Oh geez, over a month? I'm so sorry guys, the only excuse for this is well . . . laziness – holds up hands defensively – Okay, so I won't deny it . . . but I feel really bad because some people really liked so fast updates, and a month and a half is not exactly fast – sweat drops -

Anyway, I do have to say that I am still ecstatic over how this story is actually getting some reviews! Especially considering how, err, slow its going. But, in this chapter there is a bit of akuroku, and it's growing! One more thing, is that you guys can seriously give me any suggestions on what sort of things should happen, I mean, some things I have set in stone, but a lot of it is just kind of hanging around!

This chapter will have a lot of the weird Axel and Kairi relationship, a bit of Demyx and Zexion's point of views, a look into Roxas and Cloud's life, and some Sora. There isn't anything supernatural in this chapter though.

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11: Regret.

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She felt so odd and out of place as she walked on the perfectly cemented sidewalk, which was beside perfectly trimmed yards, of perfectly structured houses. Hmph, he really is perfect, isn't he? She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, and tried to hide her face in her turtle neck sweater, to avoid attracting too much attention from anyone. She noticed a limo or two drives past her along with an assortment of (most likely) highly expensive sports cars. Kairi can't but feel envy for these people, why do I have to live with two bathrooms, a small allowance, and a mile walk to and from school while they get whatever they want whenever they want and don't need to care about anything! She huffed angrily, but then let out a grieving sigh and grabbed a piece of paper out of her pocket and read it over.

"248 Orichulum Lane . . ." She muttered under her breath. It was a strange name, sure, but just about everyone knew that Orichulum was a rare type of ore that was incredibly pricy. It did seem to fit the area. She continued forward until she finally matched up the addresses, 248 was a towering brick house that must have been at least four floors. Kairi marveled at it for a couple minutes, but quickly recovered herself and walked up the walkway, stopping a foot away from the double front doors. She hesitated pushing the door bell, but she knew the reason she was here was important, or else she'd be kicking her way through a mile of leaves and mud, heading on her way to Roxas' so that they could walk the rest of the way to school. It was pretty much routine for her, so she was pretty used to it by now.

"Let's just get this over with," She leaned forward and softly pushed the silver doorbell with her pointer finger. She heard the faint sound of the bell from inside of the house as it chimed a couple times on different keys. She then heard some yelling, and after a couple minutes, the door was pulled open and she was met with, amazingly enough, the person she was looking for.

"Axel, I need to talk to you," She had to grit out the words, but they came out. Axel stepped outside and closed the door behind him, then faced her with a raised eyebrow and a smirk.

"Well what a pleasant surprise Ice princess."

"Stop calling me that!" Kairi exclaimed, exasperated and desperate. "Will you just listen to me?"

Seeing her sincerity, which was rare, Axel sighed and began to walk, guiding his cousin away from the door towards his car. Kairi rolled her eyes when she saw the polished and stainless red sports car parked in the driveway, but ignored how bold it was and typical for Axel to have another car, and quickly took off her back pack and rummaged through it. Axel stood behind her, leaning against his car, "So . . . what is it anyway? You'd better hurry up; I've got to pick up Demyx and Zexion."

"Yeah yeah," Kairi mumbled. "Whatever. It'll just take a minute."

"And what exactly is 'it'?"

"Uh, this," Kairi stood up and turned around to shove the little white notebook into Axels' chest, motioning his to take it. "It's yours."

Axel wasn't surprised at this action at all; he just shook his head and pushed the book back, "No, this is yours. If you're so scared of losing it, you should just leave it at home."

Kairi shook her head vigorously, "No!" Then she blushed a little and mumbled. "I – I just don't want my parents to find it."

"Uh huh, sure," he rolled his eyes, and moved towards the car door. "Then why don't you just hide it?"

"'Cause I might forget and lose it!"

Axel laughed a little, shaking his head, "You've got an answer for everything don't you?"

"Shut up! This isn't a joke!" Kairi cried, clutching the book in her hands and edging towards Axel as he opened the car door. "What are you doing?! I'm not done with you!"

Axel leaned over the car door and, amazingly enough, took the book out of her hands, flipping through it, "This book is a wonder, isn't it?"

Kairi raised a brow, "What are you doing?"

