i'm back! yeah, had to take a break for about a month, sorry! school started about two weeks ago and... things have been a lil hectic for me (early marching band practice already! aaaaaaah!) and because of constant distractions (my friends are now lending me all the manga they got over the summer, so i've had to read between 2-5 books a night) plus homework (geometry is way too time-consuming) ...there just hasn't been much time for me to write. so now, here i am, giving you this chapter which was finished only a few hours ago (usually i don't like putting them out this early, but i think you guys deserve it)

Note: this story is now officially more successful than my other one! (Melodic Hearts) which i'm happy about because this one has a much more interesting plot in my opinion :)

anyways, on with the reviews

Alicia: woo-hoo! power to us Methodists. and you're reading this before church? well, if you were Catholic at least you'd have something to confess, i guess :P

animeobsession: thank you so much! your support means a lot to me :)

FangedWriter: thank you! i love foreshadowing, its one of my favorite literary devices (and i only used that term because we're doing a book report in English and that's what i'm told they're called. ...agh, book reports already! it's not fair!) as well as similies and metaphors and imagery (but i'm not as good at that). i'm glad you enjoy the story though, thanks :)

Ji: you never know, some people review just to be mean (coughFLAMERScough) not that i've had to deal with anybody like that yet. but thank you for reviewing (with positive feedback)

Rivenwolfy: hey, better late than never, right? and i'm sorry that the foreshadowing is killing you, but you'll have to suffer more of it sorry, can't be helped (well, i suppose it could, but then it wouldn't be as much fun) anyways, thanks for reviewing:)

kenkenspatz: O.O ... do not fret, the next chapter is here (though i'm sure you'll be wanting to hurt me for ending it where i did...) and i think i figured out a way for Leon to get mad at Cloud and stuff, but it won't be exactly the way you had in mind. i will give you credit though, when we get to that chapter :)

Firey-Moonlight: before i reply to you about the review--thank you so much for the long review! it really made my day :) anyways, to explain, Kairi doesn't necessarily want Sora dead, she just wants him to stop causing trouble for her and she sees the easiest way to do that is to poison him (twisted thinking). and the comic relief characters (Demyx, Hayner, and Selphie) are so much fun to write! XD their antics... -shakes head- fun fun :) by the way, i read your vampire story (haven't had much time to review on it though, sorry!) and i really like it! honestly, i'm surprised your comparing my story to your's (and please believe me when i say this, i usually don't compliment other peoples' stories before a chapter in mine). by the way, i have read a few stories with Auron and Lulu in them (though not very many) hmm... well, if this story it anything, it sure is different

Moonyasha: O.O ...i'm not sure Zexion would be very happy with me if i did, but... i did promise a plushie -hands you Demyx plushie- just um... tell Sephiroth to be gentle?

Yu Mutou: writing that scene with Roxas and his Super Soaker was fun XD hmm... yet another person says this is the first KH fic they've read with Lulu... i find that odd. i guess Lulu just isn't that popular in KH fics... then again, she's technically not in the game (but neither is Reno and i've seen him around... oh well)

AC-Chan: yup, vampires and ants... probably a very unusual metaphor (i know I've never heard it before) but i'm glad you like it :)

tiduskazurakitesora: yay! thanks so much for the long review! made my day :D and yes... Pete is a vampire because he was in league with Maleficent in the game (and i just can't help but see them as more of the villains than Organization XIII) and about a vampire going to a church camp... i couldn't resist -.-; too much fun :D by the way, there is a reason Kairi's queen, but it won't be revealed for a while yet. hmm... i have Roxas as the one in denial because in the game HE was the one confused about everything while Axel seemed to be in the loop with what was going on. and thanks for the tip on my writing! i've noticed that i have a harder time with setting and stuff too -.-; i'll try to work on that. thank you!

