Disclaimer: I do not own KH, its cast/characters, so and so…

Evening Rush

"Alright everyone, get ready to jump," Namine called sternly, "and watch your step this time!!" she finished, obviously referring to Roxas' "smooth" landing from earlier. The other four giggled quietly remembering the moment, while Roxas followed close behind them, scowling slightly. So what if I fell and got some sand in my mouth. Not like I wanted it to happen… he thought, his face flushing red again.

"Ok everybody this is our stop," Namine's voice rang out as she looked back at the group behind her before exiting. Axel, that idiot, I don't want anything bad to happen to Sora but more importantly, I don't want to have to drag these guys into it. Namine thought, her mind focusing on what she was going to do about her friends safety. SighI guess I shouldn't worry too much about them, after all, they're strong…

But Namine's thoughts were interrupted by a tap on her shoulder. She jerked her head up in surprise and turned to see that her friends had already made it outside the portal and were now, impatiently, waiting for her. She stared at them wide eyed and alarmed.

It was Roxas who spoke to get Namine back from her shock. "Hey, c'mon Namine, wake up in there." He said playfully, gently patting the top of her head. This got Namine's attention. She instinctively began reaching around the top of her head for Roxas' hand while whining at the same time to, "Quit it!!" she had struggled to say without giggling but failed. She couldn't help it. The feel of his hand patting her head was warm and soothing. Since Axel had stolen her sketchbook that morning, a feeling of anger and stress had threatened to make her day miserable. But now, being here on an adventure, on a cloudless night with almost all of her best friends around her, she couldn't help but feel happy about.

She had seen the news that morning as well, before she started her morning sketches. It would be nice to watch the meteor shower tonight with Roxas and everyone…especially Roxas…the thought of it all warmed her up inside. Which is why we should hurry up and find Axel…

Remembering this, she now told Roxas to stop. Although she would have enjoyed keeping his attention for a little bit longer she knew that if they didn't stop now, they'd never make it back home in time for the meteor shower. They would have to hurry.

"Alright then everyone, we all know that there is a meteor shower tonight so if we want to get back before 8:00 tonight." Namine said her tone brisk and ready. They all nodded in agreement. "First things first," Pence chimed in bravely, "we need to find out what world we're in." "Oh, right." The other four responded, embarrassed. Duh…

They all scanned the area for a moment, trying hard to recognize where exactly they had gotten to. Suddenly Namine gasped as she began to recall the place. "We're in Hollow Bastion…" she said to the others, her voice hardly louder than a whisper. But nothing could have prepared them for what happened next.

A hysterical laugh from above caused the group to look up in alarm. The ends of a black cloak flapped calmly in the evening breeze. Then they caught sight of a head with flaming red hair and instantly knew that their target was there. He had been watching them the whole time since their arrival. It was Axel.

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Pence's face turned pale at the sight of him, Olette kept her eyes narrowed and her brow furrowed as she wondered if they should strike him first or wait for his explanation. Hayner was ready for a fight with his fists clenched into tight balls, ready at his side. Roxas just stared up at him intently while, Namine glared up at him, knowing that if he gave chase she would be ready (which she was.) Either way, there was silence for a moment as everyone waited and thought. Axel was the first to speak.

"Ah, so you finally caught up it's about time." he said arrogantly as a smug look formed on his face. "What do you mean we caught up?" Namine spat out angrily. "We didn't need to go chasing you through a whole bunch of worlds just to find the likes of you." she finished, her lips curling into a proud smile. Axel's snobby look faltered as he scowled slightly at this. Oh don't you start getting smart with me you good for nothing witch…and Roxas will you please get away from her!! He thought scornfully as Roxas stepped closer to Namine's side. Disgusting, he's acting so lovey-dovey.

Roxas knew that Axel was gonna pounce on them soon, but he wanted to avoid a big brawl at all costs. So he gave Namine a look that said leave this to me. She nodded in response, knowing that Roxas wouldn't let her down and turned to join the others on the sidelines.