Axel ignored the question, and continued to skim through the book, almost absent mindedly. Kairi glared up at him, arms crossed, and her right foot tapping impatiently. Seconds passed, and then the taller of the two sighed and threw the book carelessly into the air, and got into the car. Kairi gasped, horrified, and dived out to catch the book, which she did, but she landed flat on her face on the pavement. Good thing I'm all covered up . . .

"Nice catch," Axel grinned down at her from the window, and Kairi threw him a murderous look before jumping up and whispering harshly at him, "You idiot! What the freaking hell was that?!"

"Ah, Kai, it's not good to swear."

Kairi let out an aggravated growl, while gritting her teeth. She marched over to grab her backpack and swung it over her shoulder, and then she stomped back down the driveway, "I don't even know why I even try! You know what? Fine. Whatever. I could care less right now."

"Uh huh, that's great Kai," Axel rolled his eyes, not even listening. "Where do you even think you're going? We're gonna be late."

She whipped around, a look of disdain still plastered on to her face; she stared at him for a couple moments before finally coming out with the words, "No . . . thank you." Though it seemed like those words were not quite the ones that she wanted to say. Kairi turned back around and continued down the walk way.

"You're never going to make it in time," Axel called after her. She replied back, without stopping, "So will you, if you don't shut up and leave me alone."

Axel sighed, and then started up his car, pulling it out of the driveway. Then he started to slowly cruise down the street, moving beside Kairi. The red head twitched, but remained silent, trying to ignore her cousin and his over demeaning persistence.

"Will you just get in car?" Axel asked, irritably.

"Will you just shut up?" Kairi retorted. "I've been perfectly fine walking, and besides, I have to meet up with Roxas."

Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she immediately regretted that her friends name passed her lips in the presence of her extremely . . . err, persistent cousin. She hid back a flush, and started to walk a bit faster. Just a bit.

Dammit, I can practically feel him grinning! Kairi kept on walking forward, and cringed a little when Axel finally replied, "Roxas? I wouldn't mind picking him up."

Kairi scrunched her nose up, knowing exactly what Axel REALLY meant by those oh – so – harmless words. She then heaved a breath, "Look, I personally don't care in your, err, "sexual orientation"," She shuddered at the word for reasons that even she didn't know. ". . . but, when it comes to MY friends . . ."

She stopped, and so did Axel in his car, then she whipped her head to the right to glare as murderous as she could, "Back off."

Axel stared blankly back at her for a couple moments, and Kairi thought that he actually listened, but then her anger practically boiled when he suddenly started laughing.

"Wh – what are you laughing at?!" Kairi demanded; face growing red and her hands in tight fists.

"Oh, nothing," Axel stopped laughing, though he couldn't hold back a characteristic smirk. "C'mon now, get in the car."

Kairi bit her lip, to refrain from shouting, and then she started walking again, "I can walk. I don't want to talk to you anymore."

Axel started to move his car again, slowly, "You're gonna be late at this rate."

"So are you if you don't shut it and let me be."

"Ouch, that hurts Kai."

"It'd better."

"Yeah, yeah, keep on saying that – whatever. Just get in the car already."

Kairi let out an aggravated growl and then sighed irritably, "Seriously, do you say half of the nonsense that comes out of your mouth just to hear yourself talk."

"You really think I'm a complete egomaniac, don't you?"

"Pretty much," Kairi agreed half heartedly. They were already out of the exclusive area of Oath keeper, and edging their way towards more average houses. Kairi realized just how persistent her cousin had been so far, and was even more determined to hold her ground and walk.

"Kairi," Axel started again – she blinked, surprised by the use of her actual name, "You're making this really hard to help you out. Really, how can I trust you when you obviously don't trust me?"

Kairi shifted her backpack awkwardly on her shoulders, not liking how the conversation took a serious turn, "Why do you want to help me anyway?" She asked. "Why are we suddenly talking more and more . . . and seeing each other daily? I don't get it. We were fine living on our separate sides."

"But that's the thing," Axel replied. "We weren't fine. Now we've got this . . . chance to fix everything. I'm more than willing to give it a try."

"Don't you mean 'more than willing' to have your way with Roxas?" Kairi retorted. "I know your motives, and there anything but honorable."

Axel stopped the car, and Kairi surprised herself by immediately stopping along with it. Maybe she was just so used to moving in unison with it. Yeah, that's it. This time, Axel opened the door, and emerged from the car, walking up to Kairi. She kept her head down, bangs covering her eyes. Axel walked right up to her, and was looking down on her, his gaze set.

