Chapter 10

What's Cookin'?

Summary:

Roxas' relationship with Cloud is still strained. Roxas takes some charge over his life and joins a cooking class, where he meets an interesting teacher.

Cloud hadn't said a word to Roxas since they left the warehouse on the Friday night. It was now late morning on a Sunday and the tension didn't seem to ease up one bit. Cloud still cooked breakfast and dinner but he refused to look at Roxas, and Roxas was too scared to say anything more than his brothers name timidly from time to time.

Roxas had contemplated calling Zack. He could really use some cheering up around now, but was worried about making Zack feel responsible since it was his request that got Roxas and Cloud arguing with each other. Roxas decided his time was better spent studying, especially about the Wutai Wars.

Roxas read about Wutais attempt to fight for its independence from the mainland. They were concerned about the Shinra company, which was the largest power company in the whole country, exploiting Wutai's natural resources and slowly infiltrating and taking over the regions governing bodies. A lot of neighboring regions took varying sides and a war broke out. No wonder Zack had called it a pointless war. So many people killed and displaced - and for what? So one company could build something and make more money? Roxas got angry just thinking about it.

He had read about some of the important figures in the war as well. He was most interested in learning about Sephiroth who had been promoted due to his leadership in a critical attack which had been lead by one of Wutai's insurgency factions. It had caused major loss of life on all sides involved, but Sephiroth apparently was a huge part in the deaths not having gone on a more global scale. Roxas stared at the date, which coincided with the date his dad had died. Roxas felt bitter and was fighting against the tears. Reading about all this made it more real to him, whereas before all the things his dad had been involved with were just vague and almost mystical accounts that held no weight for Roxas.

The house was immensely quiet. At some point Cloud had gone out, without a word, which was only evident to Roxas because he heard Fenrir pull in and Cloud walked through the garage door moments later. Cloud carried a brown paper bag and Roxas knew what it meant without having to be told. They made eye contact and Cloud briefly stopped, seeing the state that Roxas was in. The momentary softness in his features narrowed again just as quickly and he spoke for the first time in two days. "Bathroom. Now."

Roxas rubbed his face vigorously and followed Cloud. He wanted to ask his brother so many questions about their father. They never talked about what happened during that time. All Roxas remembered was that his mother had cried a lot, and Cloud had tried his best to look after her, and him in turn as well - which was tough on a 9 year old. He couldn't piece too many parts together because he had been far too young to understand - and had his own things to deal with. But he wanted to finally know. Roxas decided that he would ask - once Cloud got over his spate of anger.

If Roxas thought the dye job was rough on a normal day it proved to be even worse on a 'Cloud is grumpy' day.

"Quit man-handling me. The hair's supposed to stay on my head - Ow!"

They had been there with Roxas sitting on the edge of the bathtub for 20 minutes now. Cloud had applied all of the ugly black dye to Roxas' roots while avoiding getting it all over himself and the bathroom.

Cloud had come to reason with himself that no matter what Roxas said out of anger he still needed his older brother. Their mom had always told Cloud not to take things too personally - but it was really hard at times. Cloud had decided that he did still care for Roxas and that he would continue to look after him. Cloud swore that this wasn't just because their mom had made him promise while she was on her deathbed. Being a caring brother was who he was deep down inside. So what if he wanted to eek out a little revenge on the side?

"Ow! You're doing that on purpose!"

"And?"

Roxas had nothing to say to that.

"I'm letting you stay at Sora's place. Just like you wanted. But getting your hair done is a prerequisite. And I want you to call us every two hours."

"What? Even at night?"

"Until 9pm. Which is the time I expect you to be in bed, sleeping."

"What if I forget?"

Cloud yanked his hair.

"Ow!"

"You won't, if you know what's good for you."

Monday morning shone brightly through the curtain-less window. Roxas rolled out of his sleeping bag, still determined to get some mattresses instated into the household - and then maybe some curtains. Today was a big day for Roxas. Shortly after his cooking fiasco he had decided to change one of his electives over to a cooking program the school ran. Roxas was pleased that he now had Zack to help him learn, but he still wanted to improve on his own and cook an amazing meal for Cloud. He definitely thought it would be more useful to him than continue with business management.

