A/N I forgot to add that the last chapter was in Axel's POV (obviously) but yes there will be Roxas' POV in here somewhere...so anyway, i won't forget anymore! And special thanks to darkyuy!! Thank you so much for reviewing!

Axel's POV

Reno was shouting something

Reno was shouting something. I couldn't understand him, but the fact that I could hear him at all meant he was screaming pretty loud. Yes I was still blasting my ears out with j-rock.

I pulled out one earphone and smirked up at my red faced brother.

"Reno, your face is the same color as your hair." That earned me a smack on the head. Ow dammit.

"About time. Do you want to go deaf?" His hands were on his hips and he was looking down at me. Somehow the image struck me as slightly comical. Especially since Reno hadn't changed out of his Care Bear pajama pants.

"If it means I wouldn't have to listen to you? Sure." Another smack.

"Dammit Reno!" I lunged at him. He just laughed and ran out of the room. Oh how I loathe him in the mornings.

It takes me all of seven minutes to get ready for school. Grab whatever t-shirt I could (happened to be a ShukketsuHatsu shirt actually…) a pair of jeans, run my hand through my hair, grab my IPod and keys and hope Reno didn't need the car.

"Reno? You using the car today?" I walked into the kitchen, stealing my brother's toast while he was busy looking in the fridge.

"Axel, put down the toast."

"Make me." I took a bite out of it. Mine now. "So do you need the car?"

"Yes actually. So you're walking. Or maybe Roxas can give you a ride." Heh. Not likely.

I dropped the keys back on the counter and once again swore to myself that I would buy my own car this year.

"See ya tonight!" That was Reno. I lifted my hand in response and closed the door.

I stood there for a second, just taking in the morning. It looked like rain. Shit.

While I stood there contemplating on how to best kill Reno, Roxas opened his door and walked out, completely ignoring me. Shouldn't I at least ask? Maybe he'll be nice…and maybe pigs'll fly and Zexion will become a flower child.

I mentally shrugged and decided to try anyway.

"Hey Roxas?" He stopped and looked over his shoulder at me. Hey at least he didn't ignore me right? Actually he seemed to be starring pretty intently at my…shirt? What the…

"Could I catch a ride with you? My brother's being a prick." He stared at me for a moment longer. Those blue eyes were just as cold as yesterday.

"You mean the same brother who was yelling at you for half an hour at the top of his lungs?" Oh right….he's my next door neighbor…oopsie…

"Yeah, sorry about that." He shrugged.

"You can ride if you want, though it probably won't be comfortable." What's that supposed to mean? I followed him down the stairs into the parking lot.

Ah. That's what he meant. Roxas didn't own a car. He owned a motorcycle. Cool. He turned to see if I was backing down. I wasn't.

He tossed something at me. I caught it before I could even recognize what it was. It was a helmet. He already had his on and was waiting for me. I climbed on behind him and loosely wrapped my arms around his waist.

He was stiff the entire way there. Okay, mental note, don't touch Roxas.

Demyx and Larxene were waiting for me near the school parking lot. Zexion was there too, but that's kinda a given.

I gave Roxas the helmet back saying thanks. He didn't say anything. Just walked past me and my group up to the school.

"Well that was unexpected." Oh right. I hadn't told them who was living next door.

"Roxas is my new neighbor." That got a reaction. From Demyx. Who was now jumping up and down happily.

"Did you learn anything about him?" Only a little.

"Yeah. He's an antisocial kid who hates people and smokes."

"We knew the antisocial part." I shrugged and started walking.

I hate Xemnas. I really do. Not only is he my English teacher, but he's also the Arts Director for the school. Weird I know. Bur still…talent competition? It's only three weeks into the school year. And why is it mandatory participation for only this class?! Every other class gets a choice…okay not every class. If you have Xemans for anything, you're in and that's that.

We had two weeks to come up with an idea, rehearse it, and try and figure out how to get out of it.

It wouldn't have been that bad…until Xemnas added something.

"I will assign you pairs. Your pair may work with another but whatever you do, your partner must be a part of it." I think I just got handed a one way ticket to hell. Demyx, Zexion, and Larxene all had Xemnas, just at a different time so there was no chance of me being paired with them…and everyone else in the class either hated me (about half) or were scared of me (the other half).

Xemnas must have noticed how the atmosphere darkened visibly (especially around my desk) because he smirked and started naming pairs.

