Hey everyone! I'm back! Now that finals are finally over, I should be able to post every week again. Sorry to have left you all with a cliff-hanger ending for two weeks but circumstances, i.e. fianls and my mother refusing to relinquish the computer, prevented me from posting. Honestly, she is the defenition of a facebook addict. But anyway, onto the story!

Disclaimer: Sadly, in my absence, I have still not gained ownership of Kingdom Hearts. So I still have to say that I don't own Kingdom Hearts.

Nine

I swallow the lump that had formed in my throat and raise my hands in surrender while slowly climbing to my feet. I could now see that the claws were not actually his nails, but rather something similar to a glove that buckled around the man's wrists. Four-inch long metal spikes werved as his 'claws'. His forearms were covered with black arm protectors, and he wore a plain white muscle shirt and dark blue jeans.

He was tall, probably over six foot, with short spiky black hair and russet skin. His eyes were a liquid silver, and they were regarding me skeptically.

Once I'm standing, hands held up in surrender, Riku groans. I wish desperately to help him, but I don't dare take my eyes off of the man in front of me to check on him.

"Alright girl, what did you do to him?" the man growls, gesturing at Riku with his left hand, which, I notice, does not have claws.

"I don't know what you're tal-" I start to say, but he cuts me off.

"Don't give me that crap! You clearly did something!" he yells at me. He steps closer and moves his claws so that they are poised over my neck, ready to rip my throat out.

I blink up at him, feeling very small. "I didn't- I don't- I don't know what happened." I sob.

Riku groans again and I feel him grip my ankle.

"Rae," he groans and begins coughing uncontrollably.

I decide to risk my neck, literally, and glance down to Riku. He's propped himself up on his elbows and has ducked his head, coughing. I look pleadingly at the man standing over me, but he merely narrows his eyes at me.

Riku finally manages to stop coughing and climbs to his feet.

"What's going on here?" he asks, narrowing his eyes at the man poised to rip my throat out.

"This little vixen attacked you," the man growls. "I was merely doing my civic duty."

Riku opens his mouth to speak, but a new voice calls out.

"Slash!" the voice yells. I shudder at the smooth, sensual voice, even though it is angry,

The man in front of me, apparently named Slash, winces, but doesn't budge. A third man comes into view and my knees go weak. He was sexy incarnate. Only one word came to mind when I saw him, and that was 'hot'.

He was slightly shorter than Slash, about the same height as Riku, which was probably 6'. He has a lean, muscular build, and bright red hair that is cut so that it reaches slightly past the nape of his neck, and his bangs fall down to frame his eyes. His eyes are jade green, and have a playful light to them as they rake over my body. His features are smooth, catlike, and everything about him is animalistic. On his cheeks are two upside-down triangular tattoos, one under each eye. He is wearing blue jeans, and a bright green shirt with a short-sleeved black jacket over it. The corner of his mouth lifts into a smirk as he reaches out and gently pushes Slash's arm down.

"You can't go around threatening pretty girls," he purrs. "Or have I taught you nothing?"

Slash grumbles under his breath as the new man steps in front of me.

"And who might you be?" he asks, leaning down so that his face is level with mine.

I swoon, struggling to keep a grip on reality as his scent ambushes me. It's a musky, sweet scent that is entirely masculine. I blink up at him, trying to form a coherent thought.

Something grabs my elbow and yanks me away from the enticing redhead.

"Rae," a voice growls. "Her name is Rae."

I shake my head to clear my thoughts, and realize it had been Riku who had spoken, and it was Riku who had pulled me away from the redhead. I glance up and see Riku frowning and glaring at the redheaded man in front of me.

"Do I know you?" Riku asks slowly.

The redhead smirks. "Not in this life. My name is Alex."

I sway on my feet, still intoxicated by his potent scent. Riku glances down at me and frowns, before dragging me around to stand behind him.

"What do you mean, not in this lifetime? And what did you do to Rae?" Riku growls, clenching his fists.

Alex laughs, a wonderful soft, provocative laugh.

"She's fine. Most women have that reaction around me," Alex grins. "It'll wear off and she'll be back to her normal charming self soon."

Riku grits his teeth and growls, "If I were you, I'd watch my tongue."

"My, my," Alex tsks. "You've certainly gained a harsher personality since last we met."

"We've never met. You said so yourself," Riku growls. I distractedly notice that Riku's knuckles have turned white from his clenching his fists so tight.

"I said not in this lifetime. Do you not remember your escapades from three ears back?" Alex grins.

I look to RIku and see him grimacing. I step forward, relativly cured of Alex's intoxicating aura.

"What are you talking about?" I ask Alex. Slash, who is standing behind Alex, yawns.

"Dearest Riku here knows what I'm talking about. Don't you Riku?" Alex grins, winking at me.

I flush and look to Riku, only to find that he had gone pale as a ghost.

"No..." Riku whispers. "It's not possible..."

"Yet here I am," Alex grins, spreading his arms wide. "I'm back, and better than ever!"

Suddenly, flames erupt in Alex's palms. Green fire burns in his left palm, and in his right palm burns red fire.

"Axel," Riku says hoarsly.

I look to Alex, utterly confused. Alex is grinning at me mischeviously. For a breif moment, I see a flicker of someone else. A man who is slightly taller than Alex, older, and with longer hair and a black coat.

So what do you all think of my reincarnation of Axel? I practically squealed with excitedment when I found that I could turn his name into Alex. Now, onto serious business. I need a favor, rather your input. Which members of Organization 13 should Rae meet next? If you just have a request for a certain member, or group of members, or if you can think of an order for her to meet all the members, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you all for reading my story, and I hope you continue to read! Reviews are always welcome!