Beta done 10/16/07…
I'm so glad for the reviewers that have taken the time to let me know that they have read my story. I was getting a bit discouraged because I'm used to getting reviews faster I guess. I was even thinking of taking the story off, but I decided to keep going cause it was a story I really want to write and I don't wanna let down the readers that are reading it. I guess it was to be expected since most of my stories are Jak and Daxter and I was writing on a new category. Thanks for the encouragement and I hope more ppl take the time to let me know that they're interested in my story.
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Chapter 2
Tifa ran toward the Bailey under the night sky full of stars. She cautiously held the two ice cream sticks in each fist as she ran, hoping it wouldn't melt too much by the time she had gotten there.
She used her legs to rid any heartless that moved in her way. They didn't seem to bother her too much. They were mostly around when Sora was in their world. He had left earlier today, so the number of heartless decreased.
She gasped as she began to feel the cold and sticky liquid streaming down her fingers. Mumbling under her breath while she stopped at the steps, she looked upon the high ledges and smiled once she spotted what she was looking for. She ran toward a brick wall, using her legs to pivot her into the air and land upon the ledge. Once she stabilized her balance on both feet and stood up, she walked toward the figure sitting at the edge.
His shoulders were slumped over. She knew he sensed her presence, but he did not bother to turn around as she approached him. His gaze stood on the sky as he leaned his elbows on his knees. Tifa stood behind him, tilting her head in question. Finally after a moment of silence, he spoke to her.
"I'm not in the mood for naïve assumptions today," he shooed her away a waving hand.
Earlier, he had told Sora about the Organization's plans to use his keyblade to release captive hearts in order to build Kingdom Hearts. It was enough that he was a traitor to the Organization, but he still couldn't bring himself to tell Sora that Saix had taken Kairi. After escaping Saix pursuing him, he was finally able to relax in the Bailey.
Now, this woman who was screaming at him yesterday had come to interrupt his quiet time. He wondered for what.
She held her arms clasped innocently behind her as her eyes rested on the floor. She wasn't sure what to say after what she had said the night before. She wasn't sure how to apologize and if her apology would mean anything either way. After a long awkward silence, Axel sighed.
"So, are you just gonna stand there and stare?" He turned his face slightly back and she grinned, encouraging her to walk towards him. Once he looked up, Tifa stuck one of her fists out with the melting Sea-Salt ice cream pop, offering it to him. His jade eyes widened in surprise at her innocent gesture and her wide smile.
"What's that?" He raised a suspicious brow at the strange object being shoved in his direction.
"It's ice cream. It's good".
He still gave her a confused look as he stared at it. She laughed, "It's food. You do know what that is right?"
"Oh yeah…of course, but Nobodies don't get hungry".
"So. You don't eat it because you're hungry. You eat it because it's good. Just try it. It'll make your mood better" She continued to tempt him with the ice cream until he finally reached out cautiously to grab it from her hand. She nodded with satisfaction as she plopped down next to him, crossing her legs in front of her.
Axel continued to eye the melting blue rectangle propped up on a wooden stick. Tifa met his confused gaze, "Go on. Take a bite…or is it…that you can't taste?" She was curious. She knew Nobodies didn't have hearts, but did their bodies feel things like theirs did?
"I may not have a heart, but I can taste ya' know. My body has the same senses as yours does. I can feel hot or cold. I can feel pain. Just like I can see you right now I can do everything else".
He seemed slightly offended by her curious question but he knew she meant no harm. Why was she doing this? Was this to make up for the night before?
Axel saw the guilt swirling in her large brown eyes. He figured it'd be best to satisfy her and eat the damn thing. He rushed forward to take a big bite and Tifa suddenly lunged forward about to say something, but it was too late. He had already taken a big chunk of it in his mouth. His forehead wrinkled and his lips puckered. His head throbbed and his teeth hurt.
Tifa laughed, "I was going to say not to eat so much at once. Since it's cold, it'll have that effect on you".
Once it melted in his mouth, his face relaxed in relief. "Yeah, thanks for telling me," he shot her a sarcastic smile.
"Sooo, how is it?" She watched him as he continued to eat the ice cream, a bit more cautiously this time.
He nodded, "Salty and sweet. It's ok". He didn't' really mean that, but he wanted to tease her. He was also a little reluctant on opening up to her.
She gasped, feigning offense, "Ok? That's it?"
He shrugged in response. Tifa shrugged back and pouted slightly. Then she brought her attention back to her own ice cream. They stood in silence for a bit as they stared up at the sky. It was Tifa that broke the silence.
"So…do you have a name I can call you by?"
He glanced at her briefly before looking up again. "Axel. Got it memorized?" Another wise grin grew on his face. "And yours?"
"It's Tifa," she threw her bare Popsicle stick onto the ground below. Axel threw his down after hers. "So can I ask why you've been following me?"
"Last time I tried to answer that question, you lashed out on me".
