Questions

Away from the island, life has changed, people change… The question is just how much. The boys and girls of Destiny have grown up. AU (Yaoi/Yuri)

Chapter 1

What's the problem, baby?

The title was pulled from a song, if you're the first to guess the song name and artist the title came from you get a request for the next chapter.
Pain blossomed in her chest. She leaned heavily against the mailbox gasping for breath. Standing up she limped to the closest building available to her.

"What a big mistake…Satrea did say don't trust him…"

He'd seemed like such a sweet guy. The simple mistake she made believing in appearances.

The night had been wonderful. She'd picked a simple a halter top paired with a mini skirt. Her father made her change. She went to her room, pretended to and threw on a long jacket. A dash of makeup and she was ready. Her date had shown up on time and came to the door, complimented her mother and felt properly threatened by her dad. From there he had taken her for dinner, a pizza at the favorite teen hangout; the Blue Butterfly. Afterwards they'd caught a movie, a nice little romantic comedy. It was cute but not too sappy. Everything was perfect down to the tiniest detail, until the end. The jackass tried to take her motel. After she'd gotten over the shock she decked him and ran.

Four blocks later here she was in front of another theater. Unfortunately, it was an adult theatre. A gay adult theater, the conspicuous title: Angel Dust emblazoned on the marquee in glittering lights. Swallowing her uncertainty, she forged ahead hoping with her distinct lack of masculinity she'd escape unmolested, after all who knew better than women, or homosexual males that men were brutes.

The lobby was vacant save for a man er woman at the ticket counter, which was good, all she wanted to do was get in and out without any trouble. Finding a women's restroom was next to impossible, so she snuck into the men's. The bathroom was unkempt, a few stalls with dirty doors and even dirtier toilets. Resisting the urge to gag she sidestepped a puddle of stagnant water. There was a hole in the wall of questionable height, origin and purpose, which she staunchly avoided. Standing in front of the dinky sink, she inspected her reflection. The glass distorted her dainty features with the skill of a circus hall of mirrors. Her mascara smeared and the foundation needed retouching. Rummaging through her purse, she groped for her makeup kit. Sighing as her fingers reappeared empty, Kairi decided to forgo the hassle. Rubbing her cheeks, she removed the foundation she had previously worked so hard to apply. More water allied with skilled hands and the eyeliner followed. So much good work, for one lousy date! Scrubbing furiously she abolished any hint that she had been wearing makeup at all. Seizing at a paper towel she patted her face dry. The crumpled paper towel soared into the basket and she bent to adjust a strap at her heel.

Leaning back up, she heard a low whistle. Turning quickly she noticed the two young men standing directly behind her, obviously admiring her assets. The nearest of the two moved closer and Kairi jerked upward, straightening her skirt. He was easily half a head taller than she was not including the thick soled boots he wore, allowing him to dwarf her almost completely. He wore a tight blue sweater paired with low-slung jeans. His cinnamon hair was slicked back with obscene amounts of gel. Kairi knew she was outnumbered, but tried to remain calm. The other boy was smirking and leaning against a stall, his leather jacket big, making him seem slender but lithe. He was the taller of the pair, most likely the stronger too. She probably wouldn't be able to fight him when the time came. His feather silver hair bound at his nape. Her assessment of the boy stopped short as his partner in crime nodded in her direction and advanced.

He moved in for the kill as Kairi tried to remember if she had her father's knife or not.

Flashing a toothy grin the boy leaned close, his breath ghosting over her ear.

"What's a nice guy like you doing in a place like this?"

Her fingers stole into the lip of her bag and stopped, startled by his question, Kairi didn't have time to react before he kissed her.

His lips were warm and tasted salty. His fingers made a slow decent down the curve of her spine. He pulled her close, bracing her back against the sink. As much as she wished to push him away, she didn't. Her body craved the attention he was gently lavishing upon her. The hand stroking her back slid lower, to cup her behind.

It occurred to her then that despite the fact it was a very nice kiss, scratch that exceptional kiss she hadn't even gotten so much as a name to consider before the boy had begun stealing kisses. Not to mention a few gropes. Slapping the owner of the offending pair of lips, she squirmed out of his grasp.

Pulling back her assailant rubbed his cheek pouting.

"Riku, he hit me!"

The boy called Riku laughed.

"He?" Kairi echoed.

The injured cinnamon youth turned back to her staring incredulously.

"You mean you're not a tranny?"

Riku laughed harder.

