A/N: So I took a break from writing this not only to clear my head, but also because a lot happened to pop up. I apologize for the delay, but these things happen.
From now on, expect updates to appear at random times because it's growing a bit hard to update this every week. I'll try my best to keep up with this though!
Also, I made slight changes to the last chapter, but only slight. Like, so small I don't think anyone will notice the difference, but I re-read the first chapter and then re-read that last chapter and it dawned on me that I had a few inconsistencies. Thus, I revised it a little.
That being said, I'll try harder to spot those mistakes and if I happen to miss one, please tell me and I'll be sure to fix it!
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: So I figured that if I mixed in a paopu fruit in Roxas's sea salt ice cream, we'd be tied together by fate forever and ever and ever and-/chakram'd
"We need to talk."
It was a phrase he had heard many times before. A phrase that usually brought along bad news and complaints that Axel never thought he would have to use. Except for that one time. The time when he told everyone - friends, teachers, his sister - that he was going to Twilight Town. He hadn't expected to have to use the phrase twice in his lifetime. Axel just wasn't like that. He hated bad news and bringing it. He hated complaints although he had been known to complain from time to time. Most of all, he hated lecturing. It just wasn't him. But desperate times called for desperate measures, so as he walked into the house late that Sunday night, exhausted from work and just wanting to relax, he mustered up all the inner strength he could to settle his darling sister down and talk to her.
Yuffie, of course, wasn't in the mood to talk nor be lectured again. However, her curiosity was sparked and she gave her brother an inquiring look as she tilted her head and narrowed her dark eyes.
"Talk about what?"
Now came the part the redhead hated.
"Well," Axel replied, placing himself on the couch next to the girl. "Remember what you told me a few days ago? About me going back home?"
"Yes?" Yuffie said irritably, crossing her arms. Why on Earth did she even bring that up? Now she regretted it.
"Tell me what you meant." Axel said.
Yuffie rolled her eyes and sighed. Honestly, did it even matter anymore? She looked around the room, at all the boxes that were partly empty and some completely discarded, and then shook her head thinking, No. It didn't matter.
"Why?" She muttered. "Obviously if I even told you why, you wouldn't."
"Yuffie..." Axel said, his voice sharp. "You wouldn't say that I was going back home without a reason. Whether I really am or not doesn't matter. I want to know why you said that."
Yuffie sighed.
"Hasn't it ever crossed your mind that I just miss you?"
"Yes," The redhead replied cooly. "But I know there's more to it then that. You wouldn't just randomly say I was going back home with you without a reason..." Axel's eyelids lowered as he shifted his glance to the floor. "Has something...happened?"
Yuffie's breath hitched as she shifted in her seat, turning to look at the ground with a nervous laugh. She told Axel to forget it once again, but Axel shook his head and sternly told her to tell him the truth. What was she supposed to do?
"Did...something happen?" Axel repeated.
There was a long pause before Yuffie hesitantly opened her mouth to speak but then was cut off by loud knocking on the door.
Axel turned to look at the front door as he flinched in surprise. Who in their right mind would be knocking on their door this late at night?
As if answering his question, Yuffie quickly jumped to her feet and walked to the door.
"Who...?" Axel asked, trailing off dumbly.
"Pizza." Yuffie replied with a grin. "You were taking forever at work so I ordered some for dinner."
As Yuffie payed for the pizza (with Axel's money), the redhead looked around the living room. There were boxes. Lots of them...really, if he wanted to go home it wouldn't be that hard. He had been living in Twilight Town for only about a month.
"A month..." Axel thought. "One month and I'm still not done unpacking...is it because I really don't want to...?"
Yuffie suddenly sat down next to her brother, holding the pizza box on her lap as she grabbed a slice.
"...So," The girl began as she took a bite of her pizza. "How long am I staying here for anyway?"
Axel raised an eyebrow at her.
"I thought you were going home tomorrow?"
"No!" Yuffie protested. "Can't I just stay for the rest of the month?"
"Yuffie..."
"Please?" Yuffie begged. "I barely get to see you anyway!"
Axel sighed.
"A week."
"Three weeks." Yuffie argued.
"A week."
"Two weeks!"
"Three days."
The black-haired girl sighed and nodded reluctantly.
"Okay, okay. I get it; I'll go home next Monday. You know, for someone who misses his dear sister so much, you sure don't act like it."
Axel grinned and chuckled.
"You have school. I can't excuse you for a whole month."
"I know, I know." Yuffie grumbled as Axel snagged a slice of pizza from the box.
"We're not done talking." Axel stated firmly.
