Edited April 1st 2007

Chapter Eleven: Anger

Sunday had been a very tense day for Sora, Roxas, and their mother. After leaving Riku's house last night, they had drove home and continued their fighting even louder then before. Kakee and Sora had brought up issues that had long since been buried and though Roxas tried very hard to get them to stop, neither one would listen to him. What actually ended up stopping the fighting was Roxas collapsing on the floor. His fever hit 102 degrees and all the shouting didn't help much. Kakee and Sora stopped arguing long enough to help him to bed and make sure he was taken care of.

During Sunday they were both avoiding each other. The two would take turns checking on Roxas and making sure he was okay. It was during one of those turns that Roxas sat Sora down and told him to tell him what happened yesterday. Sora did as he was asked without complaint. He explained about the three in the café and how they had followed him because they recognized "Riku's boyfriend." However, unlike with Riku, he told Roxas the full truth instead of just part.

"…So then those guys had me pinned, but someone threw them off me," Sora was explaining. "I don't know who the one boy was, but he said his name was Demyx. And the other was Axel."

"Axel?" Roxas repeated, sitting up slowly in his bed. "Are you sure?"

"Positive," Sora nodded. "He punched one of them and yelled something but my head was spinning so I didn't hear it. They ran away after that."

"Did you tell anyone else this?" Roxas asked.

"No, just you. Riku and the others showed up right after Axel and his friend chased the guys off. They think it was Axel who attacked me."

"But he didn't?"

Sora looked sadly at Roxas. "I wanted to tell them the truth, but Axel said not to! He said it would get everyone into a lot of trouble if I did."

"Actually, I think it would get you and me into more trouble then any of them," Roxas mused. "But you were right not to say anything Sora."

"Even though it made Axel look like a bad guy?" Sora pouted.

Roxas smiled at him. "Trust me, Axel's used to that image. He'll be fine."

Kakee entered the room with some soup and Sora made a quick retreat. They had finally stopped talking to each other, no need to ruin that by being in the same room.

So Sunday finally ended and Sora was actually excited to go to school. He wanted to find Riku as soon as possible and apologize about his mother. He ran into Roxas' room and heard the alarm going off, but Roxas showed no signs of life. Sora switched the annoying contraption off and felt his brother's forehead. He was still slightly warm, though not as bad as yesterday.

"How are you feeling?" Sora asked, kneeling beside the bed and forcing Roxas to wake up enough to talk.

"Lousy," Roxas grumbled. "Go away."

"You want to go to school?"

"No." He stated clearly. "You stay home too."

Sora blinked in surprise. "What?"

"I don't want you walking anywhere alone," Roxas explained, half asleep. "So stay home. I'll take you to school tomorrow." He was completely gone as soon as he finished talking and Sora smiled happily.

"Thanks for the concern big bro," Sora whispered. He leaned over and kissed his forehead. "But I need to see Riku today. Don't worry, I promise I'll go straight to school and come straight home, no detours."

He ran downstairs just as his mother was walking out the door. "Roxas isn't going to school today. Call him in sick so he doesn't get into trouble." He sneered at her. "That is of course, if you have the time."

Not wanting to get into another argument, Kakee did as she was asked without a word. Once she was done, she stomped out of the house, slamming the door harshly. Sora got ready for school and made up a little tray for Roxas. It had water, some buttered toast, and the exact amount of medicine he would need until Sora got home. He left a note saying he went to school and left.

The bus ride was uneventful. A few people gave Sora curious looks because of his bruised cheek but no one approached him. At school the kids pointed and whispered behind their hands, but Sora ignored them in favor of finding his friends. Cloud and Leon were sitting in their usual spots at the entrance and Sora ran up to them.

"Is Riku here yet?" He asked, forgetting to say hello.

"He'll get here sometime during first period like he always does," Cloud answered. "How's your face?"

"Fine," Sora sighed, plopping down next to his friends sadly. "…Hey, you guys?"

