I am soo sorry for not getting this up when I said I would T-T Blame life

This is the longest chap I got on here so far, but I hope you like ^^

Disclaimer: (Look in first chapter)

A Walk in the Dark

Before we left to town, Keesh said he had to put some sun lotion on before leaving the house, so I waited for him on the outside porch with my backpack clamped to my back. When he came out, we started walking towards town. It was a good day; not just because the sun was shining in the center of the sky or that the breeze made the temperature equal, which I liked by the way, but just because I was going to see the festival of the town later on. I sure couldn't wait to see what happens or what we'll do in the evening. 'Can Axel dance?'

I smiled to myself from those pleasurable thoughts. "What you smiling about?" Keesh asked, disrupting my thoughts of happiness as I looked at him dumbly on my right. "Oh, nothing but the festival this evening that I want to attend," I said with a grin. "Oh, the festival, that'll be fun…" he said, turning away. I smirked, glancing at him. "So, you can be fun huh?" He looked back at me, trying to pierce into my soul with his stubborn blue eyes.

"What? Ever since Axel and me been here, all I've ever seen is you looking mean and cold or something…"

"Mmm…sorry for that…"

"Why are you like that anyway? I don't mean to intrude though…I mean you don't have to tell me or anything," I said, looking away at the turn where we have to go into the city. After a moment, Kizuka spoke again. "It's not that I'm a mean person…it's just that…" He stopped walking, making me halt when I noticed he was standing behind me, rubbing his forehead from the sweat on his forehead.

"Hmm?" I went back to him, waiting for him to finish. He wouldn't look at me, just stared at the ground where I could see his profile as he spoke. "Remember when you saw my folks in the backyard, pulling the crops and stuff?" I nodded. "Yeah."

"Well, you didn't see me helping them did you?"

'Hmmm…'

He was right; I never did see him working with his family yesterday in the backyard. He continued, his shoulders rising and falling in a shrug. "Yeah… well…that's because I have a skin disorder." My face twisted, scratching my cheek from hearing such an unpredictable fact. "Uh, uh skin disorder?"

"Yeah, where my skin is sensitive to the sunlight in the day, so I don't go out much, unless it's night…" I looked from his adverted eyes to the blanket clothing that must have been making him hot in this mild heat. 'Must be why he's always wearing that turtleneck and jeans? And his skin is soo pale like that…no wonder he seemed like the sore thumb of the town.'

My brows lowered, sad for him that he's sick like this. "I'm sorry, I didn't know that Keesh," I said, looking at him, hoping he would look back at me and just smile it off. He shook his head. "No…but that doesn't mean I should treat you guys indifferently because I'm upset with myself about it."

"Were you born that way?"

"Yeah…so I couldn't help my mother or dad in the fields when they wanted me to…some older son I am huh?" he paused, sighing a big huff of air in disdain, "and I would get teased because of it…" That's when I realized why he seemed to blow people off in the beginning; he's cold towards people because he's mad, sad in the inside so he distance's himself away from people, new ones to. It sure doesn't help when you get laughed at for it. But, at least I know what his inner person is like. I grinned faintly, reaching for his hand. His head shot up, his hand shaking when I touched it, holding it firmly. "W-what are you doing?" he asked, his face tense and surprised. My head tilted to the side, walking behind him as I gripped his hand tighter, pulling him with me back away from town. "You don't need to be out here if the sun's going to make you sick…

"No no, I want to take you to town…" he said, pulling his hand away and gripping mine, pulling me back towards town. I groaned, starting to feel hot from all this movement. "No Keesh, how about your skin?" I asked, now walking with him with reluctance. "I don't care about that now…just want to show how much I'm sorry for being such a idiot towards you…" he replied, turning back to glance at me and turning back to the road. My eyes went wide, flattered by what he wants to accomplish by taking me into town with him. I grinned, walking to the side of him now since he wasn't going to change his mind. "Fine you can take me Keesh," I said with a sigh, looking at him to see him smiling at me, a small blush in his cheeks as he turned away. His hand relaxed, letting my hand go.

When we entered the crowded district, there were people moving around and about, settling the streets with chairs and tables on its sides in front of the stores, hanging large decorations on the windows and wall of the buildings and adorning the street lights with giant bows that had to be tied to. I gawked at the hardworking scene of the people; even the children were running around, going under the tables that were being carried by men with long paper sheets flying in their hands. 'Wow, just think how all of this will look at night time…' I thought.

"But, where could that red head be?" I asked aloud, putting my hands on my hips, squinting my eyes to look past the people on the streets. Keesh went ahead of me while I followed through, pushing our way into the crowd, trying not to get in the way or trip over anything. 'Mmm Axel where are you?' The only way to spot him is to see his fire red hair; you couldn't miss him!

"Hugh! This is such a headache…" I groaned. "Is it that important that you find Axel?" Kizuka asked as he stopped, turning around to look at me. "Mmm, well it would make me feel better to see him, since I didn't see him this morning…"

'Also because I got to tell him about my awakening…'

"Oh…" he mumbled, turning away to walk. When he turned away, I stopped his shoulder, making him turn back around again to see his face. "Huh what?" he asked, his blotchy face stiffened. My eyes rolled over the skin of his face, seeing how his skin had pink spots in different places. "Keesh, your face has blotches of pink in different areas..." His hand reached to touch his face and seemed to wince when he touched a pink spot. "Can you feel it Keesh? From the sun I mean?" He groaned, his brows stitching together as he replied, "Yeah…"

My brows curved, taking my hand in his. "Keesh, let's get some shade for your skin," I said, pulling him towards the shade of a building where we had to step through the gap of two tables. I turned back around, still concerned about his condition. "And stop acting like it don't hurt and tell me will you?" I commanded. He grinned shyly, looking down at his hand I was still holding. 'Oops!'

I pulled my hand away, feeling myself hot in the cheeks. "Well anyway, let's keep looking for Axel…" I said, advancing ahead of Keesh who silently followed. After a moment or two Keesh spoke, curiosity in his voice. "Deonna," he began, catching my attention as I slowed my walking pace. "Hmm?" I turned slightly around. "Is Axel your boyfriend or something? Just curious…" My heart throbbed from that question, turning back around in a huff. 'Is this what everyone thinks when they see us together? If that is the case, that sure didn't stop those crazy people we encountered yesterday…'

I sighed. "No he's not Keesh, just a friend who I met a few days ago…" I spotted a shaded free bench a few feet away from us where there were red and blue ribbons appended to the arms; I went and sat on it, resting my legs while I observed the crowd of people who were marching around like soldiers. Keesh sat with me. I turned my head to look at him, wondering about his skin. "How's your face now?"

"Better…" he said, reaching into his right pocket, pulling a bottle of sun-lotion out to apply his skin with the substance. "Wait a sec is that going to burn?" I asked, reaching my hand out to him in worry. It was to late though; he already smudged it on his face as I watched him whimper in pain, hesitantly touching his face with his fingers.

"Keesh that is not smart, you don't have any medicine?" I asked, placing my hands on my hips, giving him a stern, strict look. He moaned, looking at me with glossy eyes. "Ran out of that a long time ago…" I huffed, leaning forward with my elbow on my leg, propping my head with my hand. "That's just great Keesh…"

"Why you so worried?"