"Shut up and eat your pizza, Axel." Yuffie replied, taking another big bite of her slice.
When Roxas had returned home that night, he had expected Sora to run up to him, asking him where he had been.
He had expected Sora to be munching on something like an instant dinner since he couldn't cook. He had expected to see scattered, unfinished homework all over the dining room table since the brunette boy rarely did any homework unless Roxas forced him to.
What he hadn't expected was complete silence as he entered his house with the majority of lights off.
"It's...dark.." Roxas thought with a strange expression. It just didn't feel normal. Sora didn't like it to be so dark in the house and would always have a bunch of lights on.
"Sora...?" Roxas called, wondering into the living room and turning on the lamp. "Are you even home? Hello?"
Roxas stood in place next to the lamp, trying to see if he could hear any reply.
The only reply he got was faint music coming from upstairs. Curiously, Roxas walked towards the stairs and stared up at the dark hallway.
"Sora?" Roxas called out again. "Are you asleep?"
The blonde walked up the stairs, the music becoming louder with each step until he faced Sora's door. He could see light from inside the room but all he heard was music.
"Maybe he didn't hear me above the music..." Roxas thought, knocking on the door.
When no reply came, he opened the door himself. He was shocked to find nobody in the room. Now concerned, the blonde began searching the house frantically, calling out his brother's name, until-
"I'm hooo-ooome!"
Roxas jumped in surprise as he turned around to find Sora shutting the front door behind him. Quickly, Roxas ran down the stairs and pointed at his brother accusingly.
"And just where were you?" Roxas asked skeptically. "Do you realize how late it is?"
"Yup!" Sora chirped, almost too happily. "It's a little past midnight."
"Yes, it is, Sora!" Roxas snapped. "You know we have school tomorrow right?"
"Yup!"
Roxas sighed frustratingly.
"Where were you anyway?"
"Why?" Sora asked, his smile weakening. "Were you worried about me?"
"Of course I was!" Roxas replied, his voice growing louder. "Do you realize how scary it is knowing your naive, gullible brother is missing when it's so late?"
"Hey!" The brunette protested. "You didn't have to go that far. And I wasn't missing, Roxas." Roxas huffed irritably as Sora continued. "I went over to...Kairi's house."
Roxas's eyebrows shot up at the sudden pause in that sentence.
"Kairi's house, huh?" Roxas asked, his older brother nodding nervously. "What business did you have over there?"
"Um...well...you know." Sora replied, shifting his gaze to the ground.
"Sora." The blonde snapped. "Where did you really go?"
"Are you calling me a liar?" Sora wailed. Roxas didn't faulter, he just stood there with his arms crossed and a stern look. "Roxas..."
"Don't 'Roxas-ssss' me," The blonde drawled. "Tell me where-"
"-So was it fun working with Axel again?" Sora quickly interrupted.
Roxas gave his brother a confused look and then narrowed his eyes.
"What's that have to do with-"
"-I saw you and him get into a fight!" Sora chuckled, patting Roxas on the back. "My little brother just loves to be stubborn."
Roxas flinched.
"I admit I'm a little stubborn, but it wasn't my fault!" He replied. "And stop trying to change the sub-"
"-It was your fault! I saw the whole thing!"
"Was not!" Roxas argued.
"Was to!" Sora argued back.
"Was not!"
"Was to!"
"Was-..." Roxas sighed. "This is ridiculous. Fine. If you don't want to tell your worried brother where you were all night, just forget it. I have a headache anyway and don't feel like arguing with you."
Sora frowned and quietly debated whether he should tell his brother where he actually was or not as the blond walked up the stairs to his room.
For a second, he opened his mouth and reached out until he dropped his hand sighed, deciding it wasn't worth it.
"'Night..." He whispered, following his brother up the stairs.
"If I told him I was at Riku's house...he might jump to conclusions and get angry..." Sora thought. "I wish Roxas wasn't so concerned about my life and would just be worried about his..."
You would think Riku would have woken up the next day with a smile on his face. You would think the silver-haired teenager would be elated by the fact that last night, Sora and him had made up. You would think that things were all happy and dandy and there was nothing wrong in the world. But if you ever thought that, you'd be wrong because if there's one thing you should keep in mind, it's that there's always something wrong.
The night before had been fun, yes, but also a little awkward.
Sora came over, they sat on the couch and talked while watching some late night kid's show, and just when Riku thought things couldn't get any better, Sora had made a remark that made Riku re-think his boundaries.
