"Momma!" Sora squealed as he and his twin brother, Roxas, entered their large house. He looked around for his mother, kicking off his shoes as the smell of tonight's dinner filled his nostrils. He jumped up and down giddily and took off his messenger back, searching through it as he pulled out piece of paper. "Momma!"

Roxas and Sora's mom came out from the kitchen, wiping her small hands on her apron, "What is it sweety?" she asked sweetly to her seven year old son.

"I got an A+ on my test! That means I passed it!" Sora giggled, dancing around with the paper in his tiny hands.

Sora's mom took the paper and smiled, "Very good Sora. You did pass! We'll put this on the refrigerator." Roxas silently slipped his shoes off and walked to the kitchen, setting his test on the table. It was the same as Sora's and he also got an A+ on it.

He slowly took his messenger school bag off. His mother looked at him then picked up the test, "You cheated off of Sora?" she asked ashamedly. Roxas remained silent, his arms at his side as he stared at his feet. "You sit right next to him, right? Why'd you cheat off of your older brother?" she asked, glaring down at him.

Roxas winced slightly as his mother's tone picked up. "I can't even stand to look at you! Go to your room!" his mother scolded. He nodded and slowly walked up to his room, his tiny body aching from some old wounds still lingering on his pale skin.

Sora watched then walked to the kitchen, he was never really all that bright. He searched through the refrigerator and took out a nectarine, nibbling on it. The juice dripped down his chin and onto his shirt. He looked down, his small cheeks still full of fruit, making him look like a hamster storing food.

His mother finished putting the test on the refrigerator then she walked over, giving a light chuckle, "You silly boy, dripping fruit all over," she got a napkin and wiped it up, ruffling his spiky brunette hair.

Sora smiled and ran upstairs with the fruit, his small clothed feet making small pattering noises as he bounced on the stairs. When he reached his destination, there was his younger brother, by five minutes, without his shirt on. He blinked curiously, watching as his brother winced and tenderly poked a large greenish purple bruise.

"Roxas."

Roxas stiffened and quickly got his shirt back on. That was the first time, that Sora could recall, that he had seen his brother's bare body. It was cut up and bruised and his ribs were so visible it was almost disgusting. Even someone as dull as Sora could figure out it wasn't because Roxas was clumsy.

"What happened Roxy?" Sora asked, advancing on his twin. "Why's your body covered in all those owies?"

"I'm fine..." Roxas said giving a, weak, transparent smile. He was always strong around his older brother, not wanting the brunette to worry over him. He felt like he had to be strong for Sora, even as the younger brother. Roxas hadn't realized he had been staring daggers into Sora's fruit until Sora spoke up.

"You want my fruit?" he asked, handing him the half eaten nectarine. Roxas stared wide eyed at him, drool nearly coming to his mouth. He grabbed the fruit, devouring it instantly. The taste was so wonderful, it was sweet and cool against his lips.

Sora laughed and ruffled his blonde hair, "Roxas, why're you so hungry? We just had lunch you little silly!"

The blonde looked up, discarding the fruit's pit. He wiped his mouth and frowned, "Yeah. I was just still hungry." Never, never in a million years would he tell Sora what their beautiful young mother put in his lunch every day. It was either one of two things. One, a brown paper bag filled to the brim, but not with food. It was filled with napkins that read 'Here' in black sharpie. The second thing it could be was a normal lunch. A ham sandwich with juice and a bag of chips. Somehow after eating this meal Roxas would grow mysteriously 'sick'.

Even when he didn't eat the lunches he couldn't escape his mother's cruelty. If he didn't come home with the 'stomach flu' then she'd force poison on him the second he got home. He never really knew why his mother hated him so much, but he had a feeling it might have had to do with his and Sora's father's mysterious disappearance before they were born.

"Roxas, Roxasss." Sora snapped his fingers in front of his brother's face, "You were spacing out on me!"

Roxas shook his head, "I'm gonna take a bath," he said.

"Let me take one with you!"

"No!" Roxas suddenly snapped, looking at Sora defensively. His eyes softened when he saw Sora's face. The older boy looked like he was about to cry. Roxas frowned and bit his lip, "Hey now," he said, touching Sora's cheek. "I'll be really quick okay, but we should bathe separately, okay?"

Sora sighed and nodded, "Okay...Okay Roxy," he smiled.

"There we go," Roxas said, punching him lightly in the shoulder. Sora smiled and hugged him.

"Just know I'll always love you, forever and for ever!" he giggled.

Roxas nodded and got a raggedy white towel, "I'll be back," he said, walking out of the room. He entered the room where their bath was located. It was similar to a japanese bath house. He took off his clothes and dipped into the freezing water, the hairs on his neck standing up. He slowly close his eyes and let his body adjust to the cold temperature before he relaxed his muscles and closed his eyes, sitting on the stairs leading into the water.

The water was about to his waist and he was in the middle of washing his hair when an unannounced presence entered. "Sora?" he turned abruptly, sinking further into the water until only his chin up was showing.

"Roxas, dinner is ready," Sora's giddy sweet voice chimed. He got on his knees and looked at Roxas. "Why are you so deep in the water. You're a silly brother." He got up and slowly walked towards the door, "Please don't eat the special dinner tonight." Having said what was needed to be said Sora left the bathroom, going to help his mother with dinner.