I shrugged. "Can't help but worry 'cause I care…I guess."

"Hmm…I guess that's why you're so likeable…" he mumbled. My body heated up when he said that, covering my face with my hands as I looked down at the ground.

"How's it hanging kids?" a voice said behind us. My head shot up; happy with the familiar voice as I spun around, gripping the back edge of the bench. Axel was leaning on the bench with his one arm while the other was holding a blue ice cream, grinning that cute smirk of his. "Ugh, I've been looking everywhere for you Axel!" I shouted, trying to hold in that smile that was begging to come out, pulling my legs onto the seat to see him more clearly. "Huh, oh really? With Kizuka here?" he said, glancing at Keesh, his expression turning to one of confusion, his head backing away in bewilderment. "Oh man, what the heck is on your face!"

Keesh groaned, looking away while I growled at Axel. "Axel, try not to talk about it okay?" I sat up on my knees, closing in on the side of his face, mumbling in his ear, "he has a skin disorder…" I leaned back, watching him nod as he caught a glance at Keesh. "Hmm, maybe you shouldn't be out here if the environment's going to make your skin, y'know? All messed up…" Axel advised, licking his ice cream afterwards. "I'll be fine…but thanks…" Keesh responded, eyeing him with the corner of his eye. Axel raised his brow at him, and then his eyes looked at me. "Any who, Deonna I'm going back to the house to take a cat nap," Axel said, his head looking away to peer at the crowd of people. "Oh, but what time did you get up this morning?"

"Probably an hour before you woke.

"Sheesh, Kale was right, you are boring," I said with a grin. "What? Did you forget? Were going to be leaving tonight. So I just want to get enough sleep before were on the move again…" My lips pursed, feeling down about leaving the town, glancing down at my finger nails. "Oh right…"

'But are we staying for the festival?'

I watched as Axel started to walk away, his hand up to his mouth about to finish his eaten Popsicle as he looked back at me. "You comin?" I nodded. "Yeah…"

'I guess I should take a nap to since the world we go to next might not be as luxurious as this town right?' I looked down as Keesh; his arms crossed as he looked ahead at the walking mob. "Keesh? You want to go back with us?" I asked, stepping down from the bench, standing in front of him. "No, I'll just stay here for a while…" he said, looking up at me, finally a small grin on his face. "Alright Keesh, but stay out of the sun," I said with a smirk, patting his shoulder as I started to follow Axel back to the house.

I watched as Axel sat on his couch, laying his body on the cushions in an exaggerated sigh. "Whew…"

He popped his hands behind his head in a relief manner, staring at the wall opposite him. I sighed as I walked to his couch, sitting on the floor with my legs crossed where he lied above me on the big seat.

"Axel?"

"Hmm?"

"Are we staying for the festival?" He didn't say anything, just hummed in the still, quiet room. "Hmm, I wasn't planning to stay for it…" My body spun around on my knees as I faced him with eager eyes. "What? You don't want to stay for the thing later?" His lip formed a thin line, tilting his head in my direction as he answered in a casual manner. "I was thinking we should stay focused on the primary mission here and not joke around at some gathering," he twisted his upper body around, looking at me keenly. "You want to find your sis don't you?" I hesitated, averting my eyes towards my fingers that clenched the edge of the couch. "Yeah…"

"Okay then…" Axel finished, sliding back to his unwinding posture. "But…still we…" I began, but decided not to finish what I was going to say. I stood back up on my feet, glaring at the red head with mild contempt. "Wait, since when did I have to get permission from you whether or not to go anyway?" I asked, my hands griping my hips.

"Is that an attitude?" Axel asked, his one eye open for observance.

"No it is not, I'm just upset- y'know I'm an adult now!" I shrieked. "Wow I never knew that…" Axel said sarcastically as he sat upright, his hands in fists making dents on the cushions of the couch. "But who has the train express to different worlds?"

'Obviously it's you…' I whipped my head around, turning to my side so I wouldn't be standing in Axel's direction "You do…but still," I mumbled, shooting a defiant glare at his irked expression. "It's not fair, you are boring and don't…ugh!" My feet marched away in giant steps towards the entryway of the kitchen, leaving in an exasperated steam of essence. 'Ohh that Axel, I mean I'm the one who started this journey anyway! I should pick where I want to go and do! And I want to spend time here at night before I leave. I still don't like him either that scum bag!' I grabbed a chair and sat on it, propping my head with my hand that elbowed the table, my brows stuck in arrows.

My finger tapped the white clothed table from excitement, my head hurting from the build up of strain in my bundled mind. After a few moments, my face muscles loosened like stings. "I mean…don't Axel want to?" I whispered, resting my head on the table in my bowled arms, glancing at the silver sink across from me that glinted in the dim light of the kitchen.

"Mmm…Sora…gotta find that boy…" I moaned, closing my eyes to hopefully take a nap in a hard chair.

My body shook from an unknown source, waking me from up from unconsciousness. "Deonna wake up sleepy head…"

"Hmm, what? What?" I groaned, my head rising up from my short drowse of sleep, my eyes partly opened, looking in different directions for the constant shake. "What? Stop that I'm up…" I then realized that there were firm hands on my shoulders; I looked back at them and saw that they were gloved. 'Axel…'

My squinted eyes automatically looked up; standing over me, a bothered tattooed face was looking back at me. I sighed as my eye closed. "What is it Axel?" I asked apathetically, bringing my head back to my crossed arms on the table. "It's time that you get up now…" he said. "Mmm…why?"

"Because I don't want you sleeping during the afternoon."

"What?" My head shot up, spinning my head around to see him lean off of me with his brows raised in amusement. "What time is it?"

"Mmm five something…"

"Uhhh…" I moaned, leaning my forehead on my hand with my elbow piercing the table. "I wasn't expecting to nap this late…"

'What time was it when I got up this morning anyway?'

Axel sat in the chair next to me on my left with his legs spread out, staring at me as if to catch my attention. I felt his stare and looked at him with my one open eye. "What?" He moistened his lips, a grin growing on his face. "You know you're complicated right?"

"Pfft…" I huffed, letting my hand fall on the table as I faced him fully with a dead look. "Yeah, I know I'm 'not' complicated," I corrected him. He leaned back in his chair, chuckling at my opposing statement. "Heh, you got to be the most emotional girl I've ever met." I turned back around, my hand holding my chin in annoyance. "Whatever…I'm not emotional…and you got to be the most bothersome stalker guy I've ever met…"

"Y'know that's getting old…"

"Hmph…"

Right now my legs were beginning to hurt for some reason around my pelvic area; I wasn't sure but it was probably that time again. 'Oh great, what am I going to do about that? But wait! I got to tell Axel about that thing though…!' I swallowed, looking back in Axel's direction in eagerness. "Axel I got to tell you something really important," I began, my leg bouncing as my fingers knitted together like in middle school.

