(.c.H.i.P.s.)

.chaptereleven.

.boxes.

Axel turned the radio off, he thought it might have helped calm them, but each of the three boys in the car were too jumpy and nervous to be able to concentrate on anything at that moment. But the main reason he switched it off was because Kairi's favourite song had just switched on. And after a few lines Axel couldn't take it any more.

"I'm so tired of being here,

"Suppressed by all my childish fears,

"And if you have to leave,

"I wish that you would just leave

"'Cause your presence still lingers here,

"And it won't leave me alo-"

Axel shifted uncomfortably in his seat. They still had another six or seven hours to go before they got to Hollow Bastion, and once they got there, how would they know that Kairi was actually there? Maybe she'd toddled off somewhere, like gone to Halloween Town or somewhere they'd never be able to guess.

He looked in the mirror and saw Sora was asleep. How could he fall asleep? Axel turned to his right and saw that Demyx too was sleeping, but he wasn't sleeping happily. To be honest it looked like he was having some sort of freaked-up fit.

Axel gulped. He had been hoping Demyx would take over the wheel sooner or later, but now it seemed that the next driver's switch would be in a couple of hours.

How long did Axel's caffeine bursts last again?

Hopefully long enough.

Except, hope wasn't on Axel's side at this very point in time.

At all.

Axel groaned, but immediately shut up hearing Sora whisper something unintelligible in his sleep. It sounded something along the lines of, "I'll give you a clue, it begins with 'S'."

How sweet, he was dreaming about spelling...

Axel hit his head against the back of his seat. This. Was. Not. Happening.

It was so perfect before, with Axel's great toast regime, Kairi's obsession with chips, and Naminé's evil rule. And now, now Kairi was probably out there somewhere, cold, and wet, and... and dead...

"Axel..." muttered the blond next to him. Axel mumbled a 'uh huh?' sounding noise before Demyx continued, "Axel... it's going to be fine... and Kai-Kairi's going to be fine, and we'll all have some cakes after, okay?" Demyx yawned and fell back to sleep again.

Axel brushed his arm against his eyes and decided that maybe the radio would make things better...

.O.x.O.

Kairi stepped off the train, and as soon as she did she realised that she wasn't going to be able to think of somewhere to go automatically as she had previously thought. The town was dark, the sky was a pretty shade of blue, black and purple, and the houses were all made with dark red brick, creating the illusion that there is not actually something there, just a blank nothingness. That was probably why Kairi kept bumping into things, but the other reason might be because she was tired, and lonely and she missed Axel. But then again, she had missed Axel all the weeks she had been away from him, and Sora, she'd missed Sora too, but she wasn't going to admit that to herself; she had forced herself into believing he was a damned traitor who had only pretended to like her so he wouldn't be lonely at school. But now he was.

"HA!"

It only took a few more minutes before Kairi sighed as she bumped her head yet again on a wall.

"Hey kid, you okay?"

Kairi flipped round, expecting a murderer with a jackhammer in one hand and a chainsaw in the other.

Instead she locked her gaze with a brunet with the nicest shiny hair.

Funny. That was the only thing she thought of before she passed out.

.X.o.X.

"No."

Axel turned round to look at Demyx, who had a face of pure gormlessness painted on it. "What now, Demyx?" he asked, getting a little tired of Demyx's constant stops and starts.

Demyx let out a shrill squeak and his behind his friend. Suddenly Demyx's back pocket began to buzz and vibrate.

"Demyx is cool! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!"

"You're ass is having a party Demyx, you might want to see why..."

Demyx fumbled with his mobile before he picked it up, to hear someone screaming at him on the other end.

"DEMYX! WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? DID YOU TAKE AXEL WITH YOU? BECAUSE CLOUD AIN'T HAPPY! DEMYXXXXXXX! AND ROXAS HAS BEEN WORRIED LIKE HELL AT SCHOOL; SORA'S MISSING TOO! DEMYX YOU IMBOCILE! GRAH! I DON'T KNOW WHY I- Demyx... Where are you?"

Demyx blinked. Larxene sure did draw in a crowd when she wanted to. And she hadn't even been there - she was on the other line of a phone.

Sora blinked.

Axel blinked.

"Demyx?"

Demyx looked away, and leaning against Axel's back he hoped he wouldn't be seen.

"Demyx, I can see you: you're behind anorexia kid."

"Darn it..." muttered Demyx before turning round and waltzing up to the boy in who was now staring at Demyx like the blond was some sort of idiot. "XIGGY! Xiggy, my old chum... now, sorry about that little outburst there!" Demyx snorted, with the tinge of a giggle coming up as well. Axel and Sora pulled faces, wondering what the hell Demyx was doing, "But... you see, for some reason, I thinjk it happened because... well, I think, because... you're meant to be dead. Because... I'm pretty sure I saw you dying. Pretty sure yeah."

