Yeah, I know the correct way to say anything that ends with a "s" pronunciation is to leave a comma rather than extra S. Example: It's Roxas' not Roxas's. But in the game Sora says "Roxas's world" and though it's grammatically incorrect I like writing 's better. Though I'll probably being going back and forth between both, sorry to all the writers who hate me for that.
Chapter two re-edited as of 3/7/09
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Rain or shine, if the Wild Cats even wanted to even be considered for state finals they would have to step up their game big time, or against all odds find a miracle. The sound of a whistle alerted players to gather around their coach. It had been a rough training session for everyone and neither their coach nor team captain was letting up.
"I expect you guys to prefect this play, Wakka why didn't you pass the ball to Tidus?"
"He wasn't open." A bright orange haired boy replied; though his answer was normal his accent caused a riot of immature laughter from the teammates.
"What, what did I say?" Wakka asked baffled. The coach known has Leon quieted the group of riling boys so that he could continue relaying instructions.
"Never mind that, Riku what are your thoughts?" He said beckoning to the team captain.
"Well Leon, it's clear we don't have ideal form or team compatibility yet, everyone is too busy singling out."
"I'm sorry" came a meek reply from the crowd, both Riku and Leon sighed. They we're never going to get this group together, they were shy some players for a full team but anyone new they added only made things more difficult to organize.
"Fine, I guess we can call it a wrap for today everyone hit the showers." No objections from the team, the boys quickly flooded into the locker room eager to get home. Riku remained behind and looked at Leon with a serious expression.
"We're not going to make it to finals this way." He stated.
"Finals" Leon scoffed "Riku, how about winning a game?" he burst, his tone harsh and criticizing. Leon was a passionate coach who had a degree for his job and put his heart into his work, but defeat after defeat had worn the loyal coach down. Despite all their losses Leon continuously worked to better the team, knowing for some of them it was all they had, like Riku for example. With that thought in mind Leon instantly regretted his words. Riku was their star player and he held great promise should he further his career.
Riku looked at his coach painfully, though his face reminded neutral his eyes couldn't lie. He himself was fully aware of the failure of his school; they were the laughing stock of the entire city. Once they played against a team a whole grade lower than themselves and lost significantly. With cuts to school funding they lost more than eighty percent of their best athletes. Wild Cats had been to every state final and won a few times but in the last years they went from top status down to rock bottom. Scholastic records were at an all time low and graduations were the lowest they had been in years.
"I'm sorry Riku; I know how much this means to you, it's just-"
A sudden burst of gymnasium doors slamming open announced a new presence. The two males snapped their head towards the direction and were greeted to the sight of Seifer; around these parts though he was better known as The Traitor.
"Who are you kidding yourself huh? This team has no chance of making it to finals, ever. Maybe if you went up a bunch of little girls you'd have some chance, but even then it's a close call."
"Seifer" Riku growled and started advancing towards him but was held back by a tight grip on his shoulder.
"The one and only" Seifer boosted proudly
"What, you here to gloat? Or maybe double cross the foxes as you did us?" Riku growled again and tried to break free of Leon's hold.
"And what, go back to you pussy cats? Ha, no thank you! With my new team, I'm winning now."
"Your team," Riku stated questionably. "Don't tell me they're made you team captain?"
"You better believe it, why else to you think we've been demolishing teams the way we do?"
"Your school has no morals or respect; they degrade other teams and flaunt their victories. I heard they spray painted words like loser and posted their logo all over Wilson High." Leon added to the conversation.
"Yeah that was great" Seifer said with wicked laughter. "Well, I can't help what my people do all the time."
"Lead by example, isn't that was I always taught you?" Leon responded again.
"That you did, thanks a bunch coach." Seifer mockingly stated before turning his sights on Riku. "You know there's always a spot on my team for new recruits. Not as a player, you'd have to work your way up of course starting at water boy, but in time I might let you off the benches. Besides, won't your transcripts look better with some actual victories on them?"
"Seifer that's enough" Leon interjected knowing the losses of this school haunted Riku deeply.
"Hn whatever, I'm out" Seifer sneered and turned to leave.
"Oh, and by the way" Seifer said purposely long gating his exit to further kindle their anger. "Everyone knows my players names and my team, but they don't even know who you are. C'ya losers" Seifer's cruel laughter died slowly even after the doors slammed shut and echoed coldly in spacious gym. A deafening silence wafted in the air as the two stood alone centered on the floor.
"I've been thinking" Riku began "The Predators have a pretty good team going, even if it is under Seifer's rule, and I'm considering transferring." Shock written on his face Leon turned to Riku.
"Riku, how could you say that after all we've been through; even if they did win state would you really want to put yourself through Seifer's hold? He'd only humiliate you as revenge for your place of leader here."
"That may be" Riku answered "But honestly Leon, what else do you have to offer me? You can't promise any wins, the team's record won't change at all with my absence. In the end, it'll be better for me if I go." Remaining silent Leon crossed his arms in thought as he stared at the floor and wanted for the correct response to come to him.
"I'm asking you to trust me." He finally said "Thing's will get better, we just need time." Riku shook his head disapprovingly but finally agreed.