His mouth was partly open like he was about to say something before I spoke, but closed it and responded saying, "shoot…"

I bit my lower lip, glancing at the floor then at the table. "But you got to promise me not to laugh, or not take it as something made up…"

"Ah, I promise, got it memorized? Now tell me what's the big secret?" he said, leaning on the table with his arm patiently. I nodded, taking a deep breath, hoping he would believe me as crazy as it sounds. "Alright, last night in my sleep, I-I had an awakening…" His brow went up while the other went down. "Awakening? What's that?"

"It's something that Keyblade wielders experience or something, and I had one last night…" His brows sunk as he glanced away in thought. "Huh, an awakening, never heard of that…" he looked back at me, his eyebrows now in a line, "what happens in these awakenings or yours?"

"Well," I looked down, moving my hands to my lap as I peered back up at him. "A voice talks to me, and tells me things that help me out in finding my sister…"

His body straightened up in a stiff position, baffled by what I was telling him. "Do you know this voice?" he asked calmly, though his posture said something different. I shrugged my shoulders, a bit unwilling to say but said it anyway as my eyes squinted for questions. "Kingdom Hearts is the voice…"

'Ooh oh please believe me Axel!'

I turned away, not wanting to see his confused expressions or not wanting to hear his questionable puzzled questions. Unknowingly to my prepared ears, the room was still silent; not even a pen would drop in this stillness. Instead of hearing his voice, Axel got up from the chair that skidded on the floor slightly, consciously turning my head to glance at him just out of wonder, even though I didn't want to. His hand was on his hip while the other was scratching the back of his head, his short brows in spirals as he stared back at me. He stuttered before speaking. "K-Kingdom Hearts can talk?"

"I-I guess so…I mean, did you know that?" He chuckled bitterly. "Heh, know I didn't."

"Hmm, and I thought you knew everything," I assumed, grinning slightly. He crossed his arm, shaking his head with a sigh. "But Axel there's more!"

"More? If you continue you're going to leave me in a whirlwind…" he said, squeezing the bridge of his nose with his fingers. I groaned, standing up as my body leaned on the table. "I'm serious Axel…remember that story Kale told us about last night?"

"Yeah? What about it?" His eyes opened back up, looking like he wasn't ready for any more surprises. "Well, The Improbus that Kale told us about is real Axel…so is there leader Attrox."

His small eyes went big when I uttered that fact, his head slowly dropping to the ground as he shifted his legs to the other. "So that made up tale is true?"

"It's not made up Axel! Kingdom Hearts told me that is was true, so I have to believe it either way! And you should to!" My brows furrowed, my sweaty hands turning into fist as I boldly spoke.

"Sheesh alright alright I believe you…" he said, his head finally lifting up from staring at his feet.

"Eh?" My shoulders slumped, not expecting him to be this understanding of my story. "You do?"

His eyes closed as he sighed, a faint grin on his face. "Yeah, I guess I gotta since I know you're not making it up…"

"Oh? Really?" His eyes opened with a slight smirk. "Yeah, I know you're not crazy…"

"Hmm, well thanks for not viewing me as that way," I said, narrowing my eyes at him. "Sure sure, but it's still surprising to hear this."

"Yeah I know," I said, putting my hand on my hip while I rubbed my nape with the other, glancing around the room. "I was really hoping you would believe me, so thanks Axel." He smiled, still with hidden uncertainty in his facial features. I didn't bother to ask him about it, but instead told him about the boy I had to find. "And Axel, there's one more thing…"

His head rolled around as he huffed, talking like he was tired of the surprises I was telling him about. "What now?"

"It's Sora I gotta find to help me look for my sister and help him defeat the Improbus…" I blurted out. His eyes went wide eyed as he gagged. "S…Sora?" I nodded. "Yeah, Sora…I got to find him and some other people when we go to different worlds to." Axel peered down at the table, rubbing his chin like he was confused. For a moment it was noiseless before he said anything else. "Man, this is some deep stuff…"

"Yeah… I know it is, I'm sorry I brought all of this down on you," I said, looking down at the white floor, feeling like I should not be bothering Axel with my responsibilities, really huge ones at that. 'Man, how am I going to do this? Is Axel willing to help me out now since I told him more than what he bargained for?'

My eyes felt strained as my throat felt thick, wishing for this feeling to go away. "Deonna?" Axel said after what felt like forever, but it really wasn't. I didn't look up at him, just up enough to glance at his cloak. "Hmm?"

"Did you know that I know a boy named Sora?"

"Huh? What?" I asked, finally lifting my head up in bewilderment. He was using his left arm to lean his body on the table while the other was on his hip, smiling gingerly at me. "Yeah, I know a Sora, the 'somebody' of my best friend Roxas." My eyes went huge as I gasped, covering my mouth with my hand. "Wow really?"

"Yeah really! Get it memorized!" he said with a chuckle. A short fit of laughter escaped my lips from this change of excitement.

"So is that the reason why you were asking me about knowing a boy with brown hair and blue eyes two days ago?"Axel asked.

"Yeah, if only I knew…" My mood changed to giddiness; my legs started to jump around doing my victory dance whenever I am so happy about any particular thing that was worth the dance, even in front of Axel. "Wow! Axel do you know how happy I am right now?" I exclaimed as my hands flew to the ceiling. His face showed amusement and entertainment as he just gawked at me with appealing eyes. "Yeah, can't hide yourself now can ya?" I smiled widely, rushing up to him to give him a hug. Axel tumbled back from the impact while his hands hovered above me.

"Whoa whoa what's with the hug?"

"What? Stop acting macho!"

"Hmph…" He patted my head, only embracing me slightly with his arms. I pulled away and looked at his face with a grin, knowing why his body was stiff and warm. His face was red and appeared uncomfortable, having me giggle with my hand up to my mouth. "Hmm, what you laughing at?" he sulked, wiping his forehead, looking away as he scratched his neck in a sneer. "Alright then that's the plan," I began, "go to worlds and train, find those people and Sora, help him defeat Attrox and find my sister…" I finished.

"Alright then, but that Attrox sounds like a nasty character…"

"Mmm-hmm," I moaned, setting my butt back on the chair, starting to feel my legs hurt again. "Well anyway, about tonight," Axel said, crossing his arms against his chest, "I thought it over and I guess we can stay for the party or whatever."

"Hmm? Really?"

"Yeah, aren't you happy? I mean, you're supposed to be doing that dance or whatever now."

I chuckled, turning away. "Oh right…but my legs hurt, so I don't think I can go now.

"What?" Axel yelled, making me jump in my seat as I gaped back at him in shock. He huffed, his eyes small and sharp as he leaned over me, freaking me out as I leaned to my right trying to make space. "You are going to that festival whether you like it or not missy…" he said with a sly firmness. "Uh…but I-"

He grabbed my left arm, dragging me out of the chair towards the living-room. "We are going to that festival and we are going to have a fun time!"

"No but I don't want to!"

"Well it's to late for you!" He pulled me all the way into the living room; I grabbed the couch's arm with my free right hand, trying to hold on it with my from being tugged by Axel.

"Oh just let me go already!"

"Hmph!" He slid his hand off my arm as he put his hands on his hips, looking at me with a satisfied vicious smile. My lips pressed together as I huffed in scorn, turning away to peer at my couch. "Stop smiling…." I sneered, going to my sofa to observe my washed clothes that were folded neatly on my couch. "Hey, at least a 'nobody' like me can smile at all…"Axel said.

