A/N: Honestly, I could've sworn that I'd updated this earlier...I'm so sorry for the long wait, everybody! :(

RECAP:

"No, sorry," I lied nervously, trying to walk around him.

"Hey, don't leave yet, kid," he said, still grinning. "You sure this coat doesn't seem familiar to you?"

I nodded vigorously. Actually, too vigorously - I probably looked suspicious now. "Not at all," I replied. I tried to go around him again, but this time he grabbed my shoulder with an iron grip and yanked me back. 'Ow!'

Xigbar's grin disappeared and was replaced with a threatening look. "What's the rush, girlie? We only just met," he scowled.

'Uh-oh...'

STORY STARTS:

Xigbar was nearly breaking my shoulder, his grip was so tight! Either he doesn't want me to get away, or he actually just wants to get to know me before letting me leave. I really hope it's the latter, but hey, life doesn't usually go the way I want it.

"Now, let's try this again," he suggested, loosening his hold slightly. "I ask you a question, you answer, then you ask me a question, and I answer, and we've gotta tell the truth. Capiche?"

"Um...I guess so?"

"That's the spirit, squirt." He laughed dryly. "What's your name?"

I tilted my head, confused. "But you already know my na -"

"Let's pretend I don't," he said, rolling his eyes.

"Raxmi."

He pretended to look offended. "What, no last name?"

"It's my turn to ask a question, not yours," I frowned.

He laughed again and actually let go of my shoulder. "Hey, you're kinda fun, tiger. More spark than that zombie Roxas..."

"Roxas is not a zombie!" I shot back, then mentally yelled at myself. Well, so much for pretending that I don't know anything about them.

Xigbar raised an eyebrow, a triumphant look on his face. "Oh, really now?" he asked dryly, crossing his arms and grinning. "And here I was convinced that you didn't know anyone from our little Organization."

"...I still haven't asked you a question," I answered defiantly, seeing that there was no way out of the mess I'd made. His eyes narrowed slightly, but the cocky look stayed on his face.

Out of nowhere, I noticed a little blur flash by. Darting my eyes quickly, I caught a glimpse of a short, shadowy figure sliding around a corner. 'Heartless!' I thought instantly. Then the creature shifted ever-so-slightly, and I had to look down hurridly to hide my smile. "How old are you?" I asked Xigbar, directing my attention back to him.

"Too old for you, kiddo," he smirked, and I shuddered. He's, by far, the creepiest person I'd ever met! Even some of my dad's friends, who could win a prize for creepiness, are pale in comparison to this guy! "How old are you?"

"Sixteen," I said shortly. "How did you get your eyepatch? Did you just get back from a five-year-old's costume party?"

He scowled. "It's not something you'd understand," he replied, "and I don't have all day to play twenty question with children."

"But you suggested it!" I exclaimed. "I just wanted to leave!"

"Well, you can't leave yet, can you?" he sighed, holding his head. "Sheesh, this one's thick..."

"No, I'm not!" I nodded at the figure hidden in the shadows. "I'm way more attentive than you are!"

"Wha-"

Right on cue, the figure leapt out and blasted Xigbar with flames. At the same time, he hit him full-force on his other side with ice. 'I wonder what that feels like? To be roasting on one half and freezing on the other? I'll have to ask him sometime...' I stored that memory away as I got away. "Get back here!" I heard Xigbar yelling out to me, but then he yelled out again in pain. I glanced over my shoulder to see him being enveloped in darkness. Good! That means he left! I didn't like that guy.

Just to be safe, I sprinted all the way to Exit 2, bursting into Market Street. Hmm. These past few days have involved a lot of escaping on my part. I should ask Seifer to teach me more about how to fight, so that I don't have to run anymore. As I thought about that, the shadow figure crept up next to me, making me leap about three feet in the air when he tapped on my arm.

'Argh! Why does he have to be so quiet!'

"You've got to stop doing that to me," I breathed, placing a hand over my heart. My heart. What would've happened to it if Vivi hadn't shown up? Would Xigbar have forced me into a horde of Heartless, standing by as they stole it? That means I would've become a Nobody. Like Axel.

'How did Xigbar know about me?' I wondered. 'Did Axel tell him about me? No - why would he do that? It doesn't seem likely. Maybe Roxas told him? That can't be right, it seemed like he thought Roxas was a dunce, so they probably wouldn't talk to each other much. A-HA! Maybe DEMYX told him?'