Sora, of course, didn't mean for the remark to sound like this. No, he was far too naive to truly understand what he had said and how Riku had taken it, but when the brunette had exclaimed,
"I'm glad we're friends again Riku! Back how things used to be! I don't want anything to ruin that."
Riku had stopped himself from replying and only nodded in agreement.
As Riku stumbled out of bed, he silently brooded over those words.
"How things used to be, huh?" He thought.
Riku had a troubled look on his face, his mind backtracking to the beach, the cave, the day he decided to ignore Sora himself, and finally, that day at the carnival.
"...And...if I don't want to screw up our friendship again...maybe that's how it should stay..."
He walked over to his window, staring out at the rain falling from the sky until he heard something loud hit his window. Startled, Riku jumped back and then glanced out the window to see one soaked redhead covering his head with one hand as he threw rocks at Riku's window with the other.
He could barely make out what Axel was saying, but he did catch the,
"Damnit Riku! Why'd you have to lock your window on the one day it's pouring rain outside?!"
By the time Riku had gotten dressed and opened the front door to let Axel in, he was way too drenched to even set foot inside the house.
"Woah, woah!" He shouted, shoving Axel back out the door which earned him a sad look as if the redhead were a puppy being abandoned. "Don't come in my house soaking wet!"
"Hey!" Axel barked. "You're the one that locked your window and took forever to open the door!"
Riku rolled his eyes.
"Ever heard of an umbrella, genius?"
"Tch." Axel stepped inside the house once again, shaking his head to at least get some of the water off in a dog-like fashion before Riku shrieked and shoved him back outside. "It's not my fault! Yuffie borrowed my umbrella to go somewhere this morning and it was the only one I had!"
"Tough luck. Regardless, you're not coming in my house." Riku sighed, turning around as he called out, "I'll get you a towel, hold on."
"Better hurry!" Axel shouted, ignoring Riku's earlier protest and stepping inside the house anyway. "Because school starts in less than thirty minutes."
"I know, I know." Riku replied as he walked back with a pink towel in hand and then groaned loudly when he saw Axel standing on the hardwood floor. "My parents are going to kill me, Axel! Look at all the water you brought in!"
"Chill out." Axel sighed, snagging the towel and then laughing at how girly it was. "I don't think your parents would mind a little water."
Riku shook his head disapprovingly as he marched back, grabbed another towel, and set that one on the floor.
"You're clothes are still drenched, by the way." Riku raised an eyebrow. "I don't get it. You have a car, so why not drive?"
The redhead yawned and shrugged.
"Do you know how much gas cost these days?" He grimaced. "I'd rather save the limited savings I earn, thanks."
"Fine." The aqua-eyed teenager replied. "But don't blame me if you get sick. And I'll let you borrow an umbrella too...just don't break it."
What could be sweeter than a mother's smile? What could possibly brighten up your day more then to come home to a loving hug and meal carefully cooked that could satisfy even an emporer's stomach? Nothing, Sora always thought to himself. Nothing could ever replace things like that. Not even those instant dinners he loved so much.
This is related only by the fact that Sora, and sometimes Roxas, tend to dream of moments like these to only be disappointed later on. They both knew their mother loved them very much as mentioned before, but it still seemed so lonely with just the two of them at home. He might not have said it out loud a lot, but Sora really did miss his mother being around. And even more rare than Sora admitting this was Roxas. Infact, you might say Roxas was more of a "mama's boy" than Sora in a sense. This, however, did not take away from the brunette's tendency to wish and wish for that day to come sooner. The day when his father would be home and when everything would just go back to normal.
The next morning, Sora had woken up early on his own. Perhaps it was because he internally couldn't sleep much due to the conflict he had with his brother the night before. Sora was strange in a way that he could feel guilt a lot stronger than most. It bothered him and when it got really bad, like that time with Riku, he'd even snap at people. (Which, by the way, only added on to his guilt and frustration)
That aside, since Sora wasn't the type who could just go back to sleep after he's woken up, he decided to climb out of bed and face the day with a smile on his face. Because if there was anything he could recall his mother telling him, it is to "always be happy, Sora!" no matter how impossible that sounded.
However, something strange happened as Sora began to get ready for the day. He heard the faint sound of pans clattering from downstairs.
"Wait...is Roxas awake too?" He wondered as he stepped outside his door and peered down the corridor.
And then, his eyes lit up as he heard the light tune of someone whistling. A whistle he hadn't heard in a while.
"Mom...?" Sora called, almost unsure of himself. "Is that you?"
