Part Time Lover

by Destiny's Heroine

They are undercover passion on the run, chasing love up against the sun. They are strangers by day, lovers by night. Knowing it’s so wrong, yet feeling so right. Inspired by Stevie Wonder’s song, “Part Time Lover”. Not songfic. AU.

2. Chapter One: Ignition

Summary: They are undercover passion on the run, chasing love up against the sun. They are strangers by day, lovers by night. Knowing it's wrong, yet feeling so right. Inspired by Stevie Wonder's song, "Part-Time Lover". Axel/Larxene. Some Roxas/Naminé. Minor Sora/Kairi. AU. There's also Marlene, and Axel/OC.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Axel, Larxene, Roxas, Naminé, and basically every other character that appears in KH, or FF. It belongs to SquareEnix, Disney, Tetsuya Nomura, and any others affiliated with the game and its properties. I also do not own the song "Part-Time Lover" by Stevie Wonder. Do we really need this all the time?

Author's Notes: Hey, everyone! I'm back with a new one, as long as it took. Now this chapter specifically features the gang, and is simply Naminé's first day, so this is a introductory chapter to the rest of the cast, so to speak, so is dimmed down. Yet, it sets up for what happens next chapter and why, so you can call it a "filler". Axel appears in the beginning of the chapter only with his assistant, gets a phone call, while Larxene is only mentioned. And while this is for the Roxiné fans, you'll have your full of Larxel coming up. Of course, to be realistic and considering the situations they're in, the relationship is going to start slow. Is not like they're going to see each other and be "ZOMGLUVZ". No. So you're going to have to wait a just a small while for your kissing scenes, I'll tell you now, just in case. Other than that, I have many ideas of how Axel and Larxene will meet, and if you want, you can share your own ideas too and see if one is a bit better, cause I can't choose out of the ones I have xP. Thanks for all that reviewed though.

On other news, as much of you will see, the formatting has changed (which is also posted on the front page). We cannot use hyphens, letters, or any marks to break our scenes and separate our notes up anymore, thus, why you see the constant underlines there. Of course, it surprised me to come back and see my first chapter meshed up, so I fixed that, but I have to say this seriously pisses off just a tiny bit. So many drastic/unneeded changes in this site, and this has become one of them, so I guess that what annoys me to no end. Yet, seeing as there's nothing we can do, we shall move on to this chapter...

Without further ado...

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Part-Time Lover

Chapter 1: Ignition

By: Destiny's Heroine

---

As the polished glass doors of the gigantic building swooshed behind him, Axel breathed a sigh of pure and utter relief, inhaling the polluted air that was the central and working division of Radiant Garden: Deep Dive Boulevard. He just finally escaped the absolute hell hole that was his job as "Vice-President". Yeah, Vice-President my ass. More like a trainee, only doing minimal work and spending the day in the office doing nothing at all, but burning papers and documents to waste time. It was a habit of his, setting things on fire, having some kind of unexplained attraction to flames since he was small. It didn't bother him at all though, he liked the sound of a pyromaniac. He barely even had burned anything since he was married anyway, when in his teens that was a daily occurrence, often getting sued last time for "accidentally" dropping a lit match near the gas station to see how will it explode, for the heck of it.

His father wasn't very happy about that, needless to say.

But now? Now he was free, had half the day to kill, and why not spend the time with your dear best friend? He hasn't seen the little runt for days, though they often spoke on the phone. Only a few weeks had passed by ever since he started his "Vice-Presidency", and Roxas himself had been busy with his part-time job, as well as school. It was a true shame. Axel needed to speak with him in person, to lay out his troubles that he knew the blond would understand, though annoyingly so...as he would begin preaching over the same thing about the workings of his marriage. He had managed to luckily get a few nights of sleep so far after his contemplations, he needed to, but the thought of what he was doing to the woman sleeping next to him made him roll around in his sheets, restless.

"Wait! Mr. Kajiwara! Mr. Kajiwara!!"

Axel groaned.

He knew that quirky and over-the-top cheerful voice of his co-worker, or underling, as he liked to call him. But this one wasn't only his "underling", he was his personal assistant, his right-hand man that was assigned to him by his father, and will be this way permanently. It wasn't that the guy was bad or anything, he just had a tendency to talk too much, and sometimes about the most random things Axel could never have imagined possible. Yet, he was capable of doing his job, and that's what mattered, though he was quite irritating in the whole package. Turning around, he eyed wearily the dirty blond, mullet haired young man, catching his breath as he stood in front of him. Once he did, he stared at Axel with innocent teal eyes, trying to talk normally to his boss as he tried to breath. "M-Mr. Kajiwara..."

"Axel," he corrected monotonously, as if he had to remind him of it every day. "I told you to call me Axel. Not Mr. Kajiwara. Mr. Kajiwara is my father, and it makes me sound old, which I don't take kindly. Got it memorized?" He flicked the guy's forehead.

Rubbing the spot hard where it hit with a smirk, the male just nodded, almost enthusiastically, and Axel rolled his eyes at the action. It was amazing that they were near the same age, his assistant being only twenty. Ah, the young soul. "What do you want, Demyx?"

Demyx immediately handed him a very thick folder, which he took hesitantly and opened it to look it over. He furrowed his brows as he read the written work, confused. "What's this?"

"Just, uh, documents the President wanted you to work on. Handed in and ready by tomorrow morning, 8 o' clock sharp," Demyx answered, as if he was reciting the words implanted into his head carefully, or had been reading it from a index card.

Axel moaned pitifully, that can almost be mistaken as a cry.

The Gods must hate him.

Demyx looked at him sympathetically. "If it makes you feel any better, Mr. Kaji-Axel, you only have to type and print, really."

"Doesn't change the amount," Axel muttered bitterly, staring at the heavy pack in his hand. Maybe he can set fire to it, blame it on something like the candle falling on the papers while he was working on finishing it. The thing sure did look combustible to him, right now especially.

But his father wasn't that stupid, unfortunately enough.

Oh well. To tackle the bright side, at least he had work to waste time on when he wasn't able to sleep. This guilt was slowly destroying him, and he had to come up with a decision sooner or later, because he couldn't spend the rest of his life in this mess. He was still set on staying with her and growing to love her the way she does him, but he couldn't keep going at all if that would make him unhappy in the end; a thought that kept plaguing him last night as well. And among other things, the future of his father's company was in his hands, and even though they hardly ever get along, if at all, Axel still felt some type of huge pride at being the successor in the bloodline of the founder that began this admirable corporation. And he was future President.

Now I can finally run this my way, and not get my ideas shunned by my father.

That was what most of their arguments were about, concerning work. Axel would come up with perfect plans and strategies for the company to build its stocks, sell more items, raise its form of power amongst the rest of the competitors. Yet, his dad always threw them away, calling them too "risky", or "too out of line", or even "careless". Only for Axel to find out by listening to the higher ups discussions, that he did in fact, use them in the end.

Which just drove him to be confused as to what game his father was playing at.

Axel just didn't understand him at all. Not that they ever took the time to know each other anyway, but to dismiss what he said only for him to take it after putting him down and making him feel incompetent? And now...and now he wants him to type a bunch of written paperwork for his ass? He had half a mind to throw it out and come right up into his father's face and exclaim that he wasn't his damn secretary. But he knew better. Sighing, Axel scratched the back of his head, and going to a random parked car, he placed his black leather briefcase on the top roof, snapping the locks open as it showed a laptop and many other documents and papers already inside. To add to the pack, Axel grimly put the work his father bestowed upon him, and in a fit of annoyance, closed the briefcase down harder than he intended, literally punching the locks shut again, only for him to wince in pain at the impact and give a hiss.

Damn blood-relation.

He turned around again, grabbing the hilt of his handy bag on his good hand as he carried it, eyeing Demyx who was standing there curiously. Heaving out a breath, he gave the young man a look, as if to tell him what was he still doing here, but decided to speak his dismissal instead. "Thanks for the, uh...spiritual uplifting that you said, Dem, but you should get back to work. I bet you have the loads that my dear father also gave you, since he's too important to do his own crap."

Demyx nodded again simply, but paused, uncertain to whether to say it or not. Deciding that it will be best to wing it instead of pondering over what would have been Axel's answer, he said, "Actually, the work load is less, and it will only take a hour to do, and I'm off for today. So...I-I was going to ask if I could, I don't know...hang out with you?" He winced as he jumbled that last part, before trying to correct himself frantically, thinking he sounded too forward. "I mean, if you're not doing anything, not that I'm prying or-"

"Demyx," Axel called out to stop his rambling, an amused expression on his face.