"You have a month to change my mind."
--
"Oh, cheer up Roku it could be worse! We could have to live in a smelly apartment." Roxas gritted his teeth trying to retain his precarious anger. Sora was just way too damn cheerful for a place like this, a dirty city with dingy little houses that barely pass for a home at all. Their outsides deceived you of its inner horrors such as faulty electricity, leaking pipes and air that hung with a heavy odor which burned your senses. How could such an awful place be allowed to exist? Roxas constantly asked himself then turned toward his obnoxiously upbeat brother and gave him a reply.
"Yeah, that sounds nice. Instead I'm stuck here in a smelly house with an annoying brother!" Roxas shouted and elbowed the other harshly in the chest nearly knocking Sora to the floor.
Sora, though kind in nature was not one to let himself be pushed around; he tackled his brother to the floor and began hitting him with a series of randomly placed punches. Roxas equality as determined and twice as violent took the hits without so much as an indication of pain and quickly flipped the two. Bringing his arm back he stuck the other across the face in one clean swipe. Sora yelped in pain and the noise was enough to draw their mother into the room. Of course she had to see only Roxas being violent and Sora as the victim.
"Roxas get off of him now!" Roxas cried out when he was suddenly pulled off his brother by a painful twist to his ear. Sora groaned having the weight removed and sat up and rubbing his bruised cheek.
"I am very disappointed in you Roxas, attacking your brother like that and on the first night of all things! Go take out the trash, Cloud will be home soon and he's going to hear about this." She hissed at him.
"But mom it's pouring raining outside and I don't know this area, what if I get lost!" His mother simply scoffed at his exaggerated ideas and ignored his protests.
"It's just around the corner Roxas, you'll be fine, now get going!" With an exasperated sigh Roxas started towards the kitchen all the while rubbing his sore ear. He rolled his eyes hearing his mother baby to Sora's injuries; Sora had been in fights before, what just happened was nothing. Still it didn't matter Roxas thought as he tied a knot on the garbage bag and hauled it over his shoulder. Sniffing the air he made a face, this garbage wasn't even his why was he taking it out? He'd bitch about it later, for now he just wanted to get it done with.
Opening the backdoor Roxas was met with lightning and heavily pouring rain. Roxas prayed he wouldn't be electrocuted, but with the way things were going he wouldn't be surprised. Cursing heavy at the down pour Roxas began a slow, wet and cold journey towards the dumps. With his luck he would get mugged after stepping 10 feet away from the house. This location was horrible, sure it was a home but it was surrounded by giant sky scrapers, what kind of a view was that? No, he missed the open air, the trees and stars, but mostly the sunset. What did this place have to offer him? Nothing but garbage and rats, he growled as he tossed the large bag into a dumpster bin and jumped at a sudden noise. It seemed someone else had tossed a bag in at the same time he did.
"Whoa!" both bodies exclaimed simultaneously.
"Hi" the unknown visor spoke with uncertainty in their voice.
"Hi" Roxas answer back just as suspiciously.
"I haven't seen you around here before." The person spoke again; by the sound of their voice they were male. Roxas studied the figure carefully, watching his hands for any attempts to get a weapon they may have been concealing. The person sounded young, just a few years ahead of himself but defiantly the same generation. He was short and wore a hood by which the way it reflected the light must have been rubber made. Unlike Roxas, this person was prepared for the weather.
"Yeah I'm new, just moved in today." He finally responded.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"Yeah thanks- wait, why are you sorry?"
"For one I can tell you don't wish to be here. This city's a mess; no one would ever want to live here, not by choice anyway." The mysterious person stated. Roxas didn't like the way everything the man said he said as though it was fact, even if he was correct. People so sure of themselves irritated Roxas to no end; he never had to deal with them in his old home. Everyone there was respectful and opened to ideas and the possibility of being wrong. This person didn't seem so egoistic though, his words said one thing but his voice said another. Still Roxas was not about to let his guard down to some stranger he met in an alleyway.
"Guess you have a point." Roxas said then cleared his throat; his shyness coming into play it wasn't unusual for Roxas to mask his shy behavior with rudeness.
"Well person, as much as I would like to continue this conversation its pouring rain and its cold as hell if you haven't noticed, so I'd like to get inside." Though it could not be seen the stranger's lips twitched mildly in amusement at Roxas' minuscule curse and response.
"Like-wise, I'll see you around."
"Yeah I guess so." Roxas answered bluntly as they both turned to leave.
"Poor kid" The stranger thought, being a college student who majored in psychology he read Roxas like an open book. Books; he loved reading with a passion, it only made sense he applied it to daily life and the people he meet in it.
"Hey" he called back to him.
"What?" the kid yelled back, clearly having trouble hearing due to all the rain.
"My name is Zexion!" It took a moment for a response and due to atmospheric conditions he couldn't tell if he was just processing the information or debating his course of action.
"Roxas" finally came the reply. Zexion smiled in the darkness and made his way back home.
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I love the Zexion is emo joke as much as anyone but he's not really, he just looks the part. Roxas has the label too, but Roxas fits it better, but he's an angry emo. I think he should wear a caution sign.