Sora had voiced his disappointment however, explaining that he had been making plans for them to open up an ice cream parlor that they could run and manage together. Roxas had laughed at the idea, thinking Sora just came up with this stuff out of thin air, but Riku had assured him that it had been a serious dream - for at least two weeks.

Roxas was evidently still in Soras' bad books when he rocked up to school that morning. Instead of the usual tackle hug he only got a breezy pat on the back. The week before Roxas had talked to Naminé because he was genuinely worried that Sora would stay mad at him forever. She had reassured him that he wouldn't. "Sora's just not that kind of a guy. Do something nice for him and you'll see," she had told him with that lovely smile of hers.

Well Roxas was determined to do something nice by making sure to cook lots of yummy food in his cooking class that morning and bring it to his friends for lunch as a peace offering. After biology, which was the only class that all four of them had together Roxas took his leave, promising Sora to make it up to him as he received a glowering stare from the brunette.

Roxas found his classroom with some difficulty as it was in a separate building. The only cooking station left was the one right in front of the teachers desk. Roxas sighed, making a mental note to get here a lot quicker next time. Despite him having run a bit late the teacher still hadn't arrived though so Roxas considered himself lucky in one way at least. Fifteen minutes ticked past and still nothing. Everyone was beginning to get restless and found ways to entertain themselves.

"I heard we're getting a substitute teacher today." Roxas overheard one of the boys say to his comrades. Roxas vaguely remembered that boys name to be Hayner.

"I hope they are better than the last sub we got" came the response from another boy whom Roxas couldn't place at all.

The door suddenly swung open forcefully and a tall figure stomped through, wearing a white t-shirt and really tight leather pants. Roxas stared at that amazingly wild red hair. It wasn't just the color but also the sharp spikes that seemed to command attention.

"Alright, brats! Name's Axel, and I'll be your incredibly handsome and infinitely wise cooking guru for the next couple of week. Get that memorized and we'll get along just fine." He made short work of the distance from the hallway door to the front of the classroom due to his long legs. Roxas could hear the kids around him start murmuring amongst themselves and to their peers. The words 'pyromaniac' and 'community service' drifted to Roxas' ears, as well as 'so hot' and 'total babe' from a few girls. Roxas was pretty sure that the substitute teacher heard it all judging by the smug smirk on his face.

"We are going to keep it simple and make some mini pizza's today." Axel dumped a folder on his desk, and took out a bunch of papers. He eyed Roxas, leaned far over his own desk and slid the pile of papers across to the boy. "Have we met before?"

Roxas was surprised at that question. "N-no." Roxas was pretty sure he would remember hair like that.

Axel looked suspiciously at him for a moment before continuing. "You out the front coz you're just eager to be close to me then? Or because you were running late?" Axel asked in a low rumble.

Roxas, completely taken aback by the question just stared into those pools of green. Who had eyes that color? That surely wasn't normal. He felt his face get warm and remembering where he was stammered out a 'L-l... late'.

"That's a real shame then," Axel chuckled.

Straightening himself again Axel announced loudly to the whole class "Follow the recipe that is getting handed out and don't bother me unless you burn something or cut a finger off. Which incidentally you guys should totally not do." Axel waved at Roxas who got the hint that he was stuck being errand boy and went to hand out the papers.

Once Roxas was done he busied himself with gathering his ingredients and put his full effort into making something nice for his friends. Roxas overheard some of the girls lamenting the fact that they hadn't landed the 'lucky seat'. Roxas certainly didn't feel too lucky.

Axel would get up from time to time and actually check to make sure no one was cutting off their limbs. He hovered over Roxas for a solid five minutes on his way back to his desk.

"What is it?" Roxas finally asked, feeling incredibly self conscious.

"I'm just waiting for you to cut yourself," smirked Axel.

"Wha-," Roxas looked at him dumbfounded.

Axel carefully pushed Roxas aside with his hip and picked up the knife.

"I don't know who taught you how to wield a knife and chop but you're doing it wrong. I've only ever seen one idiot cut like that. It be a shame for you to be the second idiot." Axel deftly made short work of Roxas' vegetables, leaving a few for the boy to practice on.

"Now you give it a go." Axel flipped the knife around and pointed the handle at Roxas.

Roxas took over to show Axel what he had observed.