His mind began racing and he almost wondered if he was still asleep. Some things were impossible and Sora knew this. This so happened to be one of those moments where Sora wondered if he really was insane. Maybe the guilt was getting him? This is what he thought until he stepped closer toward the kitchen and heard a familiar laugh.
"Good morning, Sora!"
The brunette smiled wide and ran the rest of the way into the kitchen, giving his mother a big embrace. Maybe it seemed a little dramatic considering the fact that his mom was still alive, well and did come home often. (Or at least, often enough to leave out fresh groceries and leave money for the boys).
However, it seemed like a decade had passed since Sora had seen those bright blue eyes, that warm smile, and feel that loving hug. Sora was sure now, if he had ever doubted it before that yes, this was the best thing ever.
"You're up early, sweetie."
Sora chuckled, his voice a little shaky as he nodded and hugged tighter.
"Yeah." He said, grinning up at his mother. "I can't believe you're home! It feels like it's been so long since I've seen you!"
"Yeah, it has, hasn't it?" She said, smiling back at her son and patting him on the head. "I'm sorry, Sora. I've been so busy."
"It's alright, mom." Sora replied cheerfully. "I'm just glad your home!"
After a moment of laughter and remembering the last time they had seen eachother despite living in the same house, the mother's face lit up as she peered into her son's eyes.
"I've got good news!" She said, giggling into her hands as her blue eyes lightened up with joy. "Your father is coming home today!"
Sora's eyes widened. Wait...could this be real?
"R-..Really?!"
"Yes!" She nodded. "Really! Now let's go wake up Roxas so we can drive to the airport and pick him up!"
"Okay!" Sora said, turning around before his mom pulled on his arm with a playful smile. The brunette boy gave her a questioning look.
"Can't wake up your brother without these!" She said, pulling out an airhorn and two pans.
If Sora's grin could get any wider, it just did. He was elated by the fact that not only was his mom home and still her old, joyful self, but their dad was coming back! He skipped happily up the stairs, and at the fifth stair...Sora snapped awake, awoken by the loud noise of thunder and rain pattering on his window.
It took him a long minute to realize that everything from a moment before was just a dream. And suddenly, his smile dropped and he felt the joy in his heart fade.
"Mom..." He mumbled, thinking how great it would have been if that dream had been true.
With a grim, sleepy expression, the brunette stretched and got out of bed. He had barely gotten any sleep last night and now he was woken up an hour earlier than usual because of the loud storm outside.
Mentally, the brunette hoped it wouldn't be like this the rest of the day.
Around the time Roxas had woken up, Sora was still frowning as he stared at the ground with a thoughtful expression. Roxas gave him an odd look.
"What's with you? You were Mr. Sunshine and Lollipops last night."
Sora looked up and forced a smile.
"The rain." He replied, trying to sound as cheery as possible. "I hate the rain."
Tidus was one to put off work. Although he didn't like to procrastinate too much, he avoided doing things he hated. So when he entered his journalism class and sat down, his gaze set on the bold words on the chalkboard, he whined loudly about how unfair life was.
He sighed as Riku walked in and sat next to him, reading the words out loud.
"Newspaper articles are due earlier then expected."
Riku whipped his head up and gave Tidus a strange look. However, before he could ask what he was talking about, the bell rang and the teacher stood up from his desk and announced loudly,
"And for those of you that do not read the board, your articles for the newspaper are due in two weeks."
Riku blinked, giving the teacher a blank stare.
"Wait..I thought we had a month?"
The teacher shrugged.
"The people in charge of editing and handing out newspapers need the articles a week before it's actually printed." The entire class went into a fit of groans before the teacher waved his hands in front of himself. "Don't blame me, kiddos. Better get crackin' on those articles."
Tidus grimaced.
"And I haven't even started mine yet...I only have an idea..." He turned toward Riku. "So what's your article about?"
Riku paused and stared up at the ceiling in deep thought before replying,
"I'm not sure anymore."
"What?" Tidus wailed. "But I thought you said you already had an idea!"
"Well, I kind of do and kind of don't..."
Tidus chuckled nervously.
"I guess that means we're both in trouble, huh?"
"Well," Riku grinned. "If worse comes to worse, I'm sure you could ask Selphie to write an article for you. You know she likes to write."
"Yeah." Tidus shuddered. "Play scripts. No way am I letting her write my article. She'll make it all sappy and everyone will think I'm some pansy little princess."
The aqua-eyed teen smiled and chuckled at his friend.
"Can't be any worse than what Rikku would write."
"Rikku?" Tidus froze and then shook his head. "Don't even want to think about that one."