"Okay," He said casually. "So maybe I like Roxas a bit? But that's not the point right now. My main priority is to meet half way with you so that were on the same page. I want to make things right, and I'm thinking that you do too. You're just in denial."

"You don't care about me," Kairi muttered. "You just want to help her."

"Ah, see? There's that denial. Hey, it's okay if you don't trust me, I don't really trust you either," Kairi scowled, and Axel laughed. "But, hey, we can at least try."

This was when Kairi finally looked up at her cousin, blue eyes piercingly cold, "I still don't get . . . why you care so much."

Axel just smiled, "I don't get it either," The sincerity in his voice made Kairi's eyes soften. He then did one of most unusual things; he reached out a hand, and ruffled her hair lightly. Her eyes widened considerably in surprise, and before she could say anything else, Axel turned back around and said over his shoulder, "C'mon, we're going to be late."

This time Kairi followed him to the car.

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Why is Axel so late? It's so cold! Demyx shivered and tightened his arms around himself. He'd been waiting at least twenty minutes, and there was still no sign of Axel. He clutched his cell phone in his right hand, just in case the red head decided to call. No signs yet though.

I could've been there in five minutes . . . but no, I have to walk three miles in the opposite direction just so that I can pretend to be rich for my friends, Demyx sighed sadly, his emotions going crazy. There was worry for his mother, embarrassment for having to pull off this scam, fright of rejection, hurt due to his loss, and sort of a . . . disliking. Not hate, Demyx didn't 'hate' anything, but he immensely disliked himself and how pathetic he was being. This lie . . . I can't take it! Why me?! Why?!!!

Clenching his teeth, and shutting his eyes tight, Demyx let his head fall downward. I seriously need to pull myself together . . . He once gain huffed and readjusted his backpack on his shoulders. Then he finally spotted Axels' car coming up from the right and he let out a relieved and waved his hand casually. Once the car pulled up for him to get in, he paused and leaned down to catch a glance of a girl sitting in the passenger's seat. It wouldn't have been too unusual, but this time, it was Kairi. He hesitantly opened the back door and slid into his seat.

"Your kind of late you know . . ." He decided not to ask about Kairi, just to be safe. It could've been something to do with family. They were cousins after all.

"Yeah, yeah," Axel replied casually, lifting his arm to check his watch. "But it's seven – fifteen, so we can still do some more pickups."

Demyx shrugged, but Kairi twitched in her seat, "Wait – what? I thought you said that we were going to be late!"

"Well for us, yeah," Axel replied back easily. "Sorry Dem, guess we'll have to skip the morning caffeine today."

"Must be nice to be rich," Kairi mumbled, slumping in her seat.

Demyx smiled sadly, yeah, it must.

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Twenty minutes late . . . even for Axel, that's ridiculous. Zexion sighed impatiently, arms crossed. He then picked up his messenger bag that was on the ground beside him, and decided to continue on. It wasn't like he was reliant on Axel every day, he just knew how the egomaniac loved to drive around that new car of his, so He and Demyx had decided to give their friend that chance of driving it around a bit more.

Demyx . . . Zexion let out another sigh at the name. Hopefully, it'll be like yesterday never happened. Yesterday was just too uncomfortable and weird for its own good. Out of it all, though, Zexion hadn't been able to keep his mind off of Demyx. He had even considered calling the blond, which was incredibly rare for him. He never called anyone, heck; he barely answered his own phone. It was nothing more than a device to him – nothing special.

All in all, Zexion just wanted the week to be over with – Sora's arrival to Twilight town had caused an unnecessary commotion among Twilight high and even more so now that everyone knew where he lived. This whole ordeal seemed to affect just about everyone in some way, especially those centering on Zexion's life. He didn't understand why, and he hated it – Zexion was so used to being insightful and knowing that he believed that that was just how he should be all the time. As he was just turning the corner, his phone rang – it was Axel.

He sighed, but did decide to answer.

"So what's the excuse this time?"

There was mock – gasp, "No hello? I'm hurt!"

Zexion rolled his 'eye', "Hello. Now, are you coming or what?"

"Why my dear friend, just turn around!"