The mullet-haired man shut up immediately, staring at Axel sheepishly as he mumbled. "Yeah?"

Axel hesitated here, not knowing what to say. First off, Demyx and him weren't that close, and second...he was Demyx: he was unintentionally annoying. Not that he was annoying exactly, but it was his whole 24/7 positive outlook...he obviously hadn't seen how screwed up life was. Though perhaps he could take the chance to get to know the guy for once, see what kind of other company he brings. After all, Axel was sure Roxas was going to bring the whole gang in their chilling hour, so why not bring his own? This could make them closer friends, heck, even a drinking until you're shit-faced buddy. Demyx was too innocent for his age anyway, despite that he still wasn't the legal drinking age. But who really follows that bull?

He sighed as he came to a decision, thinking it over again, just to be sure. "You were almost sounding like you were asking me out on a date or something. While I know I'm hot, sexy, and all, relax, you can come. Just make sure everything concerning your desk and office are secured and locked."

"I did it all, Axel. That's the reason why I was told to bring down those papers, I was about all ready to leave," Demyx explained, a huge grin in his face at the fact of his agreement to him coming, ignoring the cocky presentation Axel put about himself in his words. Demyx always thought it will be in good relation to make friends to your co-workers for a better office environment, and Axel needed someone to talk to him in there, it sure was better than putting things on fire with a lighter when everything got dull. Demyx wanted to show he was a good person to talk to, instead of people marking him as "irritable". Yes, he knew what everyone thought. It wasn't hard to know what people judge about you, but he needed to show that he wasn't just a "pain in the ass" as so many of his colleagues placed it. And what better way than to start with the future President, and the one all ladies in the office fawn over sometimes?

Axel just gazed at Demyx with a raised eyebrow as the guy went deep in thought, and rolling his eyes to the side slightly once more, he sleekly took out his black Verizon Chocolate out of his shirt pocket without a pause smoothly, and went to call Roxas while the other dirty blond male was in his daze for whatever he was thinking of. Hoping that he'll pick up quickly, he simply pressed the number "1", his best friend first and foremost on speed dial.

---

Naminé quickly walked out of the main office of her new school, Coeur de Light Academy, after signing in, but the worst thing about beginning a year on a new high school, was the first day...the first day of when she will meet her classmates...the first day when people will study and scout her over, to judge her, to appraise her looks or dismiss them...and she hated it. Completely detested it. The only motivation that kept her going was the fact that she had finally gotten away from that hell she was previously in, and this was a chance to start over, now that she was stronger than before. This time, she would not let anyone bully or push her just because she looked quiet and meek, though she doubted her demeanor would be that different, after all, she can't really change herself fully. The plus side was that her cousin, Kairi, went to this facility as well, and came up with the idea for the blonde to apply here, promising that she will introduce her to her own group of friends. Supposedly, Kairi was one of the popular girls in school...but all she hoped was that they would like her.

Looking at her schedule, Naminé scanned it over momentarily, making sure her classes were right, before she studied the school map. Coeur de Light Academy was huge, so for the new students, they gave this paper to serve as a guide, but even she still didn't understand it somewhat. The girl looked around, hesitating a while, before turning to the right to go down a hall, following the instructions, or what she thought them to be. All Naminé was aware of was that she was suppose to pass some tunnel, to get to the other building attached, but...

Blowing out a whiff of air, she then came to the final decision of simply winging it, and if she gets lost, then she'll ask someone to guide her, even if most people were in homeroom right now. Beginning to walk to the direction that she had understood, Naminé gazed around the walls, lockers, and floors, finding them all neat, and without one speck of dirt in them, which made the school look more pristine than it should have.

"Lost?"

The voice stopped her right in her tracks as she let out a gasp of surprise at the abrupt interruption, expecting the halls to be fully empty except for her. The voice was male, that much she knew, and he sounded young, so Naminé immediately claimed him to be a student. A little glad now that she might actually get help by a struck of luck...despite the entertained and unimpressive tone that had resided in the person's word, she turned to face him, only to simply pause in surprise once again at the male standing before her. It was a boy around her age, she deducted, with a young face, his skin appearing creamy and soft to touch without a glimpse of harm. He had golden spiky hair, swept sideways to the right as if a wind had affected the natural, smooth style, but it was his eyes that truly made her in look in awe...a deep, beautiful cerulean blue, that seem to glitter faintly from the light, and as cliché as it might have sounded, those were the kind of eyes you can get lost to, drown yourself in. And those very eyes were gazing intensely into her own right now. He seemed to be wearing the boys school uniform, white, buttoned dress shirt, which was not tucked, its sleeves rolled to the elbows, then a gray tie, and black pants. They were suppose to wear dress shoes, but he was wearing white sneakers. However, Naminé went to shift her cornflower colored eyes up and down, finishing at his face once more...which was staring at her with a knowing expression.

It was then she noticed that she was actually checking him out, and once she snapped out of her daze, she blushed profusely in embarrassment, her cheeks tainted a light rose. There was one thing to look at someone, but to make it so obvious when they were standing right there. That's why she was at a loss of words on how to explain herself, and she opened and closed her mouth, knowing what to say, yet not coming out, making her look like a fish.

Oh, my...

"Shying away?" he questioned placidly as he dug his hand in his pants pocket, the other holding the black Jansport bookbag in the other. He succeeded in holding in a amused chuckle as the angelic looking girl placed a pout of anger at his teasing of her predicament. To Naminé, it seemed he was a bit of a jerk at first glance, especially since he carried some type of cold...not exactly cold, but distant feeling around him, yet it was barely noticeable. Either way, it wasn't her place to judge him just yet. Continuing, he added, "You shouldn't really mind getting caught, I don't care for those types of things anyway."

Naminé widened her eyes a little, taken aback by his blunt honesty. He either must get that a lot to the point where he knew it was fact, or he was just that self-confident...or arrogant. And what about her? She had come here to start anew and with a stronger personality to show, yet she was all shy and quiet without a ounce of talk on her part so far. Clearing her throat, she replied, "Guess not, but you're not exactly proving that point the way you sound, are you?"

She smiled inwardly when she saw him raise his eyebrow, as if not expecting that type of snappy reply, perhaps not predicting a sort of comeback within a fragile body as hers. After the initial befuddlement though, he simply shrugged uncaringly, stretching his arms sideways as he grunted. "Obviously. But at least you got captured by me instead of another one who would simply take it to his already inflated ego. I've been friend with one for years, not a delightful experience. In fact, honestly, I think he rubbed off on me. But..." At this, he held the hand out for the map and class schedule in expectancy. Naminé hesitated for just a moment...she had just met him and wouldn't know what he'll do, after all...but in the end, she handed it to him, hoping he didn't play a prank or take advantage. However, he immediately went to study it as he freed his two hands. "You need help. Hmm...it seems you got the same homeroom as me, that's good, and a fellow senior. I can definitely lead you there. By the way, forgot, before you go completely with a stranger...the name's Roxas."

Naminé blinked as he gave her a sudden small smile, glancing at her, and holding out his hand for her to shake, not really predicting the show of warmth. Giving him her own smile, she nodded, grasping her own hand into his in a short shake, both of their hands oddly fitting perfectly as she held his larger one. He was cute, borderline handsome, admittedly, yet she introduced herself normally despite the admiration. "My name is Naminé."

"I like it. The Nami is from the Japanese meaning of 'wave', right?" Roxas questioned, but didn't give her a chance to answer as he gave back the papers to her hand, lifting his shoulder up to accommodate his bookbag. "Got to pass by the tunnel, it looks like. We're almost late, so I can't show you around right now, but is usual that the teacher gives a excuse so someone can teach you the ropes, so it really isn't a problem." He eyed her searchingly for a while, as if scrutinizing her, before saying, "You remind me of someone. Would look exactly alike if it wasn't for the blonde hair and different blue colored eyes...yours is more of a periwinkle shade."

"A girl that looks like me?" Naminé asked, her heart doing a flip and wondering if the suspicions she was having now could be true. She stared at him in utmost intensity, seeing him nod, contemplating whether the two really knew each other, and not wanting to make a fool of herself if wrong. To play safe, she decided to ask carefully, "Her name wouldn't be, Kairi, would it?"

His face brightened to such a extent in realization and out of character from the person that introduced himself before, that Naminé had to pause and take a moment to stare...it wasn't like he's not liable to show that expression, but it was...she didn't know precisely. Yet it was gone just as quickly as it appeared, as he looked at her surprisingly, or rather, more questionably. "Exactly her. Do you know her?"

