Disclaimer: Characters used throughout this story belong only to Square-Enix and Disney. MEANING, we don't own them, they are not ours. The end.

NOTE; READ THINGS AS THEY ARE WRITEN, THAT'S WHY THEY ARE WRITEN THAT WAY! WE MEAN TO USE CHAT SPEAK, GOT IT!

Chapter Fourteen; Not My Master Chief

A blond man stood in the doorway, his face unreadable. Zexion quickly dropped my hand, staring at the figure that was supposed to be handing out candy, but instead fixed on my friend. "Zexion? What are you doi-" He paused and took in his full appearance, looking slightly disgusted before returning his blank expression. "What are you wearing?"

I looked back at Zexion.

My friend, how was I to know if he was my boyfriend, stared at the man before us, his face mirrored the unreadable expression. "Father, its Halloween. It's a costume. You should know that considering you're handing out candy."

Everybody fell silent.

Wait… father?!

I stood in horror, staring, as did everyone else… except Yuffie. "So, like, are you gonna give us candy? Or no? 'Cause we have a lot more ground to cover!" Holding back the urge to hit her was rather hard, but I knew it wasn't her fault, she had such a short attention span.

But the man complete disregarded her without even a glance. "I mean, why are you wearing that dress? And why do you match this other… boy?"

I assumed I was 'the other boy', considering I was the only other one in a cheerleader outfit.

Zexion kept his blank face as Yuffie proceeded to whine about candy. I was quickly siding with Yuffie about leaving as the tension continued. "Why do you care? Anyways, we really must be on our way, you heard the girl, plenty of ground to cover. Pleasant seeing you." He said, mostly in monotone, before turning around and walking away from the dark house. It really wasn't long before everyone else followed, none receiving candy. I gave the man, 'Zexion's father', one last look; he seemed to be glaring directly at me. It was enough to send a shiver down my spine and I quickly turned on my heal to catch up with the others.

When I caught up to my 'group' I swiftly grabbed Zexion's hand and slowly pulled him to the back, as to talk to him alone… -ish. "Zexy, are you okay?"

He turned to me, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Uh, I don't know… you just ran into your dad and didn't seem very happy about it. Why didn't you tell me it was your house?"

"Because… it wasn't."

"What? Who's was it?"

"I don't know, probably one of his friends. Doesn't really matter, does it?"

"No, I guess it doesn't." It didn't seem like he wanted to talk about the topic any longer, SO great, wonderful, amazing me… Was that too much? Well, I changed to subject. "Ready to get some more candy? I mean, you gotta be 'cause Yuffie's pretty much going to keep us out her all night and I can't brave the cold alone!" I finished dramatically, earning, of course, a few glances back.

"Roxas?"

"Hmmm?"

"You're insane, to put it in bluntly."

I gawked, holding a hand to cover my heart, "Ouch, ouch. I could just about cry right after that."

Zexion simply rolled his eyes.

I flashed him a toothy grin. "Ready?"

And next thing I know we're already at the next house getting pieces of candy thrown into our ever growing bags.

ooo

"Um… our, uh, baby kinda… died."

The teacher guy stared blankly at the two of us as I held up the remains of our charred baby doll.

"His cousin threw it in the fire place." Zexion added to my explanation.

Still Mr. Science Guy said nothing, only stared.

"Ven doesn't… uh, he got angry 'cause it woke him up… and by the time we got home, uh… well, this is how it was…"

No response.

"Please don't lower our grade because my cousin has a horrid time controlling his anger! Is-is there, like uh… anything else we could do to make up for our dead baby? 'Cause I told Zexion that we could talk to you and that you could, uh, let us… uh… do something to make it up, 'cause it really wasn't our fault. My stupid cousin is here for Halloween, 'cause he is every year and he just… uh… I have a note from my mom!" I rambled on, pulling out a folded white piece of paper. "Please, can we make our grade up?"

He grabbed the note from my hands. "Well, I cant replace your precious little baby since its one of a kind, but… seeing as you came up here and seem dedicated to making up for your horrid parenting, let me think of something and come back to me tomorrow." My teacher finally said, leaving us with at least a little hope to fix our grade, which was probably down the drain.

Damn stupid fucking Ven.

I faked confidence as we got back to our seats. "See, no problem. Told you he would let us fix it."

Zexion shook his head. "Look at that thing, its disturbing."

It was then that I finally realized I still had Van Winkle in my hands. It really did look kind of creepy. Most of its body was black and portions of its face were caved in, yet still the eyes were open… staring. I quickly shoved the doll in my backpack.

ooo

The rest of my classes went by uneventful. Really, school failed for the day. I didn't understand math, not even knowing why the hell we needed to know geometry anyways, 'cause really when was I ever going to need to use A squared minus B squared equals C squared, outside of that class? Then there was history, retarded. I didn't care about what some dead guy did. And then English… I hated school.