"What did you expect Sora, you kissed her without checking, and don't think this proves anything..."

"But..." Sora stammered "I thought..."

"I told you she was a girl," Riku replied patronizingly "Besides no tranny would settle for breasts that small"

Offended Kairi chucked the bottle of mace from her purse at him. The nozzle hit him in the head and he received a face full of pepper spray for his comment. Sora quickly turned on a faucet to help his friend, as Kairi retrieved her mace. The water Sora was splashing at Riku however was far from cold.

"Oh God! My eyes stop! You're only making it worse!"

As the shouting match escalated, Kairi felt a little guilty. Dumping her purse into Soras' arms she grabbed the bereaved teen's locks and hauled him to the sink. She turned the cold knob until the water was lukewarm and shoved Riku's head under the spray. He sputtered under the force of the water but she took it as a thank you.

"You're welcome." she replied smugly.

"Bitch." He gurgled in reply.

Waving the canister in response, she added, "I still have half a bottle left. You wanna repeat that?"

"No."

"I thought not ..."

Riku stood up, wringing the excess water from his wild bangs. His eyelids fluttered shut trapping moisture to sooth the effected organs. Sora stared watching the droplets cascade down his companion's neck. Rivulets disappeared beneath the open collar of his shirt. The long jersey hung almost to his wrists; underneath the sleeves, Kairi swore she saw fishnet. Opening his eyes slowly, she saw the irises still red from the pepper. Guiltily she looked away, hoping for a distraction. Busying herself with other things she began straightening her rumpled appearance. Looking back she realized Sora was staring at her purse. He held it up for Riku's recovered sight.

"What are you doing?" She demanded reaching for her purse.

Sora stepped back holding it out of her grasp. Turning it in his hands he gestured to the key chain hooked on the strap. The tiny charm was a star, made of shells sewn together.

"So…what about it?" she demanded.

"Where did you get it?"

"I don't think that's any of your business."

"It may not be, but amuse me." Leaning back, he ensured her property was well out of reach.

Looking him over, she debated the merits of kicking him and making a break for it.

"I got it in the Bahamas."

The brunet shook his head sadly, obviously not falling for her lie.

"No you didn't, try again."

"How do you know I didn't?"

"Thalassa aren't native to the Bahamas." Riku insisted softly taking her purse from Sora. "Those things only grow in one place."

Destiny Island: The biggest exports were fish and Thalassa

"Spoken like true native," muttered Kairi before Sora spoke again.

"Besides this isn't some tacky tourist trap trash, this is Real Thalassa…it's illegal to hunt..."

Trying for her purse again, she met with only resistance.

"Since when?"

"Since the oil spill, that caused all the residents of the archipelago to move three years ago,"

Oh God

"Destiny..." She gasped.

Her heart seized up. The island, her childhood home, her friends….

Sora….Riku…..

Her eyes scanned the boy's face. Sky blue orbs, as clear as she remembered. He was taller a whole lot lankier, not that it was a bad thing. Which meant the incredibly attractive young man at his side was Riku. The only change time had wrought on him was height. How could she have been so blind?

"Yep, so now Thalassa is hard to come by pure anymore, so where did you get it?"

"It was given to me," She smirked

"Really?" Sora peered at the charm carefully, turning it slowly to catch the light.

Riku paused and stared at the handcrafted keepsake.

"Sora look," he pointed to a carving on the delicate surface on the shells.

"It's an ugly little face, isn't it?"

"It looks like your ugly little face."

"Hey! Kairi liked it when we gave it to her." He protested

As if on cue the boys turned to her as if she had the answer, they sought.

She shrugged lamely. "I still like it."

It was then that all the jagged little pieces came together.

Sora stared, and looked from her to Riku and back.

"Kairi?"

She nodded, smiling sheepishly.

That was all it took for Sora to throw his arms around her, Riku followed at a more sedate pace.

"Kairi," he ginned at her "Long time no see."

Dropping his arm over her shoulder Riku brushed back her hair.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Would you believe trying to get directions?"

"Silly girl, this is definitely not your neighborhood." He admonished

She nodded and hugged him back. Riku finally handed her purse back to her. And Sora looked back from the doorway.

"Aren't you coming?"

Riku laughed and offered his arm.

"Do you want us to walk you home?"

"I'd love it."

"At least this time you won't get felt up."

Taking the proffered arm, Kairi allowed him to lead her out into the lobby.