Zexion hesitantly turned his head to be met with just the obnoxious red sports car that belonged to the obnoxious red head that he amazingly enough called a 'friend'. Axel smirked at him through the front window, and as Zexion walked over, he spotted Kairi Kasai – Axels' cousin – slouched in the passenger's seat, a bitter expression painted her face. She seemed to be in a rather foul mood – not very abnormal when it comes to having contact with Axel – but, anyway, Zexion opened the back door, and was mildly surprised when he saw Demyx leaning back, casually and calmly. A frightening change from usual. All the blond did was give a subtle smile and a small wave of his hand. "Hey Zexion."

He called me by my full name . . . Zexion hesitated getting into the car, but then Axel impatiently slammed his hand against the car horn, "Get into the car would you? It's just Demyx; he isn't that unbearable to be around."

Demyx responded by kicking his leg harshly into the back of Axels seat, and Zexion couldn't help but flush and he quickly slid into the seat beside Demyx, and shutting the door, "All right, all right. Just stop it with the horn, please . . ."

Axel lifted his hand away from the center of the wheel, and set it back on the edge. He glanced at Kairi, and then back at Demyx and Zexion, "Wow, you guys are just so lively right now." Sarcasm.

Demyx smiled knowingly, and kicked his leg into the back of Axel's seat again. Zexion smirked as Kairi then added a punch to his side.

"Hey!" Axel gasped out, leaning forward in his seat. Once he recomposed himself and set his hands on the wheel, he said, "I didn't even do anything that time!"

"Oh, just shut it and drive you egomaniac," Axel was about to retaliate to Kairi's comment, but then she added knowingly, "Roxas is waiting."

For what seemed like the first time ever, Axel did exactly what he was told.

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"Roxas, just get to school already."

The blond looked up from the window and turned to look at his brother, "But I'm waiting for Kairi . . . . She's a bit late . . ."

"It's been twenty minutes," The older blond replied blankly from his seat at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee in one hand, and some sort of news paper in the other. He took a sip before adding, "Seriously Roxas, if you leave right now and run, you'll just make it."

"Five more minutes," Roxas urged, and then turned his attention back to the window, gazing at the still empty seat. Cloud sighed heavily, "No, Roxas, not five minutes. Now."

The younger turned back around, eyes pleading, "But –"

"NOW."

Roxas pouted, while rolling his eyes. He stood up from his place beside the window, and began to slowly head for the door, "Fine, I'm going. But you know you're not setting a very good example, with your pajamas still on and sitting there drinking coffee!"

Cloud smirked, and took a sip from the said coffee, "I don't need to be a good example to get you to get out of this house. Besides, I don't start work for another hour and a half."

Still not satisfied, Roxas shot back, "Well, what if she comes? I wouldn't want to be rude."

Cloud shook his head, still smirking over the fact that Roxas just couldn't let it go, "Don't you think being over twenty minutes late is a bit rude?" Roxas shot him a glare, which turned out as more of a pout, then Cloud sighed, "Like I said, I'll be here for another hour at least. She'll understand."

"Fine, fine," Roxas grudgingly trudged to the front door, "See you Cloud."

Cloud gave a small wave, smiling knowingly, "See you."

Roxas finally made his way out the door, shivering as the cold immediately hit him. He walked down the cement stairs, and onto the sidewalk, every so often glancing back to see if Kairi was coming. Seriously Kairi, you could've at least called. Now I'm probably gonna be late . . . Roxas huffed, and picked up his pace a little, which proved to be an incredibly hard task considering he was going uphill. He really hated walking to school, with or without Kairi, but really, he had no choice. As he made his way through the leave cluttered, and muddy sidewalk, he jolted at the sound of a car horn in amidst of the dead silence. No way . . . there is now way!

Roxas was nearly frozen to the spot as he cocked his head a little. Before him was a practically new red sports car, and what really struck him hard was the realization of who that car belonged too. Axel? What's he doing here!? Oh, why do I have to be such a dork around him?! Pull yourself together Roxas!

He could finally see the said redhead through the front window, waving and grinning, and then what really surprised him was that the passenger door opened and Kairi emerged, looking both flustered and urgent. Roxas waved back at Axel, before turning his attention back to the approaching redhead.

"Err, Kairi –"

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know," She cut him off quickly, and then moved in closer to whisper. "I had some err, 'family matters' to discuss with him and I'm so, SO sorry that I'm late! But he wouldn't let me go! Pretty darn persistent as he is . . . but, anyway, he wants to drive you to school as well, and you know, we can say no and run away! Just like we learned in first grade! Its pretty-"

"No, let's go," Roxas interrupted. "We're gonna be late at this rate anyway."

