Author's note: Hello all! I'm Xamsiras, and this is my first fanfiction. I've loved KH for 10 years, and finally decided to contribute to this lovely website. This work is based on the manga Hot Gimmick, although I will change quite a bit. Hopefully it is enjoyable. I don't really know where I am going with this, exactly. Or how long it will really be. I will eventually put up an edited version of this. Let's see where this takes us.

Here's a quick summary:

In the bustling city of Radient Garden, there are 3 districts. Traverse Town, where most tourists go, Twilight Town, where the incredibly rich and beautiful people are, and the inner city, Destiny Islands. Unassuming teenager Kairi knows how difficult life can be, and she is content with the lonely and quiet life she leads. She loves her family more than words can express, and admires her two older sisters, Naminé and Aqua. When she realizes her sister may be in trouble, she ventures off into the unknown to try and make things right. However, saving the ones you love may end up costing you much more than you hoped for. And Vanitas makes sure she knows that her life will be changed forever.

I couldn't remember what had happened first. This situation was, quite possibly, the worst thing that had ever happened to me.

"What are you going to do? How about this..."

Yellow eyes glinting in the moonlight, raven black hair defying gravity. My breath was caught in my throat, cold sweat ravaging my feverish body. I felt like my body was about to disintegrate, collapse in on itself, and my heart would just float away into the clear night sky - finally free from the prison I kept it in. What could I do? I had to listen. If I didn't, every little thing I had working towards my whole life would disappear: my family, my peace, and my solitude. My family had done nothing but love me all of these years. I could not let them down. I owed that much to them.

My legs were about to give out on me. The constant fear-stricken state I had been in had taken it's toll on my body, and I crumpled to the ground, tears threatening to spill from my overtired eyes. I felt like a piece of garbage, thrown out and useless. What could I do?

"...if you do, I'll never tell a soul. I promise."

I was incredibly focused on a patch of dead grass growing out of the dirty sidewalk when I felt his eyes start to focus on me. I slowly rose my line of vision to meet his. I felt like I couldn't breathe, much less give an answer. His eyes bore a hole right through my head. Demon-like eyes, porcelain skin, and light pink lips that contrasted with his ebony hair. He was inhuman looking, almost like a villain out of a story book. His neatly pressed school uniform did not match the aura he was emitting.

He smiled.

It was the most frightening thing I'd ever seen.

...

I have been alive for fifteen years - fifteen quiet, passive years. I was always shy. I enjoyed my walk to and from P.S. 116 in the Destiny District of Radiant Garden (which all the residents called "Destiny Islands", as it was a poorer neighborhood surrounded by expensive, rich apartments in the city. "Twilight Town" was the richest area, with mansions in the middle of the hustling, bustling metropolis.) I would walk down the crumbling sidewalk alone, letting the murky city air envelope my senses. There was basically no nature around our concrete jungle, as everything that attempted to grow would soon face the city fumes and smog. The only thing that resembled flowers were piled up cigarette butts on the corners of pavement. Each apartment had bars on the windows, as thefts were a common occurrence. Although it was a shady area, it wasn't very dangerous (murders were not frequent.) My apartment was right near a train stop, so my windows would shake every time one passed by. It was annoying when I was a child, but eventually I became soothed by the vibrations. It would lull me to sleep at night. The graffiti laden walls were my home, and I was comfortable.

My sisters were quite popular, and they walked with their cliques to the large public school in the heart of Destiny Islands. Aqua, my older sister, was smart and fierce. She was the star of the fencing team (one of the few sports our school could afford) and the top of her class. They were talking about her becoming valedictorian and getting a full scholarship to a prestigious university far away, thus becoming the first in our family to attend college and hopefully have a successful career. She had choppy, cobalt blue locks, and bright sapphire eyes. Men were attracted to her strong, independent personality and beautiful features.

Aqua was like a mother to us, as our own mother worked constantly, trying to support us financially. Aqua was the one to tuck us in at night, whisper soothing words during storms, and prepare our meals. I was always thankful, admiring her: she was brave, something I could never be. She would comb through my fiery red strands of hair every morning as I grew older, telling me how I could be anything I put my mind to.

"Just because we don't have money doesn't mean we can't be whatever we want. Believe, Kairi. The heart will always find a way."

I wanted to believe her. I dreamt about one day leaving the city, going off to college, holding a steady job and income, and maybe even getting married and starting a family. It seemed so far away from my reach. However, eventually, I stopped dreaming.