TomiSama04: sorry, but the way i have things planned, Sora probably won't escape and run to Riku. i think you'll like what DOES happen though (is that too big a spoiler?) anyways, hope you like the chapter :)

kamui-2609: thanks for the review! i will try my best :)

cow person of death/kittys: interesting name... and i'm sorry that Paine won't give you pizza, she likes her pizza

Azzie: erk, don't harm Kairi too bad, i still need her (as unfortunate as it is). and Sora's rambling was fun... its kinda how my mind is, sometimes it just keeps going and going and going and going... like the Energizer Bunny! um, anyways... hope you like this chapter :)

sonic and shadows girl: technically, i'm not sure if Kairi can actually "die" seeing as she's a vampire (sorry) but we'll see how her fate ends up in the end (that's a ways off though) anyways, hope you enjoy the chapter :)

ArosxIrukxOxarsxLeax: and thank YOU for reviewing:) hope you like this chapter just as much as the last one

littlekittykat: heh, if you thought the end of that last chapter was a cliffhangar, wait til you see THIS one... you'll probably hate me, actually... and i bet you're right about an author tripping over their own cliffie, but i'll just pray i don't end up being that author (i'm too lazy to take precautions -.-;;)

AngelicOrgueil: glad you liked last chapter :) heh, the Dexy scene was one of my favorites too, i love writing those two together. they're fun :)

Vixyfox: thank you for reviewing, i'm really happy you like the story :) hope you like this chapter too!

Kuroi Kokoro: heh, yeah, doors can be smart lil buggers... poor Axel X) and yeah... Kairi is pretty bad in this story, but there's a reason for that. and... ;; seriously, your favorite Kingdom Hearts story? -teary-eyed- thank you! i really hope you like this chapter!

Magic Blue Fire Kitsune: YES! haha! we've brought a lurker out! you realize i'll expect you to review for every chapter now, right? (nah, just kidding, you don't have to if you don't want to ((though i'd appreciate it loads if you did))) but um... leeches kinda creep me out actually... i'm not very willing to have something that resemble an eel to feed off me... but i guess that's just personal preference. thanks for reviewing!

angel-yuripa: yes, i love Paine. she's awesome. and um... that's a good question. Why doesn't Kairi just bite more people to strengthen their numbers? When i think of an answer, i'll let you know -.-;; and uh... i haven't really thought much about Namine's part in this story, she just kinda... appeared in that last chapter, but i'll see what i can do to make her part bigger :)

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"Riku, phone!" his father called from the living room.

Sighing, the teen left his cooling bagel on the kitchen counter to retrieve the phone. Grabbing the cordless one hanging off the wall, he said into it as he walked back to his breakfast, "Hello?"

"Hey Riku, it's Roxas," the blond greeted. Riku rolled his eyes, as if he didn't know his best friend's voice over the phone by now.

"Hey, what's up?" he asked, beginning to spread cream cheese on one half of his bagel while balancing the phone between his head and right shoulder.

"Nothin' much, but have you ever gone skateboarding?"

"Not really," Riku answered absentmindedly.

"Ok, wanna try it this afternoon with me and Hayner?"

"Sure, when and where?"

"Skatepark around . . . two o'clock sound good?" suggested Roxas.

"Yeah, but do you have an extra board I can borrow?"

"'Course, gotta have an extra in case mine breaks, you know."

"Oh, you mean in case a car runs it over?"

"One time!"

Riku chuckled. "Yeah, your family was so pissed at you. Weren't you grounded for a week or something?"

"Three weeks," Roxas replied glumly. "Honestly though, in the movies kids always play in the streets! And do they get in trouble? No-o."

"Roxas, that's because that's movies, not real life. There's a big difference there," Riku reminded him, starting on the other half of his bagel.

"Still, those movies should come with warnings that tell you not to try this at home or something," Roxas grumbled.

"Most people have enough common sense to stay out of the streets during rush hour."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, see you there."

"Bye," Riku said as he hung up.

"Who was that?" his mother asked him as she entered the kitchen.

"Roxas, we're gonna hang out later today," Riku answered. Once the cream cheese was spread satisfactorily on his bagel slices, he put the knife in the sink and the cream cheese back in the fridge.

"What time?"

"About two."

"Alright, but call if you end up spending the night or something."

Riku nodded and exited the room with his bagel happily in his grasp.

-

Axel, meanwhile, had his left arm digging underneath his mattress up to the shoulder. Grunting with effort, he moved his arm blindly, searching for whatever was supposed to be there.