Parenthood. What could teenagers possibly learn about parenthood taking care of a fragile little egg and filling out stupid worksheets? Roxas thought it was ridiculous. Rikku thought it was too much work. Axel could care less despite his want to get a passing grade and Namine was indifferent.
Despite their conflicting feelings they all knew what they wanted. An 'A' on this project.
As they gathered together, Roxas grinned over at Namine and asked if her parents were back.
"Yes." She said, smiling. "They are."
"Great!" Roxas said. "Then can we switch part-"
"Namine! You, me. After school. Health project. 'Kay?" Rikku interrupted.
"-...ners..."
Namine hung her head and carefully analyzed the situation before forcing a smile back on her face and looking back up at Roxas apologetically.
"Rikku really wants to work together and...you and Axel did really good on those worksheets last time..."
Roxas sighed. Damn, he could never catch a break.
"Alright." He said, which was surprisingly cooperative. He didn't even put up a fight. "So who's house this time, Axel?"
Axel's eyebrows shot up at Roxas's sudden willingness. Maybe he was just tired of arguing? Not like Axel was going to reject that. He almost smiled at the idea of Roxas and him getting along and dare I say it, being friendly with eachother.
"My house. I have to watch over Yuffie. She's only a few years younger than me, but you'd be surprised how much trouble such a small ninja can make. I'm scared to leave her home by herself just when I'm going to school."
"Then it's settled!" Rikku chirped. Roxas wanted to punch her yet again, but for different reasons this time. He felt strangely weak and frail all of the sudden and her 'chirping' wasn't helping his headache.
Sora, for the rest of the day, wondered through the school with a dazed expression. Kairi was the first to notice followed by Selphie and maybe even Olette might have caught on before she had to go to class.
"Hey, Sora," Kairi said, concern in her voice as she waved a hand in front of his face. "Are you okay?"
Instantly, Sora snapped out of what seemed to be a daydream.
"H...Huh?" He said, at first not realizing what had happened until he looked around the lunchroom table at his friends. "Yeah! I'm great! What's with the worried looks, you guys? I'm fine!"
Kairi's concern grew slightly but she nodded her head reluctantly as Riku walked up to them and took a seat.
"Hey Riku!" Kairi greeted. "Where Tidus, Wakka and Axel?"
Riku simply shrugged.
"Dunno. I heard Wakka and Tidus say something about a blitz ball club meeting and Axel went off somewhere with blondie."
Namine, who had been quiet this whole time and only had stared at Sora with a worried expression now looked up and tilted her head curiously.
"Roxas and Axel?" She asked softly. "I didn't know they had become friends..."
"More or less." Riku confirmed. "I mean, they're working on some project for Health so I guess they have to get along or-"
"Pfft..."
The whole table turned to look at Sora who was covering his mouth with his hands. And then, suddenly, he fell into a fit of laughter.
"Sora?" Namine said. "Are you alright?"
"Y...Yeah." Sora said, trying to control his laughter. "It's just...if you had seen them yesterday..."
Riku suddenly caught on and snickered. Kairi and Namine exchanged confused looks before Riku explained.
"You see...we went to the coffee shop after you left Kairi and...well..."
"-And!" Sora interrupted, still laughing. "They were arguing like they wanted to rip each other to shreds! I doubt they're friends."
Kairi stared at the brunette before shaking her head.
"And you're okay with this? Didn't you want them to get along?"
"That's the funny part." Sora added. "In a way, they sort of get along."
Namine and Kairi exchanged confused looks once again.
"It works out, trust us." The brunette said, smiling. "Right, Riku?"
Riku slowly nodded.
"Right."
"I hope you're right.." Namine replied.
Kairi nodded in agreement before glancing back at Sora who had a much different expression than five minutes ago.
It was strange, Kairi thought, because alot of the time Sora seemed to be hiding a lot. Or maybe he just liked to forget and replaced whatever sad feeling he was having with something happier.
"Live for the moment, huh?" The redhead mumbled, taking a sip of her pepsi.
Namine gave her sister a questioning look as Riku and Sora chatted with themselves.
"Kairi?" She asked.
Kairi whipped her head up and smiled.
"Nothing. Just thinking to myself."
By the end of the day, Roxas's condition had only grown worse and Sora was still slightly dazed although talking with his friends did seem to cheer him up a bit. The only thing that made him feel worse was the fact that he still had one more detention to go through. He almost forgot why he was given a weeks worth in the first place.
While Axel went to get his stuff for the project, Roxas went up to Kairi, handing the girl her well-earned paopu tea. Kairi thanked the heavens that he hadn't realized that she had slipped up a few times in her promise. She did, however, claim to have done her best.
