Bwahaha! No Country for Old Men won best picture last week! I seriously jumped up and down when it happened. :) I really enjoyed the Oscars this year…a lot of the people I wanted to win won, so I was happy. :D Oh, and sorry that this took three weeks instead of two, and that was because I posted a new story! It's a Zemyx fic, and I would love if you all could check it out, and tell me what you think. :)

Summary: Riku's mom signs him up to help out with an orphanage around the Christmas holiday. Riku groans at the idea. He doesn't want to help them, but he doesn't have an option.

Disclaimer: Ah, get over it…I don't own Kingdom Hearts.

Warning: This fic will contain shonen-ai (boyxboy love). If you do not care for boyxboy love, I suggest you leave. This fic will also contain language.

Reviews: ZOMIGOSH! I hit 170 and beyond! –Glomps everyone that reviewed and gives cookies and Axel plushies- Haha. All the comments were so nice, and you all have no idea how happy you all make me. Seriously, whenever I see I got another review, I read it right away—and then read it over again several times. LOL. But what made me happiest is that several people that just added this to their alerts/faves without reviewing before, reviewed for the first time! Yay! Let's keep at it, people, and aim for 200 this time! Hey, if we could hit 170, we can hit 200, too. :D

A/N: Okay, okay, the cliffie is finally resolved! Read on to find out what happens!


An Unexpected Gift - Chapter. 9 Never Again...Never Again

-o-

"Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks." - Samuel Johnson


He gripped his head, groaning. "Oh, every fucking thing is so screwed up, I tell you!" he shouted. "No one will believe me that Roxas and I aren't together! They're evil, I tell you, all evil!"

"Who's evil?" asked a slurred voice.

Axel's emerald eyes widened immensely. He recognized that voice…

"I asked you a question!" yelled the person, swinging something up in the air. He now stepped into the light. "Axel? Zat you?"

Axel looked at the person in terror. It could not be… There was no way that this person could be here! They weren't…supposed to… Axel felt his heart begin to beat out of his chest. He could not move. He was frozen. "How…how are you here—Father?" Axel swallowed the lump in his throat as he said the last word. It left a horrible bitter taste in his mouth.

"Ella dumped me," the man said in a slurred and gruff voice. The stench of alcohol and smoke overwhelmed Axel. He coughed.

"Who?" Axel asked, coughing again.

"My girlfriend," he explained. "She kicked me out of her apartment. Where am I s'posed to go?"

"I-I don't know, Father, maybe a hotel?" said Axel, hopeful.

"I don't got no money!" the man yelled, frustrated, lifting the bottle above his head.

Axel winced at the sight. "W-well, I don't know what you're supposed to do, then. Maybe go to the YMCA or something?"

"Are you fuckin' out of your mind?" the man yelled after he took another swig of his drink. "Why the hell would I go there?"

"I-I don't know," said Axel, his panic rising every second. He had to get away. He had to do something. Here he was, right in front of his house, his mother right inside, and yet she did not know what was happening. She had probably fallen asleep. His mother was an angel—she could do no wrong. That was why she had divorced the scumbag in the first place.

"You were always an idiot!" his father suddenly accused. "You never did well in school, and when you were younger, you never even wanted to play sports. You're a fuckin' wimp. All the boys at school picked on you." And now the man sneered. "But the worst of all is that you're a fuckin' pansy. No wonder you always got picked on."

Axel could not move. He was moving closer. His father was a mere few inches away now, and yet Axel was set in stone. He was terrified, terrified out of his mind—but he could not move. He was too terrified to move even. He began to shake slightly.

"You good for nothin' son of mine!" yelled his father as he slapped Axel. "Everything's your fault! You're the reason your mom dumped me!" He punched Axel. Axel doubled over in pain. "You're a disgrace!"

And all Axel could feel now were the hits and blows his father landed on him—and how his sharp, gruff voice cut him like a knife with his insults. He never thought…he would see him again. Axel closed his eyes, wishing he would just black out already—or that something would happen, someone would intervene—but it seemed like no one was here, or no one cared enough to come out of their homes and stop him. Many minutes passed by.

"Stop it!" someone suddenly yelled.

The hitting stopped for a minute. Axel…recognized that voice. Who was it? He could not think. His brain was fuzzy. It was too much…too much. He did not know what to do.

"Ah, there you are. Lyla. (1) Perfect. Little. Lyla. Do you really think you're too good for me?" the man yelled, turning away from Axel to face the woman.

"I have already called the police, so don't even try anything. They'll be here any minute now!" she informed. "And stop hitting my Axel!" she yelled out as she ran over to Axel.


"Mom?" said Axel, confused. He attempted to open his eyes, but they simply could not open. They hurt too much. He winced in pain.

"Shh. It's all right now," said his mother soothingly. "He's gone now. I had no idea he would come here. I'm so, so sorry Axel. After we got the restraining order…I thought he would listen. And he had—for several years, anyway. I am so sorry," she said as she hugged Axel close to herself. "I never wanted to see you get so hurt like this—never again."

