Chapter Seven---Forsaken

This chapter is for ImmortalFisheh! Thank you so much for your AWESOME review!

Axel stared at the two men before him. First Vincent, then Reno. He scrunched up his nose and narrowed jade eyes at the supposed creator of his amazing self, trying to see (as if he could mystically peer through the mans skin and find a sign on a strand of DNA stating "Father of Axel" somewhere) if he truly could be this man's son. Reno stared back, his own nose scrunching in turn.

"You got all you're good looks from me, you little leech." Yep, he was Axel's father alright.

"What? I beg to differ old man. I'm naturally amazing, thanks very much. Besides, contributing some chromosomes doesn't really make you my father." Reno shrugged his shoulders.

"Father, sperm donor same thing."

"If you're my father, how come you've never been around? Why did you leave mom? Especially with him." Reno looked at him confusedly before replying.

"I didn't know about you. Aiden never told me. If she had, I would have stayed. Even I'm not that much of a prick. And hell, I would have taken you if she hadn't wanted you." Axel looked dubious.

"Look kid, you can believe me or not but you're still my son." Axel slumped down on the bed and held his head in his hands.

This, changed everything.


Cloud didn't met the gaze of Zexion or Riku. He didn't know what to say. He...he hadn't meant for this to happen...he just didn't want Axel to be in this place. That thought caught Cloud unaware. Why didn't he want Axel in this place? Before he could deliberate on it further, Sora spoke.

"What happened to him?" Zexion snapped his gaze over to the brunette, who flinched under the harshness of violet orbs.

"His stepfather, that's what happened to him." Sora's sapphire eyes were wide in disbelief.

"But, why?" Riku glared at the younger boy's naivete.

"Because he can. And because he knows Axel won't do a damn thing about it." Cloud looked up at this.

"Why? Why doesn't he go to the police? Why doesn't he fight back?" At this, Riku actually began to laugh.

"Because his stepfather IS a cop. Came straight of the Navy and entered the police force. He's such a 'do-gooder' no one would believe Axel, juvenile deliquent that his is. And Axel doesn't fight back because as long as Cid is beating on him, it isn't his mother or Namine." Cloud frowned.

"Whose Namine?"

"His half sister. Axel tried fighting back once and Cid taught him a lesson he'll never forget."


"Look kid, I'm sorry this whole thing has just been dropped on your lap but this changes my life too." Axel looked up with blazing peridot orbs.

"What the hell do you know? This REALLY doesn't affect you. Sure, you have a kid you didn't know about for eighteen years, but who cares? I'm not your responsiblity. I'm turning 18 in six months and then I'm home free. Don't pretend like you care, we both know you don't. I'm this close to getting out of this shit hole, so go back to where ever it is you came from and stay there with Senoir Creepy over here." Vincent scowled only slightly.

"You are mistaken. The minute I told Reno my suspicions, he demanded I find out for certain. I've never seen him so worked up. And over a selfish brat like you no less." Axel shot to his feet so quickly even Vincent was startled.

"Selfish? Selfish?! The only reason I'm here, turning tricks for a living, is to get my sister out of that house. She's the only reason I haven't gone crazy and she's the reason my step father beats me until I can't even walk." Reno looked at him hard, touching his shoulder gently.

"He what?" Axel realized his mistake too late. No one was supposed to know. Because if people knew, they tried to help. And if they tried to help, they'd just get him in deeper shit.

"He beats you? Is that what happened to your face?" Axel turned away, nodding.

"Why haven't you gone to the police?" Vincent asked, casting a worried look to the suddenyl quiet Reno.

"He's ON the police force. No one would believe me and he'd just work me over even more after it died down. But if he's beating me, that means he's not beating mom or Nami. I can't see that again."

"I'm going to get you out of there Axel." Reno said softly, staring at the carpet. Axel turned to him quickly, shanking his head.

"No! You have to stay out of this! If he finds out about you, he'll throw me out and Namine's all by herself and so is mom...I can't leave them. You have to stay out of this..." Reno looked pleadingly between Vincent and his son, only to realize that he had no choice. Axel was right. He had no part in this.


Namine walked in the house and shut the door quietly, praying to any God that would listen she did not disturb her father.

As she slowly made her way up the stairs, she would soon find out no one was listening.


A.n: Woot! Another chappie!! Yay for Ulti!!!! Review and tell me what you think my lovelies!!!!

Ulti-