"What?"

Sora looked at them guiltily. "Um…about yesterday…I kinda…lied about what happened." It never sat well with Sora, being forced to lie to someone he cared about. He could lie to complete strangers with ease, but when it came to his friends the guilt always ate away at his insides.

The reaction he got was not one he expected. Cloud stood abruptly and dusted his pants off. "I'll see the two of you later then." He ruffled Sora's hair in an affectionate way before heading inside. Sora looked confused after him and swung his head to Leon for an explanation.

"Cloud is a senior Heartless," Leon explained dutifully. "I assume you had a good reason to lie?" Sora nodded. "Well, because of his status, anything you say to him he is obligated to report to Riku, who in turn is obligated to report to his brothers."

"Oh…" Sora said. "…Are you going to tell on me?"

"No," Leon answered. "I don't have the same obligations."

"…This gang is way too complicated."

The tiniest hint of a smirk graced Leon's face. "What did you lie about?"

Sora explained the full story of what had happened and how it was Axel who actually saved him. Leon was surprised; the senior Nobody was one of the most ruthless they had to offer. If the rumors were true, Axel played by his own rules and caused a lot of trouble –for both gangs. Leon had known Axel to leave his own members hanging in a fight and found it hard to believe that he had helped Sora out for any reason.

"Why did he help you? Do you know him?"

"No! Well, I met him once. But I was too busy taking his shirt off to actually sit down and talk to him properly. He was really resistant you know? He really didn't want to take the thing off." Leon lifted an eyebrow and Sora stopped his nervous babble. "That came out wrong."

"Obviously. So how do you know him again?"

"Eh…" Sora looked nervous again. "He's sorta kinda dating my big brother."

"…So then why were you taking his shirt off?"

"Roxas didn't like what he was wearing and told me to make him change," Sora explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Leon decided to forget about that part. He waved a hand. "Go on."

"Well, Axel helped me out because of Roxas. I didn't say anything because he told me not to. He said it would cause trouble if anyone knew."

"He's right," Leon agreed. "Don't tell Riku any of this."

"Why?"

"Because then he'll have to tell his brothers," Leon sighed as Sora still looked confused. "They'll get involved in your life. You're dating a Heartless Leader Sora, and your brother is dating a senior Nobody. That makes a connection between two very powerful gang members. The Heartless will demand you join them or else break it off with Riku, while the Nobodies…well they'll probably just beat the shit out of everyone involved to get their point across."

"I don't understand," Sora frowned.

"You don't associate with other gangs, Sora. Not even indirectly," Leon tried to explain. "From what I can tell, you're wrapped up in the Heartless and your brother is wrapped up in the Nobodies. If the leaders of either gang find out, they'll rip you apart. They'll force you to choose a side."

Sora looked very upset. "But how can they do that? It's mine and my brother's lives."

"I've seen it happen before," Leon admitted. "A brother chooses one side while his sister chooses the other and that's the end of the siblings. It happens."

"Well it's not going to happen to us!" Sora insisted. "My brother's the only family I've got and no one's going to make me leave him!" Sora sniffed, fighting back a sudden onset of tears. "Not even Riku!" He ran off before Leon could stop him.


Axel tripped and landed in a heap on the floor. He glared at the window for making him so ungraceful and stood up, straitening his clothes. The room he was in had green carpeting and clothes scatter around the floor but wasn't overly messy. There were pictures decorating the walls of different music groups and what Axel was pretty sure was family portraits and vacations. It was a homely little room that suited his boyfriend well.

Roxas was sleeping soundly on the bed, untouched medicine next to him. Axel felt his forehead and nodded to himself when it felt cool. He had been worried when he found out Roxas was sick and had come to check on him. Demyx was completely wrong when he'd suggested the only reason Axel was going to check on him was because he was hoping to get to play "doctor and patient" with Roxas. That had no bases in fact.

Roxas stirred in his sleep and slowly blinked his eyes open. "Sor…?" He muttered, still mostly asleep.