"M-mom…" Axel barely managed to get out. "Where am I?"

"We're at the hospital, Axel," she barely managed to get out. "He hurt you…he hurt you so badly, and you kept crying out about your arm. I am so, so sorry." And then Lyla broke down crying.

Axel couldn't even open his eyes to look at her, nor could he move to comfort and hug her close. It hurt too much. He could not move. "Mom…don't cry, please don't cry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. It's my fault, really. Not yours. Please don't blame yourself. You couldn't have done anything."

"But if I had never married him—" she objected.

"You wouldn't have me," said Axel, laughing.

His mother ran a hand through his soft, spiky hair. "I am so sorry, Axel. I love you so much. I never wanted to see you in pain again. Not like that time. No, never like that time again."

Axel could not help…but recount the time she was talking about.

It was the time…he had nearly died.


"Oh, what a beautiful morning!" Riku exclaimed, jumping up and down as he came down the stairs. "I could not imagine a better day! It is simply wonderful! Praise the heavens! Truly today is a day not to be—" Riku was cut off from his over-joyous outburst, for it certainly did seem that way—perhaps the boy was drunk. Drunk on life… Or Sora. Either one was fine. Riku's smile fell as he saw the sad look Cloud had on his face. He stopped, his arms raised in the air, and they slowly fell done to his sides. "What's wrong?" he asked, worried to death.

They were all staring at him—not just Cloud. Leon was there, and Yuffie, Tifa, Aerith, Reno, and Kadaj…they were all there, and looked so serious.

"Riku," said Leon, finally speaking up, "your mother called here… She says that your friend, Axel, is in the hospital."

"What happened?" Riku asked immediately.

"She did not say much—she sounded very frantic. She just said something about, 'him'. Do you know what she meant, Riku?"

Riku's eyes widened immediately. He knew who he was…he knew it all too well. He and Axel had been best friends since they were little, so it all clicked in his head, just the word him was enough to understand the meaning. He clenched his fists just thinking about it. "Can someone please drive me to the hospital?" Riku asked. "I'd just run there, but I know it'll be quicker this way. So please…please someone take me there."

"We'll drive you," said Cloud, meaning he and Leon. "Yuffie, take care of things while we're gone, okay?"

"Sure," said Yuffie, nodding her head slightly.

And so the three left, going out into the bitter cold, getting into Cloud's car, and they drove away.

But as they left, there was a certain boy left in the orphanage, upstairs, who was smiling, thinking of how soon Riku would be up here again, and they would eat breakfast together. "Riku…" Sora whispered softly.

The drive to the hospital seemed to take forever. Riku was in a panic. His mother had not said how bad Axel's condition was? Why hadn't she said it? Riku was so worried—she could have at least said it. But then Riku felt ashamed—he should not blame Kazumi. She was worried just as much as she was, Axel felt as close to her as a son did.

Riku just hoped…it wasn't as bad as that time.


They had finally managed to get to the hospital, and Riku was about to flip out. It had taken so long. What was wrong with Axel? How bad was it? He couldn't even think coherently. It were as if his thoughts were a blank, and he could not comprehend anything new. It was horrible. He felt nauseous. His head felt light and airy—and his feet seemed to way a ton.

When they actually arrived at the hospital, Riku found it impossible to walk down…the hall. He could not do it—he felt as if he were walking to his death. What was wrong? Was Axel really hurt? His heart was beating out of his chest. Once he managed to actually move down the hall, he felt as if it stretched on forever, and he would never reach the end of it, where Axel's room was. When it felt as if he were getting closer, it only seemed to expand. Riku felt as if he were going mad.

It was deafening.

This feeling…this horrid feeling of dread. His eyes stung. And then…and then…

He actually reached the door.

But this was even worse. He could not enter.

His fingers tingled as they brushed over the doorknob, but he could not find the courage to actually open it. What if something had gone wrong? What if Axel was really hurt? He could not think straight; he felt somewhat lightheaded. Leon and Cloud waited patiently behind him. Finally, Riku managed to close his hand around the doorknob, and slowly twisted it open.

And then he entered.


"I wonder how...Riku's holding up," Yuffie said to Tifa, as the two set the dishes on the dining table.

"I don't know really, Yuffie. How would you feel if your best friend were in the hospital—and you didn't even know how badly they were hurt? And did you see the look of terror on his face? It made me feel chilled," Tifa answered.

"He really did look terrified…didn't he? So…has this happened before?" Yuffie asked.

"That's what Riku's mother seemed to imply. After all, all she said was that it was him. Riku knew who it was, so it had to have happened before."

"You don't think Riku's father ever abused him, do you?"

Tifa looked thoughtfully for a minute. "No, I don't think so. I saw a picture…that had slipped out of Riku's wallet onto his bed. It was his father, I'm sure. He had…Riku's eyes. I don't think he would be carrying around a picture of him if he had abused him."

"I guess you're right," said Yuffie. "But I'm just really…worried about him."

"Me, too."


