My Heart's a Battleground- Chapter 4

Ren could feel the rays of the sun shine upon her, making her turn slightly. She rubbed her eyes then looked up at the ceiling. Was it all a dream? Did a man named Axel take her to a new world and meet a boy named Roxas? Ren then sat up and looked around to see that she was still in Roxas's guest bedroom. She then stretched then heard a knock at the door.

"Come in," Ren replied with a small yawn.

Roxas then poked his blonde head in to see that Ren was up, "Oh, good. You're awake."

"Yeah, the sun decided to tell me to get up," Ren giggled.

Roxas chuckled then spoke up, "Well, I'll let you freshen up and we'll go ahead and go."

"All right," Ren said as she nodded her head.

Roxas left her room and walked down the hall. Ren then headed to the bathroom across from her room to take a quick shower and to get ready. After she was done, she walked outside to see Roxas waiting for her. He then looked up at her with a smile.

"Ready, Ren?" Roxas asked.

"Yup!" Ren chirped happily, "What are we doing today, Roxas?"

"I'm going to introduce you to my friends," Roxas said as he began to lead her through different streets.

"Really!?" Ren replied happily.

"Haha, yeah. My friends Hayner, Pence and Olette," Roxas replied, "They're really great."

Ren was excited now. She had Roxas and Axel as friends already but now she was meeting some new people. Ren really had to thank Axel when she would see him next. Again as she thought of Axel, her face flushed a little. Her chest also felt warmer too. Why did she feel this way when she saw or thought of Axel? She decided to push it in the back of her mind for right now; she had to focus on making a good first impression on Roxas's friends. She wanted to fit in and become close friends with them. She then saw Roxas go into an alley and pulled away a curtain that was against a wall. She figured that's where his friends were. Roxas stepped in and held the curtain open for her, letting her walk in. She walked in to see two boys and a girl.

"Hey, Roxas! Who's your friend?" the girl asked with a smile.

"This is Ren. She just moved here," Roxas said.

Ren smiled and shyly waved at them, "Hey there, guys."

"Hi, Ren," the girl said and walked over to her, "My name is Olette."

The boy with blond hair got up from his seat, "I'm Hayner."

"And I'm Pence," The boy with brown hair replied.

"It's nice to meet you all," Ren chirped as she smiled a little more.

For the rest of the day, Ren got to know her three new friends better and even Roxas as well. They all walked around Twilight Town and decided to sit at Sunset Hill to watch the sun go down and have ice cream. Ren had a great time with her new friends but she couldn't help but think where Axel could be. He said he would be back.After a bit, Pence stretched with a yawn then stood up.

"I think I'm gonna start heading home before it gets too dark," Pence piped up.

"Yeah, that's not a bad idea," Hayner said as he began to get up himself.

"All right, guys. We were able to take a break for today but remember we need to get our homework done soon," Olette replied. She then turned to look at Ren, "Ren, you could even help us with our summer homework, it will help you out too."

Ren nodded with a smile, "Thanks, Olette."

"It was awesome meeting you, Ren! Can't wait to see you tomorrow," Pence said.

"Have a good night, guys!" Ren called to them as she waved.

The three friends waved at Ren and Roxas then headed back to Twilight Town. Ren then looked over at Roxas with a smile. Roxas smiled back and chuckled.

"Great, aren't they?" Roxas asked with a smile.

"They really are, Roxas," Ren said then hugged him close, "I have you and Axel to thank for all this."

Roxas smiled and hugged her back, "It's no big deal. I'm glad that Axel and I could help you."

"I owe you both," Ren said as she pulled back.

"Eh, it's no big deal," a familiar voice said behind them.

Ren and Roxas turned to see that it was Axel. He had a smirk on his face along with a plastic bag in his hands. Ren smiled big and ran over to him.

"Axel!" Ren said happily.

"Hey there," Axel laughed while ruffling her hair with his free hand.

Ren giggled then looked up at him, "What were you up to?"

"Just working. I usually come visit Roxas after work," Axel replied.

"What do you do?" Ren asked as she cocked her head to the side.

"Eh, it's not important. What's important is that I have food to share with you guys," Axel said holding up the bag, "I have have some ice cream.”

"Way to go, Axel!" Roxas cheered making Ren laugh.

All of them headed back to the station in Twilight Town and sat on the tower. All three enjoyed the food that Axel had brought which was yaki soba. Axel then brought out some sea salt ice cream. Ren happily ate her ice cream as she looked at her surroundings. Everything was going perfect now. For once she was actually happy. Ren finished her ice cream and looked at her stick to see it said Winner on it.

“Well, lookie there! Ren got a Winner stick!” Axel replied.

Ren blinked and looked at Axel while holding up the stick, “What’s that mean?”

“It means you get a free ice cream at the shop,” Roxas explained smiling, "Or you can save them up for prizes."

“Oh cool,” Ren replied as she looked at the stick then placed it into her pocket.

“So you introduced Ren to your friends then, Roxas?” Axel asked as he finished his ice cream.

“Yup, they like her a lot,” Roxas replied.

“Good,” Axel said then looked at Ren, “Like them too, Ren?”

“Yeah definitely!” she replied happily, "I really do want to repay you and Roxas for helping me out so much."

“Ah, Ren! I told you not to worry about it!” Axel replied as he chucked his ice cream stick at her playfully.

“Hey!” Ren giggled and saw the smirk on Axel’s face.

“Pfft, hahaha. You guys seem like old friends,” Roxas laughed.

Ren blushed a little with a smile while Axel’s smirk grew. Even though she hasn't known him long, Ren found Axel very attractive. He made her heart beat faster and her face would grow warm. Roxas was right though; they seemed like old friends. When the sun had finally set, the three friends decided it was time to part for the night.

“I’ll see you guys after work tomorrow,” Axel replied, “Hopefully I’ll get done early so I can see you guys earlier.”

“Sounds good. If you’re late again, you’re buying the ice cream,” Roxas replied.

“Aw geez,” Axel replied scratching the back of his head, “All right then.”

“Great,” Roxas replied heading into his house, “We’ll see you tomorrow then, Axel.”

“Right,” Axel said with a nod then looked at Ren, “You have a good night, Ren.”

“Good night, Axel,” Ren said smiling sweetly, “Have sweet dreams.”

Axel let out a chuckle and shook his head, “I can only try, Ren.”

Ren wondered what he meant by this but put it out of her mind when she felt Axel ruffled her hair lightly, “You have sweet dreams for the both of us.”

“I’ll try, Axel,” Ren said.

“Good,” Axel said as he ruffled her hair again.

Ren smiled then wrapped her arms around Axel. Axel was completely surprised by this. He swore he felt something inside him as soon as she wrapped her arms around him. He then slowly lifted his arms to lightly wrap them around her torso. He closed his eyes, taking in her scent as well as her warmth. Axel could definitely feel something stir inside him now. What was this feeling?

Ren then pulled away to look at Axel, “Goodnight, Axel.”

Axel watched as Ren entered Roxas’s house. He let out a sigh as she closed the door. What was going on with him? When he was with Ren and especially when she held him, he had this feeling inside him. It felt... good.

Ren was getting herself ready for bed and changed into some night clothes she had bought. She then noticed the ice cream stick in her pocket. She laid down in bed while looking at the Winner stick. She smiled lightly then placed it on her night stand. Ren then blushed when she realized she had hugged Axel. Also the fact that Axel hugged her back. She smiled and held her pillow close.

“I’ll use the Winner stick to get Axel ice cream,” Ren replied before falling asleep.