Gah, I'm really sorry. All my inspiration was sucked away until I got KH 358/2 Days. Which is awesome, by the way. I'm getting BBS next, after I save up for a PSP...

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Cloud noticed something odd going on. He wasn't looking for it, but he had a bad habit of seeing things that weren't meant to be seen. His kids hated it at times, but that was how he was. He saw things, and he could usually know what was going on. Like now, here at dinner. Zack was busy prattling on and on to Axel, who seemed to like the dark haired look-alike, which seemed to annoy Roxas. Namine had fallen asleep, and no one had the heart to wake her up. Tifa was at the hospital with Denzle. Cloud had wanted to go, but he wasn't allowed. It turned out that he had a special quirk in his immune system which would cause him to get the stigma easily from being near his son, so he couldn't. Cloud didn't like it, but he'd just have to live.

It was Sora and Riku that were the problem.

They were sitting close enough to be guessed that they were going out, but far away enough that they weren't....together. In a sense. There was a space between them that Cloud didn't like. Plus, they were both quiet, just eating their food. Even though Axel was talking to Zack, the red head was always holding Roxas's hand, giving him little glances. It was cute. Both the other pair. Finally, after seeing Sora looking close to tears, Cloud had had enough.

"Alright, what's going on?"

Everyone stopped, looking at him. Roxas frowned. "What're you talking about, Cloud?"

"Not you." Cloud looked at Riku and Sora, both who looked like they were caught in the headlights. "You two. What's going on? Dead people's cousins can feel that something's not right with you."

Zack snorted at the words, having heard it before from his best friend. Riku looked down, picking at his food while Sora smiled. "Nothing, Dad. You're imagining things."

"Please." Zack cut in, grinning. "I've been watching you guys too. Having a little trouble in paradise?"
"N-no, nothing like that-"

"Riku," Axel said, immediately getting the silver haired teen to look at him. "...What's going on?"

Riku sighed. "Nothing, we're just...trying to get used to each other again."

"Did you really just say that??" Roxas asked, eyes wide. "What the hell does 'used to each other' mean? You're the one who likes him, why are you getting used to him?"

Sora ran a hand through his hair. "Can we not talk about this? Please?"

"Then tell me this." Cloud said, looking directly at Riku. "Would you rather be here, or at home?"

Silence. Axel squeezed Roxas's hand, getting a look from the blond. He really, really hoped that whatever was changing Riku at school wouldn't affect him here, but it seemed like that wasn't going to happen. Both of them were getting annoyed, and it was obviously at each other.

"He's a jerk!" Sora finally exploded, standing up and causing his chair to fall over. "All I looked forward to was seeing him again, but he's not the Riku I like anymore! The whole time he's going on and on about these friends at school, and all the stupid, fucked up shit he's doing with them!"
Everyone was stunned for a moment before Riku also got up, glaring at Sora. "I'm not that one that took off, okay?! What do you care if I have other friends! They've been helping me get through this shitty time because, in case you've forgotten, this is the first time in my life I've been outside on my own! Dammit Sora, what's so bad about what I've been doing?? And why are you the only one I'm hearing complaints from?!"
Sora had somehow managed to not cry through when he had vented, but hearing Riku, he immediately began sobbing. Roxas got up and went to comfort him, not even sparing the silver haired boy a look. He hugged his cousin, rocking them together to try and calm him down. Cloud got up, looking calm, but everyone felt something in the air.

"And just what have you been doing with these friends of yours, Riku?"

Riku snarled, crossing his arms. "Anything the fuck I want. Partying, drinking, smoking. Oh," he turned back to Sora, eyes dark. "And I got myself a girlfriend so I don't have be more of a freak than I already am. So, thanks so much for your help, Sora."

Axel growled, eyes darkening. Roxas went to grab his arm, but with an armful of Sora, it was difficult. "Axel, don't-"

"You son of a bitch!"

Axel punched him, fury welding up inside of him. One that he hadn't felt in awhile. He watched Riku stumble, reaching to cradle his nose as blood oozed out. Axel knew he should probably get a hold on himself, but he decided that he wouldn't. Riku had something coming, and had for a long time. He let Aku take control, wanting to hurt the other boy.

"Sora's been waiting for you all this time, and you go off and cheat on him?! With some dumb bitch you've been hanging out with?? He helped you get out of that shitty place when everyone else had given up." He kicked him in the face, not satisfied until he knew what the hell the teen was thinking. "He loves you!" Another kick, though he vaguely felt someone trying to grab his arms and pull him away. "Namine cares about you, and you've been mocking her with your fucking little peanut gallery!" He managed another kick, this time in the ribs. "And goddammit, I've missed you, and I've been struggling, and you never noticed! Goddammit, fucking bitch!"

Zack pulled him away, letting Cloud go to Riku and pick the silver haired boy up. Obviously, he'd have to go to the hospital. Zack said he'd take him, mostly because he knew Cloud couldn't be at the hospital right now, and that his son would need some comfort. Cloud hugged Sora, leading them both into the brunette's room, knowing Roxas could take care of Axel. Roxas watched Axel, or rather, Aku, fall to his knees, panting.

"Ax....Aku?"

"I hate him." Aku said, glaring at the floor. "I hate him. He....he hurt Axel, he hurt Namine...and somehow, he managed to hurt Sora."

Roxas sat down in front of him. "You don't hate him. You're just mad." Aku gave a snort. "Okay, really mad. You should have mentioned this to him before, Aku. Maybe he would've seen what he was becoming, and stopped."

Aku shook his head, slowly melting back into Axel. "No, Roxy...He wouldn't listen. We tried, but..."

Roxas nodded, reaching up and hugging him. "Are you going to apologize?"

It took some time for the red head to answer. Would he apologize....should he? After all that Riku had done, even if he hadn't noticed? Namine had tried to say something, but the silverette wouldn't listen....but Aku had hurt Riku really badly. Axel felt sick thinking about it. He had felt bones cracking when he kicked him. He honestly felt horrible, but was it necessary?

"No."

Roxas nodded, smiling. "I expected that. Look, Riku probably just needed a kick in the ass to see how he's been acting. You're his best friend, if you can't get through to him, no one can."

Axel nodded, even though he felt better he still felt horrible. In a way. He didn't regret what he'd done, but he didn't want Riku to get mad. Still, he was going to have to call Zexion, and that was not something he looked forward to...

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It's not a lot, but I'm trying to get a feel for the characters again....I'm really sorry, everone. I finally turned eighteen (woot) so I'm really busy with college entrance exams, school, friendship drama (yuck) and hopefully getting a job and car. :3 So, thanks for being patient with me!
R&R