"Guess again," Axel sing-songed and leaned over to peck his lips.

"Axel?"

"Yup!" Axel laughed and kissed him again.

Roxas turned his head away. "Don't, you'll get sick."

"Na, I'm immune to everything," Axel assured him. He scooted Roxas over and kicked off his shoes, climbing into bed with the other boy. Roxas was too sleepy to care.

"What time is it?"

"Almost nine."

"How'd you get in here?" Roxas suddenly asked.

"The window." Axel smiled.

"Why didn't you just knock?"

"I figured you wouldn't want to get out of bed and your front door is locked," he shrugged.

"Sora would have let you in," Roxas muttered.

"Uh…I don't think he's here," Axel countered. He had made a lot of noise getting in and no one had come to investigate.

"Yes, he is, I told him to stay home today," Roxas slurred, already falling asleep again.

"Whatever you say," Axel answered. Roxas didn't reply since he had fallen asleep again. Axel smiled at him, loving the soft look on his face and his slightly red nose. He gently pressed his lips to his forehead and shifted around to get more comfortable. Roxas grumbled and curled up against him and Axel had to smile. He closed his eyes and decided a few extra hours of sleep wouldn't hurt.


Axel woke up to someone kicking him. He opened his eyes and glared at a still sleeping Roxas. The blonde was kicking him in his sleep and tugging at the blanket. He was mumbling under his breath and Axel rolled his eyes.

"All right, sheesh," he got up. "I'm going. Bed hog."

It was just after twelve and Axel yawned as he stretched. He headed downstairs, intent on finding the fridge and raiding it. He heard noise from where he remembered the kitchen was and followed it. Sitting at the table with a first aid kit was Roxas' younger brother Sora. He was covered in dirt and a few new scrapes and little bruises.

Axel lifted and eyebrow and leaned against the door. "Damn, you just can't keep out of trouble." Sora jumped and looked over at him in surprise. "It's no wonder Roxas comes running at your every call."

"What are you doing here?" Sora demanded.

"Came to see Roxas, the window let me in," he sauntered into the kitchen and headed to the fridge. "He's sleeping."

"Good. Don't disturb him, he needs to rest."

"Yeah yeah," Axel dismissed. He snatched up some leftover pizza. "Aren't you supposed to be in school?"

"Aren't you?" Sora snapped back. Axel lifted an eyebrow at the attitude.

"Damn, your temper's just as bad as Roxas'. …So, who were you fighting?"

"I wasn't fighting!" Sora denied. Axel stared at him. "Fine. I was."

"Who?"

"Everyone," he muttered. "Mostly Nobodies though."

"And here I thought you were a wimp," Axel smirked.

"I'm not a wimp!" Sora grumbled. "I just keep getting attacked by more then two people at once."

"So why were fighting?" Axel took a seat at the table and watched Sora clean himself up.

"…It's your fault," the brunette accused. "You had to help me out the other day."

"And here I thought I was being nice."

"Leon told me that if anyone found out about me and Roxas and you and Roxas then me and Roxas would have to choose between Riku and you and each other."

"…What?"

"I won't give up my family and I won't let you take my brother away from me," Sora stated.

"What the hell are talking about you psycho kid?"

"Leon told me that you and Riku can't be connected indirectly and if anyone finds out that me and Roxas are brothers, they'll make us choose between each other and our boyfriends!"

"Oh," Axel nodded. "That's what you're freaking out about. Well, why do you think I said not to say anything?"

"I only told Leon," Sora grumbled. "But I wish I never found out. I really like Riku, but I'm not going to give up Roxas for him."

"Oh stop being such a drama queen," Axel dismissed. "Riku…that's the youngest leader right?"

"As far as I know," Sora shrugged.

"Alright, get him to take you to meet the Neutrals," Axel ordered. "I think you'll be surprised how fast this will all disappear."

Sora cocked his head. "Neutrals?"

"That's what I said."