My second oldest sister's name was Naminé. She had golden blonde hair and sky blue eyes, and the boys in school compared her to an angel. She had a soft, kind voice and a beautiful smile. She usually wore white, which made her pale skin glow in the light. She was poised and classy, as well as incredibly gifted. Her drawings were amazing, and most people said they were hypnotizing. She drew figures, sometimes clearly defined with bold lines and heavy shading, and other times with a hazy dream-like quality that resonated with the human spirit. The art teacher at P.S. 116 could not get enough of Naminé, requesting her to start building a portfolio for possible college choices. Although we were not well off financially, her looks and abilities skyrocketed her to school royalty.

Before my mother would leave home for her second job every night, she would request Naminé and Aqua to watch over me.

"Make sure she goes to bed at this hour, and she eats all of her vegetables. Make sure she doesn't watch too much T.V. and she reads a bit and does all of her homework. Make sure she..."

Although we were not far apart in age, my family knew that I was relatively weak when it came to social situations. I wasn't very talented or smart, and I didn't hold a candle to my sisters in terms of visual appearance. I guess you could say I had low self esteem. I liked the quiet. I liked the calm, steady pace of my life. With friends, you could always get hurt or stabbed in the back and with love, you could be completely destroyed with a few words. It honestly didn't bother me that I was alone for the majority of my time. It's amazing that you can be alone in a city of thousands, teeming with people, sounds, smells, and feelings. It didn't bother me that I barely felt anything most of the time. I liked being numb, being invisible.

It was soothing.

...

My father died when I was very young. I barely remember what he looked like. Therefore, my mother worked every day, all day and all night. We could afford to pay the rent in our 4 bedroom apartment in a pretty unattractive part of the city, and we were happy. The three of us could focus on our studies without taking a part time job, which made our mother happy as well.

"I want you girls to have a chance. You already make me so proud."

She worked as a maid in Twilight Town, tending to the needs and wants of a family much wealthier than ours. When I was very young, she would bring me along. I would gape at the beautiful homes adorned with fancy things - chandeliers, long wooden tables, elaborate vases filled with colorful flowers. My mother's employer had a deep, raspy voice and tan skin. His bald head would gleam in the golden light emitted from beautiful lamps with stained glass shades. His golden eyes were cold, and he frightened me.

I would watch my mother begin to clean, paying attention to the smallest details. I admired her hard work, even though a child might be bored watching a woman clean for hours. Some days, I would catch two young boys watching me from behind a large door, staring at the girl dressed in poor quality sweaters and dirty sneakers. One looked like their father, with golden glossy eyes and coal-colored hair. The other had chestnut brown hair and blue eyes. Their curious gazes made me uncomfortable for a bit, but eventually I forgot them and focused only on my mother. Some days, I could hear their whispers. I would tune them out.

I suppose the closest contact I ever had with them would be when I went looking for the restroom. I got lost in the long hallways with numerous rooms, and saw inside some of them with light blue painted walls and mountains of toys. It shocked me and sparked my interest. Slowly, I tiptoed into one of them. I stared and stared, soaking in this amazing sight.

'So many toys...I wish I could play with one of them...'

I sighed and began to turn around. One of them was standing behind me, staring at me.

"What are you doing? Why are you here?" His voice was sharp and annoyed. My eyes glazed over with fright, and I began to shake.

I stuttered, "I'm sorry...I didn't mean..."

"Enough. You have no right to be here. A poor girl like you has no right to be here!" His face was twisted with disgust and anger. It was terrifying.

Tears fell from my face and I whispered, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please don't tell my mother I came here. She'll be upset."

His face softened for a moment, and then he smirked.

"What will I get in return if I give you this favor?"

"...I'll...I'll..."

"You'll what? Be my servant? What can you possibly have to offer?" He snorted.

"I'll be very thankful, and maybe...we can be friends? I'm a good listener. I'll be your friend and listen to you, and we can share secrets and dreams. My sister says dreams will make you happy. Please. Happiness is all I can give." I was pleading with him.

He went silent. His face went from annoyed, to sad, to a faint smile. A light pink color tinted his pale cheeks. He began to smile wider.

"...Alright. That sounds...nice."

His flaxen eyes had a sort of longing within them. I wondered if his life was lonely, surrounded only by walls and beautiful things, but no happiness or warmth within his home.

"Kairi! Kairi, where are you?! Kairi!"

I quickly turned around and fled, leaving the boy with raven hair and warm gold eyes alone. I smiled to myself. I had made a new friend.