"Much better. You're a quick learner," came the praise along with a wink and Roxas was left alone again as Axel's attention was drawn to the back of the room due to a distinct smell of burning. "Weren't you listening when I told the class what you shouldn't be doing?!"

Roxas kept his head down for the remainder of the lesson. With help from Axel he made four small pizzas, making sure to heap extra toppings on the one which was reserved for Sora. When Axel wasn't busy helping him or keeping the other students from injuring themselves he would spend his time sitting in front of Roxas, just looking at him. When Roxas started feeling too uncomfortable with the staring he would duck down and choose to look at the pizza's baking in the oven.

Having Axel's eyes on him unnerved him for some reason. Maybe it was the Cloud induced paranoia, warning him to be extra suspicious of all new people. Or maybe it was the weird feeling in his stomach he couldn't stand. Roxas wasn't too sure. But he did feel like Axel was watching him more than any of the other students.

After a while Axel swung his legs off the desk where he had been resting them for the better part of the class and moved from his cushy seating position. "Alright guys. The bell's about to ring and I'm eager to get out of here. So clean up your areas and hurry it up." Axel clapped his hands repeatedly to emphasize the need for haste. Roxas began rushing not wanting to be the last one out of the room.

As the bell rang Axel's voice was heard once again "Good thing that snooze-fest is now over. Go enjoy your freedom, kids! I'll see you all on Thursday for an amazing lesson in how to cook eggs."

Everyone filed out of the room, leaving Roxas to furiously scrub and tidy his area.

"C'mon slow-poke. I wanna get out of here." Axel sauntered over and leaned against the bench-top.

"If you hadn't been late we'd have had an extra fifteen minutes" Roxas muttered under his breath.

"You want to repeat that, kid?" Axel raised an eyebrow.

"You could help. Then we'd both be out of here," Roxas suggested instead.

Axel seemed to think about it for a moment.

"Nah. I'll just watch you."

"Haven't you done enough of that already?" Roxas felt pretty snappy, and didn't much like the way he was talking to the teacher. He didn't want to be this way, particularly since he did genuinely learn useful things from Axel today. But he just really didn't want to miss out seeing his friends at lunch.

"Well if I'm watching you, you should take that as a compliment." The smirk returned to his face as he noticed confusion settle on Roxas' features.

"Compliment?"

"I only look at things that are worth my time," Axel said, dropping his tone again. Roxas, who had been keeping his head down, suddenly felt something touch his hair.

"Who does your hair? It's downright dreadful."

"Excuse me?" Roxas stopped drying the dishes and looked up at the redhead with narrowed eyes. 'Now this guy is just being rude.'

Axel's hand moved away from Roxas' hair and returned to the counter. "Well - I assume that's not your natural hair color. I'd hate to think that you're doing it to yourself. You should tell whoever's doing it to stop." Axel bent over and leaned his face close to Roxas'. "You'd look so much cuter as a blonde." Axel's tone was quite husky as he breathed those words into Roxas' face.

Roxas felt his heartbeat quicken at the close proximity of Axel's body and that rumble in his voice. Feeling his face flush, Roxas quickly turned away to get some distance between them. Not having the faintest idea on how to respond to that he hastily packed up the last of his kitchen utensils and slammed the drawer shut. He heard Axel laugh softly as Roxas picked up his bag and rushed towards the door.

"Hey kiddo, you forgot something!"

No he hadn't. But Roxas turned around, irritation showing on his face. "What?!" He saw Axel holding up his container of food.

'Ah crap', he thought.

Roxas turned around and headed back.

Axel held the box up high over Roxas' head when he approached. Roxas just gave him a 'you gotta be kidding me' look and crossed his arms in front of him.

Axel seemed to revel in the others discomfort. "How important is this box to you?"

Roxas was wondering what the hell this guy was playing at. "N-not very. But can I have it back anyway?" Roxas lied.

"Well you made four, even though everyone else just made one. So I assume these are to share with your friends. - You trying to tell me your friends aren't important?" Axel feigned an expression of hurt.

"What do you want from me?" Roxas demanded. This was such an incredible waste of time.

"Just tell me your name, and you can have it back. And don't be funny and give me a fake name either. I'll find out about it."