"Mmm, touché…" I raised my old striped shirt and old pants in the air to examine them more clearly; they were spotless and smelled something like daisies. The torn part of my pants was sown together; probably Mrs. Dean's doing. I wanted to look at my underwear that was underneath, but Axel was in the room, so that was a no, so I had to block them out of his vision by my body. Underneath that was my cloak; it was clean as well and the ripped parts were sown back together. 'Yay for Mrs. Dean! She sure is a life saver…'

With that, I put all my clothes in my backpack that sat on the floor. Good thing my bag was spacious enough, but I didn't have that much stuff to pack anyway. "So are you ready to go?" Axel asked, sitting on my couch with his legs splayed. "Yeah, I guess so even though you're taking me against my will…" I moped, swinging my bag over my back, holding the straps with indifference. His brows rose in surprise, a small grin taking over his face. "Wow, who's the pessimist know?"

"I'm not pessimistic about it," my lips pursed with a shrug, "I'm just…mmm…" My head shook, erasing of telling that feminine thought.

"Oh yeah your legs hurt? How do you think I feel?"

"By all those naps, I would suspect you would be the early bird of every morning…

Before Axel could counter that, the door swung open, our heads turning to see who it was. "Alright let's hurry up and get back there!" an excited voice rushed. It was Kale who said that who stepped through the door with his finger pointed in the air like the leader of the family line, while his mother, father and Keesh followed. Kale sped into the kitchen, failing to notice our presence in the living room, but the rest of the Deans gave us an eye. "So is the thing starting now?" Axel asked, standing up to his feet. Mr. Dean was at the doorway of the kitchen appearing oiled in sweat on the forehead that shined from the dim light of the kitchen, exhaustion in his eyes though topping it off with a forced smile. "Yeah, it already started actually," Mr. Dean replied before heading into the kitchen while Kale exited the room with a box of ware. He finally looked in our direction, grinning when he saw our faces.

"Hey guys!" he said, walking towards us. "Hey Kale? What you been doing all day?" I asked, actually wondering was he still upset about last night. "Oh, y'know I've been helping out with the festival tonight," he replied, his voice singing with a bouncy tone. "Yeah, Axel was walking with me in town this morning, helping me out and stuff." He put the box down on the floor, huffing a breathe from carrying the heavy box. My brow rose, peering at Axel on my right side. "Oh was he?"

"Yeah 'he' was," Axel retorted, "Kale asked and so I helped, a friend helping a friend…" I nodded with a smile, turning back to Kale to wrap my arms around him in a hug. "H-Huh?" Kale stuttered, stiff with his arms to his sides like a robot. "Kale, I just want to say that I'm sorry about last night…"

"Last night?"

"Yeah about that cool story you told us?" I reminded him, holding his shoulders as I leaned off to observe his face. He appeared to not have remembered at first with his head tilted to the side, and then his perplexed mien changed to remembrance of the incident as his head straitened up. "Yeah…last night…" he brooded. I smiled. "Yeah well, after a long thought of thinking about it, it turns out that I believe you after all Kale, and so do Axel…"

"Huh?" Kale asked, his brows rising up like rockets, wanting to hear the reminisce of those words. I nodded. "Yeah Axel and me believe you now, because we know it's indeed true." He couldn't hold his smile even if he wanted to, beaming a huge smile as he raised his hands to his face, sucking his teeth as he breathed in his own indulgence. "Wow, you guys are the awesomeness people I've ever met!" Kale cheered as he shook his body in excitement, moving my hands off of him as I held my hands together, grinning with relief. 'Good, now I know that Kale won't have to worry about that anymore…'

"See, we didn't know how important that story really was Kale," Axel said, stepping up to Kale who peered at Axel to continue like he was the authority. "You just had to give us time to understand such a complex tale, got it memorized?"

"Yeah, I guess so Axel," he then looked back at me, "what made you guys see that it was true?" My lips pursed, indeed wondering how I should I explain this to him; my mind popped with an idea. I put my hands on my hips, smirking at Kale as I spoke conceitedly. "You know that weapon I use right Kale?" He nodded. "Yeah?"

"Well," I began, reaching for the blade to come to my hand. The upgraded silver weapon showed itself in the room like a treasure, having Axel step back at its new texture in awe. "You see this? This is what you call a Keyblade."

His eyes widened at the name, staring at my Keyblade. "T-That's what you call a Keyblade?" he stammered, pointing at the gleaming weapon. "She didn't stutter did she?" Axel snickered. Kale blinked, observing the weapon in disbelief. "Yeah, that story is real Kale because a Keyblade wielder like myself would know…"

'Even though I just took it as the truth by what Kingdom Hearts said…'

"I can't believe this," Kale said with a smile, "I'm best fiends with a Keyblade wielder…" Him saying that made my heart flutter.

"Hey you goin to leave me out?" Axel bickered with a joking streak. "You know that were bros," Kale responded. Axel crossed his arms with a grin. "I don't know about being bros by the way you and Kizuka be wailing it out." Both Kale and me laughed. "Yeah Axel's too old for that," I joked. "Hey watch it!" Axel snapped in embarrassment, only making Kale and me laugh even more. Mrs. Dean and her husband came out of the kitchen with a few bags in their hands. "Keesh you ready?" she hollered up the stairs.

"Yeah…"Keesh said as he descended from the stairs. I was surprised by what he had on; he as wearing a white dress shirt but seemed to be wearing the same blue jeans. They fitted nicely on him, heck; he even looked more handsome with his hair in that long ponytail. "You ready Keesh?" Kale began as he went up to him, "We've been waiting forever on you!"

"What? I was just deciding what to wear."

"Yeah, that's a big difference on your appearance."

"Shut up Kale!" Keesh snapped, glancing at me with a blush on his pale cheeks. Mrs. Dean told them to carry a few bags from the kitchen; Axel and me asked if we could help, but she said that was all they had to carry. I was in need for some soap, so I asked for a bar of soap and she gladly gave it to me. With that, we all left the house and entered the chirpy town. There were a few people walking behind and or in front of us taking the small shortcut to town. Within those few minutes I compliment Keesh on his shirt. "Keesh, you look dashing," I said turning my head on my left, his eye peering at me like a dart that couldn't be thrown. He grinned shyly. "Thanks…"

The pink spots on his face were gone now; standing in the shade was the natural medicine for him after all. I turned to look on my right; Axel had his hood on his head, appearing mysterious and almost unwelcoming. "Axel, if you're trying not to be seen, I advise you don't wear that hood 'cause people are just going to stare anyway," I said. Axel didn't want anyone to recognize him or else the weird girls would try to clobber him again; I seriously doubted that would work. His vague face looked back at me where I could only see the upside of his expression. "It will work. Got it memorized?"

"Yeah, whatever you say Mr. Incognito…" I said turning away with a smirk.

The town was magnificent to look upon; the shining orange lights glowed down the road of the small fanciful city as people strode past each other. People talking, children running, playing festival games and eating like they were just living just for today for this night. "Wow this so beautiful," I cheered.