Riku took in a deep breath as he entered. His eyes were closed, he dared not look for a moment—and then he opened his eyes. And there was Axel, beaten and bruised, and the pure look of complete and utter pain on his face. Riku…did not know what to do. Sonja, Sephiroth, and Axel's mother, Lyla, were all in the room. But Riku did not pay any attention to them whatsoever. He had eyes for only one person right now—and that was his best friend, Axel.

"Axel…" Riku's voice came out choked, broken. He could not even speak coherently. Moisture gathered at his aquamarine eyes; he wanted to avert his gaze from Axel, but he could not—he could not look away.

"Oh, hey there…Ri," said Axel, smiling slightly.

For once, Riku was not going to get mad at him, or correct him on calling him that. He did not even pay attention to it. All he could think about…was that even through all this pain, Axel still managed to smile. How could he still smile? What was wrong with him? If Lyla had not intervened, Axel very well could have been killed by his father. How could he…smile like that, as if nothing were wrong?

"How can you…smile like that?" Riku asked lowly, his voice still coming out somewhat choked.

"What?"

"How can you still smile like that!" Riku now found himself shouting, angry, though not angry with Axel. "How are you smiling as if nothing is wrong? How can you…how can you do that? Axel, you could have been killed! Your father is insane! How can you…" Riku bent down at Axel's bed, on his knees, his head hanging down, limp, "…how can you…be this wonderful and yet treated so badly?" The tears emerged, and for some reason, Riku could not stop. He wanted to—but he could not. "It's not…it's not fair."

"There, there, Riku," said Axel, reaching a hand to pat his head, running his hand down the length of Riku's hair. "Don't worry about it, I'll be fine. And you know this shouldn't have happened, Riku, but a lot of things happen that shouldn't. A lot worse has happened to people than this—so think about them, not me."

"You're too…you're too good, Axel."


Sora…was slightly confused. Usuallly around this time, Riku would have come in, and they would have eaten breakfast together. He did not…quite understand. Where was Riku? He had grown accustomed to seeing him every day. He was...a little worried, to be honest. Where was he? Had something happened? Why…wasn't he here?

"Where are you Riku?" Sora said to himself, feeling slightly nervous and anxious.

And then the door cracked open. Sora's head immediately whipped around to see who it was, entirely believing it was Riku—so he smiled brightly. But his smile fell when he saw that it was not Riku, that it instead was Aerith. But then he smiled again slightly. Yes, he had hoped it was Riku, but Aerith was always nice and kind to him. So he smiled for her, too. But he also found this as a good opportunity to ask about Riku's whereabouts.

"Where's…Riku?" Sora asked, his voice barely over a whisper.

"I'm sorry, Sora, he's not here," Aerith explained. "He had to go to the hospital."

Sora's eyes widened at that. "The hospital?" He was suddenly frightened. Something had happened to Riku. He was correct.

Aerith realized what Sora thought; she immediately spoke again. "No, Sora, Riku isn't hurt himself. It's his friend…his friend is in the hospital, and Riku went to visit him."

Sora looked relieved to find out it wasn't Riku—but it still wasn't a good thing that anyone was in the hospital. "Is his friend all right?" Sora asked quietly, his eyes staring down at his bed.

"I hope so, I really hope so, Sora" Aerith answered. "But here…here's your breakfast." She handed him a tray, smiling sweetly. "If you want…I could sit here with you, like Riku does, if you like."

"No, that's all right," Sora uttered quietly.

"All right, then, I'll come see you again in a little bit, all right? And I'll let you know if we hear anything from Riku."

Aerith stood up and walked to the door, frowning slightly, though. She could tell Sora felt...a little off since Riku was not here with him. She just hoped he would be all right. And before she was out the door, she said, "Don't worry, Sora, I'm sure Riku will be back soon."

And then she was gone.

Sora stared down at the tray of food. He did not really feel like eating. He missed Riku immensely…and wished he were here, here like he always was. He was used to seeing Riku every day now, and the two would always spend time with one another; at least three times a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It had been like this for the past few days, and honestly, it was not very long—but it felt like he could not remember the many years he had been in this orphanage without him, alone—no person he ever could feel close to. But Riku had changed that. He really, really had. He did not know what he would do without him. He felt like when he was around Riku, he did not feel alone, that he did not feel empty, he actually...he actually...felt whole. He missed him too much, and found his appetite was gone.

And then he broke down crying, his head in his hands, growing damp from his tears.


Riku stared down at Axel, disbelieving that this…had actually happened to his friend. "How…how bad is it?" he asked Axel very quietly.

"Not that bad, really. I was bleeding, and I have a lot of bruises, a black eye and the like—they've kept me here so darn long because they thought my arm was broken—but it's not, they said, just bruised so badly that you could think it. They're going to let me out, soon—just need to get enough rest."

"He could have killed you," Riku choked out.

"It wasn't like that time, Riku."

"Yes it was!" Riku shouted, still angry. He was not mad at Axel, but it just came out that way. He was so angry, so angry at Axel's father and life in general, he did not really know where to direct his anger. "Look at you! Just look in the mirror!"