"She's my cousin," Naminé replied softly, trying hard not to giggle at the sudden bewildered expression on his face...not in the way that it came as a complete shock, but more in the way as if he was finally grasping something that had perhaps left his mind. His eyebrows were even creased.

"You're that cousin she's been blabbering and chattering nonstop about for the past five days?" Roxas asked incredulously, more to himself than anything, beginning to walk down the hall, seeing as they were still standing and time was wasting. Of course, he had known that the cousin was a girl, but Kairi never mentioned about how much they resembled each other, they could even pass off as twins. "Well, I expected you not to look...like her...that much, if at all. Though I have to say, no offense, but you look less...peppy, yet I don't think is a bad thing..."

"That's fine, I happen to know that as well," Naminé replied in a another smile, not knowing where she was going in the path he was taking her to. Instead of inquiring, she followed Roxas's steps while she wandered beside him, eyeing the school, and placing her attention on the tunnel they were about to pass through. She was enjoying his now more open company, when at first, he seemed to keep to himself, like he was just being helpful and polite because he had to, which kind of made her edgy. Naminé thought that it was because he finally found out that she has the connection of being the cousin of his friend, thus, concluded her to be a new addition to his circle. "The thing is, our mothers are sisters, and we guessed that we both got more of their genes instead of our fathers', the only thing Kairi has of him is the hair and eyes, which are dark colored...and darker hues, I think, are sometimes more dominant. But, the rest is a spitting image of my aunt. And going from that, I look like the spitting image of my mom except for my hair, hence, why we look alike. Not to mention we're the same age. Is the only explanation we could give, so..."

"And that explanation actually makes a...lot of sense, weirdly enough," Roxas agreed, as they finally reached the tunnel, only for him to stick his arm out by his side, stopping Naminé abruptly as she was about to go in blindly. Knowing she was maybe looking at him confused, he stared back at her blankly, before pointing his finger down at the ground in front of them, which was moving. "Forgot to tell you, the tunnel has a moving sidewalk, and if you step in the way you were going to, prepare for your butt to hurt painfully."

Namine blinked as she concentrated on the slow moving conveyor belt, surprised that a school would have this, when she'd only seen these at airports. Whoa...

"ROXAS!!"

Both of the blonds turned around to the source of the voice...yet while the male of the two knew already who it was, Naminé just looked expressionlessly at who was coming towards them in complete blank. It was a exact Roxas look-alike, only he had brown hair, and it was styled differently, yet still spiky. He also had the same, deep cerulean eyes...she could tell even from the distance...they had the same type of glow, yet...she noticed they were different as the boy got closer. These blue ones' were more free, more filled with light...it glittered, never ending happiness, something that was missing in Roxas's a little. The facial features, the mouth, were all the same as well, but she couldn't truly tell until she was face to face with him. What really interested Naminé was that he had the exact brightened expression that she saw Roxas make before when he had comprehended who she was to Kairi, that one instance...only in this particular brunette boy, it was constant, and even as he reached them, he had a welcoming smile on his face...so much less jaded.

What a contrast.

Roxas was waiting for him, and the brown haired male stopped his jog as he stood in front of them, his breathing ragged from the exercise. As he tried to get his lungs to be even, he greeted Roxas with a angry glare. These two were related, she could tell, despite the reversed personalities. And to take a wild clue...they were twins, brothers...maybe cousins, yet that would be hard to explain more than Kairi and her, because...the only thing she could see to tell them apart other than the obvious, was that Roxas had narrower eyes, the nose slightly different...and that was a little bit. She shook off her contemplations when the new addition spoke, who didn't really notice her yet other than a side glance and spotting her with Roxas from afar, "God, Roxas...would it kill you to wait for me just a little? I was going to get up..."

Roxas rolled his eyes, crossing his arms in response. "You say that everyday, Sora, and I told you, I'm not going to be late anymore because of your ability to sleep like a rock and be lazy."

"Hey, at least I'm trying, you know. Doesn't that give me points? I don't even know why I need to explain myself to you since I'm the older one here," Sora retorted childishly, sounding a bit proud on that fact.

"By three minutes."

"Three minutes older."

"Do you act like it?"

Roxas appeared to get him there, as Sora simply pouted in defeat, knowing very well how he was, yet not helping it. Naminé also spotted he had a Jansport bookbag too, only this one was navy blue, and the straps hung on both his shoulders properly. She could now safely say they were twins, Sora being older, but acting like the younger one, and...for some reason, she made it a form of study...checking their differences out for her own amusement. It was because she felt awkward around the two, almost like she was a detachable arm or leg that was just...there. It wasn't until she was back under scrutinizing cerulean eyes, this time belonging to a different person, that she managed to look up, finding Sora studying her in a odd way, closely confused.

"Did Kairi turn blonde?"

"Yes, Sora, she dyed it just yesterday," Roxas replied with blatant sarcasm, giving his brother a light smack in the shoulder, but the smile on his face showed that he truthfully found the ordeal funny. Before anyone else could say anything, and Naminé surely didn't know what to say, Roxas took it upon himself to explain the situation, and introduce her, "This is Naminé, the coming cousin that Kairi was raging about all the time? They look alike, as you can tel-"

"Wait! The cousin she's been blabbering to us about for two weeks?!" Sora exclaimed in surprise, looking at Naminé as if he just noticed her for the first time, and had unexpectedly grown two heads that made her abruptly worth deep concentration for. However, Naminé herself was just as bewildered, because she recognized the name of Sora by Kairi's mention of him in possibly all their conversations...this was the Sora Kairi had strong feelings for ever since they were in grade school, and...loved. Of course, that was confided unto her to keep a secret, since her cousin hadn't been able to express what she felt so far yet, but now that Naminé met him personally, it was quite...odd, to see the guy who was so special to her relative for the first time. She didn't remember a mention of Roxas though, but since they were brothers, perhaps she just missed it when Kairi went to another discussion...?

"I thought it was five days?" Roxas questioned suddenly, snapping Naminé out of her thoughts.

"No, it was two weeks. You just zoned out every time she threw us the topic because you were tired of it, " Sora responded to him dismissively, studying Naminé as if she was a new specimen, but deeply interested in her appearance. Naminé never really felt that Kairi and her were so similar to gauge a reaction like this, until now...either that, or Sora had a flair for exaggeration. "I thought it was another girl trying to climb the ladder, like always, and I didn't look at her enough to notice anything. They really do look alike...I could've been fooled...though now that I see, there's also differences...but wow. I think they would've passed as twins if they tried...then the Strife Brothers wouldn't be as popular."

He gave Roxas a look at that.

The blond male though, just rolled his eyes to the side again, and pointed at the tunnel entrance that they were standing on, more minutes wasted by now, and Roxas didn't even know if it was too late or not. "Now that we both met the infamous cousin, can we please...get a move on?"

"Wait! I haven't even properly introduced myself yet! I don't think ogling at a girl is a good impression...by the way, sorry about that," Sora honestly apologized, looking a bit sheepish and abashed as he turned to stare at Naminé, his cheeks a barely visible pink hue.

"No, it's fine," Naminé just shook her head to wave it off, giving him back a smile, and that seemed to be enough, because he held out a a hand for her to shake, like Roxas had done. Another point of them being similar.

"Right then," Sora began, clearing his throat on purpose as her hand took his, and took a playful bow, making the blonde girl giggle, and Roxas to just give him a dry look. "My name is Sora Strife, a pleasure to meet you, Miss Naminé."

"And Miss Soon-To-Be-Cousin-In-Law," Roxas added as a unnecessary whisper only for his brother to hear, just to spite him. Sora just raised a uncharacteristic certain finger with his free hand when he knew Naminé wasn't looking, though the female wouldn't have spotted it anyway as she was recovering from laughing slightly at Sora's actions. As innocent and nice as Sora was, he wasn't unaccustomed of certain mannerisms, it comes with the package of people wanting to constantly pick fights with you.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Sora," she returned back just as jokingly, but politely, letting out one last chuckle as she watched Sora straighten back up, a goofy bright grin on his face. There was something about the guy she just liked, he had this carefree and wonderful personality that was friendly and open enough for her not to be so shy, even just a little, and she knew this would make for a wonderful friend. It also placed a permanent stamp that the twins were nothing alike concerning their personas, though Roxas was intriguing in his own right. These two were definitely...interesting, and they both seem to welcome her already.

That was good, since now she already felt as if she was a part of them, though she knew the fact of being Kairi's cousin played a portion on it. If it was a normal new girl, while Sora would perhaps be the same, though a bit suspicious, Roxas would just simply be polite and guide her like in the beginning, and that would be as far as he went. Or maybe she was looking too much into this...