"Hmm, this probably wasn't such a bad idea after all…" Axel resumed. We all headed past a gaming crowd and by a table where there were stacks of food piled in boxes. I looked back around, observing how a few people were eyeing Axel who walked by or was staring across from us. 'Axel's mission's going to be a total fail…'

All of us went to walk around, leaving Mr. and Mrs. Deans to go elsewhere. We walked around the town and viewed a few interesting game tournaments; one where people had to hold a egg on a spoon and walk a certain distance without dropping it; Kale urged me to do it with him but I refused to, but then Axel teased me about it, which I knew he was doing purposely so I could give in. Kale ended up doing it himself, only to lose within a few inches prior to the starting line.

There was a game where you had to draw under a time limit and the winner gets the drawing framed; I was totally up for that challenge since I was a pretty good drawer. Surprisingly, all of us attended the contest, even Keesh and Axel, but that was only because I called Axel a burnt chicken for not wanting to do it at first. I drew a person, Kale drew a messed up green dog, Keesh drew a guitar and Axel drew a Sea-salt Ice cream bar, his most favorite treat in the world, which was my time to tease him about. In the end I came in second place while Keesh came in third. A boy who drew a meadow won the prize, but I didn't really care anyway. After that we all sat down at a bench, well, more like me, Keesh and Kale did where Kale was between us; Axel had to stand because there wasn't enough room.

"Is this how you're supposed to treat adults?" Axel said, his arms crossed with his brow rose in a feign manner, looking at all three of us on the bench. His hood was finally off, so it was nice to see his face. "Well I do know you're supposed to treat girls like ladies so thank you Axel for letting me sit here," I said with impish innocence, looking on my left at Axel who turned back ahead from me. "Hmm, I guess I walked myself into that one," Axel responded with a huff. Keesh then spoke up. "Well, I'm going to get some ice cream." I turned to my right with a lean, looking at Keesh who was about to stand up. "Sea–salt?" Axel asked.

"No, Vanilla…"

"Oh…never mind then." I turned back at Axel with a glance. "Axel you got to expand your flavor choices, seriously…" I then got up giving my backpack to Axel, walking to stand next to Keesh. "I'll go with you kay?" He nodded. I then followed Keesh to the nearest ice cream stand, wondering why Kale didn't want any because it seemed like he would like some knowing him. "Two vanilla ice creams sir," Keesh said, pulling out munny from his pocket. The man pulled out two cones from a transparent bag that sat next to an ice cream maker on table behind him. He filled the cones with the thick filling in a mountain spiral until it couldn't go up anymore, handing the ice creams to Keesh. "Thank you," Keesh thanked while the man nodded at him with a smile. Keesh turned around, handing me a cool cone of white vanilla ice cream. "Thanks Keesh," I said, grabbing it from his hand for a good cold lick, "and thanks for paying for it."

We stepped away from the stand before Keesh could say, "No problem…" I smiled, licking the broad ice cream. "One wouldn't have thought you would a likeable guy Keesh huh?" I teased. His face turned to peer at me then looked away as he cleared his throat, licking his ice cream cone. "Huh, you're just saying that…I'm not that lik-"

His sentence stopped as his eye grew big. "Huh?" I asked, looking with him. I wasn't sure what he was looking at, but there were three girls standing opposite of us across the road chitchatting with each other. I then saw Keesh turn away to his side from looking ahead. My brows sunk at that timid display. "Huh? What is it?" I asked, trying to observe his face, placing my hand on his shoulder. He groaned, peering back at the girls then at me, turning his body to talk with his ice cream still up to his mouth. "That girl with the pigtails you see her?" I glanced at the girl with the black short hair who was just now walking off with her two other friends. "Yeah?"

"Well, I used to have a crush on her…" I was a bit bewildered as my tongue stopped the motion of licks. "Oh, really?"

"Yeah, but it turned out she was one of the kids who used to tease me…"

"Mmm…"

I moaned, glancing at the ground. 'Poor Keesh…' I crossed my arm with the other on top, pointing my cone in a tipping manner as I looked back up. "They're so immature and stupid Keesh, you didn't really believe what they told you did you?" He shrugged, licking his ice cream. "Mmm, I tried not to, but it doesn't matter anymore. They were idiots and hopefully they have grown up and won't bother me now since I'm finally out the house."

'Some life Keesh has…does he have any friends here besides me?'

My sad eye then caught Keeshes grin.

"Ah, just forget about what I just told you okay? Don't want you to worry about me…" My brow rose at him, trying to hide the fact that I was slightly worried. "I-I'm not worried, I mean I know you can take care of your self." Lately, I was getting tired of people thinking I was a worrywart, who I know I'm not…but then again maybe I am. He chuckled, starting to walk off back towards where we came from, so I followed. Axel was sitting in my spot when we came back while Keesh went to sit in his seat about to finish off his ice cream. I huffed at the occupied seat of boys. "Great now I have no where to sit…" I complained, shifting my leg to the other.

"Guess not," Axel agreed in menace, staring back at me with an amused smirk. I whipped a stare at him, placing a hand on my hip as I began to feel my half eaten ice cream about to melt in my hand. "Hmph, fine then," I said, stepping up to Axel, licking up the streaks of liquid on the side of my treat. "I guess I just have to sit on your lap," I said with a grin. Axel then became stiff in his relaxed posture, his face turning pink as he formed an X using his arms above his legs. "No way am I going to let you do that, you're going to crush my legs!"

My heart throbbed as my eyes shot him bullets, feeling my mood suddenly changing. "Idiot you are not supposed to insult a woman's weight!" I opposed, slapping his leg with my one free hand. "Ow, I was just joking sheesh!" Axel bickered, rubbing his spanked leg in offense. "Hmph, just so you know I wasn't serious about that anyway…" I said, turning around from a piqued Axel.

"Well, I still wasn't going to let you sit here either," Axel said. I crossed my arms ignoring him. 'That Axel…'

"You can sit on my lap," Kale offered, making all our heads turn at him to see him with a smile on his face. I grinned at him, petting his head. "Thanks but I wasn't really serious about it Kale, just wondering what Axel would say if I told him that," I said, glaring at a disturbed Axel. Kale shrugged as I leaned away from him. "Alright then…"

Keesh then spoke up, rising from his spot on the bench. "Deonna you can sit in my seat…" he said. I looked at him, smiling at how gallant he can be. "Thank you Keesh for being a gentleman," I said, thanking him with a hug. I let go, sitting in his spot as I observed his hardened stance, his facing peering in a different direction as he blushed. I giggled, and then looked at a shocked Axel, appearing blank in the face. My legs crossed as I gave Axel some advice. "See Axel? You can learn something from Keesh hmm?" I said, trying to make him feel abashed as I bit into my cone. Axel turned away with his brows in arrows. "Ugh, fine, you can sit here happy?" Axel said, looking back at me with his lips pursed, almost appearing guilt-ridden. I sighed in a huff.

"To late, you had your chance Axel…" I replied, turning away as I bit into my cone some more.

"Dag I pushed the wrong buttons this time…" I heard him mumble to himself, sulking.

"Totally," Kale responded.

