Author's Note: My summer job has kept me away from writing for a while but I finally decided to go for it today. Anyways, I'm thinking I'm gonna but up another chapter today, but I wanted it to be separate from this one. We'll see if I finish.

Disclaimer: KH is not mine.

Warnings: There's something really minor at the end of the chapter and I don't think it will really bother anyone but... yeah.

Drixana

A flaming arrow when whizzing past Axel's spiky red hair. His eyes followed it for the smallest of moments, but it was enough distraction for Drixana to have sprung forward with a knife. Her bow still held out behind her in her left hand, she jabbed and sliced at her mentor with her right.

VIII dodged or blocked the attacks but not with the absurd effort he had originally. She was getting better. With a flick of one of the chakrum, he sent the knife flying out of Drixana's hand. He smiled as he saw the sure signs of victory. Drixana was ready, though. Her left hand swung up to catch the spike wheel Axel was raising, her bow now replaced by the first knife's twin.

Axel was a touch surprised, but not enough for it to really affect him. After all, Drixana only had one weapon left. She hadn't quite gotten down the ability to summon them while she was fighting. He was still going to beat her, like always, but she'd put up a good fight.

With a few more skilled blows, Axel had disarmed Drixana and brought one of the chakrum up to her throat. She glared, breathing heavily. Axel grinned and dropped his hands, stepping back and allowing his weapons to vanish in a swirl of darkness.

Drixana had been with the Organization for a bit over a week now and was progressing well in fighting. She was picking up a bit of magic too, but she still had a long way to go.

"That was pretty good, Number XIV. I think we'll leave it there for today."

Drixana nodded. She closed her eyes, concentrated and held out a hand in front of her to summon a portal. On her first try, it flickered and faded, but the second attempt brought a window of darkness through which she stepped. She emerged into the kitchen.

Still breathing heavily, she dropped down to take her seat. Training always left her very tired, but she imagined it would be worth it in the long run. From what she could tell, Axel was one of the best combatants in the Organization. Having him as a mentor was definitely a plus for fighting.

Xaldin set a glass of water down in front of Drixana. She gave a small nod of thanks before picking it up and gulping down the liquid. It felt good. After finished her water, Drixana slumped down on the table and waited for dinner to be served.

Drixana flung her fluffy green towel over the towel rack in her bathroom before beginning to dress for the night. She had pulled on her loose pants and was looking around for her oversized night shirt but couldn't find it. With a sigh, she realized that she must have left it in the main part of her room. She turned to her mirror and combed quickly through her wet black hair.

After setting the comb down on her counter she opened the bathroom door and walked out into her room. A sharp intake of breath made her look around quickly, instinctively wrapping her arms around her chest. Axel dropped his gaze to look down at the bed on which he was sitting. "Sorry…"

Drixana quickly fished her shirt out of her dresser and pulled it on, wrapping her arms around her chest again before turning back to Axel. "What are you doing in my room?"

Axel didn't look up. "I was just going to tell you that I'm gonna be on a mission tomorrow so you've got the day off," he mumbled.

"You could have waited outside my room."

"I realize that."

"Well, thanks for the information, anyway."

Number VIII jumped up. "Okay, well, see you when I get back then." He left the room without looking at her.

Drixana watched the door click shut and walked forward to lock it. She flicked off the light and returned to her bed, thinking. She wasn't as embarrassed as she probably would have been if she had still been capable of emotion and definitely not as angry, but Axel's reaction had confused her. She'd never seen her mentor act that way before. Well, she hadn't really known him that long. Maybe it was something about him that she just didn't know yet. Her mind was still considering when she closed her eyes.