"Can we get going?" Roxas asked again, tightly this time, looking at his black wristwatch and knowing that by now it was by luck they will make it. Ignoring the two, he went to step on the conveyor belt and began to move away without walking, while Naminé followed after him in the persistence of Sora going on about "ladies first", while he trailed behind her, sending grim looks at his brother.

"Sometimes, a stick is stuck up his butt," Sora mumbled disdainfully to her, giving a glare to the blond boy's back and crossing his arms, apparently not letting go of that snipe about "Miss-Cousin-In-Law" and ditching him earlier on in the morning. "Annoyingly moody, might as well join the emo club."

This just made Roxas give a blank stare to him back as he heard him, and in a quick move, he walked the opposite way of the belt to abruptly stand next to them. He slowly motioned Naminé to get in back of Sora now, only for the female to give him a questioning gaze, in which he responded in a tone she couldn't describe, "Just in case you fall or anything, I'd like to do it myself since Sora is at times accident prone. You have to be careful at the end, because as you know, if you've been to airports, it pushes you forward a little."

Naminé just nodded after a moment's reluctance as she stepped back behind the brunette, taking the sudden characteristics of a gentleman from Roxas with stride, while watching Sora send a dirty look to him for the "accident prone" comment. However, it wasn't until they arrived at the other side of the tunnel and Sora was beginning to saunter ahead in the front to get off, that she saw the real reason of Roxas's act of chivalry. Seeing as she was in a front row seat, when the brown haired boy just reached the point in which the conveyor belt ended first, and lurched you forward, Roxas glided smoothly close to his twin, and stuck his leg out on purpose, a vengeance for the finger and his remarks, and Naminé was too late to stop it as she gasped in shock, outstretching her hand forth weakly in a failed attempt to grab him.

All that was heard was a loud thud as Sora's body hit the floor.

---

The rest of the morning was like a breeze to Naminé, starting from after Sora's fall. Leaving the poor boy with a big, round bruise in his forehead as a consequence, the two brothers began to argue, which then turned into unexpected fight between them, which ultimately, was the act that made them late in the end. She tried to halt and push them away from each other unsuccessfully, almost getting a stray fist aimed accidentally at her, but she backed away in time. So instead, she tried to talk to them to stop it in blatant shock, not really predicting this on her first day of school, and the commotion must've been heard, because a nearby teacher came out of his classroom and put a permanent end to the brawl. He picked up Roxas from the tufts of his uniform shirt while doing the same to Sora in the other. Naminé was surprised at the strength of the said adult for a moment, but after she breathed a sigh of relief as the two brothers agreed to simply give blaring glares to each other, the man introduced himself as Lexaeus Hamilton, a History teacher, and he was nice enough to let them go to class without any sort of punishment, except for warning them if this type of behavior reached his ears again, that he will report it if need be. So, with a bruised cheek Sora, and a broken lip Roxas added with a small bruise on his chin from the hit on his jaw, they made their way to homeroom with a silent tension, which just blew away any friendly atmosphere from before, and made her uncomfortable. She had only known them for about ten minutes or a bit more, so it wasn't at place for her to be...hanging around in this type of problem, right?

The good news was that their homeroom teacher was sweet, someone who also taught English in between classes, and when Roxas bitterly came up with that they were delayed because they were helping the "new girl" find her way, Miss Heartilly understood, and asked for Sora or Roxas to show her around, seeing as she didn't need the two of them. It was a good thing for her as well, since everyone in the class was giving her odd stares and whispering to each other, showing now what she hated the most about being new from before. Sora walked angrily to his desk, which left Roxas as the candidate for the job automatically, but even as they trudged around the labyrinth they called a "school", that represented a literal complex and difficult maze more than likely, they didn't talk much; Roxas was just as in a bad mood as his other half. The only time he only opened his mouth was to point out certain things, directions, giving out advice, know the rules of the hierarchy and cliques, which weren't much different from every high school, yet this time, Naminé was with the top dogs of the ladder...a little. It kind of left her quite flustered, not ever having the experience to be...popular. Larxene was the Queen Bee in her school since freshman year from what she knew, mostly due to her bitchy attitude and witty, cruel remarks, and added with winning fights, she was dubbed a person who you do not want to mess with, but garnered respect nonetheless. Whether her sister gained it from others' fear, she didn't know. Marluxia was supposedly quite the popular one as well, just not so high on the chain as Larxene or the rest were...his good looks was what passed him by because he had gained the reputation of thinking low of people on the top, labeling them arrogant and seemingly elitists. Naminé remembered when she was much younger and Larxene was still in high school, talking about how Marluxia took a interest in her when everyone was aware of his opinion on the higher popular crowd, even though Larxene herself appreciated his aesthetic value. Though it didn't matter since he was in his last year of high school by the time they met, and their relationship progressed out of it. Then it all ended with them getting married...

Honestly, she never expected it, the news was a surprise to both her and her parents. But Naminé guessed love changed everything...?

Either way, after Roxas's long and torturous tour that was signaled to finish when the bell for first period to end rang (concluding with her legs feeling like jelly from travelling all around the campus), he gave her a warning that being with their group might gather some hatred, since a lot of people envy and just plain disliked them. Yet, he also stated comfortingly that the gang protected their own no matter what, so she was safe while she was a part of the group...and their friend. That caught her off guard. Friend. She was considered one already, and it felt wonderful to hear that. After though, Roxas quickly went over the class schedules, saying that she might meet some of his friends, but he didn't really know since while the gang did show each other their schedules when they were mailed to them, he couldn't memorize it all. So far, Roxas had two classes with her in the morning, counting the missed first period as well, while she had Sora in her last class before lunch, and that she will meet the group properly in the cafeteria at that time. All of them. How was that? Well, according to Roxas, Pence, a suppose black haired, chubby boy with brown eyes, hacked into the school's computer system so their schedules will all have the same lunch time, adding that while he's a hacking whiz, he doesn't do too good with the rest of his subjects. Naminé thought this boy sounded respectful as well, as Roxas told her that he doesn't hack the grades, which is much more highly protected, including having a traceable program, so Pence never really bothered with it. She agreed on the grades, somewhat glad Pence wouldn't risk it...everyone else will only take advantage of it when they kept getting a bad mark, worse if it even spread around, and Roxas, apparently, shared the same sentiment as she told him this.

So that morning, she was found quite alone except for when she had Roxas or Sora in any of her classes. The blond, now a bit cooled down since the rumble earlier with his brother, pointed out two of his friends as he decided to keep her company by sitting down on her side, sacrificing his usual seat. One friend, was Tidus, a blond, very much tanned to a darker extent, good looking guy with blue eyes, who seemed as carefree as Sora was, and Riku, Sora's best friend...a handsome, muscular built, gorgeous male with platinum long hair, and surreal, cyan eyes. Naminé had to admit...she was quite dazed and enthralled, to say the least, and for a moment she kept gazing to see if he was real until Roxas elbowed her in the stomach softly, looking a bit irritated at the attention, only because it always happened. From what was explained to her, Riku always had the type of good looks that gained the exact same reaction that she just gave moments ago on the female population, having many "admirers" in the process, but the boy stayed pretty humble throughout. Roxas also confided to her that while he was Sora's best friend, his brother felt insecure around him, almost like he'll always be second fiddle, and is sometimes jealous of the attention Riku received. This was especially because Kairi used to crush on the silver haired boy, and actually went out with him for a few short months.

Naminé was startled to hear that since Kairi never mentioned it, but they really didn't talk a lot as they did now when they were much younger, so that was probably the reason...and why talk about the past anyhow? Now more than ever, her cousin had found the love of her life in the underdog that was Sora, and she felt happy for him and her, hoping that soon, they'll admit it. She would've wanted to see it, but she figured it would be out of everyone's eyes and in their own privacy.

Due to Riku and Tidus seated away from them while Roxas was with her, they couldn't really speak at all except after the class ended, where she had gotten to know them better and had been introduced. Roxas was right, Riku was humble and nice, and Tidus was silly in his own way, though they were also a bit lost at Kairi's resemblance in her. They kept talking until they parted ways to go to their alternating classes, and from there, it wasn't so much as exciting with her third class...nobody was there, and her "class before lunch" with Sora only had Riku, so she bonded more with the two boys in that time. She felt less anxious now to meet the rest of the group, as she had Roxas, Sora, Riku, Tidus, and Kairi down on whom she had met, and with them already on good terms with her, it made it easier for the time when she had to grace the cafeteria and the "popular" table.