Xigbar looked at Demyx who was a lot shorter than him, and was slightly hugging him, in a 'manly' way of sorts. Xigbar laughed; this was ridiculous!

Demyx's lip trembled, "Wh-What?" he asked innocently.

"I never died, you saw ... you saw me pretend to die okay?" Demyx's eyes started to water.

"Don't give me that crap," he told Xigbar, his voice going high-pitched and squeaky. "Don't give me that crap, you died, and I saw you... You died..." Xigbar fluffed Demyx's hair up.

"If I died, would I be here now?" Demyx gulped and fervently shook his head. "You see, now stop being stupid. You didn't see me die..."

Axel saw the dull sparkle in the older boy's eyes. He was lying. And Demyx wasn't going to fall for it. But then again... the random boy certainly didn't look dead...

"Stop it... stop telling me crap... stop it..." Demyx shoved Xigbar's arm off his head and ran away, tears falling desperately from his eyes.

"Yeah, erm, we'll go after him in a bit, but erm... have you heard of a girl called Kairi?" asked Axel, a little hesitantly, using hand gestures to get Sora to run after Demyx.

Xigbar's eyes lightened, "Kairi? Why?"

"Sister... we got a call from my mom telling me she ran away, I was... I was wondering if you might know where she went..."

"Now... Kairi's brother eh? Never talked about you... hm. Well, I wouldn't know where she is. She was usually with me at school... But she was quiet, don't really know her, she was cool though..."

Axel's mouth dropped open, "Co-Cool...?"

"Yeah, loads of boys thought they loved her... I found it quite funny actually... Well, I'll be off," Axel just stared ahead as 'Xigbar' walked away.

"A-Axel... Axel, what's the matter?" Axel felt a tug at his shirt, he looked down and saw Sora, who had Demyx quietly sniffing behind him. Axel batted Sora away.

"She was ... cool... over here... mayb-maybe she thought that we were the fault she was bullied..." Axel began, but stopped as soon as he saw the tears welling up in the younger boy's eyes. "Erm... it's okay Sora, I'm sure she doesn't blame you... I'm sure... But... erm... Demyx, what was all that about earlier?" Axel quickly trying to divert the conversation into something that didn't end up with Axel having a weeping kid on his knees ranting about love, and another boy having a fun time running away.

Sora sniffed and wiped his nose with his sleeve, "Yeah Demyx... what's the matter with you?" Demyx shrugged and walked in what he hoped was the direction of Ariel's house. In vain of course.

"Demyx. Demyx, wrong way." Demyx swivelled round on his heels and went the 'right way'.

.O.x.O.

"Hi Kairi! You're in my old school!!"

Kairi groaned, and turned over. The girl tutted.

"Well, I'll come back later, unless you want to wake up now – I have food!" Kairi's head sprang up. Food? This crazy girl had food? Kairi was there! The girl laughed as Kairi appeared by her side with a plate stolen from the table, holding it out, prepared for some breakfast. "Hungry, eh? Hey, Squall! C'm'in here!"

Kairi watched as a tall figure came looming into view. Her eyes were still gunked up with sleep, so maybe going over to Yuffie for the simple need of food was a stupid idea.

Kairi fell hard and fast onto the floor.

"Ow..." muttered Yuffie, helping her up, "You do this alot, right?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore." Kairi replied. She felt a rasp in her breath, as her words came out jagged and hurtful. Kairi coughed, and squeezed her eyes shut. It was all a dream. She was back. Back where she was most needed.

Except...

Somehow she knew she wasn't needed anywhere. She knew. She knew. Knew. Knew. Knew!

"Oh..." came Yuffie's pained reply, "I'm sorry... I'll just get your food... Sorry. Squally will look after you fine," the older girl gave a quick, scared smile before turning back to the sink.

"Don't call me 'Squally', Yuffie."

Yuffie sniffed, "Okay..." she mumbled.

'Squall'/'Squally' turned towards Kairi and watched her for a moment, wondering about her, "So, where are you from?" he asked, carefully.

"Destiny Islands. But then I moved to Hollow Bastion. Then I ran away here."

"Hm. What's your name?"

"Kairi Strife."

"Strife? I knew a Strife once. Was my tutor, then he ran off with some ditz called Ariel. She your mother?"

"Yes."

"Do you like her?"

"I hate her."

"Is there anyone you like?"

"No." Kairi gulped as she said this, words creasing her mind, lines, phrases, names, pets, everything fell down. "NO!" she screamed, clutching her head, falling on her knees to the floor.

Yuffie looked up, worried. Squall ruffled the older girl's hair and moved back to Kairi, who was sobbing on the floor.

"What's wrong, Strife?" he asked, propping her up.

"Don't call me Strife."

"Why not?"

"By calling me Strife, you're giving me an identity."

"Identity?"

"I'm no one. Why should I have an identity?"

