me what the answer is?" Mrs Birggs asked me. I shrugged, not bothering to look up from my doodling. I was trying to draw a set of wings but they looked…..well they didn't really look like anything.

Several hands went up but Birggs ignored them and I could feel her eyes were still on me.

I reluctantly met her grey eyes and said, as if she were an idiot (which she was. A shrug clearly means I have no intention of answering that question), "I don't know."

"Well it's pretty simple. You only need to subtract these two numbers." She pointed to the white board.

Why she said 'numbers' is beyond me because she was pointing to what were clearly letters – an 'X' and a 'Y' to be precise.

"Those are letters,' I stated blandly, returning to my doodling. Birggs wasn't going to give up though.

"Yes, but the letters represent numbers. And in this case they represent…?"

"One, seven, five hundred and twelve, eight thousand three hundred and ninety four – I don't know. Numbers are infinite, how should I know what two specific numbers these letters represent?"

I could see her eyes narrowing and her frustration threatening to overflow.

"Axel," she said, trying – and failing – to sound calm and collected, "You would know what the numbers were if you paid attention."

"But I don't. In fact I think I make it very clear that I am not paying any attention to you so I don't know why you even bothered to ask me in the first place. If I should know the answer from paying attention which I obviously do not do, I will not know the answer."

Hehe. That hit her.

Her mouth opened and closed, uttering small sounds and then, realizing what a fool she looked, she snapped it shut.

The next twenty minutes or so passed smoothly without any more questions coming my way. Every now and again, she shot me a glare but nothing more than that, leaving me free to ponder whether I should tell Demyx about the incident at the abandoned mansion.

I left as soon as the bell rang, not bothering to write down the homework or waiting to be properly dismissed. I had to find Demyx and tell him.

I headed first to my locker to dump my maths books in exchange for my history folder. I would like to say that I liked history but unfortunately my teacher made sure I didn't.

I swear Miss Prickle could actually crush a man's soul.

I then speed-walked to our usual spot in the hall (which was basically the corner of the stage). Only Demyx was there – thank God. I didn't want to have to tell him in front of the others. I suppose I could have taken him aside but then suspicion would be aroused.

"Hey, Dem."

"Hi Ax!" Demyx responded in his 'I've-had-way-too-much-sugar' manner.

"Listen Dem," I said, sitting down and leaning in close to him. Demyx leaned in close too. "You know when we went out with Marly and Zexy the other week? And Marluxia threw my lighter into the mansion?"

"Yeah…"

"There was something, uh, someone I saw in there…"

Demyx said nothing, waiting for me to go on.

"Um, I don't know how to say this but I, uh, saw a, uh, boy….with wings."

…

I waited for Demyx to say something but he just sat there and stared at me.

"Right….." was what he finally said.

"Do you…believe me?"

More silence. Demyx bit his lip.

"Is this a prank, Axel?" he asked although I got the impression he already thought he knew what the answer to that question was (yes).

"No I really saw someone. I told you this Dem because I thought you would trust me. I didn't tell the others because I knew they wouldn't take it seriously."

This was partly true – I didn't want to tell anyone else because that would instantly put a big 'Crazy' on my forehead – but I also said this to pressure Demyx. If he knows that I favoured him over the others he will be more likely to listen to me.

I watched as Demyx chewed on his lower lip.

"So…you just want me to believe you saw someone…with wings?"

I nodded in approval.

"Yes, but I also need you to go back to the mansion with me."

Demyx paled at that, fear evident in every feature.

"Uh-uh, no way, Axel!"

"Dem-"

"Haven't you ever seen a horror movie, Ax? It starts with two kids going into some abandoned mansion and then BAM! They get kidnapped and haunted by ghosts!"

"But there aren't any ghosts in there, Dem."

"Hey, if you're angel-thing is in there who knows what else is in there? Why do you need me to go with you anyway?" he pondered.

"Because I need to have another witness if there is something there." If Demyx saw it too it would be proof I wasn't going crazy.