"Just . . . a little more . . . there!" Axel cried triumphantly as his fingers brushed something. Twisting his limb, he managed to grip whatever it was and pull it out from underneath the mattress.

"Ok, that should've been the last of them," Axel said happily, placing the object in a box. The box was filled to the brim with various fireworks–firecrackers, fountains, bottle rockets, Roman candles . . . you name it, it was most likely there. All of them had been hidden in random places throughout his room. Technically, he wasn't supposed to have them, but well . . . every few years he would give into temptation and get (coughstealcough) some fireworks. As if vampires were ones to resist temptation in the first place, Axel thought dryly.

Sighing contentedly, he glanced over all the fireworks he'd been able accumulate over the years. He'd have to work quickly tonight.

First I've gotta eat and get some blood for Sora. Then I have to give the letter to Riku. Then I have to set up the fireworks. Lastly, I can finally take Roxas to see the fireworks. Axel grinned at the thought. I can't wait . . . I can just imagine his face when they paint the sky . . .

The redhead flopped onto his bed, his hands behind his head as he anticipated the night to come.

-

"OWW!"

"Shit, Hayner! Are you ok!" Roxas cried, rushing towards his fallen friend.

"Owww motherfu–"

"Language," Riku reprimanded teasingly as he kneeled next to Hayner who was currently clutching his right knee.

They had been at the skatepark for about an hour now, trying to master riding its ramps and rails. Roxas was easily the best out of all three of them–not that that said a lot, considering the others' lack of experience.

The skatepark itself was a square cement slab with a high metal fence surrounding it as to protect the random passerby from flying bodies. Several ramps and rails were placed strategically throughout. (Or, at least, the city said they were placed strategically. With things like this, one could never be sure.) The only thing that made people frown when they went by was the amount of graffiti and phone numbers spray painted on the backs of the ramps. Luckily, not many had the "smart" idea to call those numbers.

Hayner glared at Riku. "Shut up, it's not my fault I dunno how to skate," he whined.

Roxas looked surprised. "But I thought you told me you'd skated before," the blond said.

"Yeah, when I was five," Hayner replied, wincing from his injury.

Riku rolled his eyes. "Anyway, how's your knee?"

Hayner took his hands away and let the two examine it. It wasn't broken or displaced, but there was a nasty gash right underneath the kneecap. Blood was seeping down his shin and calf, but all the red probably made it look worse than it was.

"I'll be right back," Roxas said as he took off running. It wasn't long before he came bolting back with a ton of toilet paper in his hands. Apparently, he'd gone to the nearest public restroom.

"What's that for?" Hayner asked, eyeing the tissue.

Instead of answering, Roxas took some of the paper and started wiping up the mess on his friend's knee. Eventually, all the blood had been cleaned away so that one could see the wound clearly. The gash turned out to be a clean slice (he'd probably hit the wrong edge on the equipment) and wasn't bleeding as much as a few moments ago. Taking the remaining toilet paper, Roxas wrapped it tightly around Hayner's knee.

"Nuh-uh, no way am I walking around with toilet paper around my leg," Hayner refused.

"You're right, you won't be walking, you'll be limping," Roxas agreed.

"That's not what I meant!"

"Hayner, if you don't have something pressuring the cut, it's gonna bleed all over the place and then you'll pass out from blood loss. And I refuse to deal with an idiot friend of mine's unconscious body," Roxas answered flatly.

"You know he's right," Riku pointed out.

Hayner just sulked, but no more audible complaints were made.

Once the job was done, Roxas sighed and said, "Alright, I suppose we can't skate now, so let's get you home, Hayner."

"But–"

"No."

And that was that.

With a little difficulty and complaining, Roxas and Riku managed to get Hayner to stand up and lean on them. When both of Hayner's arms were around the others' shoulders, they began to walk. Their pace was painfully slow, but they made do.

A few jokes and yells at Hayner from Roxas later, they were at the injured teen's door.

"Thanks, guys, see ya later," Hayner said, waving a little as the door shut behind him.

Roxas sighed. "Thank goodness that's over," he said as they walked down the sidewalk.

"No kidding, I dunno how much more of your 'mother hen mode' I can stand."