"No, it wasn't, Riku. That time he had a gun. And I lost some of the hearing in my left ear. You know it wasn't the same, Riku."

"It was nearly as bad!" Riku shouted. He then bent down on his knees again, and clasped Axel's hands. "Axel, I promise you, that I will make sure nothing like this will happen again. Never again…never again."

Axel held onto Riku's hands for a moment, and said, "Don't worry, Riku, it won't happen again. Why don't you…and Kazumi and Sephiroth go down and get some coffee and breakfast? None of you have had any, have you?"

Riku shook his head. "But…Axel, I don't want to leave you."

Axel laughed. "I'll be fine…don't worry about it." Axel then flashed Riku a grin; Riku sighed. Axel was too good for his own good.

"If that's what you want," said Riku, standing up. Axel simply nodded his head; Riku headed to the door. "I'll be back…soon."

Axel nodded once more, and then Riku, Kazumi, and Sephiroth all exited. "Will he really…be okay, Mom?" Riku asked Kazumi as they walked down the morbid hall. Riku had never cared for hospitals. They made him feel…oddly different, and not different in a good way. It had this morbid feeling about it…

It felt like death.

Kazumi stopped walking for a moment, her hands in her pockets, thoughtful. "Axel's a tough kid, Riku, you know that. I'm sure…everything will be all right."

"But what about his father?" Riku found that his voice was raised yet again that day—it seemed like he was unable to refrain from doing so. "Even with the restraining order, he came this time! What if he does it again? What if…"—Riku found he could barely say the next few words—"…he kills Axel?" The thought seemed absolutely unbearable.

"I'm sure it won't happen, Axel. First and foremost, he has to go to prison, because not only did he break the restraining order, but before he came to Lyla's house, he broke into a liquor store and stole a lot of alcohol and money. So because of that, he won't be around for quite some time."

"But what if he breaks out?" Riku asked, disbelieving. "Many people have broken out of prison! What if he does?"

"We'll just have to hope and pray…that he doesn't."

"Mom, Mom…he's my best friend—he feels like another brother to me—I don't know what I'd do…if something happened to him…"

"I know, Ri, I know," said Kazumi softly, pulling him into a hug. "Let's just try and be cheerful for Axel's sake, though? He's trying to be happy—and I think he actually genuinely is, that's just the kind of person Axel is. So he wants us to be happy as well—a smile would make Axel feel better, rather than a frown." At this, Kazumi smiled softly, pulling away from Riku slightly.

Riku attempted to smile, and his lips twitched upwards softly. Haha, he thought. What irony. Now I'm the one that can't smile. "Well...I'll try."

"Come along," said Kazumi, taking Riku's hand, "let's go get something to eat, as Axel said—I'm sure you'll feel better."

"But hospital food sucks."

"I know, I know," said Kazumi, with the slightest hint of a laugh.


Roxas laughed as he walked down the stairs. He had not…spotted Volcanohead. He would have figured that he would have come up to visit him by now, it was nearly time for breakfast now, so it only made sense, anyway. But for some reason, he had not come. Roxas was mildly surprised. Maybe the devil-kids from Hell had prevented him from doing so? So as soon as Roxas got downstairs, he looked around for Axel, whom was nowhere to be found. He spotted Rinoa. He walked up to her.

"Hey, Rinoa…where's Volcanohead?" he asked.

Rinoa did not answer him, instead she turned around to face him—she was on the phone. Suddenly, she gasped, her brown eyes widening, as she placed a pale hand to her mouth.

"What is it?" Roxas asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

After a moment, Rinoa hung up the phone, saying, "Goodbye, thank you; I will be praying for you." She then spoke to Roxas, "Roxas, I just got a call from Axel's mother. Apparently…he is in the hospital."

"The…hospital?" Roxas repeated, slowly and barely even audible. He could not really think. Already, Axel had taken the dive for him down the stairs, and had gotten hurt, but he was in the hospital…? He had never imagined it was possible. It was all too…weird. He was so used to seeing him here for the past few days—an annoying little companion that wouldn't leave him alone. Why was he in the hospital? "What's wrong with him?"

"He was beaten by his father severely," Rinoa answered, her voice distant.

"Wh-which—which hospital is he in?" Roxas asked, his gaze downcast.

"St. Vincent."

Roxas then went up the stairs, grabbed his jacket, and went back down the stairs. He left quickly, and no one had even noticed he had left, except for Rinoa. She knew it must be hard on him.

Roxas felt the bitter cold as soon as he was outside, and he shivered slightly. He looked from his right to his left. What direction was that hospital again? He thought it was quite far from here, by walk, anyway. About forty minutes, or so. But if he ran, perhaps he could get there sooner? He stared to his right. If he remembered correctly, it was in that direction. Yes, he was almost sure of it. So Roxas took off running in that direction.

"Volcanohead, you big dummy," said Roxas as he continued to run. "Why…why did you have to end up in the hospital?"