Demyx really isn't the best option for a witness but right now he's all I've got.

He sighed, trying to think of another way to get out of it.

He chewed his lip for a while but made no answer. He left me no choice but to resort to blackmail.

"Demyx, I don't want to do this but if you don't go with me, I will tell Zexion that it was you who wrecked his favourite copy of White Fang, not Vaan."

He looked at me in shock. He seemed to be mentally debating with himself before he finally said,

"Fiiiine," dragging out the word to show he was no pleased about having to make this decision.

"Great!" I chimed. "Meet me at the gates of the mansion straight after school and don't tell anyone." I commanded him.

He nodded slowly, still upset at having to go, I presumed.

With that I went to my next class – Biology – with only thoughts about the strange boy in the mansion.

….

I stood by the metal gates, getting more and more impatient.

Where the hell was Demyx?

If he chickened out on me he was soo going to get a pounding at school tomorrow….most likely from Zexion considering I would have to tell him about Demyx ripping his book.

It was now four o'clock. School ended at 3:35 and I got here at 3:45.

I must have stood there for another fifteen minutes before climbing up the metal gates.

I was only to going to wait so long for Demyx. It wasn't like I really needed him here, although it would have been nice to have someone to tell me I'm not going crazy….

Then again, if the boy wasn't there, having no Demyx around would save me the embarrassment of having to admit I was wrong.

I walked slowly over to the entrance doors, took in a deep breath, and opened them.

I crept quietly through the hall, not wanting to scare the boy if he was here.

However that plan was foiled when the door swung shut with an echoing bang. I cringed and stood still, listening out for any noise.

I heard nothing except the sound of my own breathing. I continued to make my slow way towards the stairs, figuring it would be best to look in the wardrobe first.

I had a slight sense of déjà vu as I climbed the stairs. I tried to shake the feeling off but it stuck to me like glue.

Once up the stairs, I walked cautiously to the door, which was partially open.

I could see the hole in the window where Marluxia had thrown my lighter. There was a small wet patch on the floor beneath it, probably where it had rained during the past week.

I turned my attention to the wardrobe, starting to feel nervous at what I might find – or not find.

Just like before, I silently treaded across the floor until I stood in front of the large wooden structure. I listened for any sounds; any indication that he was in there.

Upon hearing nothing, I pulled the door open a fraction, just wide enough to see in the crack.

With my heart racing, I looked in and saw….

Nothing.

I swung the door open all the way, none too carefully either. In fact the door actually fell off its hinges, hitting the floor with a series of resounding bangs and smacks.

But that didn't matter.

He wasn't here.

Disappointment engulfed me. Where was he?

I swung the other door open, only to be met again with empty space.

I frantically looked about the wardrobe even though it was clear nobody was there.

Nothing - nothing - had ever occupied me as much as the boy had and now he wasn't here?

I clenched my hands into fists, suddenly very frustrated that I hadn't found him. There was also the matter that I might actually be mad and imagined the whole thing…

Damnit!

Just as soon as I thought something exciting would happen it all evaporates into thin air!

Stupid wardrobe! Stupid Marluxia! Stupid mansion! Stupid-

"Bloody hell," I murmured the words out loud. I was in a mansion for crying out loud. He could be anywhere in this place. Just because he wasn't in the wardrobe didn't mean he wasn't hiding somewhere else in the building….

With my spirits restored, I set to searching the mansion. I tried to be quiet so I wouldn't scare him away with loud noises.

Since I was already upstairs I decided to search the same floor first.

I looked in what appeared to have been another bedroom, a library, a bathroom and another bedroom.

I was still a little worried about what would happen if I didn't find him…Demyx would never let it go, that's for sure.

Why was I getting so worked up about this? It wasn't normal for me to be so aggravated by something like this. Then again, something like this had never happened before.

I padded downstairs and surveyed the opening hall. One of the doors was completely blocked by a fallen suit of armour. There was only one other door I could see.

I walked to it and pressed down on the handle.

Unlocked.