Next to me, Vivi tugged on my sleeve. Oops! Here I was, standing around and thinking, after Vivi saved my life...or heart...in any case, he saved me! "Thank you so much, Vivi!" I said sincerely, crouching down. I opened up my arms to hug him, but he just stretched out at grabbing my right hand instead and shook it. I sighed. Vivi and I had never been very close, and he hardly ever talked to me, even though he hung around Seifer a lot. "Why did you help me, Vivi?" I asked him.

"You l-looked scared," he said quietly, stumbling a little over his words as he usually did. "You're sh-shaking."

I looking down at my hands. He's right. Was I shaking this much when Xigbar was firing question at me? No wonder the Organization member had found it so amusing to talk to me. "Well, thanks again," I smiled. "If you ever need anything, you let me know, 'kay?"

Vivi nodded vigorously.

"Oh! And...do you think you could not tell Seifer about this?" I asked pleadingly. He hesitated. I knew he would; he's very devoted to Seifer. "Please? I don't need him to worry about this, Vivi. Please?"

After a moment, he nodded, and I sighed in relief. Vivi walked away abruptly, leaving me there in my thoughts. Most people tend to stay away from Vivi, because he's the only Black Mage around. I'm still not sure why Seifer lets him hang out with us, but I do kinda like him. And, man, am I glad he was around today...


Axel's P.O.V.

"Hey, Flamesilocks," Xigbar grinned at me, slapping me on the shoulder. "Beautiful day, isn't it?"

I raised my eyebrows and gave him a look. "What's up with the sudden happiness, mono-eye? Did Vexen finally find proof that you have a brain?"

Xigbar shook his head in mock sadness. "For someone whose element in fire, you are so cold, man!"

"What d'you want, Xigbar?" I asked, sighing.

The Freeshooter smirked at me lazily. "Well, I was gonna talk to you about your little girlfriend...but I see you're not in the mood to talk." He started walking away.

Wait, what?

"Hold up, Xigbar!" I called out, making him stop in his tracks and turn back to me. "Touched a nerve, did I?' he laughed.

"What are you talking about?"

"That green-eyed street kid in Twilight Town," he replied, crossing his arms. "Now, what's her name, again? Roxanne? Rexelanna? Rexi?"

"Raxmi," I answered, as I tried to control myself.

He smirked again. "Oh, so you do know who I'm talkin' about, then?"

"We've run into each other once or twice," I lied. "Nothing more than hi and bye."

Xigbar chuckled and slapped me on the back. "See, I heard something the other day in the hallways. Apparently, she's been doing a few of your missions for you, aye?"

I clenched my fists, feeling anger flash in my eyes. Seriously, what is wrong with me? This pirate-wannabe can't get the better of me! I control my anger on a daily basis. Let me tell you, that is not easy when you're a fire element. Nothing this guy can say will change that. "Do you want something from me, old man?" I said evenly.

"Eh, I don't want anything from you," he replied, punching my arm. "I just thought I'd let you know that the Superior and Saix are onto you, mate. And you better be more careful if you're gonna keep seeing that kid, see?"

My eyes narrowed. "If they know about her, that means you told them," I pointed out. "Why are you warning me, then?"

He started walking away again. "Because, Flamer, what's the fun in them eliminating her, just like that?" He snapped his fingers, then crossed his arms behind his head. "Way too boring, dude. I thought I might as well give you a heads-up, sit back, and watch the entertainment as you try and find a way to protect the tiger."

I scoffed lightly, turning away from his retreating form. "And here I was thinking you just wanted to help out with decent intentions, like an honest person."

"Me? Decent intentions?" He laughed. "As if!"

Suddenly, he turned back around and smirked at me. "By the way, I would've thought you'd do better than that , Axel. That poor excuse of a girl doesn't even deserve a second glance."

Two seconds later, he was slammed against the wall, clutching his face where I'd punched him. "Don't you dare talk about her like that again, or I swear there'll be more that one scar on that messed-up joke you call your face," I growled.

As I walked away, Xigbar yelled out to me. "I could have you turned into a Dusk for this, Axel!" I should be safe; that old man doesn't have the guts to rat on me.

Yeah, so about controlling my anger? Sometimes, it's just too hard to keep in.