"By the way, Kairi," Roxas said as he handed her the tea. "Did Sora stop by your house late last night?"
Kairi blinked and tilted her head.
"No. I took Sora and Riku to the park yesterday but I had to go home early because my parents were coming home from their trip. Why?"
"No reason." Roxas replied as he turned to walk away. Kairi stared at his back with a confused expression.
"He's no good at lieing." The blonde thought. "Never was."
"Honey!" Axel called as he ran toward the two. Kairi chuckled as Roxas rolled his eyes. "Ready to go?"
"You're pushing it, Axel. We're not really married, you know." Roxas muttered. Kairi blinked at how unbothered the blonde seemed to be. Usually he would have alot more to say than that when some guy he didn't like called him 'Honey'.
"Now now, sweetie, not in front of the kids!"
Roxas sighed and shoved him out of the way, heading toward the entrance. Kairi laughed as Axel placed a hand on his hip and shook his head.
"It's getting kind of boring teasing him now."
"So you liked it better when he fought back?" Kairi asked, smirking.
Axel grinned.
"I guess you could say I like both sides. See ya' Kairi."
"Bye Axel." Kairi replied, waving at him as he chased after his 'husband'. Her mind momentarily wondered to what Roxas had asked before Axel interrupted but then shook it off deciding it wasn't too big of a deal.
"Hey, Rox, you okay?"
"Please don't call me that." The blonde mumbled before stumbling backward, barely catching himself as he decided that sitting down when you were dizzy was a good thing. "And I'm fine...just got a little headache. I...didn't get much sleep last night."
"Right." Axel chuckled. "Almost forgot. You're not used to staying up so late, are you?"
"You're acting like working until midnight is normal, Axel. Of course anyone would be exhausted after having to put up with you and getting barely any sleep at all."
Roxas slowly sat back down on the couch and stared at the boxes in front of him. How long had Axel been here? And he still wasn't done unpacking?
"Well," The redhead replied, smirking. "Actually, working until three in the morning is normal for me. Midnight is kind of abnormal because it's so early."
"Wait," Roxas said, voice sounding raspy. "Are you telling me that you work until three each night?"
"Well, not every night." Axel said, nodding. "I actually only work Thursday, half of Friday and Sundays. The school won't allow any more than that. They say it will interfere with my studies."
"Oh." Roxas replied, nodding his head which only made his vision blurry.
Axel shot a glance at the blonde and then double-taked upon realizing that his forehead had sweat on it and his eyes looked glazed over.
"Roxas?" Axel asked, his voice now sounding that of a worried mother. "Are you sure you're okay?"
Roxas would have replied. He would have told Axel that yes, he was fine and didn't need his help. But then, everything blacked out and the blonde fell back and fainted.
A few minutes later when Roxas had woken up, he found himself inside an unfamiliar car in the passengers seat and Axel driving.
"You're awake?" The redhead asked. "I was wondering if I should take you to a hospital, but.."
"I'm fine." Roxas confirmed rubbing his head and noticing there was a cold, wet rag on it. He looked confused before Axel turned to look over at him and chuckled.
"You were sweating so I thought that might level your fever until I got you to the hospital...or your house. I was still debating which one I should have taken you to."
Roxas placed the rag in the cup holder and sighed deeply.
"Home, please."
"You got it." Axel replied as he sped up slightly. "Tell me if my driving is making you any sicker, alright?"
Roxas didn't respond but mentally noted that Axel wasn't as stupid when he was taking care of a sick person.
"You over-exerted yourself." The redhead finally said after a few minutes of silence. "You should have told me you felt sick."
"I'm not sick." Roxas protested weakly. Axel rolled his eyes. "...Fine...maybe I am a little sick...I'm just not used to getting home that late and then the weather might have affected me too."
"Just let me do those worksheets, okay?
"Alright..." Roxas replied. Axel laughed softly.
"You're really cooperative when you're sick."
"Would you rather I not be?" Roxas asked, trying to speak up but his throat wouldn't allow him.
"Well, it's alot easier to talk to you like this. Although, you're other side is great too." The redhead replied with a smile.
The blonde stared up at Axel for a long minute before he caught himself smiling a little bit and forced himself to stare at the ground. He was sick. That's all it was. He didn't really want to get along with Axel. No, Roxas told himself, Axel was too much of an idiot to like. Nobody could like him...but then, it was really hard to deny something like that when he not only bothered to take you home (or even a hospital) but do the homework assignment as well.