And then Roxas remembered what Rinoa had said. His father… His father had done this. That was why Axel had ended up in the hospital. Roxas…had never met his father nor had he met his mother. Would they have been good people, or would they have beaten him, like Axel's father? The thought terrified him. He had thought about his parents many times, but he had never considered that factor.

He continued to run; he had run about half the way there now. "I wonder…if it's really bad," Roxas thought aloud. "Volcanohead, you better be all right, or else I'll kill you."

Perhaps…Roxas was missing the point.

Roxas huffed as he continued to run, but he was getting very tired. He stopped for a moment, the stitch in his side getting worse by the second. As he had instructed Axel, he crossed his arms behind his head and walked slowly, taking deep breaths. "Damn, I didn't really drink any water today," said Roxas, remembering why you would get a stitch in your side in the first place: not enough water.

"Water's stupid, anyway," Roxas grumbled, as he continued to walk. An image flashed before his eyes. It was…Axel, grinning widely, looking like he always did, goofy and happy. "Y-you…you better be all right."

Roxas took off running again, with a new burst of energy. He reached the hospital in a matter of minutes.

"I really…need water…" Roxas panted as he entered. He spotted a vending machine, and pulled out some loose change from his pockets and got a bottle of water. He drank nearly the whole thing in one gulp. "All right, all right. Now let's see…I suppose I have to go to that desk over there."

Roxas had only been to a hospital once before, and that was the time he had broken his knee. And that was when…he was seven. So, yeah, it had been awhile. Roxas sniffed; he always hated the smell of hospitals. They smelled so…weird. That was basically the only word he could describe it with…this smell.

Roxas looked around, and he walked up to a desk where a nurse was. He stared at her for a moment; she just continued to type on the computer. Finally, Roxas cleared his throat, hoping to get her attention. Inevitably, it did not work. He cleared his throat louder; he was still ignored. He rolled his eyes. As he did so, he noticed a bell to his right. He rang it, but the nurse did not turn to him, she simply said, "Just a moment, sir."

Roxas huffed. He didn't have a moment. He needed to know what was wrong with Volcanohead, and that was that. So, he waited a minute, and yet she was still typing on the computer. Roxas sighed. He said, "Excuse me, ma'am?"

"What is it, sir?" she said, exasperated, finally turning around to face Roxas.

"I'm here to see a patient, and I don't know what room he's in."

"What is his name?"

"Volca—" Roxas coughed, and then said, "Axel. Axel…"

"His name is Axel Axel?" asked the nurse as she crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow.

"No, no, his name is Axel."

"Don't you know his last name?" asked the nurse.

"Yes, I do, but I can't think of it right now. I have an intense migraine," Roxas lied smoothly.

"Intense migraine, sir? You seem to look just fine to me."

"Well, it appears that way, yes, but that is not the case. Now can you please help me?"

The nurse sighed. She turned back to the computer. For a moment, Roxas thought she was ignoring him, but after a moment, she said, "Axel Higarashi is the only person by that name admitted in this hospital. He is in room 307."

Roxas smiled. "Thanks a million, ma'am!" was all he said before he dashed off to the elevator.

"Oh, kids these days," muttered the nurse, shaking her head. But despite what she said, she was smiling slightly.

Roxas hopped out of the elevator as soon as it stopped. He looked around as he walked down the hall. "All right, all right, 301, 303, 305…ah! There it is—307!" But just as Roxas was about to open the door, it opened and slammed against him, mashing him against the wall. Roxas stared at the people that had just left—though he could not move at all. They all had silver hair! Who were these people? Roxas wished they would burn in Hell… They had nearly broken his nose! They should learn not to throw open doors like that. Seriously, they could hurt someone. Actually…they already had.

Roxas grumbled curses on whoever those three people were—surely evil relatives or friends of Volcanohead? He was going to be sure to ask him who the hell they were. When Roxas was finally recovered enough to move (which was about ten minutes later, to be honest), he slowly broke free from the wall, and stared at the door. He rocked back and forth on his heels, clasping his hands behind his back. It had taken him so long to get here, but now that he was here…he was a little scared of entering. It was an odd feeling, and he couldn't quite figure it out. Is this what you call fear...? he thought.

He stared at the door, determined. But several minutes passed by, and yet he had still not entered. He continued to stare at it as if he could burn a hole through it, but it did not work. Darn, his heat vision was blitzing out again. And it was working so well, too. Roxas shook his head, clearing his head of his silly thoughts. He finally grasped his hand around the doorknob, and opened it and entered—he took in a deep breath as he did so.

As soon as he entered, he saw Axel there, on the hospital bed, beaten and bruised, with a bandage on his head—but it did not look quite right, what with his flaming red hair and all. It didn't…exactly fit. For some reason, when Roxas saw Axel sitting there, it stirred something within him. What…was this exact feeling? It was strange, and he was not exactly sure of what it was. Another thing that was strange; Roxas was always so used to seeing Axel tall, dominant; this spunky figure that wouldn't let anything bring him down, but he looked so different here—sort of helpless, Roxas felt a lump develop in his throat just thinking about it.