Waving at the lonely ticket vendor on duty, Sora pushed past the doors out into the fresh air.

"Sora..." she asked slowly as the teen danced under the streetlights.

Returning to her side, like a called puppy he grinned wolfishly.

"Yes?"

"If you thought I was a man, why did you kiss me?"

"Eh….well." he began or at least tried to.

Riku uncontrollable laughter echoed for three blocks.

"So you're gay?" Kairi asked peering at Sora.

"I am… Sora thinks he is…" Riku supplied.

"Oh."

"I am too a homosexual." Insisted Sora.

"Sure you are." Riku rolled his eyes.

"So…you kissed me thinking I was a guy because I was in the men's room, and therefore must have been a man or a transsexual-"

"Um, I did apologize…" he stammered back.

"I know, but you kissed me because you were trying to prove you were gay?"

"You make it sound so stupid."

"You're saying it isn't?" Riku asked as Sora protested.

"It's odd," Kairi murmured, strolling down the darkened sidewalk.

"What?" Sora demanded turning his attention from Riku.

"You two haven't changed a bit…well except that you're taller."

"What about you?" Riku asked, tugging gently on her hair.

"Blonde?" Sora inquired incredulously.

"Just the ends… "

"No wonder we didn't recognize her," Riku whispered, "She looks like a kogal…"

Reaching over Kairi grasped the hem of Riku's shirt and jerked it up over his head.

"What about this hm?…Fishnet…Riku you surprise me..."

Batting her hands away, Riku tugged his jersey down.

"It's comfortable…"

"For strippers or hookers."

"Are you accusing me of stripping?"

"If you were accusing me of horrible fashion trends, then yes."

"Your hair IS blonde." Sora pointed out, laughing as she swatted at him.

"Not fair you two ganging up on me…I thought you were my best friends…"

"I was until you moved away." Sora mumbled, examining his shoes.

"I was until you accused me of stripping." Riku chuckled back.

Stopping short she looked at the boys and then looked up towards the sky.

"I hated it here… the only smell that you've got is smoke and you can't see the stars very well, the city lights are pretty but a pale imitation at best."

Moving towards them, she caught Riku's shirt and pulled him close.

"We had to move around a lot because of Dad's work…We couldn't contact anyone…"

Muffling her face into his shoulder, she choked back a sob.

"I really missed you guys. I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

Falling into old habits, Sora appeared beside her.

"But here we are, it's like its fate or destiny or-"

Patting the girl, Riku chuckled "More like the beginning of a really sappy movie."

Cheered by their camaraderie, Kairi was sensible enough to realize they had just passed her house.

"Why did you move anyway?" Sora asked tossing a glance in her direction.

"Mom decided to move back in with Dad, giving him another chance and all…"

Puzzled looks met her disjointed commentary, sighing she tried again.

"My parents were going to get a divorce, Mom took me and moved to Destiny when I was six, five years later we moved back here, she decided it was better to raise me and Nami together."

"Who's Nami?" Riku inquired chewing thoughtfully on some stale popcorn

"My sister Namine…."

"You have a sister? Since when?"

"Since forever, I thought I told you about her."

"I would have remembered that…"

"How's Roxas?" Kairi asked quickly trying to change the subject.

"He ran away," Sora answered tossing kernels into the street.

"What! Why?"

"Mom finally got married…just not to Dad. Roxas didn't like our step-dad, stepsister or the arrangement so he ran off."

"Ouch…anything else I should know about?"

"The new "family" lives next door and…" he paused to look at his watch. "I should have been home an hour ago."

"Oh Sora…I didn't-"

"That's ok, we were catching up."

Pulling into them into a hug, she fought back tears.

"Don't make that face," Riku chided her "We'll see each other again…"

I don't know anything about where you two are…"

"Relax, Riku lives about two blocks that way and I'm just up the street." Sora answered gesturing widely.

"I-"

"See you later Kairi…"

"Bye," She muttered quietly as her friends disappeared into the darkness only to reappear under a street lamp.

Turning slowly, she climbed the steps, fished out her key and entered the house.

Sliding the door closed, Kairi toed off her pumps quietly. She heard the drone of the television over the silence of the house. Quickly she hurried across the carpet, moving for the stairs. Under her feet however appeared the family's tom, of questionable origin, Cait Sith. The fur pattern reminded her of a tuxedo, a black body, white underbelly and socks. Her father though he looked like a Jedi, thus Cait Sith was named. Cait wound about her ankles vying for attention and purring loudly.