I kept mental count of who was left, crossing off names a Xemnas called them out. Everyone had been called except me and…Xemnas hates me I swear! Yes I am mentally sobbing. Why did he have to pair me with that emo brat.

Yes I am quick to judge. Got a problem with that?!

"For the next hour and a half, since second period has been canceled, you may go anywhere on the grounds with your partner. And if you noticed, I paired you with people I know you either, a) hate, or b) just don't know. So this next hour will be bonding time. Get to know the other person, and then use the next two weeks to come up with something you both can do." I hate him, I hate him, I hate him, I hate him…I'm gonna stop now.

The class was basically gone by the time I regained my logic. Roxas was standing by my desk, making me jump and land hard on the floor.

"Do you have to do that?" He just stared at me again. No wait a sec. He was staring at my shirt again.

"Come on." I heaved myself up and walked out the door, knowing full well Roxas was behind me, even if I couldn't hear him.

We were sitting on the bleachers by the football field. And we had been quiet for about fifteen minutes. One thing about me. I'm not good with silence. Really not good.

Roxas finally moved. And by moved, I meant, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

"On school grounds? Are you crazy?!" Normally I wouldn't care. But I was right here. Sorry but I don't want to get in trouble. I mean, I love trouble, but Reno doesn't, so…

"Probably." Not that that seemed to bother him. Instead he decided to flip the lighter on and off between his fingers. It was kinda cool to watch actually. His fingers were quick. Really quick. And the fact that I'm a certified pyro probably helped with that little fascination…

Okay we were back to silence. No, no, and no. If I sound lame, I sound lame. Big deal.

"So, where did you move from?"

"T…Seoul." Liar. What had he been about to say?

"That explains the accent." He shrugged and took another drag before letting it just hang out of his mouth. He actually managed to pull off that look. Surprising…

"You like ShukketsuHatsu?" How did he…oh right…the shirt.

"Uh, yeah? They're my favorite. Why?"

He shrugged. "Not many people like Japanese music up here. You can't understand Japanese can you?" I shook my head. I wish.

"Do you like them?" He looked at me weirdly then. Only for a second. Then his gaze was that same cold again.

"Not anymore. They're popular where I'm from though." Hm.

"You don't mind if I listen to my ipod do you?" He shrugged in response. I'll take that as a yes.

I turned it to my one of my favorites. Actually it was my favorite. Partly because I wasn't supposed to have it. Rosuto Seijun (I think it meant lost innocence…) was something the band had planned on putting on the next cd. Never aired before. And yet Zexion had gotten it for me. I never asked how and I don't plan to.

I only had one earphone in, so we could still talk. I don't think Roxas noticed.

We were sitting side by side, and I noticed him looking at the screen, his eyes getting slightly bigger. That look disappeared. Quickly.

That's when he started to sing. Again, I don't think he realized I could hear him. And I know he couldn't hear the music, but he had started singing word for word what I was listening to. Perfectly. In fact…he sounded almost exactly like the lead…He stopped.

"Thought you said you didn't like them anymore."

"I don't. But that song is popular in Seoul. It's kinda hard not to let it get stuck in your head."

"That sounded pretty good though. Did you ever sing before?"

He shrugged, must be his answer for everything… "A little." Okay this was something we could work with.

"Okay, what about you singing for that stupid competition thing?" He had moved down a bleacher. When did he do that I wonder…

His head was tilted towards me. "And what would you do?"

"I can play guitar and I'm not too bad at singing myself." He seemed to think this over.

"I play guitar too." That would explain why he was quick fingered…

"Okay, so let's do a duet. Should we write the song, or just choose one?"

"We should probably write it…I get the feeling Mansex won't let us steal from any bands." Mansex? Nice. Maybe I could use that next time…

"Okay then…do you want to write it?" He nodded, thinking for a second.

"Yeah, but it probably won't sound good with only two guitars." Oh right. Not many songs could actually…hm…

"Well, my friend Larxene plays the drums, and Zexion has his keyboard. If they get paired together…" He got my point.

"You can ask them at lunch." Oh that's right, I had wanted to ask him…

"What was with you and Sora anyway?" His already stiff body (does this kid ever relax?) went even stiffer.

"I told you, I don't like people. But I just can't stand people who use stereotypes." Ah. Sora was trying to get all friendly by making us look like the bad guys and him and his group as saving angels. I made a rude noise.

"That's Sora all right." We stayed quiet for another five minutes or so, Roxas watching the world and me zoning out listening to my music.