I slowly opened the door to reveal a dimly lit room. In the centre was a table that had been completely demolished. The perimeter of the room held several suits of armour, all of them rusting and barely standing.

My breath caught in my throat.

Huddled in the far corner was the boy. He had knees drawn up to his chest and had wrapped his arms firmly around them. His white/grey wings were drooping, covering his body like a blanket. He was wearing ragged trousers and a torn top, both grey with dust and dirt.

His bright blue eyes were fixated on me. He looked scared but also…defensive.

He barely blinked, locking his gaze with mine.

I must have stood there for about a minute before I finally regained my senses.

So I didn't imagine it..

I stared at him, still a little unsure whether it was actually possible for something like this to be here.

I took a hesitant step towards the boy and immediately he emitted a low warning growl. It wasn't very threatening (his small size made sure of that) but I could tell it was saying 'Don't come any closer.'

Now a smart person would probably have walked out of that room, leaving the boy alone. It was clear I wasn't wanted.

However a not so smart person, such as myself, wouldn't listen to the threat and would take another stupid step forward.

The growl was louder and sounded angrier now. A person of average intellect would have gotten the message by now and retreated but I wasn't even that smart.

I took a third step toward the being. As soon as my foot made contact with the grimy carpet, he shot out of his crouching position and stood to his full height. He spread his wings wide and hissed.

It wasn't a cat-like hiss; it was what a human trying to hiss would sound like.

I knew from the little I paid attention in Biology that an animal that was wounded or felt vulnerable would usually try to make itself look bigger to its potential attacker. This was exactly what the boy was doing right now.

I finally stopped walking towards him, worried that if I got any closer he would attack me. He was small but his wings looked powerful. Apparently a swan could break a human bone….were his wings capable of that too?

He kept his wings stretched out wide, continuing to snarl and hiss at me. He glared at me, as if daring me to take another step and see what would happen.

I didn't want to hurt the boy, but how could I show him that? Could he understand English?

I pointed to myself and said clearly, "I won't hurt you."

His glare hardened but his hissing ceased.

Well speech seemed to have some sort of effect so I spoke again.

"My name's Axel, got it memorized?" I just couldn't resist adding my favourite greeting question.

He continued to glare at me. I tried to take another step forward but he noticed the movement and growled; still not wanting me to get closer.

"What's your name?" I tried asking a question. If he answered I would know he could understand me.

He kept silent, shifting his wings a little but still making sure they were as wide as he could make them.

I waited for him to answer. After a minute I repeated the question, still hopeful he would answer.

He opened his mouth a little, as if he were uncertain whether to speak. I held my breath again, waiting anxiously.

He opened his mouth, a little wider, about to speak…

'Hello Moto!' (1) I jumped at the loud sound emitting from my pocket. The boy pressed himself back to the wall, clearly distressed by the noise. His eyes were trained on me, distrusting and scornful.

I pulled my mobile out of my pocket and looked at the screen.

Demyx Calling

"Oh for…." I let the sentence hang unfinished and answered my phone.

"Hello?"

"Hi Axel, it's Demyx. Where are you?"

"Inside the mansion, where the hell are you? I waited ages for you."

"I'm outside the mansion. I've just got here. Mr William held me back after school."

Huh…so he hadn't chickened out. And I was so looking forward to seeing Zexion hit Demyx….

"Should I…come into the mansion?" Even though I couldn't see his face I could tell he was still didn't want to come inside.

I glanced over at the boy, who was still watching me intently. Did I want Demyx to see him?

I was hit with indecision. I kind of liked the idea of me being the only one knowing about the boy but then again, I sort of wanted to share the secret with someone else….

"Ya, I'm in the first room on your right." I ended the call and looked over at the boy again.

He looked even more fearful now, his gaze flicking between me and the door. It was like he knew Demyx was going to come in.

"He won't hurt you either," I said slowly, gesturing behind me to the door that was still ajar.

If he understood, he didn't look convinced. He tried to press himself further into the wall but he couldn't get any further in.

"Axel?" I heard Demyx call.