"Scat, not right now Cait." She whispered waving the cat away.

Still purring the feline leapt, claws outstretched and landed on her waist.

Kairi screamed bloody murder as the cat scaled up her arm across her back.

Slapping her hand to her mouth, she prayed that her father was asleep.

A chirp in the living room sounded just before a man spoke.

"Perimeter is secure, interior?"

Her father spoke up almost immediately.

"Interior is secured; the cat just startled my daughter."

"Yes sir," the comm. fell silent.

"You're home,"

Shit, there went the quiet escape.

"Yeah," Kairi muttered weakly.

"Well, come here"

Slowly she walked into the living room as going to her doom, the traitor still perched on her shoulder, tail curling about her neck.

Her father was reclining on the couch, in a pair of jeans and an impossibly old Blitz shirt.

Something Kairi did not inherit from her father was the avid love of Blitzball. From the speakers trumpets blared across the room.

Leaning over the couch, she kissed her dad's forehead.

"Mom?"

"Date.."

"Ah…"

"How was yours?"

"Fine…" she gritted out trying to smile.

"You're home at nine."

She could not really argue with that logic.

"It' sucked." She confessed

"Should he be taken care of?"

"No, dad that's alright."

"Are you sure?" he pressed on

"What are you watching?" she asked distracting him.

"MASH."

"Why didn't you say so?" Kairi demanded.

Jumping over the couch, Cait abandoned her at that point, she settled next to him.

Something Kairi did inherit from her father was the love of old TV shows and a morbid sense of humor.

Claiming the popcorn bowl, she made herself comfortable.

"Weren't you supposed to have changed that shirt?"

"Maybe…"

Helicopter blades thrummed the air as men shouted.

"Oh, Guess what!"

"What?"

"I saw Sora and Riku today."

"Who?"

"Boys from Destiny."

"Do I know them?"

"No.."

"Should I?"

"Shh here comes the tank."

Without warning, the door opened.

Gunfire sounded as Kairi dropped to the carpet.

"I'm home!"

"She was supposed to have a date." Kairi whispered.

"She was supposed to…," muttered her father before calling out, "Welcome home."

Quickly Kairi scrambled for the kitchen.

"Where are you going?"

"I can't let her see me…she'll think I'm a lesbian or can't keep a man or…that'll never marry and become some old cat lady, with 25 cats living in Burbank.

Cait meowed piteously.

"Shut up you little traitor."

Scarlet Pierce placed her keys in the bowl on the table by the door.

Kicking her heels off, she sauntered into the living room and dropped her coat on a chair.

Leaning over the couch, she saw her husband and a caught glimpse of something else.

"What is our daughter doing on the floor?"

Cursing her luck the daughter replied back "Nothing."

She claimed an empty spot on the couch, as Kairi wearily climbed back into her spot.

"How was your date?" Reeves asked again this time directing it to his wife.

"Absolutely terrible."

"Really?"

"Yeah..."

Picking up the bowl, Kairi handed it to her mother.

An ambulance wailed and Cait settled on Reeves toes.

Kairi smiled.

The date was bad, however, the night definitely improving.

Cloud was perched on a stool at the kitchen counter when Sora wandered in. Dressed in a pair of sweatpants and an ugly shirt, he hunched over the countertop sorting bills. Fenrir, the great dog of huge size and indeterminate species lolled at his feet; pink tongue swiping at his toes.

"Hey Dad."

"Have I mentioned that I hate balancing my checkbook?"

"Then don't do it."

"You want to starve?"

"Mom will feed me…besides your cooking sucks."

"Thank you for that helpful reminder, now where were you?"

"At the movies." he replied, peeking into the refrigerator.

Behind the mayonnaise was a jar of pickles, it looked safe enough so he reached for it.

Returning to the table with his prize the brunet claimed a stool of his own.

The red pleather cushion was worn and cracked with age and been patched with duck tape, but it was still comfortable.

The stool was a relic from his mom's Bartending days.

Dad had asked her to stop bringing work home with her, but the chairs had stayed.

Nearly 9 years ago he would sit across from her demanding a cherry.

How long ago it seemed.

"With?"

"Riku?" he mumbled around the dill spear in him mouth. Swallowing he pushed the jar towards his father.

Shaking his head Cloud continued with the third degree.

"Which theater?"

Investigating the theatre again, he paused.

"The Magic bag?"

"Closes at eight on Sundays."

Trapped, Sora resigned himself to his fate.