"Shut up…"

"I'm going to see how mom and dad's doing," Keesh said, giving my attention to him, "Okay? I'll be right back…" Kale then got up. "I'm coming to cause I need some munny anyway," Kale said. Keesh sighed like he didn't want him to come. "Huhh, fine Kale," he then looked back at us as he walked away. "We'll be back…"

"Please, take your time!" Axel hollered. Keesh gave him a black look and then turned back in the direction he was heading. Now it was just Axel and I on the bench; for me it was uncomfortable since I was still upset with that red headed jerk. I placed my elbow on the arm of the ribbon bench, propping my head up as I finished the last bits of cone in my other hand, not wanting to peer in Axel's direction. Warmness closed in on the side of my body. Confused, my head peered to the side to see Axel closer to my position with his head near my ear. My heart sped as he whispered, "Looks like Keesh has an eye for you…"

My shoulders rose and fell, trying not to show how mortified I was by his closeness. "Maybe he do maybe he don't. I try not to care about that…"

'But, it's pretty obvious huh?'

"So how do you feel about him with those girly emotions huh?" My eyes widened as my heart dropped. "Ugh, nothing Axel," I said, straightening my position so he would lean off of my space. My eyes narrowed at his amusement-tattooed face.

"Keesh is alright… but wait, lets stop talking about me," I said as my hands fluttered in an ending gesture. I really didn't like talking about liking boys and stuff anyway like what happened at Jian's place at Twilight Town, but it was really weird when I was talking to a guy about it. It just made me feel weird and nervous and I would probably blush like mad if I did talk about. I replaced my frown with a grin.

"But how about you Axel?"

"Huh?"

"Did you have any crushes?" It was know my turn to see his reaction. His small brows twisted as he scratched the back of his head in an uneasy manner. "Geez why you trying to pry into my life?"

"What? We know each other really well now Axel. Its about time we get to know each other a little more huh?" He groaned, my ears hearing the reluctance in his voice as he turned away, and then faced me again. "Hmm, uhm, well, I used to in my past life and such, y'know?" My brows rose in surprise, holding my hands against the bench seat with my weight. "Really?"

He turned away, his brows curved as he looked down at the ground. "Yeah, but it wasn't nothing serious…like…" he said, picking out thoughts from his head as he peered back up in thought. "Oh…puppy love was it? Yeah it was that sorta thing…" he remembered, looking back at me with a faint grin. My hands clasped together as I exclaimed. "Aww, that's so cute…" I teased.

"Mmm…" he groaned, wiping his cheek then scratching his chin. "Well, how about you?"

My eye peered away at the orange sky as my lips pursed in thought. "Well, just a few…just like you said nothing serious…"

"Oh that's all you going to say when I just told you almost about everything about me?"

"What? I don't have that much to say…" I shrugged, grinning at him. He rolled his eyes as he looked away with a smirk. "Whatever…" I then felt his hand on my head like my skull was a footstool to his hand. I tittered to myself, observing a person carrying flowers in a basket, waking in front of us. Axel then disturbed my gazing stare.

"You like flowers?"Axel asked.

"Hmm? Oh yeah I do…" I then leaned over to prop my head on my hand with my elbows piercing my lap. "Never heard a girl who didn't," Axel continued, "but maybe one…hmmm…what's your favorite?" I sighed, starting to feel a bit tired from all this excitement today. "Roses…"

After I said that, Axel moved his hand off of my head, standing up to his feet as I leaned back, wondering what he was about to do. He had a pleasant smile on his face like he was happy about something. He waved his hand up in a gesture, motioning for me to stand. "Deonna, I want to show you something really nice," he said. "Hmm?" I then got up, grasping my bag off the ground where Axel sat it. "What is it?"

"It's a surprise, come on…" he said, staring to walk off in the direction behind the bench, peering behind his back to see would I follow. 'Mmm, but what about Keesh and Kale?' I thought, strolling behind him to ask that question.

"But what about Keesh and Kale?"

"Hmm, hopefully we'll be back before they're done with whatever there doing."

Axel took me upon two roads of decorative streets before we made it to the fields, where the roads had lanterns that lit up on its sides when it became dark I presumed. We passed a small park where every metal appliance seemed to light up from the sun's shining glare; it was empty of any children there. We walked pass that park and headed down a empty road where a giant hill came into view with a tree was on top like a candle, the sun reflecting off its light on the green leaves; Axel said we had to go up there. I decided to race Axel up to see who would win. Axel wasn't amused of my little challenge, but I nagged him and teased him about being a burnt chicken again; that set him off, racing me up the hill like that Jack and Jill story. My feet pressed towards the top, falling on my knees as I panted over the soft grass.

"I-I won!" I said in between breaths, glancing behind my back to look at Axel who came up a few moments later, gasping for air with his frail build, trying to hold himself up by leaning on his knees. "Y-yeah…whatever…" Axel replied, standing back straight in heavy breaths, walking up behind me with a slow stride.

"Hurry up grandpa!"

"Hey at least I ran alright!"

"Ah ha ha ha!" I laughed, his tall body hovering above from behind, trying to intimidate me; that only made me laugh more. He crossed his arms with a chuckle, shaking his head as he peered ahead of himself. I looked with him at the sight ahead of me. The sun was a glorious red orange, the sky reminiscing the different hues of the colors that came from the soft glow of light that came from an ending sun. The landscape at the bottom was faint of pale and green colors mixed in together almost like a painting, with houses in different areas with their many plantations. My breathing slowed down, smiling at such a pretty sight that Axel has found. "Wow, this is really nice Axel…"

"Yeah? Well I knew you would like it." My legs overlapped each other to a more relaxed position, holding my weight by my right arm. I moaned as the soft breeze tickled my skin, thinking about the time me and Axel were at Twilight Town observing the sun just like this. Axel came up to my right side, sitting down next to me with his leg bent up and the other out in front, his right arm resting on the right leg in what appeared to be in ecstasy. He had that glow again…the one that I liked. "Axel, how'd you find this place?"

"Mmm, found it earlier in the day when I was out," he said, staring at the scene, only glancing at me slightly. "Oh…well that's cool," I said, turning away, wondering what else to talk about. My lips made a fine line, an intriguing question I was bound to ask later on, but why not now? My legs rose up to my chest, turning my face back towards Axel to get his attention. "Axel how old are you anyway?"

His head twisted back at me with a staggered expression on his face. "Uh heh…" he hesitated, grinning in perplexity. "Sorry, I wasn't quite expecting that type of question right now." My brows arched with eager eyes. "Come on, you can't hide your age forever, so tell me it," I nagged, grinning at him.

He sighed, leaning back on his arms as he answered, "Twenty-two…"

My lips cracked open at his answer, then the corners of my mouth turned into a small smile as I turned back at the sun. "Oh, I knew you weren't that old after all," I teased. "How old are you again?" Axel asked.

My brows twisted as I looked back at his glowing tattooed face that appeared innocent in the sun's glow. "Axel you already know…eighteen. Got it memorized?" I said, mimicking his signature phrase with a grin. His head shook, tittering to himself as he got up, appearing as a black tower above. He then waked towards the tree on our right that was a few feet away from us, bending down next to the trunk of the tree. 'What is he doing now?' I thought, my brows arched in thought.

'Always doing something is he?'