"In here!" I shouted back, not looking away from the boy.

He looked despairingly towards the door and then lastly at me. It was like he was pleading with me, silently asking me to do something.

"Axel?" Demyx asked, swinging the door open.

I looked behind me and saw Demyx walking in, totally confused.

Now, I had walked in quite slowly, and that had upset the winged being quite a lot. So imagine what happens when Demyx struts in, walking quickly and loudly.

He growled inhumanly and thrashed his feathered wings. He bared his teeth and his hands went rigid, his fingers curving into claws.

Demyx stopped abruptly and paled when he saw the boy. He blinked a few times, as if trying to clear the thing from his vision.

He looked at me and then back to the boy.

"Wha…?" he said dumbly.

It was a question, but how did you answer "Wha…..."? I kept quiet, waiting for his to regain his composure.

He shook his head violently, disbelieving what was in front of him.

The boy didn't like this sudden action and jerked forward a bit, feigning an attack.

Demyx stepped back a bit and finally seemed to accept what was there.

"Whoa…."

I waited for something else but Demyx seemed content with just saying that one word.

The boy was still beating his wings back and forth with his hands still rigid. Now I was never going to get him to talk…

"He won't hurt you," I said again, slowly moving my hand to point a finger at Demyx.

He kept silent, keeping his eyes fixed on Demyx.

"I don't think he likes me….." Demyx said, sounding dismayed.

"Damn straight. You make a loud introduction like that and no one will like you."

He looked down at his feet and mumbled, "I'll step outside."

He edged towards the door before finally slipping out and pushing it half closed.

After a few seconds, the boy seemed to calm down significantly. He relaxed his wings a bit, only keeping them so they were half spread out.

His hands went limp at his sides and he stopped growling.

"Do you live here?" I asked him.

No reply. I sighed and stared at the boy. He was so thin and scrawny, a bit like me actually although I felt he wasn't this way by choice.

Ever so slowly, I took off my backpack and reached into one of the many zippered compartments. I rummaged through my books, pens and packets of gum until I found the orange I had swiped from the canteen and then neglected to eat.

I held it out to him but he made no move to come and take it.

I put the fruit of the ground and rolled it gently towards him. It stopped when it was roughly half way between us.

He stared at it, as if waiting for it to move on its own. He eventually reached out with his foot and rolled it the rest of the way towards him.

He stooped down to pick it up and examined it.

"Eat," I instructed, pointing at my mouth.

I half expected him to try to eat the skin but he actually sat down on the ground and ripped the orange skin off.

I watched, somehow fascinated by his movements.

He ate slowly, slower than Zexion and believe me he was a slow eater.

I could hear Demyx pacing outside, probably getting impatient. I checked the time on my phone.

4:54

"Aw, shit," I muttered. It was getting late – well late enough for my nosy older brother to question what I was doing after school.

The boy was watching my intently. Oh, that's right; he didn't like the noise my phone made before.

I slipped the device bag into my pocket and rose to my full height.

"I'll come back later," I told him. I'm not sure if he understood but he just went back to eating the orange at his agonizingly slow pace.

I walked out of the room and decided to leave the door ajar a little.

I looked around for Demyx but he was nowhere in sight.

Had he wandered off?

I spotted that the front door was open a little.

He left without me!

Slightly miffed, I stalked out of the mansion just in time to see Demyx walking back through the woodland before he disappeared in the shrubbery.

I felt kind of betrayed that he would leave but I also felt a bit sorry for him, it was kind of a lot to take in…

Oh well, I'd confront him again at school tomorrow.

That's the Hello Moto ringtone, just so you know. If you haven't heard it you can probably look it up somewhere. Oh and White Fang is a book…about a wolf XD

This story is kind of slow going right now but I have a rough idea of where I want it to go.

However it's not set in stone, please feel free to PM me or tell me in a review if you have any ideas for a plot or any characters to would like to make an appearance.

Of course, I might not be able to include everyone's ideas but it would be nice to know what you guys want to happen.