And then Axel spotted Roxas. He grinned widely; Roxas could not remember the last time he had seen someone have a grin on their face like this, so full of joy. "Roxas!" Axel exclaimed in surprise. "You're here! Wow, I can't believe it! Man, I would have never thought I would have seen you! Hey, hey, Mom, can you give us a minute? Why don't you go down and have some breakfast, too? Yes, yes, I'll be fine. Now go on, go on." Axel had not had much energy today, for obviously, who could after such an ordeal? But as soon as he saw Roxas, it seemed like he got a new surge of energy, and he was smiling and grinning, and his eyes…even his eyes looked happy. His eyes really did look like emeralds now, Roxas noticed.

"Yes, I am here," was all Roxas could say in a monotonous voice, his eyes vacant.

Axel waved a hand in front of Roxas' face. "Hey, Rox, you still there?"

Roxas shook his head back and forth wildly. "Yes, yes, I am here, Volcanohead. And I honestly don't know why I am here. Rinoa just told me that you were in the hospital, and that you were hurt, and that you were in St. Vincent, and…and—"

"Whoa, Roxas, hold on a second there. I'm just glad you came." And there was that smile again; such a brilliant smile. "So…you care about me enough to come and see me, huh?" he asked, his smile morphing into a grin. Oh, there Axel had to go and do it again, ask an idiotic question, just when things were getting a bit better. Oh, how oblivious he is!

Roxas was silent, but he was shaking. Axel stared at him. Was he…shaking with rage? Uh-oh…he had done something wrong.

"Yes, I came here because I was concerned for you! Who wouldn't be? You could have been killed!" Roxas finally shouted, still full of rage. "I still don't like you, but I was worried about you! I'm not…I'm not that cruel…"

"Roxas…" said Axel, somewhat stunned. Now, he obviously realized he had said the wrong thing, but it was too late, and Axel could not go back and erase his mistake—but perhaps—he could try and fix it, anyway. "Roxas, I know you don't like me and that you're not my friend or anything, I didn't mean it that way. I was just…joking. I'm just glad that you came," said Axel, sounding almost pitiful.

Roxas suddenly felt ashamed. He stammered as he spoke. "W-well…well…it's not like I hate you or anything, you know."

"Really?" said Axel, hope in his emerald eyes.

"I suppose."

"Oh, Roxas, you have made me so happy! I think I'll feel all right now! I'm gonna get up out of this bed now and do a jig!" And Axel attempted to do so, but immediately cried out in pain as he did so. "Oh, shit!"

Roxas ran toward his side and pushed him back down. "Now don't do that! Geez, are you friggin' crazy or something?"

"W-well, no…"

"Well, you're a pyromaniac, and I say you're crazy. Now lay down and get some rest. You won't get better at all if you do that. I forbid you to get out of that bed, do you hear me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Don't talk back to me, Volcanohead."

"I wasn't; I was sincere."

"Oh…well, in that case, go right ahead."

Axel could not help but smile for the longest time.


Breakfast had gone by, and Riku went back up to Axel's room, Kazumi and Sephiroth had stayed back for a bit—Sephiroth had insisted he needed to discuss a very important matter with his mother. Riku simply shrugged and went by himself. He cracked open the door, he was pleasantly surprised to see that Axel was asleep. He smiled softly. But he was quite shocked, indeed, to see a boy with dirty blond hair sitting in a chair, asleep as well. Riku furrowed his brows together. Who was this boy? Riku was friends with all of Axel's friends, so this made no sense. Who was this mysterious boy?

"What the hell?" Riku could not help but say.

Surely enough it was just enough to wake up Roxas, and he shot up like a light, jumping slightly out of his chair. He looked around the room wildly. His blue eyes finally landed on Riku, and they widened in recognition and anger. Silver hair! "You!" he shouted. "It's you!"

"Yes, it's me," said Riku, puzzled.

"You are the person that opened this door with such force, that it hit the wall and pushed me against it! You seriously hurt me, you—you—you fiend!" Roxas accused, standing up and pointing his index finger at Riku.

Of course, this was enough noise to wake up Axel. He groaned, opening his eyes. "Where am I?" he asked, his eyes still out of focus.

Riku immediately forgot about Roxas and turned to face Axel, frowning slightly. "Axel, you're in the hospital. Do you remember what happened?"

Silence. And then… "Yeah, yeah, I do. Roxas?" he said, yawning. "Oh, I remember how you came here. I'm so glad."

Roxas simply huffed, crossing his arms, casting a condescending glance at Riku; Riku recoiled. "Are you all right…Axel?"

Immediately, the sleepiness and weariness in Axel's eyes melted away, and his focus was entirely on Roxas. "What did you just call me?"

"What?"

"Did you just call me…Axel?" he asked.

"What are you talking about, Volcanohead?"

"You didn't call me Volcanohead, you called me Axel," said Axel, smiling brightly.

"I…I…" Roxas was at a loss for words.

