Disclaimer: I Own Nothing


It's a Monday and I should be in school but I'm not. Instead I'm standing in my bathroom staring at my reflection and I'm not even sure why I'm doing that. I'm not even sure why I got out of bed. What's the point? Riku's gone. All that's left is aching memories and dreams that have me waking up with Riku's name on my lips and tears in my eyes. There's nothing but pain and death on this island.

I waits until Mom leaves before I slip on my shoes and head out. I walk briskly into town, knowing exactly where to go and what to get. It takes me thirty minutes to get into town and back. When I return home I head straight for the bathroom - a plastic bag clutched in my right hand and re-take my place in front of the mirror. I place my purchases on the sink counter - two cartons of hair bleach. I look at the bleach for a brief moment before grabbing and ripping open the first box. I know I can't let myself think about this too much, I'll end up deciding against it. I take one final look at my reflection and say goodbye to being a brunet.

Two hours later the last of the blue tinted bleach has been washed out of my hair.

Blond. I gently tug on a few stands of my hair. It's so different, so…not me. But that's what I wanted. I grab the blow-dryer and start drying my hair. It takes another hour to style it properly - now instead of having careless, half-hazarded, bed head induced spikes I have sideways swept spikes.

"I look like Cloud," I mumble to my reflection. I throw the empty bleach kits away and walk back into my bedroom. I grab my messenger bag and start packing clothes into it. In three hours I'll be in Hollow Bastion and I'll meet up with Cloud and start again. I sling my packed bag over my shoulder and head back downstairs into the kitchen. There I leave a note for Mom, I explain why I have to leave and that I'll be OK - I don't say not to worry, because she'll do that anyway. I leave the note on the kitchen table and head out the door.

An hour and one ferry ride later I'm on the train bound for Hollow Bastion. I have exactly thirty-two munny, a messenger bag full of clothes and an iPod - which I'm currently listening to - to my name. It's more than what some people have and it's not like I'll be homeless when I get there. I feel a tap on my shoulder, drawing me out of my thoughts. I look up and see a lanky, redhead man with acidic green eyes looking at me with a half smile. I pull my earbuds out and the man speaks.

"Do you mind if I sit here?" The man asks, gesturing to the empty space next to me. The man is a slight thing and won't take up much space so I don't see a reason to deny his request.

"OK," I respond and slide over a little more. The man easily slides into the space next to me, his legs stretched out in front of him - he's wearing orange All Stars that have defiantly seen better days.

"I'm Axel," The man says, reaching his right arm over his chest - he's wearing a army green, fingerless glove. I mimic his movement and take his hand. "And what's your name?" Axel prompts - still wearing a half smile.

"Roxas."


This was just idea that popped into my head that i had to write out in some form. It's one that i would like to expand upon at some point.