They arrived at Roxas's house shortly and the blonde silently wondered if Sora was even home yet.
"Get plenty of rest, drink lots of water, et cetera, et cetera."
Roxas nodded as he shut the car door behind him, Axel following him as they walked up the porch.
"And I'll take care of the kids."
Roxas smirked and shook his head.
"Couldn't leave me without adding that, huh?"
"I figured I could get away with it when you're like this."
"What?" Roxas said, raising an eyebrow at the redhead. "Trying to take advantage of a sick person, huh?"
"Nope." Axel replied, grinning. "Just reassuring you that I care about their well-being...and yours, of course."
Roxas stood by the door for a moment wondering how to respond to that before turning around and taking a step inside.
"Go home, idiot."
"Sure thing." Axel said, smiling. "Honey."
By the time Axel had gotten home, Yuffie had made it home too. She greeted her brother happily, telling him of all the great places she went that morning as Axel sat her down and scratched the back of his head. There was still an issue that needed clarification and he figured now was as good a time as any to try to get whatever Yuffie was talking about before out of her now.
"This again?" Yuffie whined. "How long are you going to grill me over this? I told you that it-"
"Yuffie, c'mon. I had a moderately crappy day...especially since you stole the only umbrella I had. Could you please just be a little cooperative...?"
Yuffie froze and growled under her breath something barely audible before sitting next to her brother and frowning.
The atmosphere seemed alot different now, Axel noted. It suddenly felt very gloomy.
"How do I start this..." Yuffie sighed, grabbing her brother's hand and squeezing it tightly. Axel peered at her until she let a small smile slip past her frown and in a shaky voice said, "You remember when we were kids?"
There's this kid. One that likes to pull pranks and lives in a place known as 'Radiant Garden'. This eleven-year-old has bright red hair, green eyes and a mischievous smile.
He's the kid that likes attention, lives for it, and would do anything to be noticed...and that's probably due to the fact that he never got any attention from his parents.
Axel, like any other kid, liked to be recognized by his parents. However, as he grew up, he figured out that receiving great grades and coloring inside the lines would from then on be ignored. How does one go about getting attention from parents who were too busy to care? Who just didn't care?
That's where it started - the pranks.
It started out small when young Axel noticed that breaking a dish by accident got his parents to whip up their heads from their dumb newspapers and stare at their son before fully comprehending the situation. Then, it escalated.
From then on it was broken glass, spilled beverages, and flung food. Then, the "accidents" turned into malicious pranks. Things like plastic rats, rope that could trip people, and scissors to cut hair of sleeping victims.
The attention was negative, sure, but it was there. For a short time, he was noticed and basked in the glory of his "achievement's" figuring that if his parents were at least looking at him, it was good enough.
Good enough until the uncaring parents decided their eleven-year-old son was old enough to fend for himself.
"You'll be fine, won't you Axel dear? We're just going away for a little bit."
"No", The young boy thought. "You're never coming back. Stop lying."
"We'll be home soon. You're the man of the house until we get back!"
Axel stared at the smiling faces and knew they were fake. He silently wondered if he had recalled seeing his parents ever smiling at him like that before.
"If you have any problems, just call your uncle! He'll come right over!"
"You mean..." Axel wondered. "The one you never told me about until today?"
"Bye honey! See you soon!"
SLAM!
"By mom...dad..." Axel replied to the bright yellow door in front of him, quietly.
So there Axel was, a bright-headed, eleven-year-old left to his own devices. For maybe a day or two, it was cool to be able to run around the house and jump on beds without being screamed at, but then slowly, the realization that there would never be anyone to ever scream at him again sunk in. He learned the worst kind of loneliness at such a young age. At least there had been someone there before. Of course, they never really cared and only scolded him when he did something that had a negative outcome for themselves, but at least their presence was there. Knowing now that this big, abandoned house - a house much too big for one young boy - belonged to him and only him made the redhead feel chills down his spine.
Maybe it was because he ran out of food the fourth day or maybe it was because he was generally scared to be alone, but Axel decided to grab the paper off the fridge and dial the number on it. He decided to call his uncle he never knew about until just a few days ago. Yet, one problem still remained:
There was no dial tone.
After a few tries of hanging up the phone and picking it up only to hear the operator ramble about some gibberish, he decided to give up.
Once a week had passed of just staying home, skipping school, and gathering around whatever food he could find, Axel had had enough of staying home. It was when the electricity went out and the water stopped flowing out of the faucets that Axel decided it was time to find someone else he could rely on.