Besides the fun of classes. Lunch was just great.

"Already killed your baby? Damn, Rox, what the hell are you going to do?"

I gave my friend a flat look. "I don't know. I talked to my teacher." Shit, what was his name again? "To see if I could fix our grade but he said to go back to him tomorrow." I let out a sigh.

"I can't believe you just let your baby die."

"It. Was. Ven." I said lowly.

"You mean your exactly identical cousin?"

"Just because we look a like, does not mean we act the same. I wouldn't go around burning his science/health project baby. I wouldn't, no matter if it woke me up or-"

Just then I was cut off. "Roxas, there you are."

I recognized the voice instantly. How could I not? The person who personally terrorized me since… well, forever. Seifer Alamasy.

It was then I prayed to god Zexion kept good on his work and talked to Fuu for me. For, I really didn't plan getting my ass kicked into my day. But if it was one on one, and Seifer didn't have his lil posse, yes I called it a posse; I could totally take the bastard down. Ha, who was I kidding, I couldn't survive a chance against him either way. Damn my life.

I slowly turned around and walked over to face my arch nemesis. "Seifer."

His gaze traveled back to the table, which I had been sitting at before he came, for a mere second, to Hayner. Before quickly returning his attention back to me. All form of longing for my friend vanishing. "So, I had an… interesting conversation with a… friend of yours." I simply stared, waiting to see where he was going. "It was a little something about there being another you and what was it he tossed out… hmmm, what was it… oh yes, Ven. Ven along with something about not kicking your ass." He continued as cocky as ever. "Ever so likely story, but the story wasn't what really struck me… nope…"

For a moment or so there was silence. I figured he wanted some response by me before finishing whatever he was going on about, and I just wanted it to be over so I could go back to my friends and finish up my lunch. So, I sighed and gave into his silent demands. "No? Then what was the intriguing part?"

Intriguing, big word. Hope he understood it. Ha! Total burn on Seifer and his stupidity; he deserved it for his constant harassment! Yes, yes he did. Too bad he couldn't hear my epic burn.

"Well, I guess that would be when you- I mean, 'Ven' shot at us with a sling shot. C'mon, Roxy, how stupid do you think I am?"

Very.

"It's true! I swear! I wouldn't ever shoot you with a slingshot! Why would I want to hurt you?" I cried out in my defense.

There were many things he had done. Many I would not name, but these things would, in fact, make me want to hurt him. Too bad, I wouldn't because I didn't have a fighting chance, and would die if I even attempted… or if he didn't believe me about my cousin.

He continued to glare.

"Uh… oh I can get Hayner to talk to you again… if you don't beat me up!" That just made me sound guilty, which I wasn't. But my plan seemed to strike something in Seifer as he began to consider it.

"What about his girlfriend?"

Recap, Seifer and Hayner used to date. Why, I have absolutely no idea. Well, he dumped him for Olette, much better choice in my opinion. I never got what Hayner saw in Seifer.

"Olette? I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you two… talked."

If only Zexion talked to Fuu, I wouldn't have to resort to selling out my friend.

Then Seifer did that 'up in your face' thing. He leaned in so close I could feel his breath against my face. It smelled like onions. No wonder Hayner dumped his ass. "You get him to talk to me, Blondie, I won't kick your ass ever again… or well… something like that."

It was better than a gift of a room of gold! "OKAY! Just give me until… the end of the day!"

After school I tracked down my best guy friend, apart from Zexion. He was shoving books into his bag from his locker. "Hey, Hayner, we're pretty good friends aren't we?"

He eyed me suspiciously, I couldn't blame him. "I guess, why?"

"Well, uh… Hayner, you don't like to see me get hurt, right?"

"Well, sometime it's pretty damn funny actually." He joked, still re-assembling the order of his locker and backpack.

"Hayner!" I glared at him, using the most serious voice I could muster.

"Fine, no. No I don't like seeing you hurt. What's this all about?"

"I need a favor…"

"What kind of favor? Need me to beat someone up for ya?"

Oh how I wished that was the case, I mean he was kind of strong… at least more than me. I so wished that was the case.

"Well, sort of. I kind of… sort of… maybe… told Seifer you'd have a talk with him…" He instantly sprung to face me. His expression going from curious to shock to downright pissed. I frantically continued in my excuse for why I did such a thing. "He was going to beat me up! I had no other choice!" Actually… I could have probably dealt with it a little differently.

"I'm not doing it."