I shrugged my shoulders, looking back at the sun to see it about to escape the world for another day, the sky's color turning into purple and blue hues on the small streaked clouds above. My right eye saw movement on the side of me, having me peer back at Axel who had a relaxed smile on his face. Just then, Axel asked a question that was out of the blue. "Do you think I'm spontaneous?" Axel said, placing his arms across his chest.

"Yeah," I agreed with a laugh, holding my hands together that sat on my erected knee caps, "by the way you can go from place to place with that tunnel thingy; yeah, I think you can be spontaneous."

"Heh, well I like you saying that because I got something for you here?"

'Wait-huh?' My brow went up while the other went down, about to ask what it was before Axel took something out from his pocket. A red rose emerged from his hand, lifting it up in mid-air for me to stare at in awe. My eyes grew wide at the small object in his hand as my heart sped in speed. My eyes blinked repeatedly, my muscles retracting as I stood up to my feet, gaping at the red rose. "A-Axel why y-" I stuttered, not knowing how to put my words into question. Axel chuckled at the shocked sight in front of him, stepping up to me, handing me the rose to take from his hand. "See?" he began, his smile charming and handsome as he spoke, "this is my gift to you, a present I can give to you anytime…"

I smiled shyly at him, feeling my cheeks warm at my own body heat, taking the rose from his hand for a nice cool smell. "Awww…Axel this is soo sweet of you…" I said, looking back at him as my I tried to control my own heartbeat. 'So that's the reason why Axel asked me for my favorite flower…what should I do for him now? Does Axel like me? No he can't like me- it's just friendly gift that's all…'

Sure Axel was annoying at times and got on my nerves almost repeatedly through out the day, but that was that sweet part about him that he probably didn't even know about, and this is one of them. Though it was hard to tell by the soft light of the sun on his face, his cheeks changed to a red color, turning his head to the side to avert his eyes away from me as he scratched his head with his hand. 'Aww Axel's so cute…' I smiled, knowing what I should do for him in return. I took a deep breath, held my rose in my right hand as I called his name. "Axel?"

"Y-yea?" he stuttered, he said, keeping his face towards the ground.

My lips pursed, reaching my left arm at his neck for a grasp, pulling his head down at my lips for a kiss on his cheek. I let go, already knowing what he was looking like at about now. His face was crimson red, staring at me with wide green eyes in his stiff upright position. I smiled, giggling to myself as he turned around from my direction, rubbing his hair with both hands this time. I leaned to the side with my hands behind my back, trying to see the side of his face.

"Axel? You okay," I said with another giggle.

After a moment, Axel spoke in a calm voice. "Why you always do that?"

"Huh? Do what?" I asked, capturing my balance by standing straight. His face turned at profile. "Y'know what you do…"

"What? Saying thank you?"

"That was a thank you?"

"Yeah, but you deserved that type of thanks from me," I said with a smile.

He cleared his throat, his head staring back ahead again. "Hmmm…but still, you always make me feel…" he said, his sentence fading off. My heart raced in anticipation. "What Axel?"

"Huh…you're too caring for your own good…"

"What? Are you supposed to care about your friends, especially when they give you a rose…" I countered, placing my hand on my hip while the other went up at my nose with the rose for a sniff. He finally turned back in my direction, his face soft with a gentle gaze and smile.

"And you hug too much…" he said, patting my head with his hand. My body tried to relax from his touch, but I couldn't help my body temperature to cool down. I smiled. "Oh? You want another hug Axel?" I asked, reaching my arms out for him with playfulness. His face tensed as he lowered his hand off my head, stepping back with his hands at his chest for space. "No no I'm alright thanks…" he said, cowering with a blush. I smirked with menace, stepping up to him as he walked backwards. "What? It's only a hug?"

After that, I was chasing him for an embrace that he didn't want. We were running on the now darkened hill like children for a few minutes until I caught him with my arms around his waist. He yelped in surprise from my grasp, trying to detach me from his waist as I held on tighter, giggling and laughing at his failed attempts. While in the mist of my mirth, he finally pulled my hands off of him, holding my hands firmly as he spoke. "Deonna we're only going to stay at the festival for a little while alright?" My giggles faded. "Huh? How long then?"

"Probably one or two hours. Got it memorized?"

"Alright, that sounds like something we can both handle," I said with a grin. He nodded, letting my hands go.

We descended from the hill, heading back to the roads were the hanging lanterns were in a tranquil glow of light as they hung from the poles. The town was lit up of lights and people, talking, eating; fun was the theme for this night. "Man there sure are a lot of people here," Axel said. "No Kidding," I agreed.

"It's like a town in disguise, you don't really know how big this place really is until you see how many people live here."

'Yeah that is so true.'

Axel's hand clasped together, turning to me. "Well I'm goin to go grab some grub. Wanna come?"

"Uhm…" I looked to my left and saw a line of people at a table wanting some soups, salads and what not. To my right across the center of the road was another line of people wanting to munch on cakes and desserts. 'Ai yai yaiii…so much people.'

"Hello? Wait, you want me to get it for you?" Axel asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. I looked back at him with a nod. "Yeah, get me anything, I don't care," I crossed my arms, "I don't really feel like standing in a line…"

"Oh? You're legs hurt or something?"

"Mmm, maybe a little bit and I'm tired now."

"Heh, welcome to my world princess…" Axel said, walking away to get in a line, putting his hood on his head. "I'll be back!"

I sighed, looking for a bench to sit on that wasn't far away from Axel. Behind me was a chunk load of people on two benches back to back; that was a no. I went to my right across the center of the road where a mark of a circle in swirls was embedded on the brick like a symbol. I spotted a free bench and sat on it, resting my bag on my left so no one would take it. In those few minutes I watched a couple of men set up large stoned rocks in a giant circle on top of the symbol, while layering wide-long wood into a giant tepee. "They going to make a fire?" I mumbled.

My head turned to my right and left, trying to see if I saw any familiar faces. "Huh…where are Keesh and Kale? Man I knew we shouldn't left them like that…"

'I really want to see them before we go…'

My head lowered, crossing my arms tiredly. Right then I heard that all so familiar voice, glancing at his booted feet that came under my eyes. My eyes peered up, looking at the two plates of food in Axel's hands and two bottles of water under his armpits, his hood still hiding his face. "Here ye go," Axel said, handing me a plate of corn on a cob and cabbage with a frosted cupcake on the side. I smiled at my plate of food, almost about to drool. "Thanks…"

After that we started eating our food while watching the men throw the wood ablaze with fire. My eyes lit up at the sight, watching the dancing flames swirl as the sparks tried to float into the night sky, feeling the heat tingle my exposed skin. "Ah I've seen better…" Axel said, his hood finally down now. I rolled my eyes, licking my lips from biting into my chocolate cake.

"Yeah, you are pyro man anyway…"

"You know it." I gulped down some water from my water bottle, just now realizing this my first time eating today. 'Great, this means I'm going to be really hungry later…'

"No sorry, not interested so beat it…" I heard Axel say in scorn. "Hmm?" I asked, turning to my left wondering whom he was talking to. "What Axel?" Just then, I saw a long blonde hair girl with her hands to her face, walking away in whimpers away from the bench where Axel sat. My brows twisted in confusion. 'Uh…what just happened?' Axel shook his head like he read my mind, his brows showing he was vexed.