"Why was your brother screaming at you this morning?"

"Did that wake you up?" He shook his head.

"Eh, I tend to blast my ears out at night so he was probably trying to be heard over my music…he could have just yanked the earphones from my head…probably would have saved him a lung." He made and "ah" sound and went back to ignoring me. There was another question nagging me.

"Why did you give me a ride? You had just said the other night that you didn't like people." He tilted his head back again.

"Because you needed one. Doesn't matter if I like you or not. I wouldn't say no if I didn't have a reason." Ah. So he'll help people out, but otherwise, will refrain from any contact he can. Interesting. Interestingly complicated.

The bell rang. Loud and proud. Oh how I would love to take a hammer to it…

Roxas was…gone. I guess that's the best way to put it. Now you see him, now you don't.

My next class was Chem.

Then lunch. I did a quick scan of the cafeteria. I spotted Roxas first. Wanna know how? He was the only one sitting at a group of tables in the back. And I mean the only one. I saw Demyx and Larxene next, about three tables away.

"Hey." I sat down on the other side of them, next to Zexion.

"Man, can you believe Xemnas? Throwing this project on us this early in the year." Larxene was always complaining, saying it was too early…even when we only had a month left of school sometimes.

"Who'd you get paired with?"

"Our class has an odd number, and either Xemnas is completely oblivious or we were really, really lucky but all three of us got out into a group." I smiled. This could work.

"Xemnas said we could join groups didn't he? Who's your partner?" One question at a time Dem…

I gave a pointed look at the little blonde a ways down. There seemed to be this cloud of hail right over him. I was actually just getting shivers by looking at him.

"You got stuck with the snowman? Damn man, I'm sorry." I shrugged at Larxene.

"He's really not that bad. Sure he's cold, but we didn't kill each other, and we might already have a thing to do for the competition. But we kinda need your help." I quickly told them about what me and Roxas had decided.

"An impromptu band? That could work. What was it that you played again Demy?"

"Sitar!" He said it with so much reverence you had to wonder if he had mixed the thing up with a god.

"Right. And Roxas can sing, with me and him with guitars, Larxene with her drums and Zexion with his keyboard."

"Are you sure he can sing?" Pretty damn sure. The lyrics to the song he had sung were as of yet the most confusing I had ever heard. Even someone who spoke Japanese would have problems with it. If Roxas could sing it without stumbling on a word while keeping the tune and beat, I'm pretty sure he could sing well enough for this stupid project.

"So all we have to do now is wait for him to write the song. I'll go tell him." I caught Demy's sleeve.

"Maybe I should, hm?" Demy looked at me, confused for a second, before looking back to the imaginary hail storm going on above Roxas' head. He nodded quickly.

"Sure."

I laughed in my head. Demy is easily frightened. Very easily.

I sat down across from Roxas. He didn't even notice. He wasn't even really eating, just picking at it.

"So what'd they say? They okay doing the project with the snowman?" I nearly fell over.

"How did you…?"

"Know that blonde girl called me that?" I nodded dumbly. He hadn't even looked up at me yet.

"I have good hearing. And she's loud." That she is…that she is.

"I'm sure she didn't mean it, but Larxene is one to hold a grudge. Just ignore her." He just shrugged, finally looking up at me.

"I'm used to it. So give me a day or two and I'll have your song." Okay then.

"Okay, and we can practice at Zexion's place." Zexion's family…we'll just say they're filthy stinkin rich. Meaning they had this huge house. And also meaning, they let us use their house since his parents were never there.

Roxas nodded. And that was about it. We were quiet for another five minutes before he got up suddenly and left.

Well…bye…

"So, we a go?" Demyx give me a sec to sit down.

"He said he's need about one or two days to write the song. Can we practice at your place Zex?" He made an unintelligible sound and went back to reading his book.

"Okay then, we're all set."

The only time I don't want to smash the bell is when it sounds at the end of the day.

I walked to the parking lot, completely forgetting I had no car. At least, I had forgotten, but that hole in my memory was quickly filled.

"Aw shit. Hey Demyx can you give me a ride?"

"Sorry, I have work, and I already have to drop Zex off as well." Demyx worked in a Vet's clinic as a…errand boy? He basically did what they told him to. Zexion was much the same, but in the public library. And both those places were across town.

"Larxene?" She shook her head.

"Gotta head to the airport to pick up my mom. She's coming back from Japan today."

Double shit.