The blond started to move towards the car, and Kairi could only heave a sigh and follow along, knowing that she had absolutely no other choice.

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"Only two more days," Sora muttered to himself, as he entered the school area that Thursday morning. He only had two more days until the party, and he had still yet to get anything ready, due to the anticipation of the ghosts and what he was suppose to do about it. No one else knew the full truth, they all probably thought that it'd be a fun but worthless night in an old house. Sora felt a pang of guilt for letting them think that.

"Hey Sora, over here!"

The brunet looked up to see Hayner, Pence, and Olette rushing towards him. He waved a hand tiredly at them, and in return, they practically ambushed him.

"Um, Guys . . .?"

"Seifers gonna kill you!" Hayner began shaking his shoulders violently; shaking Sora out of the daze he was in.

"Hayner – HAYNER," Olette said firmly, pulling the blond off the very confused brunet. "Listen Sora, I don't really know how to tell you this –"

"BUT I JUST TOLD HIM," Hayner interrupted irritably. "Seifers gonna kill you!"

"Hayner!"

"Wait . . . what?" Everything was still a blur, and Sora tried to rub the sleep out of his eyes. Hayner and Olette had gotten themselves in a little quarrel, and Pence stepped in.

"Well, what Hayner put bluntly is kind of true. When you chased Seifers and his gang out in badminton two days ago, it sort of . . . ruined his rep and let's just say that NO ONE ruins Seifers rep . . ."

"Seems like there's a lot of things no one 'can do' to Seifer," Sora groaned, and Pence nodded. "But basically, what Hayner said is true, that he's 'gonna kill me'?"

"Well . . . yeah, sort of."

Sora let out another groan, and while the other three tried to comfort him, a commotion erupted from the parking lot.

"No way."

"I know their cousins . . . but . . . ."

"They hate each other!"

"Lucky!"

"Why is HE there?"

"Aw, I wanna ride in his car!"

"That is sooooo unfair!"

"Tell me about it . . ."

The four finally made their ways through the crowd to see five people emerging from a pristine red sports car, two of which were Kairi and Roxas. The other three were the ever so famous 'trio': Axel, Demyx, and Zexion. Axel practically popped out from the driver's seat, waving like an egomaniac. Demyx immediately started jumping around, grinning joyfully. Zexion just stood there next to them, still and silent. Kairi looked flustered as she hesitantly got out of the car, adverting her eyes every which way. Roxas stood sheepishly beside Axel, apparently embarrassed, but yet, happy.

"Well how about that . . ." Olette seemed mildly surprised, but was smiling a little. Pence nodded in agreement, and Hayner shouted out, "THEY DITCHED US!"

Sora didn't know Roxas or Kairi for a long time, but he could already tell that something significant had happened in their lives. He was a little worried about Kairi, seeing how flustered she was . . . but looking at Roxas, Sora felt that things just might work out for his new friend, and that he might get that chance he was looking for.

As the bell rang, Roxas and Kairi walked in with the other three, and the commotion somewhat died down, but people were still hyped up over it. Sora made his own way to his locker, keeping a careful eye for Seifer, while still contemplating on the party and the ghosts. He couldn't help but heave a sigh and bang his head against his locker door, receiving some odd looks from passing by students.

Twilight Town really doesn't like me, does it?

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Okay, so first off, it's obvious that Axel and Roxas both like each other, but Roxas is too shy, and I'm not really sure what Axels' thinking . . .

Kairi and Axel don't hate each other, let me just tell you that, but they don't trust each other at all, but both are sort of overcoming it.

In Twilight Town, there are a bunch of different districts, and I'd say that there are five: The shopping district which is where Sora lives, The 'rich' area, which is exclusive, the 'middle class' area which has regular houses and I've put Hayner, Pence, and Olette there, The 'poor' area with small houses and Roxas and Kairi live there, then there is another district in which the school and office buildings are placed.

One last thing is that, yes, Sora is in big trouble, and Seifer is a huge conflict for him – amazingly enough –

I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! I can't say it enough times! But . . . the more I say it; the more time there is that this chapter isn't added! Okay, so you know the drill read it and please review! You reviewers are the best!

Thanks for everything!