"Hey! I am not a mother hen!" Roxas protested indignantly.

"Surrrrrrre you're not," Riku said, rolling his eyes.

"I'm not!" the blond insisted.

"Whatever you say, Roxas," Riku teased, grinning.

Their conversation went on like this until they finally reached Roxas's home. The lights were off, but it didn't take long for Roxas to flip the switch. A few books and old magazines were scattered across the carpeted floor as well as some movies. White walls had a few picture frames here and there of family. Across the room from the sofa was the TV that sat on a shelf with the remote and several videos.

"Where's the rest of your family?" Riku asked as they stepped into the living room.

"Cloud's probably either finishing some class or working right now. And my parents are on a business trip somewhere. They won't be back 'til . . . next week, I think."

"Really? That long?"

"Uh-huh, hey, are you hungry?"

"Um . . . yeah, I guess," Riku said, not failing to notice how fast Roxas changed the subject.

"Ok, let's see what we got," said Roxas, moving towards the kitchen with Riku close behind.

The kitchen was much like any other kitchen. It had a refrigerator, an oven, a dishwasher, a sink, all the conventional kitchen items (including a microwave). Tiles lined the floor and a few stools rimmed the edge of the counter. On said counter lay old papers such as last week's mail. A few plates and glasses occupied the otherwise empty dishwasher.

"Wanna make a pizza?" Roxas asked, searching through the freezer at the moment.

"Sure, what kind?"

"Hamburger ok with you?"

"Yeah, that's fine."

Roxas obliged and set about cooking the pizza. While he milled around preheating the oven and getting out a cookie sheet, Riku sat on a stool, knowing Roxas would get all touchy about "the guest shouldn't have to do any work" or "it's my job as host."

Both reasons being pretty much the same thing.

"Hey Roxas . . ." Riku began, uncertain of how to ask him something. It'd been on his mind for a while now. Being his best friend, he couldn't help but wonder even though he knew he probably shouldn't push the subject. Then again, curiosity may have killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back.

"Yeah?

"Um . . . not to be nosy or anything like that, but . . . are you still having problems with your sexuality?" Riku asked uneasily.

"Oh that? I've decided to play it by ear," Roxas said.

"Which means . . . ?"

"I'm gonna wait to figure it out. I don't know if I like Axel or anybody else or not, but if he likes me, I'll just make sure he knows that I'm still undecided. If, when I'm decided, it turns out I'm straighter than I thought I was, he'll just have to deal. I guess it's a little selfish, but I'm tired of boring myself to sleep every night by going over the same old stuff. The questions repeat, over and over in my head, and I never have any answers. So, I'm just gonna wait it out and see how things go."

"You know," Riku began slowly, "I think that has to be one of the most mature things I've ever heard you say."

Roxas turned to Riku. "You mean you don't consider me capable of being mature? I'm hurt!" he feigned, clutching his chest dramatically and throwing his head back.

The silver-haired teen just raised an eyebrow. A few moments of silence passed before both burst out laughing hysterically.

-

"Zexion, you made it!" Demyx cried gleefully, throwing his arms in the air and tackling the elder to the floor. The cold, hard, very uncomfortable floor.

The silver-haired vampire sighed. Of course he'd come, it was his job. Well, maybe not "job" as in "occupation." More like "job" as in "chore." Not many people would agree to guard willingly. Guarding duty was boring–with Demyx or without. While Zexion would admit, if only to himself, Demyx was interesting, that didn't exactly mean that the art of guarding a locked door was fascinating.

Currently, however, Zexion was flustered. Demyx was hugging his neck tightly with his head on Zexion's shoulder, smiling contentedly. Of course, this wasn't the reason why he was flustered, he'd insist. Oh no. It was a bit more complicated than that. The older one of the two was merely flustered over the fact that he was flustered. And that was just being ridiculous in itself. Whoever heard of Zexion being flustered? It was simply out of the question.

. . . Er . . . Come to think of it, so was a lot of the stuff he'd been doing with Demyx. All that childish arguing and explaining and name calling . . .

And singing in the hall. Couldn't forget that. Damn . . .

Just what was going on with the vampire?