"Angel Dust." he sighed

"Why?" To his credit, the parent was more curious that irritated.

"Riku's ex- suggested a good flick."

"Fine, but next time leave me a note, Lord knows your mother would kill me if she knew."

"Right" he saluted and set the ice cream on the table.

As the grand inquisition was over, he knelt to unlace his boots.

Fenrir's slimy tongue met his nose and he pushed the beast away.

"Dad, she's trying to eat me!"

"That's because you're sweet." His father replied picking up the ice cream carton.

"Why are you taking my ice cream?"

"Because pickles and ice cream will spoil my dinner…"

"I like it!"

"You also like cottage cheese, which means you taste buds haven't fully formed yet."

"Ha, ha, funny." Sora replied searching the cabinet for clean plates.

As he brought his bounty to the table, he found his father staring intently at him.

"Dad?" he ventured slowly.

"You aren't lying are you?"

"No, why would I?"

"You have lipstick on your face."

Running his fingers over his cheek, Sora found what he said to be true.

The blond man waited not so patiently for his response.

"Ah, well its lip gloss and it's not mine."

"I gathered as much."

"It's Kairi's"

"Kairi?"

"Yeah, you do remember the cute little girl, who hung out with me and Riku, don't you?"

"I remember her, I thought she moved away."

"Yup, apparently she moved to Twilight."

Looking over his son, Cloud resisted a smile.

"Do you like her?"

The young man gave him a flat look.

"I did, but I was like 10."

"You're Mother and I lived next door to each other since we were born."

"Look how that ended."

"Mind your manners. Just because I have bisexual tendencies does not mean I don't understand."

Cloud bopped his head once for emphasis.

Rubbing the spot, Sora grinned.

"Thanks Dad"

"You're welcome, now come on dinner's ready."

"Is it edible?"

"Funny.

Riku's feet had barely touched the porch steps when a black pickup pulled in to the driveway.

"Hey," he greeted his father as the man stepped out of the vehicle.

Sephiroth Valentine nodded in greeting before following his son up the stairs.

"How was your day?" Seph asked as Riku unlocked the front door.

"Interesting, yours?"

"Hectic mostly, interesting… How exactly?"

"Sora and I ran into an old friend from the island."

"Interesting." His father replied.

"Go wash up, we'll talk at dinner."

Kicking off his boots Riku headed into the kitchen.

"And wash your hair!" he shouted over the sound of running water.

He just knew there would be oil and grease in the fine strands.

As per usual.

Much more used to dealing with his grandmother, than his father.

Riku still found himself doing the bulk of the parenting

Not that the man was irresponsible quite the opposite actually, he made sure his son had everything he needed.

Now if only he had done so years ago.

Shaking his head, the platinum haired teen, stirred the now bubbling soup.

The therapist had said not to dwell in the past, and that they needed to talk more.

Truth be told, he didn't knew what to say

He hadn't seen his father on a regular basis until he'd moved almost three years ago.

The man had always been working.

A former prosecutor, with "Calm" Crescent, Azelas, Loire and Maxwell,

He'd quit for his own reasons still unknown to his son.

He was currently working for an Auto Garage of great repute.

Obviously, abandonment was not the only thing he was good at.

Spooning the mixture into bowls, he scuffed his boots on the floor.

Angry, not only at his "sperm donor", but the whole damn situation.

Since his mother had died, he'd been living with his grandfather Vincent,

Occasionally receiving letters and calls from his father, he'd never been sure what kind of man he was.

Now he didn't really care.

Maybe it was the forced proximity or the lack of connection between them, but he didn't really want to deal with his father.

Cruel as it was. It was true.

His Old man probably felt the same.

It was always tense when dealing with each other, just by the sheer indifference.

The therapist had also said they needed to have a meal together.

With a feeling of dread, he had inquired further.

"A week?"

"A day."

And that's how it was.

Sunday was dinner, so neither had to be home if they really wanted to be.

But here they were.

Setting the table, Riku stilled himself for the uneventful end of an evening.

To his surprise his father race down the stairs, towel around his dripping, hair.

"Get your jacket and shoes, Vincent's at the hospital!"

Stumbling for the closet, Riku only had one thought.

At least we can skip dinner.

1 Satrea an oracle of Cleyra

2 I love MASH used to watched with my Dad

3 Reality Check -a short comic where a cat with an online persona had an alias of a woman in Burbank with 25 cats, humans are so gullible.