"…Why are you helping me out? All the Nobodies I've ever met hate me."

"Because Roxas likes you," Axel grinned. And Roxas' didn't like Axel enough yet to choose him over Sora. He still needed more time to seduce the blonde and having the gangs force the brothers apart would not be helpful. And not only that, but helping the younger brother was a sure way to please the older one.

"…" Sora stood from his seat at the table and glared at him. "I've decided I'm not going to trust any of you gang members from now on, not even Riku. So please leave my house this instant."

Axel raised an eyebrow at the younger's audacity. It had been a long time since someone had tried to order him around. He smirked at the little brunette. "I came to see Roxas, and so far he's been sleeping the entire time."

Sora's glare deepened. "Get out of my house."

"Man, you sure are an ungrateful little twerp," Axel ran a hand through his hair as he stood, staring down at Sora cockily. "I'm going back upstairs."

Sora stepped in his way and placed his hands on his hips. "No, you're not. I told you to leave, so you need to leave."

There was an echoing slam as Axel hit his hands on the wall, trapping Sora between them. The brunette stumbled back in surprise and looked up at Axel confused, all his previous attitude gone. Axel forced him against the wall and continued to smile arrogantly.

"Very few people tell me what to do, and you are not one of them," Axel informed him cheerfully. "The only reason I haven't already kicked your ass Heartless is because that would make Roxas mad and ruin any chance I have with him."

Sora's eyes widened. "You don't like my brother. You just want to sleep him!"

Now there was an interesting thought. Did he really like Roxas or did he just like the challenge of seducing him? …Damn kid, making him question himself. Axel frowned at him.

"I just met you and yet you've been nothing but a pain in the ass."

"Axel?"

Sora and Axel snapped their heads around to see Roxas standing at the bottom of the stairs with an empty cup in his hands. He was looking suspiciously between the two who realized that the position they were in looked suspicious.

"…What the hell are you doing to my little brother?"

Axel pushed away from the wall and shrugged. "Just giving him some friendly advice. But I have places to be." He stole a kiss from the blonde and disappeared out the door, officially pissed off. That Sora kid had ruined his entire day. Next time he'd let the kid get his ass kicked.

"…What was all that about, Sora?" Roxas asked, turning to his brother.

"I'm not entirely sure," Sora admitted. "I think I made him pretty mad though."

"What'd you say?"

"That he had to leave."

Roxas rolled his eyes and headed to the sink. "He'll get over it."

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah," Roxas sighed. "What's with the first aid?" He gestured to the table.

"Um…" Sora shrugged. "Just changing the bandages Yazoo put on yesterday." He held up his wrists.

"Whatever, be sure to clean it up before mom gets home," Roxas took his water and headed back upstairs. "I'm going back to sleep, don't bug me unless it's important okay?"

"Okay." Sora agreed.

Once he was sure Roxas was back in bed, Sora cleaned up his mess and sat at the table. He pulled out a small bottle of prescription pills and stared at them. Sora could feel tears prick his eyes and sniffed. He had just gotten off the damn things! But he couldn't keep going out and picking fights just because he was mad or upset about what was happening in his life.

Maybe Roxas had been right in the first place. A few days weren't enough to be able to get the feel of a new place. He shouldn't have stopped taking the pills. With a sigh, Sora opened the bottle and swallowed a pill dry. He'd tell Roxas in the morning that he was back on them.


A/N: So Sora is confused and freaking out. He's now pissed off at Riku for something Riku can't control (and doesn't even know about) and even managed to make Axel mad. And to top it all off, he's going back on those depressant pills he was so excited to stop taking back in chapter six. All in all, this chapter was very bad to Sora.

And Roxas barely got any screen time. He was sick the entire chapter. And Axel, poor guy. He tries to do something nice (for the wrong reasons) and it bites him in the ass. And Riku doesn't even realize his boyfriend's pissed at him yet.

Ah…so much drama. Yet so entertaining. Until next.