And why in hell's name were his cheeks turning red! (It was a very lovely color of red, mind you. Like poppies.)

"Demyx?" he managed to get out without stuttering.

"Yeah?"

"Get. Off," Zexion demanded.

"But you're so comfortable! . . . er–I mean–uh–I–that is–it–!"

"Demyx, I can't hear a word you're saying right now because you're cutting off circulation to my ears!"

"Oh! I'm sorry!" the younger cried, jumping off. Muttering, Zexion stood up, his hands reaching up to feel his ears. After checking that they were still there and working properly, he took up his position next to the door.

Following suit, Demyx asked, "Hey Zexion? Can I ask you a favor?"

"Depends," was the short reply. "What is it?"

"Welllllllllll . . . remember when you um sang in the hall?"

"Unfortunately, what about it?"

"Well I was wondering . . . that is, to say that . . . I mean . . . what I'm trying to say is . . . it's just that . . . please?" Demyx murmured, looking at the other with big eyes.

"I didn't even hear what you asked of me."

Demyx sighed. "Will you . . . will you teach me how to sing? Please?"

Zexion stared at him. Of all the things to come out of Demyx's mouth, that had to be one of the last things he was expecting.

"I . . ."

"Please? It'd be something to do and I promise I'll try to do what you say the best I can!" Demyx pleaded.

Zexion shut his eyes for a moment and thought. A bunch of signals were telling him "no" while a fair amount was telling him "yes." But Demyx was right about one thing–it'd be something to do.

"Alright," he agreed.

Demyx gave a whoop of joy, but was silenced by his elder.

"Just so you know," he began. "I won't be an easy teacher. Now, first we work on your breathing . . ."

-

"The following may leave at this time: Larxene, Axel, Leon–" but that was all Axel heard the announcer say before he'd disappeared through the portal.

On the other side, he arrived at a random Wal-Mart parking lot with maybe twenty cars nearby. Street lights shone down on several people heading back to their vehicle with a cart full of certain items inside.

The vampire winced at a car's painfully bright headlights as it pulled into the lot. Light didn't bother vampires as much as people thought it did–sunlight in particular. However, just as humans could see better in the light, vampires' vision was much clearer in the darkness. Vampires weren't burned by light or anything like that, it just took them a few minutes for their eyes to adjust.

But Axel wasn't too concerned about that at the moment. What he really needed right now was some really stupid prey. Not drunk-stupid, alcohol could do the same things to a vampire's liver as a human's (that didn't stop some vampires from consuming it though). No, Axel needed some good old so-scared-they're-paralyzed sort of stupid prey.

Luckily for him, that very kind had just walked out of the conveniently-placed Wal-Mart.

"Omigod, did you see his face!" one girl cried, laughing hysterically.

"I know! When he finally saw you'd put that cantaloupe in his cart, his eyes went huge! Haha! That was great!" her friend agreed, laughing just as hard.

It wasn't long before they'd stepped far enough away from the streetlights, and far enough into the shadows. They didn't even notice when a particular redheaded stranger stepped in front of them, which left them to effectively run straight into him. One girl fell down from surprise (well, and because she was the one that ran into him head-on).

"Oh! I'm so sorry!" she cried from the ground, still giggling from their adventures in Wal-Mart. She was so busy laughing to herself, in fact, that she didn't notice her friend had fallen silent until she dropped to the ground.

"Geez! What was that all about? Don't fall, Melissa," she teased. "Hey, c'mon Melissa . . . girl? C'mon, man, get up already . . ."

"I'm afraid that might be a little harder for her than you think," the stranger replied smoothly, extending his hand to help her up. Not thinking, the girl naively accepted and was yanked up with the stranger's teeth dangerously close to her neck. "Excuse me, what–"

But her mouth let out a silent cry as skin was punctured and blood drawn out.

Axel released his hold as she felt her go unconscious and collapse to the ground. Digging out the milk jug, he set to the task of getting blood for Sora.

"Easy does it . . ." he muttered to himself as he carefully placed the mouth of the container to the girl's wound.

Only to have the strength of the blood spurting out to nearly wrench it out of his grasp. Red liquid sprayed over the sides of the jug as the opening of the container was forced away from the injury.