This is where she found herself now, with Riku and Sora on her sides to lead her as they were headed for the lunch room. Her nervous and intimidated expression must have shown, as the two boys began saying things to ease her, like "everyone's friendly", "they'll take you in", "you'll feel right at home, trust me"...

"If it makes you feel better, I'll tell you everyone's names in the group, is not that much," Sora offered, more happier, as if he had forgotten his and Roxas's fight by now. "You know me, Riku, Roxas, Tidus, Kairi...there's Selphie, Wakka, Pence, Hayner, Olette, Yuna, Paine, Rikku...not to be confused with this Riku here, Yuffie, Lulu...most of us are Seniors really since we're at the point where we rule the school just by being in the fourth year and veterans, and to remind you...our group is only one of the populars, there are others that sit on different tables with the people they hang out with, and...hey! I just noticed we have more girls than guys in the gang..."

Naminé giggled, while Riku just heaved a sigh, and rolled his eyes upward. "Don't tell me you just noticed this now."

It was more of a statement than a question.

Riku shook his head tiredly while Sora appeared embarrassed, just as they passed through the lunch room doors to go in, and Naminé widened her eyes a little at how vast, wide, and big the cafeteria truly was. The vending machines were on the back in both the right and left corners, the lunch was actually served as a buffet table by the side of the main entry that they came from, where students walked along down and served themselves as they got their plastic plates and eating utensils. The ones who were keeping the lunch lines organized were four men, while the lunch ladies simply refilled the stalls with the portions of food when it was gone. The smörgåsbord itself was like any type of buffet you would find at a restaurant...having the triangle prim shaped glass that hung over the delicacies above, with the heated lights to keep it warm. She could even spot delicious and tempting fresh desserts in another smaller buffet table that was separated from the food. Roxas had told her something about this, that even though they were allowed outside to eat, people remained inside because unlike most schools, this one prepared not cheap food, but real ones, that catered to a healthy meal with many varieties. And unless you had a craving for fast food, there was no reason not to stay and enjoy what the school lunch brings. Nevertheless, she never expected this type of...method. Then again, parents did have to pay quite a fine to place their children in this sort of building, and the wasted money is shown by the size and style. Naminé predicted great things, but not this great, and she wished that she started high school here since freshman year. It was amazing.

She abruptly found herself being pushed forward by her back gently, and looking around to see the culprit, she found Sora giving her a knowing and entertained grin, and Riku staring at her with a glint in his eyes. "Trust me when I say we were all as surprised, and all as lost as you when we first came here. Pretty fantastic."

"Fantastic because they use our parents' money," Riku commented dryly, only for him and Sora to chuckle. That little moment got distracted though, as Riku then pointed in front of him for Naminé to get a look. "There we are."

Naminé felt her stomach clench as she followed the direction his finger was at, and spotted a circular table filled with mounds of laughing teens, some eating a handful plate of lunch, while some chatted. Roxas was already seated, chapped lip and bruised chin in all its glory, though not really affecting his looks that much, if at all. This made her a bit more relaxed, as she had gotten more comfortable with Roxas than the rest, but she wanted to spot Kairi...someone she knew perfectly well, but the girl wasn't anywhere. If she was going to be introduced without her, she wouldn't know what to do...she was hoping she could be a crutch as she faced what would assumingly be her new friends.

Despite her determination on being a stronger person, she was socially inept.

Her eyes grew when she found the two friends who were suppose to keep her company, Sora and Riku, leave her side, looking at her amusedly as they walked off, though their eyesight were mostly perched behind her...as if someone was about to do something. Her face paled as her insides tightened in apprehension...and almost hurt. Oh no...okay, Naminé, do not jump to conclusions, this isn't a trap, it can't be, they seem too genuine...

Taking a breath, she curled her face up in a stern and set countenance, after all, trick or not, she would never let them see her down like if she was someone to trample on if she could help it, not anymore. With a bit more boldness, she turned swiftly around, only to blink as she saw a pretty wine red haired girl before she was glomped in a embrace, almost making her fall back it if it wasn't for the excited arms around her, and she heard Kairi's laugh and happy voice in her ear. "Naminé! You were so lost in thought, and I took the chance to surprise you, and made Sora and Riku play along. I was waiting for lunch so much to see you. I tried to find you first, since I thought it would be quite weird for you out there without knowing anybody...yet so far, I heard you got acquainted with Roxas, Tidus, and of course, the two numskulls. Gah! I'm so glad. All we do is talk on the phone instead of hanging out..."

Naminé stood still as she listened to Kairi's cheerful blabber, obviously, her cousin was thrilled to finally see her here, with good reason, as they haven't made face to face contact in a while. But she was a bit too shocked...so it took a while for any response to come out of her. Kairi took this time to break out of the hug she started, a smile on her lips as she eyed Naminé a bit sheepishly, as the girl was merely staring, lost. Giving her a apologetic look, she stated, a bit unsure, "I'm guessing...it worked too much? I have to admit, what I did was kind of Selphie..."

By then, the blonde girl had snapped out of it due to the words, and shook her head with a smile, not expecting that type of entrance, but going to give her cousin a tight warm hug again anyway, which was returned. They gave a few excited laughs as Naminé replied, "Yes, it was weird, but I'm glad to see you too. For a moment, I thought I will have to face this alone. You know me..."

"No way, I did promise I would be there, didn't I? That's why I tried to find you..."

They both let go this time, Kairi a bit more calmed down after her stint, though her smile evolved into a grin, which smoothly fitted her striking features. It wasn't like Naminé had low self esteem to the bottom level, but she couldn't help but think that Kairi was so, so pretty. Her cousin's personality was stronger as well, she was determined, stood up for herself and her friends, was very social and in nowhere near shy, and wasn't afraid to speak her mind. It was one of those things that separated them from each other, like Sora and Roxas.

The thoughts were over with though as she felt a warm and comfortable hand on her shoulder, and found Kairi gesturing with her head to the table, as if asking if she was ready to meet everyone. Naminé just simply studied the people a few steps in front of her, watching Riku sit next to Sora, who sat next to Roxas, the twins both talking and laughing about a joke, apparently over their little squabble in the morning. There was Tidus, then she could see the black haired, chubby Pence, as the description matched him the most...he was talking to a dirty blond haired boy with brown eyes, while a very pretty girl with emerald green eyes and brown hair curled on each side beautifully, joined in on the conversation. There was another brown haired female, her locks more lighter...like the shade of copper, and she also had green eyes, though much lighter as well. And her hair was in a flip out style. There were many others, and she could feel herself growing nervous. The variety of their uniform style was nice to look at as well, she noticed...while they all followed the uniform conduct, the clothes had a bit of their personalities mixed in. Like Tidus's appeared to be placed on messily, and its sleeves were ripped off, giving it the flaky appearance, and some others had things like a scarf, or something done to their shirts, and pants.

Finally nodding her head to Kairi, they walked up to the group, hearing them talk about the Roxas's and Sora's fight, and how it isn't anything new, yet as they reached them, the table suddenly quieted down as all their eyes were on her, the new addition, and this made the blonde be on the spotlight as they all eyed her attentively. While Naminé found herself unable to speak, Kairi went to get her acquainted to the rest, "Naminé, I'd like you to meet all of my friends, and guys, this is my cousin, Naminé, the one I've been talking about?"

"I'm sure we all engraved it in our heads after two weeks, Kai," the dirty blonde haired boy she saw spoke, before giving Naminé a friendly wave and a cool, but welcoming smile. "Nice to finally meet you, I'm Hayner. Don't worry if we all scare you."

The "dark brown haired female with the curls on the sides" gave him a reprimanding glare, to which the guy just shrugged, looking honestly confused as if he didn't understand what was it he said wrong. Shaking her head, the girl turned to her with a big smile as she placed a hand on her collarbone softly, "Don't listen to him, Naminé, we're not bad. After Kairi talked nonstop about you, is nice to finally see you. My name is Olette."

So far, so good, was what Naminé thought, but her eyes widen a little as everyone followed Hayner's and Olette's sample of introducing themselves.

"I'm Pence, nice to meet ya," the known black haired boy said, and she nodded with a polite smile.

The girl with the flipped hair went up next, giving her a very excited wave with a grin, "Hi! I'm Selphie!"

"Another girl to the gang, ya?" a build redhead next to her remarked jokingly with a accent, though the color of his hair was more of a orange-yellow auburn if anything than red in her eyes, and it was styled in a swirl at the top. "The name's Wakka, pretty lady."

Naminé felt her cheeks burn a little, and she spotted Selphie roll her eyes to the side, trying hard not to laugh as she covered her mouth. Not much later, a gorgeous ebony haired girl went to greet her, her locks in a three braided high ponytail that was held with decorative chopsticks, or hairwear. The female's bangs covered the side of her left eye, while her lips were a light purple color, yet her eyes glittered in welcome as she said soothingly, "My name is Lulu."