"There's no reason. So, why did you tell me your name."

"Because you asked for it!" Kairi snapped back.

Squall inhaled sharply. "Yuffie, please help."

Yuffie walked over to Kairi, Kairi glared at her, "Hi Kairi... is this about Sora... or Riku... or Selphie?" Kairi nodded as Yuffie ticked off some names from her mind's list. "Has Sora hurt you again?" Kairi shook her head. "Riku?" Kairi nodded, "What about Selphie?"

With that Kairi burst into tears.

.X.o.X.

"A-And then... And then I saw Olette kissing him! And I-I ran away, an-and Sora was at th-the store... an-and I ra-ran away... and the-then the day after Rik-Riku hit me an-and I got knocked ou-out and So-Sora saved me. A-And then Axel made it be-better for m-me and Sora. And then I had to m... m... move... and I left Sora... and Axel... and Demyx... an-and my mo-mom th-thought I was going crazy... and that's when I... when I ran away..." Kairi sniffed, rubbing her tear filled eyes.

"Kairi..." mumbled Yuffie, as Squall (who Kairi had found out was actually 'Leon') stood over the two.

"It's okay... 'cause no one cares about me anymore, not even my mom, she never did. Ever. B-But, there are people worse off. I just have a stupid problem, I could just take the train back, right? A-And then tell my mom that I'm okay."

Yuffie sighed. Leon turned to look Kairi in the eye, "You'd only run away again. If I were you, I'd run home."

Kairi's eyes glazed over. She wondered what home was, "You mean... Destiny Islands...?"

"Yes. The people there will be worried. I know they will."

"B-But Riku once tried to kill me..."

"I know. That's what will make them worried. Don't you see? If you run away, they've got themselves to blame, them and only them. If you go back, then they'll be fine, happy, in fact. They won't bully you again."

Kairi shuddered.

"They will..." she breathed. But Leon ignored her. Yuffie smiled, and patted Kairi's knee.

"In the end, it will be okay, everything will be fine. I promise."

Kairi smiled. She wondered how naïve Yuffie had to be to realise that promises are always broken.

There was a muffled shout from outside. Leon walked towards the door and peered out over the balcony.

"Shit! The boxes have fallen, again. I think someone's underneath!"

Kairi's eyes widened.

"Can I go with you?" she asked, her hands clasped together.

"Why?"

"I don't know."

"You'd come anyway."

Kairi got up and followed Leon outside to the alleyway. When she saw the boy crushed beneath the boxes, she felt sick, red liquid seeped out from beneath one of the boxes, making her feel weak at the knees. She hoped the boy was alright. She climbed over to him, pushing in front of Leon and shoving boxes away from the bleeding boy.

Then she realised.

"Axel! My Axel! My... Axel..." she mumbled, picking up the upper half of his limp body, unable to grab the rest, as they were still being held captive by the hard, wooden boxes. She licked her finger and swept away the blood on his face.

Leon soon moved the rest of the boxes off of Axel, and carried him back to the hotel.

There, Yuffie waited in silence.

She wondered what the scream from Kairi could have been about. Everything sounded muffled in the room, she couldn't tell what Kairi had screamed.

When Leon marched in with Axel over his back, and Kairi with her eyes streaming by his side, she knew what the scream had been about.

"Lay him on here, Squall..." Yuffie mumbled, motioning to the bed she was sat upon.

Kairi babied over Axel for the rest of the evening, even though he didn't seem to be waking up any time soon.

Yuffie had brought her water and tissues to wipe scratches and places where nails had dug into, and for splinters.

But, Kairi could see it wasn't working. She wondered why Axel was even there, as she ran a soft hand down his cheek. At least he was breathing.

There was another muffled shout coming from outside, but this time it was calling for someone, and Kairi's head perked up.

She ran out onto the balcony, and jumped down in a mad haste to find that voice. However, she didn't need to look far; he was in the same place where the boxes had fallen.

.X.o.X.

Sora felt something warm and soft push itself against him, he looked down and found Kairi, hugging him tightly. He blinked, not believing what he saw, but soon tears began trickling from his eyes.

"Kairi?" he gasped, not finding enough air to speak properly. Demyx just stood and watched, his mouth hanging open.

"But, what about Axel?" Kairi gave a muffled squeak as Demyx said this, "You know where he is?" Demyx leaned in on Kairi, who backed away into Sora. Sora wrapped his arms round Kairi and looked around. That was when he caught sight of the blood.

"Kairi? Kairi... wh-what happened...? Kairi, I'm scared..." Kairi nodded in reply, and made a faint whimper.

.x.x.x.

A/N: Soooo... did you like it? It's almost coming to an end... Almost... not quite... well... I think it's almost anyway... Oh yeah, and people like Hayner and Pence and Aerith, don't worry ... they come back... THEY COME BACK!! But not in the last chapter... which is next chapter...