Axel then cleared his throat. "Riku, this is Roxas, he's one of the boys at Destiny Orphanage, and I really like him; Roxas, this is Riku, my best friend."

"It's nice to meet you," said Riku.

"I detest anyone that slams me into the wall with a door. So…just go away, 'kay?"

Riku looked affronted.


Some time later that day, Axel was no longer smiling, and Riku was getting seriously worried. That…Roxas punk was still here, and he was grating on Riku's nerves horribly. He could not take it. Every other thing that came out of his mouth was an insult. Riku knew he needed to cheer up Axel somehow, but he could not think of how to do it exactly; for he himself was not happy, and it was basically futile to try and cheer someone up when you yourself are down.

I just feel so bad for him, Riku thought. Even though my dad's dead, I had such a loving father—I cannot imagine what it would feel like, to have one of your parents hate you so much that they would physically abuse you. Riku felt his heart twist uncomfortably just thinking about it again.

"Axel, I love you so much. You know that, right?" said Riku to the redhead.

Roxas' eyes widened at this. Riku…loved Axel? As in that way? He was totally flipping out. This was…this was unthinkable! Roxas was quite angry, indeed. But why was he so angry? He was not sure, he simply was.

"You feel like my brother, Axel. And remember…we all love you and want you to be a part of our lives forever."

Roxas sighed in relief. Brothers…that was all right, he supposed. But why is it all right? he screamed in thought. Honestly, he could be as oblivious as Axel sometimes.

"You don't have to tell me, Riku. I already know," said Axel, with a small smile.

"You'll be better soon, Axel," said Riku, attempting to smile for Axel, though he was worried it came off fake. "Don't worry, all right? You'll be…you'll be all right."

Axel laughed softly. "Don't worry about me, Riku. As you said, I'll be all right. I'm really not hurt very badly."

Riku was about to say something, objecting, when suddenly his phone rang. He was going to ignore it at first, but Axel told him to answer it, so he did. "Yes?"

"Riku!" It was Yuffie.

"What is it, Yuffie?" Riku asked. There was silence for a moment. It seemed like Yuffie did not want to say what she had to. "What is it, Yuffie?" Riku repeated.

"Oh, Riku! It's terrible! We don't know what to do!" Her voice sounded desperate and distraught; Riku was getting increasingly worried.

"What is it, Yuffie!" asked Riku, his voice rising and beginning to sound desperate and frantic himself.

"It's Sora!" she finally managed to get out.

"What is it?" Riku shouted. "What's wrong? What happened? I need to know, damn it! Yuffie—tell me—TELL ME!"

But Riku got no response. He shouted at Yuffie again, and yet still no response. Riku was beginning to lose it. Why wouldn't she speak to him? But then Riku realized that there was no sound on the other line, he pulled away his phone.

It was dead.

It took all his control inside of him not to throw the phone at the wall. Riku gripped his right hand into a fist, attempting to control himself. What…was…wrong? Was Riku doomed to have horrible things happen to his friends today? What, was he not doing better in life? Was this how he got repaid for changing? Having his best friend nearly killed by his father, and then having his newest friend, whom he found joy with whenever he was around the boy, have something wrong with him, too? He didn't even know what was wrong with him this time! Was he sick, was he injured, was he de—

No, Riku would not finish that thought. He stopped still, immobile. His phone slipped through his fingers, falling on the floor.

"Riku…is everything all right?" Axel asked, concerned.

"I have to go," was Riku's response. "I'm sorry, Axel, but I have to." Riku quickly left the room and went in search of Leon and Cloud, whom he found right away. Apparently, Yuffie had not called Cloud, but had just opted for calling Riku right away. The three hurried; Riku knew he just needed to get to the orphanage as soon as possible—he could not waste any time.

Riku felt like time was stretching on forever and ever. It seemed to take hours to get back to the orphanage, when, in reality, it took merely fifteen minutes. But Riku thought they would never get there. His heart was pounding out of his chest. What was wrong? What was so fucking wrong?

Why me? Riku shouted in thought. Why can't I have a happy life? Why must these things happen…these horrible things happen…to people…

Finally, they arrived at the orphanage, and Riku was out of the car before it was even fully stopped. He was racing, the wind hitting his face harshly. He ran up the stairs in a matter of seconds and threw the door open. All the children were downstairs, but not a single adult—not even any of the teenagers. Riku was flipping out. Then Leon and Cloud entered, running as well. Riku quickly dashed up the stairs, needing to find Sora right away.

"SORA!" Riku called as he ran down the hall. He threw open the door to the teens' room, calling out the boy's name again. Riku ran to his side instantly, noticing the brunet was doubling over, crying, having trouble breathing, and seemed to be suffering from a fever. He seemed to be in great pain, and Riku could not stand it.

"R-R…Riku…" he barely managed to get out, his voice was hoarse.

"Sora…Sora…what's wrong?" Riku asked, speechless.

"I-I-I…" Sora was at a loss of words at what to say.

Riku embraced him, taking his small form into his strong arms, pulling him closer and closer to his chest.