I watched them as they drove off, all in the opposite direction of my apartment.

I sighed before I felt something hit my chest and land in my arms. It was a helmet.

"I'm not gonna stay here all day. Get on." I looked up. Roxas had thrown the helmet. Cool!

We got to the complex the second it started raining.

Roxas pulled a cover from the ground nearby and put it over the bike. We walked up the stairs together, completely ignoring the others presence.

I dug around in my pockets for my keys…come on! How can my luck be that bad?! Especially since I was getting soaked standing here. I pounded both fists on the door in frustration. Dammit Reno!

I looked over my shoulder. Roxas was staring at me again.

"Let me guess. Forgot your keys?" I nodded.

"Well come on." He opened his door and went inside, leaving me more than a little confused.

He poked his head around the door a second later.

"Do you want to catch a cold?" No! You could've been a bit more clear though…

I shook my head and followed him in.

"Oh and this is Hoshii." Who?

That got answered quickly. Just as quickly as I was on the floor, with a giant, and I mean giant dog on top of me.

"Shi-shi!..." I couldn't understand the rest. He had switched languages.

The dog got off me immediately. That's when I noticed the marks on my shirt. They weren't ripped through, but it was a close thing.

"Exactly what is he?" That's when I actually got a good look at the dog. It looked to be about two foot if a bit taller. Damn. The dog was huge. And Roxas was tiny. And yet by the looks of it, there was no question who the master was. The shrimp.

"She. Hoshii is an Akita, and even for her type she's big. She didn't rip your shirt did she?" That's also when I noticed the dog's expression. I backed up. The dog was silently snarling at me. "Hoshii…" Language switch again.

The dog stopped snarling. "One sec." I nodded, still trying not to move and cause the dog to attack me.

He led the dog down what I assumed was a hall and disappeared.

I stayed where I was in the doorway but tried to see what I could of my mysterious neighbor's apartment.

It had the exact same set up as mine, just mirrored. The kitchen was to my left instead of my right, the living room right beyond that. There was nothing particularly interesting…except the huge flat screen TV in the living room. Either this kid was loaded, a thief, or lucky.

"Sorry about her. She doesn't like new people." Sound familiar?

"Is there any reason she doesn't or is she just an antisocial dog?" That'd be a new one.

"Her last owners tried to drown her. When that didn't work, they put her to dog fights. She still has some of those scars actually." Wow. Tough life…

"Then how did you get her?"

"Are you going to stand in the doorway freezing to death or are you coming in?" My sweater was soaked through. And so was my shirt actually…I guess these things just get forgotten if your staring down a 120 lb dog.

I stripped my sweater and shirt off, giving them to a waiting Roxas. He threw a blanket at me.

"The living room is a hell of a lot warmer than the doorway." Oh right…that's the what? Third time he's told me to come in. I wrapped the blanket around me and followed him into the living room.

There was a couch and two chairs spread in a semi-circle around the TV. I chose the couch.

"Thanks." I was still shivering but it wasn't as harsh.

"For what?" He had moved to the kitchen. Silent as always.

"Uh, one giving me a ride. Two giving me another ride. And three, not making me stand outside while I wait for my brother to get home."

"Oh." That was all he said.

"Check your phone." That was sudden. Um…okay? Where was my phone?

Something hit me in the head.

"Ow! Did ya have to throw it?" I practically heard him shrug. I ignored it and checked my phone.

One text from Reno.

Yo, Ax, I'm not gonna be home tonight! Srry! Cya 2morow!

-Reno

It took all my will not to throw the thing across the room.

"How did you know?" I think I heard the plastic casing on my phone crack.

"Your brother is very loud." That would explain it. It was silent, except for the occasional sound form Roxas in the kitchen.

"I have an extra room I'm not using if you want to stay here."

"Huh? Oh. Thanks..." Why was he being so nice all of a sudden? One moment he's this cold ice demon the next he's…I don't even know what to call him. Sure the cold front was still up but, it seemed to me like even that was melting. Little by little.

And maybe I was getting sick.

Eh I'll just see how the night goes.

Dislcaimer: Me own nothing. Nothing nothing nothing! If i did...eh, there' no point in wishing...

A/N: Yay! Second chappy! Remember guys this is my fisrst fanfic, so if it sucs i'm sorry. Please review! Reviewing gives me courage to keep writing! And i really need that courage. And reviews give me something to be happy about and who doesn't like being happy? Thank you!