"Damn," Axel muttered, trying again. And again, the blood guided the opening away from the wound. Several tries later, the vampire had managed to fill about one seventh of the milk jug.

"I didn't think it'd be this hard," the redhead admitted to himself as he screwed the lid back on.

If it was going to be this difficult filling the container for Sora, Axel realized he had better get started.

-

Cloud was nearing his home now. The blond's class had ended a while ago, and he was now strolling down a fairly empty street towards his apartment.

Well, technically his and Roxas's apartment.

Er, no . . . that wasn't exactly right either.

Oh yeah, apparently his parents lived there, too.

A few streetlights lined the brick road. Concrete sidewalk gave way to cracks and small grasses peeking through the gaps. The buildings had been constructed in a variety of ways. Old brick buildings ran down a few blocks before reaching the more modern buildings. Several wooden homes dotted the sides. All had the basic modern-day technology, however. Electricity, running water, air conditioning, etc. had been installed at one point or another (which Cloud was very grateful for).

Whistling pleasantly along, he was rather startled and gave a small yelp as a sudden hand was placed on his shoulder.

"Cloud . . ." said a familiar voice.

The blond visibly relaxed. Reaching for the hand on his shoulder, he murmured, "Hey, I've missed you." Said hand spun him around to face a familiarly handsome brunet.

"I missed you, too," Leon said, leaning down to let his lips peck the younger one.

Cloud's face smiled at the affection as he looked over his lover. He was wearing the usual black coat and boots. His expression was also similar. Hard eyes that mirrored a darker shade of Cloud's own blue eyes, firm jaw, slight smile . . . A wrinkle in his forehead?

"What's wrong?" Cloud asked.

"Nothing," Leon replied.

Cloud frowned. "Don't lie or brush me off–what's wrong?"

"I told you–nothing," Leon repeated, glancing away.

The human reached his hands up to hold the sides of Leon's face–forcing the other to lock his gaze with Cloud's own steady one.

"It's . . . it's just . . ." Leon sighed, dropping his head. A shower of brown bangs masking his face.

"What is it?" Cloud asked gently, now gripping his shoulders loosely.

"I found out why Kairi needs Sora, and I don't like it one bit."

Slowly, Cloud lifted the vampire's chin up to look at him, but was utterly shocked at what he was seeing.

There, right before his eyes.

Small tears trailed down over cerise cheeks from dark, wide-open eyes.

"Come on, I want you to tell me everything, but only if you're comfortable with it," Cloud managed to croak out.

Leon nodded. "I know a good place out of town . . . It's not too far if you'd prefer to drive instead of teleporting . . ."

"Let's just travel your way, it's faster." Even if it does give me the creeps, Cloud thought, a small shiver running up his spine.

The vampire nodded and raised his hand, shadows encircling and enlarging in a dizzying fashion. It wasn't long before it was big enough for them to step through, so step through, they did.

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...and now you all probably hate me for cutting it off there -.-;;

heh, there was more being mean to Hayner in this chapter. couldn't help it. really, i swear i love the kid, he's just too much fun to tease (i think if i bully any character, its gotta be him)

and that "you're cutting off the circulation to my ears" thing was really stupid, i know. but i was having a creative meltdown at that point...

by the way, the cantaloupe those girls put in some random guy's cart in Wal-Mart... i've just been using the word "cantaloupe" a lot recently, so i fit it in here. and once me and my friends did put some things in random places in Wal-Mart (condoms in the batteries and rolls of film... thongs in men's and little boys' underwear... good times, good times)

oh! and i will be responding to reviews through personal messages now. i'm getting so many beautiful reviews these days, that its just easier to respond to them right away instead of waiting until i'm done with the chapter and get it on here and then filling out my replies and... it just takes a while. (like a whole hour sort of while) so yeah, and those of you who review annonymously, i'll send you an email of my reply (i think i can do that)

lets see... i think the reward for reviewing this time will be a... skateboard with either Riku, Roxas, or Hayner on it (since they were the ones skateboarding in the chapter)... so um... review... please? make an author happy as your Good Deed of the Day ;)