Axel was an old friend of Roxas so he didn't want to hurt his old pal. Instead, he decided to keep his "struggle" club to his side and try to talk Axel out of the situation and get the sketchbook that way. If worse came to worse, only then would he pick up his club fight.

"Come on Axel, will you please give Namine's sketchbook back so she can fix Sora up?" Roxas asked politely. Axel stood silent. "Sora passed out this afternoon 'cause you did something so will please let us have the sketchbook back?" Roxas asked a little more urgently this time. Still Axel wouldn't speak. Roxas was getting desperate now."PLEASE, IF WE DON'T HURRY WE'LL BE LATE FOR THE METEOR SHOWER TONIGHT, RIKU AND KAIRI ARE GONNA SKIN US ALIVE, AND SORA COULD-" but Roxas was cut off with a firm "SHUT UP!!"from Axel.

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Startled by Axel's sudden outburst, Roxas tried to find the words to speak but none came. Axel stared down his nose at Roxas, fierce rage circulating in his blood. Once again it was Axel who made the first move.

He jumped down from the low rooftop he stood from and came face to face with Roxas. He stared Roxas straight in the eye while the others watched carefully, in case they needed to jump in and save their friend. Axel took a deep breath and spoke calmly.

"Look, I just wanted to have some fun today." He began seriously. "I heard the news today too, y'know, about the meteor shower and stuff, and I just wanted to hang out with someone." He stopped for a moment and shifted his gaze to Namine. After hearing about this, Namine felt ashamed. He only wanted to hang out with me and maybe everyone else today but I never gave him the chance to really explain. She thought sadly.

Namine was now sorry for being so heartless and rude, so she walked up to the two boys and spoke. "I'm sorry, Axel." She whispered sadly. "I had no idea that you wanted to watch the meteor shower with us." She explained, embarrassed for not understanding.

When Axel heard Namine apologize, his mood suddenly changed from bummed to pleased. "It's okay now I guess after all; I shouldn't have been so whinny earlier this morning." Axel comforted the playfulness in his voice returning. Namine brightened and was happy that he wasn't sore at her and said cheerfully, "Alright, then I hope you'll join us for the meteor shower." He nodded with a smile on his face and handed Namine her 'memories' sketchbook back. But then he did something totally unexpected.

He swiftly picked Namine up in a close embrace, kissed her gently on the cheek, and set her down just swiftly as he had lifted her.

There was a big –GASP- from the three on the sidelines and a sharp"HEY!!" from Roxas as he watched Axel plant the quick kiss on Namine's cheek. What the hell?! He thought when he finally set Namine down. Namine's face flushed red the instant she was set down and all she could was stand shocked, with her hand on the cheek Axel had just kissed.

Then Axel opened a portal and said, "Well let's not keep Riku and Kairi waiting." before quickly disappearing. Hayner, Pence, and Olette followed just behind him, laughing hysterically as they went. Namine and Roxas were the last to go.

Namine stood awkwardly for a few more moments with her hand to her cheek before finally turning to Roxas and saying, "Well I guess we really should hurry back to the islands if we want to make it back to Twilight Town in time." They walked over to the portal when Roxas asked to stop. He looked up to the sky and searched for the sun. It was setting now. He checked his watch, only 5:10. He sighed a sigh of relief, when he felt a tug on his left hand. Namine was holding it.

"C'mon Roxas, quit daydreaming." she said teasingly. He smiled and allowed her to lead him as they entered the portal together. And throughout the entire trip back to the islands, laughter rang throughout that whole tunnel of darkness.

To be continued…

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Note: Whew, sorry for the delay people. I knew there would have to be some confrontation in this chapter so it took me a while to think of what to put in. Especially the end part where I had to fit Namine and Roxas together (the Axel hugging Namine scene was also tricky.) 00 Once again, I'm sorry it took so long (and for the chapter being so short)! Anyway, the next chapter will be the last so I hope you look forward to it. Please send in your reviews and I'll try to upload ASAP, so please be patient. That's all for now so please stay tuned and send in your reviews. And please, look forward to the end of "It's Just One of Those Days." Thank you!