Forgotten Serenade

Rating: NC-17

Summary: AU. In which a horrid past surfaces; only to add more damage to the already broken bond between two best friends. You can be blind. Even with sight.

--Mentions of Rape, Violence.

Main Pairing: Implied and eventually will be RoxasxSora; Mild RoxasxNaminé;

A/N: I got this idea and it wouldn't stay out of my head. I have a feeling that this is going to be a good one like Of Fruits And Promises. To get you started off, here's a little something: Roxas and Sora are both 18 in the present but younger in the past. I'll leave that for you. You can decide how old they are. They were together in the past but now they aren't. Pay attention to the excerpts. That's the story behind the story. See if you can understand. Can you tell who's really blind, in a metaphorically way of speaking?

By the way, I like Armani sunglasses. You'll see why, later on.

--M

Forgotten Serenade

Chapter One

"Roxas! Isn't this seashell pretty?" Sora triumphantly shoved the sparkling blue seashell in front of his best friends face. They were on the beach of an island not so far from the main isle, their home. It was their getaway, when they wanted to be alone yet be together at the same time.

Roxas was lost in his thoughts but stopped Sora's waving hand. "Sorry," he smiled and studied the seashell. "You're right. It is pretty. It reminds me of your eyes."

Sora blushed at the contact and at Roxas' words. "S-Shut up," he stuttered. "My eyes are just a plain blue. Like yours."

Roxas pulled Sora close. "They're beautiful. Every time I close my eyes, I see yours." Sora hugged Roxas. Something was up.

"Roxas," he began. "What were you thing about?" Roxas gazed into Sora's eyes. "I was thinking of how we'll always be together and how I always want to see those beautiful blue eyes." And then their lips touched. Sora dropped the seashell, instantly responding to Roxas' actions. As the sun set, it laid there in the sand, forgotten. For now.

xXx

Roxas Strife stared at the sparkling blue seashell on his desk. It served as a paperweight, but it held so many memories. Memories that he promised to forget. That seashell wasn't helping. But he would never part with it. The 18 year old prodigy ran a hand through his blonde hair that was arranged in shaggy spikes. He was determined to look young if he was going to work with old, ugly and boring adults. They could try and torture him with responsibilities of work all they want, but at least he looked better than all of them put together.

Speaking of work, Roxas now gave his attention to a pile of paperwork, sitting on his desk. He just got back from his vacation and what was this? His 'welcome back' present, his cheerful secretary, Olette Anzai, had oh so nicely put it. Damn it all. This was just payback because he scared her and made her drop her ice cream when she was on a lunch break!

No. No more excuses. He was now in charge of Twilight Technology. He was filthy rich and owned almost all of Twilight Town and other places. The business became his responsibility when his brother joined the military. Someone had to make their father happy. It was just the fact that he had to do it that sucked. Roxas leaned back into his armchair. Cloud. The moment he had turned 16, he enrolled into ShinRa, turning his back on the family that tried to control him. He only kept in touch with Roxas, occasionally visiting him. Roxas smiled, fingering the framed picture of him and Cloud. Quiet yet aggressive. He held no bitter feelings. The military was perfect for Cloud. Besides, Roxas trusted Cloud's best friend, Zack, to watch over him.

His gaze wandered over to the seashell again and Roxas felt his throat tighten again.

"Roxas! Isn't this seashell pretty?"

He was remembering again. Roxas shook his head violently, trying to rid himself of those painful memories. He shoved the seashell into the bottom drawer of his desk. That part of his life was over now.

And it would stay that way.

xXx

"Mom? Where are we going?" Sora asked, as he watched his mother throw his clothes in a duffel bag.

"Sora, honey," his mother began, panic clear in her voice. "We're leaving. We have to go." She handed him the duffel bag. He stared at it. Not understanding. "What about Dad? What about Roxas?" He rubbed the now healing bruise on his cheek. "Wont Dad get angry? I don't want to leave Roxas. I still need to apologize…"

His mother had finished packing her bag. "We have no choice, Sora," she said as she grabbed her son's hand. "We have to get out of here." She hauled Sora down the stairs despite his protests. She had to get out of this…hell hole. But she realized that the devil she married was already in the living room. Expecting them.

