Error 404: Crazy

By Candied

Disclaimer: I went to Agrabah and found the magic lamp, and asked Genie for the rights to Kingdom Hearts. He heart me wrong, and now I am the rightful owner of some pretty-looking socks.

Summary: The Prequel to the highly acclaimed S!CK. It starts where Hayner met Axel and goes all the way to Axel's version of meeting Roxas. The thoughts and actions of the two before Hayner dies, and Axel's coping with his death. I'm so bad at summaries...

Warnings: Yaoi and het pairings, coarse language, death, and perhaps some tissue-needing moments. You guys asked for it, and here it is.

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Prologue

My body huddled on the floor was still, save my breathing. The pain in my arm was instense, but the pain in my heart was much stronger. My brown eyes looked up to the figure of my father standing over me in a drunken rage. I was hurt and bleeding, but no matter what he did to my body, I would never let him beat down my spirit. My body may have been weak under his stronger hands, but my eyes were strong.

I think it was that which he hated about me. As much pain as he caused me, as close as I would come to death, my eyes would always look at his in defiance. He would never get the best of me.

His eyes watched my own for a moment before he drew his fist back, slamming it hard against my cheek. Even as the stabbing sensation pounded through my face, I glared at the man, and then he stumbled away.

Slowly, I brought my body to a standing position, ignoring the intense throbbing. I turned my face to the kitchen sink, and spat out the blood that had flown into my mouth after the last strike.

Thankfully, it was a short walk from the kitchen to the bathroom, and I made it there without falling.

Breathing heavily, I placed my hands on the sink counter, resisting the urge to cry out at the agony in my right arm.

My eyes faced themselves in the looking glass, seeing the weakness inside themselves, There, in the mirror, was the weaker side of me, the one I never let out.

I ran the water and splashed the cool liquid on my face, before warm tears could fall. I wouldn't cry. I was stronger than that. I knew I was.

I bandaged the wound on my arm, and before I knew it the phone was ringing.

"I got it!" I called out, picking up the black reciever and holding it to my ear. "Yo, it's Hayner." I spoke into the device.

"Hey, it's Roxas. You coming with me and the gang for dinner?"

"I'm out of cash."

"Don't worry about it, it's on me."

"Okay, I'll see you guys there."

I hung up and changed my clothes before heading out the door. My father was already in a drunken sleep, so there was no need to worry about him.

Slowly the pain in my body was dulling. I had been used to it for some time, anyway; pain didn't have much affect on me anymore.

When I got to the small cafe, Pence, Olette, and Roxas favored, I found then in the crowd with ease, taking the empty seat by the only female.

"Hey guys, what's up?" My smile was full and real. I was happy to see them. Never gunna get me down, remember?

The three spouted their greetings as we sat at the round table by the window. They had obviously waited for me to show up- they hadn't even ordered their drinks yet.

I slung my left arm around Roxas' shoulder after seeing him stare at my wound. He was always so worried for me, I had to lighten the mood.

"Did you see Seifer's hair? I heard his brother lit it on fire!"

The others chuckled, nodding.

"He has a brother?" Roxas inquired.

"That's what I heard. Poor guy, huh?"

Actually, I knew a friend of Seifer's brother. Never met him though, but I was sure I would eventually.

If he was anything like Seifer, though, I'd probably hate him. Demyx cool enough, however, so the guy couldn't be too bad.

It didn't take long for us all to start laughing and enjoying ourselves; it never did. It seemed that the four of us were inseperable, and I don't think any of us could remember life before each other.

After dinner, Olette dragged Pence off to go shopping, and Roxas and I headed to the bridge by my house.

Swinging our legs over the edge, we stared into the water, the calming sound of the rush soothing to our ears. The moon was out now, casting a pale light on the lonely city.

Roxas turned to me, his blue eyes seemingly having a light of their own. I was always jealous of his eyes, ever shining with impenatrateable courage.

"How are we going to get Seifer back for the other day?"

I laughed. Seifer had thrown Pence's clothes into the girl's locker room after gym was over, and Pence had gotten into the shower. He ran around in just a towel for a good ten minutes.

"Hmmm... we're doing hockey tomorrow in gym, right?"

"Yeah...?"

"When the time's right, just follow my lead. I've got it covered."

Roxas nodded in understanding.

From behind a run-down building, a short girl with blonde hair in a white dress peered out at the two of us, before smiling in the sweetest way.

"Naminé." I spoke, barely above a whisper.

"Huh?" Roxas asked, raising an eyebrow.

"N-nothing! Listen, I've got to go. See you tomorrow, right?"

The boy nodded to me with a smile. "Yeah, I'll see you later."

After he was out of sight, I made my way to the girl, and put my hands on her shoulders. "Nami, how did you get out this time?"

"I snuck out, but I have to get back soon. I have a letter for you to deliver to my brother."

I grinned, and took the offered envelope from the girl's hand, before pulling her into my arms and pressing my cheek to her face. "I hardly get to see you anymore."

"Hayner! You're hurt!" she cried, looking at my bandaged arm with eyes full of sorrow.

I chuckled. "It's not that bad. Besides, it's worth it to see you smile."

I had met Naminé two months ago, and since then my feelings had grown more to more than platonic proportions. She was my girlfriend now, but at her request I kept it silent. Not even Roxas knew.

She brushed her pale, slender fingers across my face gently. "You should get away from there." Her voice was tender, almost pleading.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, Nami. Don't worry about me."

Her blue orbs told me that she would not do as I asked, but I gave her a reassuring grin none the less. "I'll go bring this to Demyx. You should get home before your parents realize you're gone." She planted a kiss on my cheek, and faded off into the distance. Naminé was a really sweet girl, but thinking back on it now; we were more like close friends than anything.

It didn't take long until I was standing outside Demyx's door, letter in hand. After rapping my knuckles on the wood, I heard the call of an unfamilliar voice.

"I got it, Demyx!"

I only had a split second to wonder who the voice belonged to, before the door opened to reveal a tall, slim man with strangely spikey but long red hair, piercing green eyes, and an obscene hoodie. He looked like something taken straight off the cover of a guitar magazine, and was somehow... stunning. My jaw may have even dropped a little.

"Who're you?" the man asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

I gulped. Something about this guy told me to run far away, but at the same time, bask in his glory of flame-like hair and superior attitude.

What the fuck?

"Uhh... I'm Hayner. I'm here to see Demyx."

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Author's notes: Well, there's your prologue, as promised. I didn't want to post it until alerts were back up, but for future reference, you can check my livejournal to see when I've updated. Don't forget to check out Do Not Use While Sleeping too. That's going to be updated next, and Moonlight Shadow after that. Then, lather, rinse, repeat. Don't forget to review, or the crayon gets it for real this time!!!!