"What's up, Naminé? My name is Yuffie!" a short, black haired girl exclaimed, giving her a big smile as her brown eyes shone, and Naminé was trying really hard to remember all their faces.

Next, there was a female who had a sort of boy cut, color of a deep silver, but raised up smoothly and almost flown, as her bangs tittered along her forehead, and she stared at Naminé with her hazel, almost orange looking eyes. Not to mention, she looked a bit hardened...it was that type of aura that Larxene possessed, anyway.

"Paine."

Yep, definitely reminded her of Larxene.

The other female beside Paine was a blonde, semi-orange haired girl, who, like the goth, had a high ponytail, but her locks flowed nicely down her back freely, and almost all over the place. She wore a blue bandana or headband along in the front, where two braids or a couple more were at the sides of her face. She chuckled as she waved happily to her, "My name's Rikku, glad to meet you. I have to say on behalf her, please don't mind Paine, she's always like that. You'll get used to it."

It was then that a heterochromic eyed girl, one colored blue while the other green, turned her head to stare at her with a small smile, having a more mature appearance about her that Naminé liked, with brown hair that seemed soft to the touch and ended above her shoulders, "My name is Yuna, welcome to the new group, Naminé."

"And that's all. The rest you know...though to inform you, Hayner and Olette are going out if you were curious...they're the only couple here so far. The others just kind of...play around each other..." Kairi whispered to her privately, a bit flustered at her friends' warm welcome as much as Naminé was. Giving a nod to everyone as the round table got louder and went to chatting again, some still giving her smiles, Kairi gently pushed her forward a little as a sign for them to find a seat, as they were just standing there, and Sora, who watched them step up, made Riku move up to give space to Kairi beside him...which meant, that she had to sit next to Roxas. Not that it wasn't bad or anything, she had grown to and gotten used to his presence.

As Naminé took her appropiate place as the two of them sat down and got comfortable, Roxas went to turn to her, raising a eyebrow as he noticed her haggard face, almost as if the school and its people still stunned her, and he went to say quietly, "As Olette said, don't worry. In this group, people are open, and we've been expecting you. I think most are happy that they don't have to hear Kairi going on and on about you, personally. It was quite tiring after...two weeks." Before she had a chance to even grin at him for the joke, he immediately eyed her seriously. "Brace yourself. You're going to be answering questions."

Again, not waiting for her to inquire what he meant, Olette, from across of her, went to ask, "So Naminé, we heard you come from Twilight Town? How is it?"

The blonde paused for a moment, as Kairi sent her a encouraging look, and nodding her head to Olette, she went to reply, noticing everyone was listening, "Yeah, is quite...pretty, I guess, there are many spots where you can see the sunrise and sunset so wide and in range, beautiful sights...and the town is pretty big, we got a Tran, the beach...I'm living with my older sister now here though, since I don't want to head here every day in the morning, too far."

"Oh yeah, I remember...older sister, I think I know who you are talking about," Sora pitched in, staring over at Kairi as he gazed at her knowingly. "That's your other cousin, right? The older one? Who's suppose to be quite tough or something? Give Paine a run for her money?"

The said girl gave the boy a dangerous glare in response, to which Sora just gave a weak smile to. However, it seemed that Paine surprisingly had something to say on the matter, commenting, "She sounds interesting, though. See what kind of 'tough' she is."

Everyone muttered things after this, as both Kairi and Naminé stared at each other alarmed, before shifting their eyes around the circular table, not expecting Larxene would harness this much interest. Instead of Kairi saying anything, it was Naminé who piped up bravely, her mouth moving on its own as she tried to explain, "Well...she isn't exactly...I don't think, she's quite..."

"Quite unlikeable?" Paine finished for her, in which the rest stared at her now. Yet, she ignored the lingering eyes, and gave Naminé and Kairi a look that meant no offense in her words. "Is okay, I'm not saying it in a bad way, that makes it more interesting. It was just a guess, since you were having a hard time finding the words. How old is she?"

"I'm not offended, cause well, that is pretty much the first impression she gives..." Naminé admitted, knowing that's just how her sister was, and what would definitely give off the first time they laid eyes on her...and if they ever did see her, she didn't want them to think that she was someone unapproachable. That was the only negative aspect of Larxene, and she'll make sure they know what she was truly about other than being...hard to talk to. Naminé jus wanted to give them a sort of warning, so when they cross paths, they wouldn't quickly label her as a, well...bitch. "However, that's only to those who bother her...like stuck up people, those types that think they're too good for anyone else...in reality, she's reallly cool if you know her, and of course, if you don't say anything out of line, she's good company, even funny. And she's twenty, by the way."

She looked at Paine for that last one.

As the silver haired girl was satisfied with that, it sent the table mumbling again, and Kairi gave a nod to what Naminé said, adding, "In fact, I'm sure you guys will like her."

"Is she hot?" Everyone's faces turned to look at Tidus, some dry, some rolling their eyes, some chuckling, which were most of the guys, and some with raised eyebrows, while Naminé just stared blankly at all of them, and the poor blond male just simply raised his hands as if proclaiming innocence, "Yo, man, just...curious. She said she's only twenty, you know."

"And married," Kairi confirmed, which Tidus slumped his shoulders exaggeratingly to.

Naminé noticed Yuna being discomforted at the conversation, and it didn't startle her when the girl glanced at her, changing the subject as she asked another question, "So, what program are you signing to? You know, the one that prepares you for your future interest?"

"Art," Naminé responded quietly, finally hearing something that she was passionate about. When applying to the school, usually, students had to place what they most want to succeed in, their hobby or career. If one wanted to be in a actor, he or she got private acting classes, or if a dancer, they had private dancing classes to offer, and it kept going for many subjects as their job is to prepare anyone for it, and give them more confidence that they could reach that goal by gaining the experience needed. Hers, was art and painting, of course. Moving her eyes around the table, she had to tell herself that she felt at peace with them, especially as it was their first meeting, so it soothed her a little. Everyone here was nice, and it made her feel calm and at place, like Riku said...like home, that's the vibe each of them gave, and is the reason why she found no problem speaking like she usually did. It appeared like...the group was meant for her to be friends with, as ludicrous as it sounded, but that's definitely the way it appeared. It was like she knew them for a few years now. Kairi was lucky to have such friends around her, and Naminé really did wish this was the school she had gone to from the beginning. But, at least she had the pleasure of being here in time.

Breathing out a sigh, finding that she stood silent, she finished quickly, "I've always loved art, I've been drawing ever since I can remember, and it...was something I could express myself with."

A lot of the females gazes soften at her truthful explanation, and she felt her little hairs stand on end as she had eyes burning in the back of her head that didn't belong to any girl, watching...not burning in the way of a threat, yet it was strong enough to make her a bit tense, and as she looked to where it was coming from, her eyes met Roxas's own deep ones. For a moment, they stared at each other blankly, none moving or even saying anything...and Naminé couldn't really find herself speaking at that precise second, as the male was studying her intently. Though, it was Roxas himself who shifted first, and as he was about to open his mouth to say what he had in mind, Sora's loud voice interrupted him. "Hey, I got an idea! I know it's Monday, but we got Naminé here, so I thought we all showed her around town and spent time getting to know her better and not that fast."

There was pause on the gang as they all looked at each other, some were positive, some were unsure, but Riku nonchalantly gazed in wonder at Sora, apparently in agreement with his best friend, "I think that's actually a good idea...you shock me again, Sora."

The brown haired just glared in response.

"Me too, it sounds great, perfect way for the newcomer to know where she lives now," Pence followed, his eyes circling everyone present with a enthusiastic grin. "We can even show her one of our hang out spots and everything!"

This type of news was like some kind of bomb, as they all went to talk excitedly, planning and expressing some suggestions to the rest on where to eat, or if they were to take her to the park, or the movies, the mall, yet the whole chatter was disrupted when they heard a loud ring tone that surrounde the table in which they were sitting, playing Comatose by Skillet. For the first time appearing quite abashed, Roxas went to reach down into his pants pocket, taking out his Blackberry and looking at the caller ID, a smirk making its way to his face as he saw who it was, and he stared at his friends cheerfully, "It's Axel."