My mother did not take kindly to the fact that I had wandered and made contact and believed I could be friends with her boss's son. She said I could not come again the next day, or the day after. Eventually, I could not return to the beautiful house with the lonely boy. I wondered what became of him over the years, and eventually I forgot of his stare and hidden sadness. His memory within me faded.

...

P.S. 116 was very large, and students were allowed to were casual clothes. There were several private schools within Radiant Garden which required uniforms. I would see them on the trains, clean, neat, and preppy. I was somewhat envious of their crisp appearance. Navy blue and white plaided skirts seemed appealing, although sometimes I thought they were too short. They stood out on the 4:00PM train to Destiny Islands. I would wonder where these girls in white polos and ties were going. Perhaps to the pier or the mall, off to buy expensive shirts and makeup. Maybe they had a boyfriend from another private school waiting to pick them up in his sports car. They did not fit in with the oldest train in the city, with hard, plastic seats and scratched windows. I would stare at them in wonder, and they looked beautiful to me - almost unreal. One that light brown hair that flipped outwards on the edges and emerald green eyes. Her bracelets shimmered in the evening light.

'Diamonds,' I thought. I would look away and see the skyline lights begin to glow. The sun was setting.

'These lights are my bracelet. They shine in the darkness.'

In comparison to the beautiful girls, I was a part of the city darkness.

Our school was very decrepit. The brick walls were old and the floors were smudgy and cracked tile. The walls had chipped cream-colored paint and posters that encouraged students to do well in school and avoid bullying. It seemed normal enough to me. The principal's tired voice echoed through the halls, reminding us to do well and announcing future events, like dances and school plays. The dirty windows had bars protecting them, and our school yard was the city itself. There was a bar within walking distance of the middle school and a strip club across the street from the elementary. I had grown up within Destiny Islands, and this was all I knew.

I did average on tests, and kept to myself. My sisters had a multitude of friends, always smiling and being rowdy. I just enjoyed watching them be happy. Parties on weekends were a regular occurrence, and Aqua would frequently attend. I always worried about what would go on during them, but I didn't let it bother me too much. She was responsible and brave. She could take care of herself.

...

It was Monday, November 14th.

Mondays were usually very uneventful at P.S. 116, as the high schoolers were still getting over their hangovers from the weekend. The only strange thing was that Aqua did not attend school. This was a very rare occurrence in our home.

'She must be sick,' I thought. 'Or perhaps she has a severe hangover.'

She was invited to attend a high class party in Twilight Town on Saturday, and she spent all afternoon getting ready. Her cerulean eyes sparkled with excitement and she chose her best party dress. It was thin and pitch black. It seemed classy enough, save for the length. It was too short for my tastes.

"Kairi! Pass me my lipstick. It's on the dresser over there."

She was too focused on curling her eyelashes to walk 5 feet to her left to retrieve it. I sighed.

"Alright."

After smudging it around her lips, I stared at her. In my opinion, she looked better without ten pounds of makeup on her face. I couldn't tell her that, of course.

"How do I look? Rich enough?" She winked and grinned.

I smiled softly.

"You look great. Terra's going to be impressed."

"It's not him I'm trying to impress! He's just like us. I'm trying to catch us a sugar daddy!"

She laughed heartily, and I joined in. I always thought she had a lovely sense of humor.

"Well, you'll find one. Don't worry."

The doorbell buzzed.

"That's Terra. We're talking the 6:00PM train to Twilight Town. I hear this party is at a really swanky mansion."

She began to walk to the entrance of our apartment. She turned her head and smiled at me.

"Don't wait up, okay? I'll be back tomorrow morning."

I gave her my usual nervous glance.

She walked out, and I mumbled, "Be careful."

She was gone, lost into the night.

I don't know why I had a hard time sleeping that night. Something just didn't feel right. I looked at the clock every hour. My stomach hurt. I thought of Aqua. She was responsible. She can take care of herself. Eventually, I fell into a dreamless sleep.

On Sunday, Aqua appeared around 11:00AM. She looked exhausted and disheveled. It was a strange sight. I was about to welcome her, but she speedily walked past me into the bathroom. She quickly showered and put on a purple sweater and jeans. Her eyes were lined with red and her face was extremely pale, not like her usual appearance at all. I took a breath and I was about to inquire about what was wrong, as something was clearly off. Before I could, she ran out the door saying, "I'll be back. I need to take care of something. Tell mom I'll be back later."