"Going somewhere…?" Sora's father slurred, drinking the rest of his cheap beer. Sora hid behind his mother as they backed up. She tensed. "We weren't leaving." The drunken man sauntered lazily over to them. "Those bags I see?"

A reply came instantly. "Sora has a sleepover to go to. I was driving him there." At those words, the man snapped. "How dare you lie to me?!" He shoved his wife into the wall and watched as she fell down clutching her head in pain. The so called father slammed his empty beer bottle into the wall and knelt in front of Sora's frozen body. Sora's eyes widened in fear but he couldn't move. It was impossible. He couldn't suppress a shudder as he felt his father's calloused fingers caress his face. "You would leave me Sora?" Sora shook his head as his father's hand drifted lower. Oh Gods…He was doing it again.

"That's right. Because you're my little whore. I'm not even done with you. You can be so addicting at times…" Sora whimpered and closed his eyes, imagining Roxas. He felt hands grip his face roughly "Look at me!" Sora immediately opened his eyes. He had never seen his father so angry. "You were thinking about him again! Weren't you?!". Sora shook his head, but his father went on. "I've seen how that stupid rich boy looks at you! You don't deserve him! You're worthless and tainted! You're a whore! But you keep seeing him!"

Sora watched as his father raised his arm, broken bear bottle in hand. "Well how about you see nothing at all?!" Sora's mother head snapped up but she was to late to reach son. "SORA!!" Was all that was heard as white hot pain flared up in Sora's eyes and he succumbed to darkness instantly, the scent of blood following him.

xXx

Sora Hikari sat quietly on the wide bed in his large room, the sun's bright rays coming through the windows and reflecting off of Sora's blue tinted Armani sunglasses. They hid his disgusting eyes from the world. But he could still hear. Hear the whispers of disgust and hatred. If was blind, why couldn't he be deaf also? Sora gripped his hands tightly, reveling in the feeling of the cool feeling of his silver rings on his fingers. He didn't want to remember. The birds were chirping again. It was a beautiful day, he could feel the sun's warmth. Slowly, Sora got up and began walking across the huge room. Walking without a cane wasn't a problem for him. He could feel the room. Sense everything in it and around him. And without a trip or stumble, Sora made his way over to the grand piano in the room. He ran a hand over the smooth, ivory surface at sat down on the plush, leather seat that came with it.

His hands ghosted over the keys, barely making a sound but he could still hear it. He sighed. His hands were all he had left. No, that wasn't true. It was his music. Music was all he had left in this world of darkness. Sora was a skilled pianist and a gifted singer. The best in Radiant Garden. He was known as Shiro Amano to the world. It's a miracle how his hands weren't cramped. He had played nearly around the world now and he was only 18. He was amazingly rich and he was only 18. As if that mattered. Sora Hikari was dead to the world.

Sora listened tentatively as his right index finger pressed down on a key. A mild note was released. It was bitter. It needed company. His left ring finger pressed down on a key at the far left of the piano. Much better. It was coming to him now. A new song. A new message. Sora's songs always evoked emotions from within. He was still waiting for someone to see the horrible pain behind the music. But then again, when he had he ever crossed paths with someone who cared, who were that observant?

"Every time I close my eyes, I see yours."

Sora's breath caught in his throat. Him. He cared. He loved him. Sora smiled sadly. He also thought he was dead. Sora had heard of Roxas Strife's exploits around the world. Twilight Technology soon became a necessity to human life. It was like it provided human life. They extended peoples lives, destroyed diseases, made technology for a wide range of businesses. It was all good. They were changing the world. Soon Roxas would be changed. He chuckled darkly.

Naminé Belacqua, a artist and a singer he met during one of his tours. She only knew him as Shiro Amano but they became friends even though he didn't like her much. Sora thought she had a complex. By the way she talked and acted, he learned that she had a problem with unorganized things and had this weird infatuation with the color white. Everything she had was white. Her whole house was white. When Naminé told him this, Sora burst out laughing from the inside. Roxas absolutely hated the color white.