"Don't worry, you're safe. I promise," she reassured him.
He seemed a bit hesitant. After a moment of thought, he decided it was okay to tell her. She seemed trustworthy enough.
"I sense…darkness within you. It's a darkness similar to mine. It's the same darkness you feel when you've lost something".
She was surprised at his answer, "Darkness? In me?"
Axel didn't bother to explain. He knew that deep down she knew what he meant and she just didn't want to admit it. She sighed in defeat finally after seeing he wasn't going to respond. "Can you tell me more…about what you sense in me? And about yourself?"
She leaned forward unintentionally to gaze at his solemn face as he spoke, "Now why would you wanna know about me?"
"Well I kinda feel like…after yesterday, maybe we do have a lot to learn about one another and our kind. Maybe we do have something in common and I'd like to find that. All these nights I've wandered around the Bailey alone and drowning in my thoughts. Even though I was angry at first when I discovered you, I guess, now I'm glad to know I'm not the only one drowning you know?"
Axel nodded. "Sure. I understand".
"So are you gonna tell me?"
Axel nodded again, "Sure, but one thing first" She raised her brows in question. "About the ice cream…I lied. It did make my mood better".
"You see, I knew it" Tifa laughed, earning Axel a playful punch on his arm.
That night they stood under the stars, confessing their heavy pasts. It didn't matter that they had only met yesterday. She knew Axel had been watching her for longer than that and even though they never exchanged words at that time, it was as if they already knew each other through their emptiness.
It didn't matter if she had a heart and he didn't. They just needed to release what weighed their minds for so long. They needed to release what they were too ashamed to speak of to others or because no one else would listen. Even if they didn't understand completely because of their differences, the one thing they understood was darkness and loss.
She told him about her history with Cloud and about Aerith. She told him how she had felt and at times wondered if he even loved her the way she thought he did. He had never said it or made much effort to express it. She had met Aerith and even heard about Cloud telling her he'd come back to her no matter what. It made her wonder if he even wanted to go back to their world with her.
Did he forget about her? Was her searching pointless? Had all these years been a wasted one-sided love? Or did he just love Aerith more? What was her purpose in his life?
Axel told her about his companionship with Roxas. How Roxas was different from the others. He was strong minded optimist. Spending time with him was enjoyable. He made him wish he had a heart. Then Sora awakened and he tried to get Roxas back, but finally gave up, knowing Roxas was meant to stay in Sora's heart. That was where he belonged.
A part of him was happy that he had found his place and at least now he was lucky enough to have a heart. It was the kind of luck that would never be granted to him. Axel had no memories. No birthday. No past. He was a traitor and now a loner. He wanted to exist, but only if he had a reason to. That was probably what he had been searching for during his free time, not to exist, but a purpose in existing. Perhaps in Tifa, searching for purpose as well, he hoped they'd both help each other come upon an answer.
As orange began to glaze over the brightening sky, they were still sitting in the Bailey, too lost in conversation to notice the time.
"So, you're saying that if I dwell too deeply in my regrets and envy towards Aerith, my heart may be consumed to the darkness?"
Axel nodded, "And you'll turn into a heartless, but since you're strong at heart, you'll also have a Nobody that would imitate your physical form as your empty shell".
"Well I can't just make my feelings disappear".
"I know that. It's the same with me. You can't just make believe things didn't happen. That's why you have to find your light. Even if it has nothing to do with this Cloud guy".
Tifa understood. The last thing she wanted was to give into the darkness. How could she save Cloud from his own darkness without ridding herself of her own?
"Well, I can tell you one thing," Tifa turned to Axel, waiting for him to continue, "I've felt your darkness lighten tonight"
Tifa's cheeks grew a shade of pink as heat rushed to her face. Her palms cupped her face as she turned away, "I- I don't know what you mean".
Axel smiled, deciding to change the subject. "Can we…meet up like this again? No more sneaking after each other?"
Tifa nodded, "Sure, I don't mind".
She got up and brushed the back of her legs with her hands. Pins and needles tickled her legs from sitting so many hours. She was tired too, even though she had to admit, staying up was worth it. At least now she could get a peaceful rest with some of her worries lifted off her shoulders. She waved at him farewell.
"See you tomorrow. Don't get caught by Saix".
Axel waved back as he watched her jump off the ledge, landing on her feet. He admired her skill. He watched as her dark hair swayed behind her and her body disappeared beyond the Bailey.
See you tomorrow Tifa…I'll be looking forward to talking to you again.
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Aww aren't they cute? Come on, you know they are. Well next chapter it should start heating up so look forward to it. Hopefully I'll get more reviews now. That's it, I'm not updating till I get at least 4 reviews for this chap. ::crosses her arms:: Gee I hope I do cause I don't wanna stop writing this fic Lol I know it's gonna get good. I wish everyone else knew how good I'm planning to make it.
