Authors notes

I wanted to post this early because I couldn't wait a whole week for it to be released I guess I just wanted to start up it up fast (and I was excited) but don't expect me to do it earlier than usual as a habit.

Also thanks to victoria and NoOneXII for commenting, free hugs for u both!

When art class was finished, Roxas had a little problem. Naminé was going to math but Roxas was going to English. Naminé offered to take him to English before going to maths but they were on opposite sides of the school building and Roxas insisted that he didn't want to make Naminé late for any more lessons, thankfully Kairi-who overheard the two of them talking- came bouncing over to lend them a hand. I'll try and convince this new kid to tell me what happened to make them so late instead of getting it out of Naminé she thought while saying that, since she had the same lesson she might as well take Roxas to it to.

"The names Kairi by the way" Kairi said holding out her hand, Roxas took it

"Roxas" he said

"Thanks so much Kairi" said Naminé beaming, she then rushed off but as she looked back she saw Kairi's face which seemed to have a mischievous tinge to it. All of a sudden Naminé was worried for Roxas.

As Roxas and Kairi walked along the corridor Kairi suddenly turned to face Roxas and said

"Alright tell me why you were with my best friend and why you were so late" Roxas just looked bemused at Kairi's ferocity at the subject and told her what had happened to them that morning

"And then we ended up on the stairs to the roof!" said Roxas all smiles as he finished his story and said "what do you think I was doing to her?"

"Oh nothing" she mumbled and looked away embarrassed. Roxas just smiled and said

"Are you two sisters? You look so much like each other"

"Why does everyone say that!" she replied loudly

"Then again maybe I was wrong your attitudes are completely different"

"Everyone says that to!" Roxas just laughed and they stopped by the door too there English lesson

"Look, sorry about implying that you were doing something with Naminé" she thought for a minute then said "I know, how about I introduce you to the gang at break" Roxas nodded his head thoughtfully and entered the English room.

After the bell rang for break, Kairi took Roxas's hand and led him through the school which seemed to pass by in a blur. Roxas hardly had anytime to memorize the school passages before he was led into the back of the school which was a giant garden/forest.

Kairi turned to see Roxas's expression which seemed to be disbelief as he saw the massive area. "Big isn't it?" Kairi said giggling at Roxas's expression

"How did the school pay for the land" said Roxas in disbelief

"The principle is a millionaire" Kairi said simply as if every schools principle was rich

"Really?"

"Yes really, now let's go" said Kairi hurriedly. She took him by the hand again and started to lead the way to a patch of grass where her friends sat. "Look there's our gardener Marluxia" Kairi said "he's a bit...entrancing" she looked at Roxas and for some reason thought she thought she saw a hint of recognition in his eyes. I must be imagining things Kairi thought and shrugged it off.

They had reached Kairi's friend by this point so Kairi did a round of introductions

"Over there there are Hayner and Olette" Roxas looked over at a couple sitting at a log kissing passionately with a black haired boy trying to separate them "they've liked each other for years but they've only just gone out, unfortunately the outcome is that" she gestured at the couple rolling her eyes "the person trying to break them up is Pence, a nice kid but always thinking about his stomach. And last but not least are those two" she pointed at two older looking kids who were sitting on the grassy floor talking to each other "the one on the left is Aqua and the one on the right is Terra" she saw the inquisitive look on Roxas's face "and no, there not dating"

Just then Roxas saw Naminé walking across the field towards them and waved at her. The reply was a red face. "And you've already met Naminé of course" Kairi said as Naminé sat down beside them. Just then Terra noticed Roxas and came over to greet him, Aqua followed, then Pence (Roxas realized soon after that Hayner and Olette didn't even notice anything was happening). After questions were answered and introductions finished they all sat down in a circle and terra said

"You seem like a nice guy, up for joining our group?" Roxas nodded saying that he'd liked to and so aqua said

"it seems a little bit cheesy but we have a tradition that whenever someone joins our group they have to wear a piece of our 'friendship'" she then laid out some wrist bands, an earring and a few rings, Roxas picked up a black and white chequered wrist band and slipped it on.

"Do we need to do a ritual or something?" said Roxas trying to sound serious but failed and smiled

"Goodness no!" said Aqua with a little laugh. Soon after, the bell rang and they left for class. Kairi was in the same class as Roxas again so she tugged him through the crowd and led him to science where they met their teacher Vexen. Kairi stole a glance at Roxas when they saw the professor, only to see that same glint of recognition that came up when he saw the gardener he definitely knows something about them she thought. Then she remembered something and groaned.

"Oh no" she said

"What's wrong?" Roxas asked

"This is the teacher that nearly burnt down the school last year" she replied. Roxas laughed as if that wasn't that much of a surprise at all.

After science was over with the seemingly mad scientist, lunch came and Kairi rushed of leaving Roxas on his own. Roxas stood up and went over to Vexen and started talking to him. It was just about that time when Marluxia walked in adding to the conversation.

Naminé who was walking by the science lab saw Roxas through a slit through the door and decided that he was probably lost and he should take him to the field. But when she came closer she saw Marluxia and Vexen were talking rapidly with Roxas. For a moment she didn't know what to do but then curiosity got the better of her and she listened in to the conversation.

"And why did you two come here" she heard Roxas's voice

"The same reason as you" that was Vexen's voice "too put a stop to the heartless level here"

"And it looked like little Vexy here was having a hard time to be rid of them" said Marluxia's voice

"I was doing fine thank you and don't call me that" replied Vexen's annoyed voice

"If you call nearly burning a school down 'doing fine' and I can call you whatever I want vexy" it was Marluxia again

"Guys just simmer down for a minute; I think I found a recruit" Roxas

"Really, who?" replied Vexen

"Well I'm not completely certain yet but I have a good idea who it might be" said Roxas's voice

"Do you know what class?" it was Marluxia's voice

"A painter I think and a really powerful one at that" replied Roxas "but I think she's attracting lots of shadows, I've seen them stalking her.

Naminé gasped is he talking about me? What are heartless and shadows? So many questions rushed into her mind but she held them back because Vexen started talking again

"You better stick to her then" he said

"I'll try" it was Roxas

"all right class dismissed" Vexen's voice came loud and clear and there were footsteps towards the door. Naminé didn't hesitate and ran all the way to the field, questions rushing through her head.

All right! Second chapter done. This one was tough and like the last one it could use polishing but otherwise I do like it.

Next week (or earlier/later) hoping to do more on Naminé's role in the whole thing and reveal more main plot (woot)

Well anyway as usual please review

Question: how do you get inspired? I usually listen to music, in fact while writing this chapter I had the orchestral version of passion on loop in the background.