Determined, he stepped out of his house in hopes of finding some form of life. The first person he went to? His best and only friend that could tolerate him, Larxene. She was a bossy, bratty kid who had her nice moments every now and then. Axel figured that even if they weren't too close, she was the closest he had.
So when the young blonde marched home with a fiery rage about her, she became startled and slightly pissed to see the redhead sitting on her porch looking bored and cocky.
"Axel." She growled. "What the heck? Why are you sitting on my porch?!"
"Nice to see you too, Larx." Axel replied slyly.
"I don't want to see you, you lunch stealer!"
"For the last time," Axel snapped. "I didn't steal your lunchbox and replace the food with a plastic rat!"
"Feh. Right. I'm so sure that it was that pansy Marluxia. Like anyone would believe that." The young blonde huffed. "What do you want anyway?"
That day, Axel had given in to the wild force known at Larxene. Even at such a young age, she was like a firecracker. Strange how the two became friends through a prank Axel had pulled. Maybe it was because Larxene saw a bit of herself in Axel, even if they were only eleven, but either way she allowed the redhead his request.
"Mom says you can stay the night." Larxene had told him. "By the way, your parents know you're staying, right?"
"Right." Axel lied.
That night he had stayed at the girls house, attending school once again the next day. Then another night passed with the same cycle. And another. By the fourth night, Larxene's mom had questioned Axel and asked if his parents even knew if he was over at their house or if they even knew their phone number.
"They haven't called yet...they do know our number, right Axel?"
Axel nodded and lied again, deciding on the fifth day to leave Larxene's house.
Neither Larxene nor her mom found out about the abandoned house in which Axel was supposed to reside in or of the little 'trip' his parents had taken.
Walking around the town, the young boy wondered if he had any options left. Even if he went home he had no food, water, electricity...company...
He walked and walked and walked until he entered a part of town he didn't recognize. He actually hadn't noticed he was even there until a young girl ran towards him.
"Out of the way!" The black-haired girl screamed until an un-intentional collision occurred.
The seven-year-old girl rubbed her head, blinked dumbly and then glared up at Axel who returned the glare with ten-times the intensity.
"You made me drop it!" The young girl screamed, picking up what looked like a bag full of candy. "You made me drop my-"
"-Get back here you troublemaker!"
"Ah!" She gasped, grabbing Axel by the hand and pulling him with her. "C'mon! We got to go!"
"Why are you taking me with you?" Axel shouted, trying to break free from the mysterious girl's grasp.
The girl didn't reply, only dragged and ran until they were out of sight from the one's chasing them.
Axel panted, hunching over with his hands on his knees.
"Y-...You run fast."
"Yeah." The girl grinned, crossing her arms proudly. Apparently, the girl was also very energetic and probably used to running as she wasn't even trying to catch her breath at all.
"S-so," Axel stammered. "Who are you?"
"Me?" The girl asked, looking shocked. "You mean you haven't heard of the ninja girl?"
Axel gave the girl a blank stare.
"The name's Yuffie." She replied, pointing a small finger at him. "Don't forget it, 'kay?"
"Sure." Axel said, nodding and holding out his hand. "The name's Axel. And by the way," He grinned, opening his hand to reveal several Jolly Ranchers. "You dropped these."
From that moment on, Axel knew he had found refuge. There would be no more abandoned houses. No more echoes of his own voice and no responses in return. No more lack of food, water, electricity or company.
Back in Axel's living room where Axel recollected these memories, Yuffie stared at her 'brother' with a small frown that looked like it was trying to imitate a weak smile.
"You remember when I found you, right? When I brought you back to my home and she took you in?" Yuffie asked calmly.
Axel nodded slowly.
"Well," Yuffie continued. "She died, Axel. And...they're...they're going to take that home away."
Just like that, and Axel felt something inside him break. His head began to spin as he repeated in his mind what Yuffie had just told him. But something was wrong. No matter how many times her words echoed in his ears, it didn't make sense to him. He opened his mouth to say something, closed it and then made a low gasping sound as he averted his gaze downward. Died? Take away? Just what did this all mean?
It couldn't be true. It was all too sudden. So sudden and startling in fact that the only word Axel could choke out was a very quiet,
"What?"
A/N: Yuffie wants Axel to come back home with her, but she has other reasons besides just missing him.
It's hard to write Yuffie as happy when you know she's internally dealing with something hard. Actually, it's hard to write generally happy people having sad moments. I think I had difficulty pulling that off in this chapter as well as pacing. Sorry if all this seemed so sudden, but I tried my best to balance it out!
I love papa!Axel, don't you?