He watched knowingly at the reaction as the name was heard, because some of the guys' faces brightened to a great extent, the girls just smiled in realization, and Sora even asked if he could speak to him. His buddies were very aware who Axel was, because even though he wasn't in high school anymore, he was sure a part of them as if he was still here. Shaking his head harshly to his twin in a "no", as Sora kept snatching at his Blackberry, Roxas went to click a button and placed the phone in his ear, turning a bit away from the people for privacy by moving his chair back, concentrating on the voice in the connection. "Hello?"

"Waaaaaazzzzuuuup."

Roxas rolled his eyes, though a bit of laughter passed by his lips despite himself, amused at his best friend on the other line. He was even surprised he did that, considering how much he had changed in the very few, short years. Perhaps he had a good day. "Hahah, Axel...that was wack, man. Seriously. I know you got that from Scary Movie."

"I know it is, so? Who cares if it was in Scary Movie? It isn't like any idiot did the same thing when it first came out. Anyway, how have you been? I haven't spoken to you in a while."

"That's because you're always busy," he answered for him, not bothering to hide his disappointed tone. It's been like that ever since he got married to that...well, boring and superficial girl, he forgot her name. Linda? No, Lydia. Lydia?

"Busy? I'm busy? How about your part time job and school? I'd say we're both at fault. And besides, that's the reason I called you..."

Roxas heard the little sly tone that had increasingly rised itself into Axel's voice, and looking over the rest for a second to see what they were doing, he sighed as he returned his eyes back to the floor, "And what is that?"

"Chill. We are going to chill today, and I won't allow you to say no. You have the day off, and we're going to take advantage of it, by getting drunk and seeing strippers...okay, forget the strippers...BUT we're getting drunk. You can bring the others if you like, since I'm bringing my assistant."

The blond raised his eyebrows deviously, "What type of assistant?" The way he spoke must have shown, because he heard his friend pause on the other end.

"Roxas. I'm not gay."

Oh, so the assistant was a male. That sucked. However, hoping for another different type of answer than what he was predicting, he couldn't help but ask, "But what if she was a female? What would you do then? Saying she was hot, 'one fine piece of flesh', and one who was coming unto you...which would've happened, if you ask me. How would you react?"

Roxas waited for Axel's reply, for some reason he lasted longer on this, and when the redhead did answer, it was short and to the point.

"Nothing. I'm married."

"You're twenty-one!"

"But I'm married."

It was then Roxas found himself getting irritated at the lack of stubborness Axel was presenting Making sure no one heard, he hissed quietly before he could stop himself, "You don't love her."

Oh boy.

There was definitely silence this time, and it lasted so long that Roxas had to make sure Axel was still on the line by looking at the tiny screen of his cell to make sure he didn't hang up. The seconds ticked by and the blond wondered for a moment if he had gone too far, or if he really stroke a chord with his friend of understanding, for once. It wasn't that he didn't like Lydia or anything, but she's not wild, she's not fun...to think of her would more likely attribute her to a stay at home mom, in a marriage that is always the same thing. She has her quirks, he had to admit, yet there was never that spark. She liked to be calm, and found joy in serenity...the bad thing was, she sometimes dragged Axel with her, who in turn, ends up falling asleep. Roxas remembered back when he was a freshman, and Axel was a senior. The redhead was telling him many things about marrying someone, since he knew of his arranged future spouse, and kept complaining that it wasn't what he really wanted, and whether he should really go through with it. He had told him about his ideal girl, someone who liked the thrill of life, who would join him in doing something wrong instead of reprimanding him for it, but still control his actions by reasoning and common sense. Someone who'll wrap his arms around him when they ride on his motorcycle in high speed, a person who will whoop in excitement when he sets his car up to 100 miles a hour, someone who'll get his jokes and someone who brings them right back, a girl who presented a challenge...who won't simply bow to him when he gets angry, or upset, or if he orders her to do something. Yet, that person has to love and care for him enough, and make him think that everything was worth it.

And Axel had said all that while he was burning a damn tree, which got the police on him for damage of property.

While Lydia fitted the love and care, and the somewhat humor, the rest were nonexistant. She hated motorcycles, she's terrified of fast driving or anything short of dangerous, she criticizes Axel constantly about his actions like a pounding hammer to his head, making him feel guilty enough to draw back or report what he's done, even forbidding him to drink too much alcohol as it would cause "liver damage" and it was too unhealthy. Not only that, but she got tired too easily when partying, and it made her want to leave early, taking Axel with her.

That list could go on.

It wasn't that it was wrong to have that type of personality, it just didn't fit with Axel, in his opinion.

And Axel did not love her.

Marriages where both spouses don't reciprocate feelings are bound to end in tragedy. And that's what his best friend didn't understand. He was just prolonging what was going to happen. In some way, his marriage with Lydia was going to end, he didn't know how, but in some way, it will. It was...not right. Maybe Roxas didn't know a lot, and he was basing his conclusion on nothing, but harbored dislike...yet he just wanted Axel to be happy, and his friend wasn't now...he could see that. And it will be a shame if there's a girl out who fits the description he desired, but never gets the chance to pursue it because he was hooked on someone because of fear of what might happen if he did leave her.

Yet, the more he lasted, the harder it will be for Lydia to handle it, just leading her on.

Roxas was so lost into these contemplations, that he almost missed Axel speaking again, wondering whether he was wrong on convincing him to break his marriage, or if he should even get into the situation. He was just eighteen after all, he might not really know, and he might be hurting the problem instead of helping it.

"That's not the point."

He almost snorted, ignoring the tense and tight tone Axel was now using. That's not point? It made hin ponder over what had Axel thought in all those minutes he kept silent. "It's exactly the point. You don't even need marriage to be committed. You just need...to be committed. Commitment and marriage aren't the same, but you have no sense of commitment with Lydia whatsoever."

Roxas now found Axel's voice getting louder and harsh, obviously...getting pissed.

"What the hell are you, Roxas? My fucking relationship therapist? Damn Gandhi?! How many times are we going to talk about this? I've been trying to love her-"

"For three years, Axel. Hell, you're whole life!" Roxas growled, trying not to alert the people around him by being too noisy, or for them to spot something. "Just get out of it, Axel, is best for both..."

"Don't tell me what's best and what's not best for me, or her, you haven't the right. I can't...you don't understand. I've been thinking about it as it is, can't even sleep...Lydia has serious emotional problems ever since her mom died, one wrong move from me, and I might end up the reason she does something...dangerous."

Roxas could tell Axel was holding back from flying all out at him by his voice almost lowering to a dangerous whisper, as if trying to get a hold of himself. He let out a breath. "Maybe I don't. But I have a feeling is going to get worse if you keep pretending...that's the thing. Do you think one-sided love in a marriage is going to las-and wait, you're not sleeping?"

"Just...let it end when it needs to..."

He was glad to hear the man being more calm, yet there was a hint of hopelessness that filtered through the speaker, resonating in his eardrum, and Roxas closed his eyes. "That's the thing, if it does, is not going to be good, something dangerous might happen then. Whatever the case, is going to end up with Lydia being hurt anyway. If she loves you, and you're not willing to get out it...you're smart Axel, figure it out."

"I know, but I..."

Roxas groaned.

"You know what, I rather prefer we get back to the reason why I'm calling, alright? I don't want to talk about this crap anymore, especially in mid-day, which would be your lunch time and my time to release stress, not giving me more to deal with. I don't need it right now."

"Fine," Roxas agreed, though not wanting to really give up because he actually felt that he might be getting through this time. How did the whole conversation started anyway? Oh, yeah. Right. The assistant. "Anyway, about going out...me and the guys are planning to go somewhere, since we got a new girl in the group. Kairi's cousin."

"Oh...you mean that girl that you've been telling me Kairi's been ta-"

"Yes," he answered right off exasparated, not wanting to hear it for perhaps the millionth time this day. It was kind of funny how he and Axel could really just forget a serious conversation so fast, that could've led to a argument, but that's how it always was...Axel, though sounding tense still, seems to be relaxed. Maybe he did pick a wrong time to talk about that type of thing...

"What's the new girl's name?"

"...Naminé."

"That sounds nice. Is she cute?"

Roxas blinked as he gave a smile. "You're twenty-one. She's seventeen. Even if she was..."

"Oh wow, you don't say? Hmm...what an age difference. Man, that's like me dating a virgin: it's a taboo."

He sighed at Axel's sarcasm and tone. He then lowered his voice, making sure no one else would hear in any circumstance, as he glanced over to Naminé, who was busy talking with Kairi and some others as they were getting to know her more. He didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea. "Yeah, she's cute, actually, to admit, she's really pretty...resembles Kairi, and while you can mix them up from far, when you get close you can see just a few differences. Though, I swear Axel, the girl looks so fragile, and pure... it's almost like you can't taint her, and I'm not even exaggerating...you'll get what I mean when you see her..."