"Did you just tell her to bug off Axel?" I asked in disbelief. He shrugged like it was nothing, a spoonful of cabbage entering his mouth. "What? You can't act all nice when people are trying to get a piece of you…"

"Uh…" Yeah he was right about that…I did the same thing when guys tried to talk to me and such and if they kept bothering me I would stomp their foot. I turned back at my half eaten plate. 'Well, can't blame those girls…he is a cutie- I mean-ugh…never mind…'

"Hey guys!" a loud voice said on my right. I turned and saw Kale running up to us, bumping into people and apologizing as he ran. I smiled at his cheerfulness, halting in front of us in a breathy huff. "Where you guys go? We were looking for you guys!"

"Heh, blame Axel for that then…" I said, glancing at Axel who had a guilty grin on his face. "Sorry, I'm at fault," Axel said with a shrug. I turned back and saw Keesh behind Kale. "Hey Keesh, miss us?" I joked. He just grinned, looking at the fire that was a few feet from us, his skin glowing from the orange light. My ears then heard a flow of music coming from the side of the fire; men were playing instruments in happy dancing melodies. People started jumping around in a giant circle around the fire; it looked like fun. Kale squealed as he jumped up towards the circle, and then stopped as he turned back around at us with a cheesy grin. "Come on guys! Lets do it!" Kale exclaimed, running in place like a restless puppy.

I smiled, standing up with the empty plate in my hand. "Yeah I'm doing it," I turned to Keesh who was looking at me curiously. "You doin it Keesh?" He smiled. "If you do it then I'm doin it because it would be boring if it was just me and Kale…"

"Alright," I then turned to Axel who was still sitting, looking at me with indifference. "Do it with us Axel please!" I begged, standing in front of him, hunching with my hands on my knees as I looked into his eyes with eagerness. He sighed, crossing his arms like a little kid. He leaned back, splaying his legs out. "But I don't wanna…sheesh."

"Please? It'll be fun!" I said, looking sad so he could give in. His eyes closed with a huff. "I guess I don't have a choice do I?"

"Nope you sure don't!" I then grabbed his hand, pulling him off the bench. 'Alright!" Kale cheered, racing us towards the motioned line of people. We threw our garbage away and went towards the circle; Keesh followed while I dragged a reluctant Axel with me. We were soon within the circle in a few moments, going around and around in laughs, racing with the beat of the music; even Axel was having a good time, running and jumping with me on my left and Keesh doing the same on my right. The heat of the fire made me hot, but the wind helped me to keep going as the breeze hit my face by the constant motions of the circle. This lasted for moments of enjoyment, making this my favorite day being in this world. We were all out of breath when it was over, heading towards the bench where we were sitting at before.

To our sad surprise, some old people took the bench seat. "Uh great!" I complained, leaning on a bent Axel who was huffing over his knees. Just then I realized that I forgot something. My bag. My eyes widened, glancing at Keesh and Kale on my left. "Guys! I left my bag at the bench!" My hands clenched in fists as I ran towards the seat, hoping no one took it. I asked the old man and woman did they see a black bag on the bench; they denied seeing one. My happiness slowly faded from that answer, turning around to see Keesh, Axel and Kale behind me with troubled faces. I held my arms over my chest, feeling my eyes hurt from the swelling of tears behind my eyes as I looked at them. "I-I lost my bag…"

"Uh man…this sucks," Axel said, sounding a bit worried himself. My head lowered, feeling his gloved hand sit on my head as he stepped up to me, placing his other arm around my neck. "Don't worry we'll find it before we leave…"

'Was this a hug?'

"I guess one of us should have been holding it," Keesh said, "I'm sorry Deonna…"

"Mmm…it's alright…" I said, not wanting him to worry. Then an ecstatic voice interrupted our gloomy setting. "Keesh and guys!"

"Huh?" My head shot up in the direction of the familiar voice that came from my right, having Axel's hand slip off in surprise. It was Mrs. Dean, and she was holding my black bag in her hand and waving at us in the distance with the other as she strode up to us. "Uh…" The corners of my lips turned into a smile, wiping my eyes, running up to her for a hug. "Oh Mrs. Dean I thought someone stole my bag…" I said with a giggle, letting her go. She smiled. "Oh I'm sorry for worrying you. When I saw it on that bench I knew it was yours, so I just took it incase someone wanted to take it for themselves when I saw you guys go into that circle earlier."

"Oh, well thanks a lot…" She gave me my bag, swinging it on my back. 'Never going to do that again…'

"So when you and Axel leaving?" Keesh asked who was standing on my left, his eyes squinting for an answer. I turned to look at him, opening my mouth but closing it with no good reply. "Uhmm…Axel?" I asked, turning to my other side, looking at Axel for an answer.

"Well, honestly I think we did good today and had fun and stuff, but I think we should be going now," Axel answered with calmness. My brows lowered. "Uh, I guess so…" My body turned in Keeshes direction, noticing Kale standing on his side with a poignant expression. "Aw you guys going now?" Kale asked. I nodded. "Yeah, I guess we are…"

"You guys comin back right?" Keesh asked. I smiled. "Yeah, of course we'll visit Keesh." He sighed, rubbing his nape as he looked down. "Alright…"

My head tilted, gazing at Keeshes sad features. 'Uh, poor Keesh…' I astounded Keesh with an embrace, letting him go with a kiss on the cheek. His cheeks turned red, his brows raised in shock. I giggled from his expression, giving Kale a hug and a kiss as well. It was Kale's turn to blush, his mouth open as he gaped at me. I laughed.

"Guys stop looking like that!"

Keesh cleared his throat as I turned back to Axel, seeing his hands were on his hips, turning his head away as he spoke. "Gee, and I thought I was special…"

"Axel make sure you take care of Deonna you hear?" Keesh said. "Yeah, I already know that…" he said, peering back at me with a grin. I sighed.

"Guy's I'm an adult now…"

"Yeah yeah we know…" Axel said, waving his hand as to brush my statement off. "We'll let's hit the road Deonna…"

"Alright then…" I said, following Axel. "Bye guys and Mrs. Dean!"

"Take care!" Mrs. Dean and Keesh said.

"Don't forget us!" Kale yelled in tears.

We headed towards the fields where no one was in sight, only the lanterns that hung from the poles gave us light for travel on the empty roads. I put on my cloak, preparing myself for the darkness of Axel's tunnel. "Wow look at that…" Axel said in awe. "Hmm?" I moaned, looking at Axel who was staring at the sky in wonder. My eyes followed his gaze, finding a pale orange moon in the sky. My eyes glistened from the creepy marble in the night with its many tiny lights beckoning its awake.

"Wow I love these types of moons…"

"Yeah, you like a lot of things that have to do with nature huh?" Axel said. I peered back at him. "You do to Axel…especially those sunsets, and for thinking of that rose…" I said, remembering the flower that was in my bag, hoping it wasn't squished.

He grinned, flickering his wrist for the portal to rise from the ground.

Deonna's such a hugger :3

Review please!