"I really…I really missed you, Riku!" Sora finally managed to get out, gripping onto Riku as tightly as he could. He felt so complete now that Riku was here, and that he embraced him so warmly. "I-I—I'm so used to seeing you every day—I did not know what to do! I'm used to eating with you and talking with you! I-I-I-I—I—just really suddenly started to feel sick from crying so much, and I felt so hot—and then I felt like I couldn't breathe and—"

Riku wrapped his arms around the brunet even tigher, pulling him as close to himself as possible. "I'm right here, Sora, don't worry."

"Y-you…you won't leave me, will you, Riku?" Sora asked, sounding helpless.

"I'll always be here for you, Sora, don't you worry about that," said Riku, clinging to the brunet.

Sora felt so warm and safe in Riku's arms; he could not remember the last time he felt so safe…so content. He was joyful. For once, in his life, he was joyful. He was so…so happy. "Riku…Riku…I'm so…so sorry. I was awful. I shouldn't have gotten so upset and made myself sick—and with your friend in the hospital—"

"Shh. Sora, don't worry about."

"B-but—but—"

"Dinner's soon, do you want to eat together?" Riku asked, smiling brightly, pulling away so Sora could see.

"Y-yes…yes, I would like that, very much," said Sora, smiling just as brightly.

Riku pulled Sora in for another hug, never wanting to let the boy go. "Now don't you worry ever again, Sora. I'll be here…for all our meals together, okay?"

"O-o—okay," said Sora, slightly muffled against Riku's shoulder.


It was late at night now, and because of Sora, Riku had not gone back to the hospital to see Axel, worried of what would happen—but he did call him, and he and the redhead talked for quite some time. But then Axel said he was getting tired, and wanted to sleep, so the two friends said goodbye. Roxas was still there; he had not left the redhead's side once.

Lyla had stepped out for a moment to call Kazumi, whom had left about twenty minutes ago with Sephiroth. So Axel and Roxas were alone for the moment, and Roxas was silent—he did not utter a word.

"I suppose…I will be leaving now, Volcanohead. After all, it is getting late, and I require sleep, you know. You're not stupid enough to not realize that, correct?"

Axel merely smiled. "No, I'm not. Roxas…I'm very tired, and I guess I'll see you tomorrow? I may have to be on crutches for a few days, though."

"All…all right." Roxas looked somewhat uncomfortable.

"Good night, Roxas," said Axel, yawning slightly.

"Good night…Axel," Roxas whispered.

But Axel was already asleep, so he had not heard it.

Roxas stood up and headed toward the door. He had no money, so he would have to walk his way back, he supposed. Roxas shrugged his hands into his pockets. Soon he was out of the hospital and outside, feeling the cold air hit his face in an abrasive wind. Roxas sighed, looking down at his shoes.

"Whatever…will I do?" was all he said before he walked back to the orphanage slowly.

And then it began to snow.

Roxas…always loved the snow. He opened his arms wide, and spun around in circles as he headed home, smiling slightly; but then he reverted to putting his hands in his pockets, and trudged back home. He felt so bad…he could not think straight, really, but he supposed, everything would be all right…in the end.

Or at least, he hoped.

But unbeknownst to Roxas, hope can go a long way, and he would just have to wait and see how far it really went.


1 – I had just recently watched August Rush, which I really loved, and her name was Lyla, and I thought it was pretty, so that's what I named Axel's mom.

Next chapter: (Yes! I'm giving you all one this time! :P) Riku has a conversation with Leon that lasts longer than two seconds, Axel gets out of the hospital and gets back to Roxas, and Riku and the rest of the gang paint!

Yeah, not much…but it's only half-written, so I don't know what all is going to happen yet! And you may ask, "But Miss Star, wouldn't you have an idea, anyway?"

And I would just say… "Umm…nope. My brain's pretty much fried. Yep."

Hah. Anyway, I hope you all didn't mind Axel's background story—it was really important to the plot, and I was planning to do it from the beginning, just like with Reno's story. Remember—this is not just a story about Riku and Sora, it's about Axel and Roxas and Reno and Leon and Cloud and Yuffie and Kadaj and Tifa and Zexion and Demyx, and even Kazumi and Lyla. It's about many different characters, and they are all very important, and must get their say in the story. Also, it was originally just going to be a dramatic, somber chapter—but when Roxas entered, it changed, because I never seem to be able to write him unless it's somewhat humorous. o.O

Also, I know this may sound really lame…but I actually began to cry as I wrote Axel's background, when Riku first came. It just made me so sad… But I was kinda tryin' to go for a somewhat happy ending there to the chappy, but not overly so. Did I pull it off? Just tell me in your review!

Oh—and just one more thing—if I were really evil, I would have cut it off after Riku's phone died. But I'm not that evil—and I don't like to have two cliffhangers in a row, because I think it's too mean. XD

Additional note: This chapter was edited in 2009 before Miss Star returned to work on this fic, because she was displeased with how Sora's story turned out. Hopefully it is not so bad now.

Well, see ya next time! And don't forget to review! Let's hit 200, people!