"Hmph...seems like he's hooked already..."

"What was that?" Roxas questioned as he narrowed his eyes, not getting what he said as he was mumbling to himself, and it was hard to hear over from a phone connection.

"Nothing important. So, if you are all planning to go out somewhere...might as well join you, it would still be the same thing. Okay then...um, since you're going to be in your house, I'll pick you up so we'll spent some time together , then we can call the rest, and will drive there when the time comes. Agree?"

"Agree."

"Anyway, I have to get going now... my assistant is singing to himself...can't bore him any longer, and it's damn annoying. Not that he doesn't have a bad voice, is that he's singing the Power Rangers theme song. Just call me when you get home, alright? And I'll meet you."

He gave a nod to himself. "Right, I'll call you. Later."

"Later."

Hearing Axel in the background tell someone to "shut up", Roxas hung up his call as the other line went dead, placing it back on his pocket, and getting back comfortably to his friends as he scooched the chair back to its place. He almost bumped into Naminé if he didn't catch himself in time, and he sent her a apologetic stare, but the blonde just shook her head with a smile.

"So, what was it about?" Sora happened to ask first, looking over unto his brother pass Kairi and Naminé. Despite not hearing anything, he had seen Roxas's expression a few times, and he appeared...tensed. He had seen Roxas and Axel speaking enough to know when they were upset at the other or angry, or whether it was negative or positive emotions. It didn't look that good for a moment.

Looking at everyone with a sigh and waving a hand at Sora to forget about it, Roxas announced, "Axel wants to hang out with me, but I told him we were all planning to go somewhere, so he wants to go."

"Then, obviously, he'll come with us. He's a friend to us all, and is perfect since he'll meet Naminé at the same time," Riku stated, just giving a glance at Roxas as he eyed the blond with a certified look that there was no argument. The rest didn't disagree either, it seemed, as they took it as it was, while the discussion switched to a place where they allowed drinking just for those who wanted to, the table rambling into more excited conversation once more.

"And hey, Axel is twenty-one, right? Maybe we can invite that cousin or sister of Naminé, the twenty year old to keep him company? I mean, someone close to his own age?" Tidus suggested, giving a stare to Roxas, Naminé, and Kairi, while some rolled their eyes again. When Tidus had one thing in his mind, it was hard to get him out of it, and this one was Naminé's sister. But the boy instead looked at their reactions as if offended, and he glowered at them all. "Hey! I'm actually saying it because I thought it would be nice for Axel to talk more mature things with a person his own age. Not that we're that young, but...you get what I'm saying? And isn't it true that a female is mentally three years older than guys? I think he'll feel more comfortable...just a thought. And...we all know and seen most of our families, so why not have her sister come, as she sounds cool enough? We can get to know her in the long run. I'm serious."

"Whatever the case, Tidus, is up for Naminé to decide," Yuna told him, giving him a side glance of understanding as a sweet smile graced her face. She really did think they were being a bit too hard on him on that. "Besides, meeting the Naminé is just enough for us right now, isn't it? I mean, there's still her sister who needs to make the decision to come..."

Naminé's eyes circled everyone, not exactly knowing what to say on the matter. Larxene did say that she will want to meet her new friends as soon as possible before she got too involved with them, just to see that they were sober, not on drugs, good people, and anything of the like. She was very overprotective that way, but at least she granted more freedom than her parents. Tilting her head to the side slightly, she caught Kairi's glimpse, as if telling her that it was alright if she didn't want to. Going with that as a liable way to answer to Tidus and the group, she responded quietly, "Is no problem, she wanted to meet you all anyway. I'll tell her, and see what she says..."

"And if it's no, is no. Hard to get Larxene otherwise. Is that okay?" Kairi finished softly, precisely directing this to Tidus than the rest of her friends, in which the boy nodded with a smirk on his face. Turning her gaze back to Naminé, who was giving her a alarmed look, they seem to mentally agree on one thing: this was going to be interesting.

"Then is done!" Sora yelled to them all cheerfully as he clapped his hands in finality, and let out a breath while some chuckled. "We still had yet to decide a place, though..."

Seeing as everyone else was talking again everywhere with that last sentence out, feeling happy and very much relaxed, her gaze went to the silent Roxas, who was simply looking at the table in a daze...as if in thought. Not certain if to disrupt him, because she didn't know what reaction to expect from him, she meekly called carefully, "Roxas?"

Hearing someone say his name, he snapped out of his contemplations as the words sharply broke through his mind, and his eyes shifted quickly on Naminé's. Blinking, not expecting her to address him for the rest of the lunch period since she was getting along well with the others, he responded surprisingly, "Yeah...?"

"I...I just wanted to know who was Axel. I would've asked Kairi, but I wanted to hear it from you, because you look like you know him more..." she explained sheepishly, rubbing her arm a little as Roxas studied her face questionably. But she really wanted to find out about this person everyone appeared to like and who made quite a impression on the group with even the mention of his name.

"He's my best friend, like Sora has Riku. He's older, so he isn't in high school anymore, but he hangs out with us alot, so he's part of the gang," he replied, raking a hand through his spiky blond hair as he sighed a bit tiredly, remembering back to the conversation they had, that would've transformed into a full out fight on the phone. "Everyone loves him...which I still don't get, so that's why you saw their faces all bright and smiling. It's mostly because he has a sense of humor and has some wit about him, and makes most of our day out fun as he's the liveliest...are you alright?"

"Hmm?" Naminé perked up, eyeing the blond boy a bit confused, as she had been busy taking what he was saying in her head and got diverted by his sudden question.

Roxas made himself clearer, "I meant, are you alright with everyone's friendliness and all? I know is weird, but they are all like that...and they actually mean it. Is hard to find people like this. I just want to know if it's all a bit...overwhelming?"

"It's fine. I was bit thrown for a loop, but I feel so...at place, you know? I never felt that before...they're really nice, and funny, just...amazing, Kairis is so lucky," Naminé responded honestly, a bit glad that Roxas was really making casual conversation with her. She grabbed him as the type to be a bit anti-social...not that much, just one that will keep to himself most of the time when he wants to. Giggling to herself, she pulled a loose strand of her blonde hair back behind her ear as she continued, "I never experienced this before, I wasn't that popular back in my old school...if at all."

He was shocked at that, as he went to look her up and down slowly, though more lost than just checking her out. He wondered seriously why she couldn't have been popular, she got the looks down pat, especially if she resembled Kairi. And so far from what he'd seen, her personality was likeable, and sweet. Too sweet. "Really? I mean...why?"

Naminé shrugged, her elated expression faltering slightly. "It's a long story...it all started with grade school, really. " She then let out a sigh. "I just hope they'll like me in the end of all this...like I don't do something wrong later."

"You won't, and they will like you. Actually, they do already..."

Her eyes grew wide, more surprised at the words that just came out of his mouth, while Roxas just looked at her amusedly in a soft expression. She smiled at him, though. "I guess...hopefully, I'll get a prom date..it's something I've been waiting for. I'm kind of afraid of that."

Roxas chuckled, shaking his head at the girl's insecurity and lack of self-confidence when she should really be more proud of who she is. Did she ever looked in the mirror? Just by these few minutes, he had noticed a few random guys around them staring at her in curiosity, in which she was oblivious to. "You probably will. Trust me on that. Perhaps a boyfriend even."

"You think?" she asked, with a somewhat hopeful tone as she gazed at him in earnest. For some reason, having a male's point of view about this made it more right on point, and in her opinion, it was good to hear it to see where she stood with that population.

Roxas stared back with a knowing look, raising his eyebrows.

"Sure do."

---

Parting Notes: Okay, who wants to kill me? Come on, who wants to kill me? Yeah, you probably all do (backs away). I have to apologize to all of my readers so far for taking this long, not even long...LONG, long, and I'm not even going to make excuses, and have to say I blame it on my constant laziness. I hope you can forgive my sloth, though finding motivation to type has been hard, even if the full story is in my head. I was planning to finish the chapter on Valentine's day, but that got screwed as well. Since I'm going to Florida soon, there was no way I was going to hold it up any longer. So, to everyone, I truly apologize. I'll try to update faster, but don't expect such a fast update, I do better in writing when I take my time, which was another reason of why I didn't want to force myself to scribble a chapter quickly just for the sake of updating. However, I'll work harder on it for you guys. Nevertheless, don't fret, whether I last three months, or even a year (kidding!), don't think I gave up on this story, I will post the next chapter soon enough whether it takes millions of years. I'm really am sorry, however.

For the next faster update.

Destiny's Heroine