I knew this would happen. My friend's break up with Seifer didn't go the best and he… hadn't talked to him since. But, I had, in the two periods after lunch, devised a back up plan for such an occasion. "Okay, I'll… I'll give you my limited edition rare first press action figure of Master Chief."

It was kind of heart breaking in its own. I loved that thing. It was on my special things shelf… for special things.

"R-really?" He was going for the bait.

"Yes, if you just do me this one favor."

Hayner seemed to be fighting an inner batter. "Uh… grarg… umf…"

"Dude, I think… I think you just spoke Lexaus."

Hook. Line. And sinker. "Okay! Fine! Roxas, I will talk to Seifer, but only for that action figure."

I was going to live. Life was good!

So from there, I made my way to my own locker, where Zexion conveniently stood. "I hate you! You said you'd talk to Fuu! I had to give up my favorite action figure!" I complained. Obviously I didn't mean the first thing I said. I was being over dramatic, and hoped Zexion would have known that as he just stood there and let me rag on him. "It's not very satisfying yelling at you, Zexion."

He sighed, "Fuu's wasn't here today and I lost her phone number."

Oh. Damn.

"But Seifer-"

"Yeah, I tried. He laughed. Seems to have a grudge against you, Roxas."

I dropped my head. "Yeah…"

We began to walk towards Zexion's, still wonderful and a thousand times better than a pink bug, car when I heard a… familiar name being called towards us. Familiar meaning mine. "Roxas!" I turned around to see Olette looming towards me. "What did you do?!"

I stood there dumbfounded. What did I do? "Um… Olette… what are you-"

"Hayner!"

Oh…

Zexion raised an eyebrow as I tried to play it off. "W-what about him…?"

She glared and I swear I saw fire in her eyes and steam come from her ears. "Hmm, I don't know, maybe something or other has to do with Seifer. Know anything about that? Hmmm?"

"Uh…"

"Yeah, I thought you would!"

Again, I gave the same line of defense as I gave Hayner not too much earlier. "He was going to beat me up!" Olette only glared. "I had to give him my Master Chief! It was first press edition! I loved it! And now its Hayner's so that he could save my life by talking to Seifer!"

"He did more than that… It's all your fault!" She finished, storming off without letting me say anything else.

I turned back to Zexion. "Heheheh… ready to go home?"

He nodded his head as we got in his car and headed home. "Roxas, I have to go to the library. I'll be back later, kay?"

"Mmkay."

I didn't really realize how lonely it was at my house until Zexion was gone. Of course, the house was still full with there being… well, everyone there.

I walked into my vacant room, noticing my brother's lap top sitting open on top his bed. I looked back towards the door, closed as always, and walked over to check it out. AIM was up… he was in the middle of a conversation with… Kairi. Ew.

It was then that I got my wonderful plan of ridding the household of that horrid girl forever. I began to type.

Bubbleboy; We're done. It's over, Kai.

DisneyPRincess7; WHAT?!

DisneyPRincess7; Sora, what are you talking about?!

Bubbleboy; You heard me Kai. I'm done with you.

DisneyPRincess7; But

DisneyPRincess7; But, Sora

DisneyPRincess7; All those years

Bubbleboy; Yeah, well, whatev'. I'm leaving you for Riku.

Sora was going to be pissed and by now Kairi was probably crying. I was a horrible person. But in my defense Kairi was worse.

And right as I was about to type a message telling her to never talk to me, Sora, again… none other than Sora walked in… seeing me on his lap top. "What are you doing?" He asked curiously. Obviously not understanding why I'd be on his computer when I had my own.

"Oh, me, nothing really. Well, ah, look at the time. I'd better go…" And with that I got up and, so gloriously, made my exit.

It wasn't too long later before I heard my brother screaming my name from our room, though he didn't come after me. Probably too preoccupied making up with Kairi.

EW.

Now, once again alone, besides the houseful of people, and nothing better to do, I decided it was as good a time as ever to call up Hayner and see what happened with him and the asshole. I dialed his number into my phone but there was no answer. He was probably with Olette, or so I thought.

I released a sigh. There went my chance at any entertainment.

I didn't even understand how I was so un-bored before when Zexion wasn't there. Had I really fallen that far?

Out of nowhere Yuffie came flying at me. NOWHERE. "Y-Yuffie?!"

She let out a giggle, "Tifa let me in. Oh my god, Roxy! She's going to be leaving soon! I'm going to miss her so much! Ah! I got it! We should go there next year!"

"Yuff-" But she was already gone. Off to tell her brilliant idea to my mom and aunt.

I let out another sigh, turning on the TV, and began to channel surf.