"Roxas," he said sullenly. All this trouble for just his name? Geez.

"Please to meet you, Rrroxasss," Axel said with a smirk. He decided he liked this kids name. It was fun to say, especially if he could get a reaction out of him. Axel leaned down, lowering the box and watched Roxas' hands clutch one half of it. Before Axel was willing to let go he let one more quip fly. "I like blondes, y'know." With another wink he let go and watched the boy walk away at great speed and a really red face.

Today had been quite a fun day after all, Axel mused to himself. It might not be so bad doing this subbing thing for a little while at least.

Roxas felt his head spinning. His heart was still pounding and he had felt heat pooling and a tightness developing in his lower abdomen. He wasn't sure if he was feeling embarrassed or nervous, or maybe a mix of both. He had never had a reaction like that to someone before. Why had Axel said his name like that? The memory of it made him shiver. Roxas shook himself and with the box of food tucked under one arm, and his backpack slung over his shoulder, he gently slapped the sides of his face with both hands. Roxas needed to get as much distance between him and that Axel guy as possible.

When he found his way to the main entrance of the building he pushed one of the big double doors open to be let out into sunshine and warm air. A cool breeze was blowing and Roxas sighed at how good it felt on his hot face. Time to put that behind him and head over to the cafeteria.

Roxas arrived with just 15 minutes to spare before their next class. He had found his friends in their usual spot by the window. "Hi guys, sorry I'm so late!" He huffed, dumping his things with a thump. Roxas really hoped his face had returned to its normal shade as he sat down.

"Hi Roxas!", "Hey Rox!" Came Kairi and Riku's respective replies. Sora on the other hand just came out with a 'Sup' while looking disgruntled at his tray of seafood chowder.

"How was class?" Kairi inquired very purposefully. "I heard you had a major idiot teaching you today."

"Oh it was good. The teacher ran twenty minutes late - and there was a small fire - but - I made you all these," Roxas said, still a bit breathless from the rushing. He picked up the box and opened it for his friends to see. Roxas picked up one pizza at a time and put them on everyone's trays.

Sora's eyes widened with glee. "You made these for us?"

"Yeah." Roxas smiled from ear to ear when he saw the appreciation on everyone's faces. He was so thankful that it had been seafood chowder day in the cafeteria, as it made his present even better.

"Bif if weally good." Sora mumbled with a mouth full of pizza and a smile on his face. Riku and Kairi both agreed, and with that Roxas started digging in as well before their lunchtime was all gone.

"Thanks for making us this food, Rox. It was awesome." Riku said with a look of contentment on his face.

"I think it was just a really good recipe. I had a lot of help." Roxas definitely felt that when he wasn't being stared at, or laughed at for doing dumb things, he had actually gotten a lot of kind and thoughtful advice from his deranged teacher.

"Well I'll give your brother that much then. He does have some pretty good recipe ideas." Riku said to Kairi.

"Brother? What?" Roxas' gaze shifted between Riku and Kairi, not comprehending and feeling like he just missed something very important.

"Axel taught you today, right?" said Kairi.

Roxas nodded.

"Well he's my dumb, good for nothing, older brother." Kairi stated matter-of-factly. Riku cleared his throat. "Ok, fine. Good for cooking, but useless at everything else, older brother." Kairi amended.

Roxas was still confused. "He's related to - you?" It was kind of a shock really. "But he's such a - such a…"

"Ass? I know! Imagine if you had to live with him." Kairi groaned.

The bell rang and everyone sighed or moaned.

Sora, who had been unusually quiet for that whole time, packed up his things and deposited the contents of his uneaten chowder into a bin. "C'mon Roxas!" He yelled gleefully. "We're not going to get smarter hanging around here!"

The brunette threw his arm around Roxas' shoulder and marched him off to their maths class. "That was really good pizza, Roxas."

Roxas gave a small laugh, being relieved that his thoughtfulness seemed to have paid off and Sora was to his old self again.

"You know, I was thinking - maybe it doesn't have to be an ice cream parlor. It could be a pizza joint - or a small cafe. I'll manage it, and you can cook, and Riku - what could you do, Riku?"

Riku had been following them at a bit of a distance but caught up when he heard mention of his name. "I'd just keep you out of trouble, Sora," he laughed.