I didn't have time for a reaction - she was gone in the blink of an eye.

'What...was that?'

Confusion bombarded my mind.

The hours slipped away, night fell, and she still was not home. I sat in my tiny room and had my desk lamp on. A math textbook sat in front of me, but I could not focus on the little numbers and letters on the pages.

'Where is she? What's going on?'

The digital clock glared at me, and it was 10:00PM. Naminé was asleep and my mother had already left for her second job. An uneasy silence filled the apartment. I slammed my textbook shut and tiptoed into the narrow hallway leading into our living room/dining room. Our small couch was unoccupied and there was no sign of Aqua. I sighed and walked back into my room. The white walls were unsettling. I stared out of our window, looking at the streets below. The streetlights were gleaming in the dark. A homeless drunk sat across the street, puffs of air coming from his mouth. It was cold and cloudy, and I worried about Aqua. Where was she?

I turned to the digital clock. 1:00AM. A click sounded inside the entrance of the apartment. I ran to the door of my room. She was home. I watched as she dragged herself to the couch and collapsed. Her face looked horrible. Her cheeks were stained from tears, her nose was red and runny, and her lips were cracked and white. I considered going to her and asking what was wrong, but I decided she needed rest. I would ask tomorrow morning.

Morning came and I walked out of my room. Aqua wasn't on the couch anymore, and I assumed she was in her room. I walked over, the floorboards creaking under my bare feet, and gently tapped on the door.

"Aqua," I whispered, "Are you going to school today? It's almost 7:30."

A tried and groggy voice answered me, "No. Go. Don't be late."

The sound was foreign to me, as was her action. She was missing a day of school, completely out of character for her. I frowned and nodded to myself.

'I'll let her be.'

...

The day passed slowly and I found myself daydreaming in math class. I wondered about Aqua, and what had happened. Eventually, the last bell rang and school was out. As I stepped outside P.S. 116, the cold air shocked my lungs. I put my handmade scarf around my neck, and I began the walk to my apartment. It felt like the air was charged with electricity, how it usually felt when it was about to snow. My bare hands were turning red at the fingertips. The sky was a solid shade of gray, and the graffitied concrete buildings seemed to blend in. I loved the cold. It was refreshing.

I slowly made my way up the stairs to my apartment. I heard sobbing inside. I rushed into the apartment, looking for the source of the noise. Aqua was in the fetal position on the couch, crying loudly. I ran to her side, grabbing her arm.

"What's wrong?!" I begged, "What happened? Tell me!"

She groaned in sadness and avoided my harsh stare. Tears were overflowing and drowning her face.

"Don't look at me, Kairi! Don't look! Please!"

I steadily grabbed her shoulders and firmly put her in place.

"What happened?" I spoke quietly and strongly, demanding her to tell me.

"It's ruined, Kairi. Everything I've ever worked for. I ruined it. It's over." She sobbed and continued, "I destroyed my chance of leaving the city. What am I going to do!?"

"Aqua, please. Tell me everything."

She stared and her tears began to stop.

"The party. It was a beautiful mansion, with a rooftop pool. We were so drunk, Terra and I. I should've been more responsible."

Her sobs softened.

"We ran up to the roof and decided we wanted to go skinny dipping. It was the stupidest thing I had ever done. We jumped in the pool and it was freezing. We didn't know what we were doing. Kairi, there was someone there."

Her eyes glazed over. I began to shake.

"He was there with a girl. And then, when I got out of the pool, he took a picture of me with his phone."

My heart stopped.

"He laughed and said he was going to send it to all of his friends."

Anger flooded through my veins. I was furious at this boy.

"Kairi, what am I going to do? If this picture goes viral, I will lose my scholarship. I'll lose everything."

Fresh tears welled in her eyes. She looked truly miserable.

"I went back to the mansion, and spoke with the boy. I begged him. I spent all day there, crying and pleading. He just laughed. He won't change his mind. I think he is truly evil."

Her body collapsed. She was not the Aqua I knew. This girl was defeated and weak.

"What am I going to do..."

She turned her body into the couch and zoned off. I stared at her, my heart racing. I could hear it beat in my head. My vision was hazy, and I could not think straight. I then decided to do what needed to be done.

She was trapped in her own thoughts of hatred when I asked her where his mansion was. I don't believe she truly understood what I was going to do with that information, but she quickly responded with the address.

I ran into my room and put on a pink hoodie and my worn out sneakers. I needed to be fast, and catch the 6:00PM train to Twilight Town.