And here's chapter two.

I won't update until I get at least two reviews. That's not hard to ask for, right?

I hope you enjoy this one!

Messages in a Bottle

II - The Response

Days after Axel's letter was published, letters and phone calls from women all over started coming to the Twilight Town Journal's offices. That edition of the Journal had been their best-selling edition in the longest of time.

About a week later, Roxas' office phone rang and he answered.

It was Sora and he was directing someone's call to him. This was unusual since Roxas didn't take a lot of calls.

Hesitantly, Roxas took the call. "H-hello?"

"Yes, is this Roxas Strife? The man who found the message in the bottle?"

"Uh..yeah."

"..Did the original names happen to be Axel and Xion?"

Roxas froze. How did she know that?

"Yes.. that's right." Roxas replied shakily, picking up the green bottle that had been on his desk.

"I found a letter very similar to that one a few months ago on the beach when I was vacationing near Atlantica.. when I read the letter in the Twilight Town Journal, I knew it was the same person."

"W..would you be willing to fax me a copy of the letter?" Roxas asked, really wanting to know what the other letter said.

"Oh sure, just give me your fax number and I'll send it right away."

Roxas gave her the information and then they both hung up, ending the call.

The blonde felt a bit excited to receive this next letter and found himself staring at his fax machine until he finally received it.

"Finally," He mumbled as he began to read.

'My lovely Xion,

The days seem so much longer and stretch on and on as I live in this town without you. Everything I see reminds me of you; the sparkling sea reminds me of your shining eyes; the deep blue sky reminds me of how deeply I can get lost in you, in your eyes.

I need you, my dear, so badly that sometimes I just can't take it.

I had yet another dream about you last night. It was just like old times.

You were wearing your favorite green sundress and those goofy sunglasses. We were on the deck of 'the Flurry', and we were having dinner. Those tuna sandwiches that you made were always the best.

You got a piece of tuna stuck on your cheek and I lovingly wiped it off and you blushed in the most beautifully charming way.

I miss you and your deep blushes, my love.

Oh how I long to hold and touch you once more.. to caress you.. to feel you in my arms..

Axel'

This letter hit Roxas just as hard as the first one. He wished that he could comfort this Axel person, to hug him and tell him that everything would be okay.

But Roxas knew that this was just impossible.

After all, for all Roxas knew, this Axel person could be long dead or old or something by now.

Sighing, Roxas laid the letter aside and set to work on his other article; the 'Dear Molly' advice column.

One question read:

'Dear Molly,

Lately my son has seemed distant.

Should I confront him about it? What does a mother do when her teenage son starts to avoid her?

Signed, A Concerned Mother'.

Roxas' eyebrows furrowed as he began to type up a valid response. Many of his friends were women or gay men who were parents, so he heard a lot about these things.

He simply wrote back:

'Dear Concerned Mother,

You should try simply talking to your son. Do something unexpected for him and try to make him feel like you're his ally rather than his enemy. If there's an academic issue, approach it by coming alongside him, rather than at him with unwanted suggestions or demands. By feeling you're on his side, even when things are rough, he'll feel naturally connected to you, even if there's conflict below the surface.

Maybe surprise him with a "hookie" day and spend some time with him doing what he wants, what he's interested in.

Overall, don't give up in your pursuit to want to understand and confront your child about his being distant.

I wish you the best of luck.

Love, Molly'.

Roxas read over it, rubbing his temples. Sometimes he felt like a psychiatrist; and a rather bad one in fact.

But usually his advice went well and Sora was always so impressed so Roxas was usually the one who was Molly in the end.

Reading over his next question, he scoffed.

'Dear Molly,

I'm currently pregnant with my first child and am expecting a baby girl. Should I feed the baby by breast feeding or is formula alright?

Signed, First Time Mother'.

Couldn't she just have used google? He sighed. Well, I guess I should be glad some people are stupid... it gives me a job..

Roxas began typing up his response.

'Dear First Time Mother,

I would recommend asking your doctor before you take any action. Your health is important afterall.

After doing some research, I found that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) joins other organizations such as the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Dietetic Association (ADA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) in recommending breastfeeding as the best for babies. Breastfeeding helps defend against infections, prevent allergies, and protect against a number of chronic conditions.

Either way, choosing whether you should breastfeed or bottle feed your infant is your decision alone.

Congratulations and good luck.

Love, Molly'

Roxas glanced over it, making sure that he didn't make any grammatical errors. Sora would nag and nag if he didn't.

The door swung open to reveal said brunette, looking too happy.

Speak of the devil and he shall appear, Roxas thought.

"Roxy! I have some good news!" Sora said, practically bouncing over to the chair in front of Roxas' desk.

Roxas sighed. "What is it? Did Riku get you more flowers?"

"Well, yes, he did, but that's not the good news! I found Axel!"

The blonde's eyes widened. "What?"

"Yeah!" Sora grinned. "I did some research and looked into the population of Destiny Islands and only found one Axel. An 'Axel Lea Russo'. Check it out!"

Sora handed him a pile of paper that looked like personal records.

On the front page, there was a picture of a man with piercing green eyes and flaming red hair.

God, he's as gorgeous as his writing...

Roxas' cheeks turned slightly pink.

I'm as bad as a teenage girl in love... Geez...

Sora grinned. "Let's go find him."

Roxas' eyes widened at the suggestion. "Wh-what?! No!"

His brunette friend pouted. "Oh come on! How often is it that you get to meet the perfect guy? Come on Roxas, you could stand to get out for once!"

"Sora, honestly, did you think this through? If I were to meet this Axel guy, what should I say exactly? 'Hi I'm Roxas Strife and I came to meet you because of these sweet letters you wrote'? Honestly, he'd think I was a creepy stalker!" Roxas exclaimed, placing the papers down.

"You don't have to mention the letters! Just meet him! Come ooooonnnnn!" Sora whined.

"...if I go, will my days off be paid?" Roxas finally asked after a moment.

Sora nodded. "Of course! What kind of person do you think I am?!"

The blonde sighed. "Alright... I'll go."