Zexion said he had to go to the library… but I didn't think he'd be gone for six hours. When he finally came back it was already dark and dinner had ended hours earlier, though my mother did put a plate in the fridge for him, completely unconcerned of his absence for all those hours. It was unlike her. But, no matter that he was late, he was there. MEANING, I would not die from Sora's rage in my sleep. For, my knight in shinning armor would save me. God only know my cousins would just watch and laugh, knowing them, they'd probably even bet on who was going to win… it's happened before.

"Hey, Zexion." I greeted as he walked in the house. "How was the library?"

"Productive."

I raised an eyebrow, but just guessed he'd been studding and had gotten even MORE information crammed into his brain. Not that he really needed it.

Ven made a comment about book nerds and Zexion muttered under his breath, which of course, made Ven shout again. "What was that? Got something to say, Shorty?" His comment was actually just about as much an insult to him as it was to Zexion, considering that Ven wasn't that much taller. It… made me laugh inside.

Zexion ignored him, "Hey, Rox, wanna go out?"

"Hmmm? Sure… where?"

There was a slight pause, apart from my dear 'look a like' ranting about being ignored before stomping off.

"It's… a surprise."

"The… park?" I asked as I got out from the passenger seat of Zexion's, still to be named, car.

"Just wait, you'll see." He led me through the park and down a trail to this open grassy area, practically abandoned besides the single swing set. "I used to come here all the time with my mother. We'd stay here for hours just to get away from the world."

"I-I've never… I didn't even know this was back here. I've been to this park a million times."

"That's why we came here dummy, the very fact of which no one is acquainted with the place."

We walked over to the swing set and sat down; slowly beginning to swing back and forth.

"Um… Zexion…"

"I come back here to think about her… mostly when I would get into fights with my father."

I didn't really know what to say, so I just quietly swung back and forth on the little plastic seat. I wasn't even really sure why he was telling me everything, but I wasn't about to waste my chance on getting to know about his life. "Um… Zex, you said your mom died… Um… how?"

He stopped his swing and just stared out ahead of us. "She got in a car accident."

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah… she was… she was on her way to pick me up from Demyx's… it was really rainy that night. The paramedics said she lost control of the wheel for some reason and that's when she collided with the tree." I remained silence. "They said she died on impact, pain free, but I don't know how much I believe them, just the look in her eyes… My father, he blames me for her death. Heh, he hates me for it…"

"Zexy…"

He began to swing again. "It's fine. Better off this way I suppose… right?"

"Um… I-I… uh… yes?" I didn't know what the correct answer was.

He said nothing, I said nothing, and for a long while all that was head was the squeaks of the swing. At first, I thought I answered his question wrong and I still wasn't sure why Zexion was opening up to me so much.

"The stars are radiant tonight."

I looked up at the black sky. "Yeah… they are…" And they were. It seemed almost as if you could reach them.

Another five minutes of silence passed before his swing again stopped and he got off.

Instantly I stopped my own swing. "W-wha-" He stood in front of me, cupping my cheek, and began to close the distance between us.

We didn't get back home till sometime after midnight. Everyone was in bed, or as far as I could tell, and, as I should have predicted, my bed was taken. I didn't exactly want to sleep on the floor again, though, with Zexion there, any place was tolerable. But, there were better alternatives than the… FUCK, my dad had the couch. How could I have forgotten? Floor it was.

I couldn't wait till everyone left.

Kitii; Epic failure at attempt of sentimental type of crap. Epic, epic failure. Why, gosh, why? Why do I have to suck so much?!

Kuri; Sorry for another crap chapter. But, we were productive, just… on other things.

Kitii; Let alone having absolutely NO IDEA what to write and kinda ending it shorter than we wanted to too, I wanted to. But… at least we finished it. Main goal being to update at least once a month. I suppose if we waited longer we'd eventually get our inspiration back… eventually… and write a good chapter… uh…

Kuri; Cries, but we won't discontinue because we value our readers! Thanks to everyone who reviews ~ and to everyone who reads/favs/alerts.

Kitii; It helps that we finally actually plan these things out. Such as the ending! Oh yes, hella planned. All written down and all cause if we didn't… well, knowing us, hagjadghka: KURI, we'd probably forget. LAWLS LAWLS, JK! ILY KURI. Anyways, back to planning//ending, one major problem we have come across recently… how the fuck to get there. NO SPOiLERS, NO SPOiLERS, VEN DiES, sorry.

Kuri; NO HE DOESN'T! ZEXY DiES!

Kitii; Wha? Not my Zexy! Maybe your Roxy, mmmhmmmm.

Kuri; RAGES. I'm leaving and getting my hammer. Bye.

Kitii; Kay, love you too Kuri. Bye, Bye.