"Too much white can make a man go insane! It can turn a serial killer into a saint, a demon into an angel! When we get married everything is gonna be blue!"

Sora smiled bitterly as he remembered his best friend's words. That was when everything was so simple. But now. Everything was in chaos. Naminé had only recently told him of her suspicions of Roxas proposing to her soon. Life was cruel. Sora wanted so badly to call Roxas. He wanted to tell him that everything was alright, that he was alive. His hands fell against the piano's keys, a horrible sound erupting as tears fell from Sora pale and lifeless eyes. He took off his expensive sunglasses and wiped his eyes. Crying helps nothing. He promised. Promised to never interfere with Roxas' life again. He would never bring pain to him. If Naminé made him happy, then…Roxas was happy. Sora was dead remember? Who cared what he thought.

Sora shook his head. He needed to pull himself together and stop dwelling on the past. It was over now. Sora let his hand drift over the piano's keys, eliciting soft melodic tones. This was becoming a good piece. He had to think of lyrics for it. It would be perfect for his performance he had this evening. He paused as felt his cell phone vibrate in his pants pocket. He sighed and pulled it out. He knew who it was even without the blessed gift of sight.

"Hello?" Sora answered wearily.

"Hey Sora. It's me!" No shit, Naminé. I didn't give the Easter bunny my number, Sora thought angrily.

"It's good to hear from you, Naminé." It was time to put up the act again. "What's up?"

He heard Naminé hesitate and grimaced. She wanted something.

"Um...You know how you have that performance tonight? I was wondering if you could get me tickets. I want to surprise Roxas. He's been tense lately." Maybe it was the overdose off ass kissing you gave him pining for a big diamond ring, Sora said to himself.

But it was for Roxas. Anything for Roxas. He had to be happy not tense. Sora gave in. "Not a problem Naminé. All you need to do is be at the theatre at the correct time and tickets will be held for you. Just give them your name."

Naminé squealed on the phone. "I knew I could count on you Sora!" Sora immediately said goodbye to her quickly hanging up. A person could on take so much. "What would she do if I didn't pick up?" Sora asked no one in particular, his question echoing in the room in a clear voice.

Sora got up from the piano, his newly created piece now finished. He strode out of his rooms door, shutting it softly behind him.

It was time to get ready.

xXx

Roxas was sitting on a swing when at the local playground when he saw Sora limp over to him.

"Sora!" Roxas panicked as he ran to Sora's side, holding him close. He ran a ran lightly over the bruises that riddled his friends face. Sora shivered and leaned into his friends embrace. "Nothing happened. BlitzBall got a little rough. That's all."

Roxas nodded and showered Sora's face with kisses, not noticing how the boy winced at his touch and kiss. "Please be more careful Sora. I couldn't bear to lose you."

Sora simply nodded and pulled away. "Lets go play tag Roxas! I bet Kairi and Riku will wanna play!" Roxas nodded, smiling and ran off searching for their friends, failing to notice the dark red stain in the back of Sora's pants. Sora watched Roxas went out of sight before bent over coughing up blood.

xXx

Roxas watched as his paperwork fell scattered across the office. Fuck paperwork. He was going out early to grab a drink with Hayner. Roxas groaned as his office phone rang. The thought of getting drunk never looked so good right now. He pressed he button and Olette's voice filled the room.

"Roxas, your girlfriend called wanting to speak to you. Put her through?"

Roxas groaned again. He did not need this right now! "Tell her I'm busy, Olette." Roxas stated. He was about to end the call when she interrupted.

"She says it's a really important emergency."

Roxas closed his eyes and sighed. "Is she dying?"

"No."

"Was she mugged?"

"No."

"Is she pregnant?"

"No."

"Is she cheating on me with you?"

He heard a sharp intake of breathe on the other and decided that saying that may have been the biggest mistake he has ever made in his life up until now. "I'm putting her on the line now, Mr. Strife," Olette politely answered. Dear Gods he was dead. He knew she was going to get him back. "Olette! Don't do this –"

Click.

"Roxas, sweetheart! It's Naminé! I have a surprise for you!"

"Hurry up and surprise me then," Roxas said in a bored voice. "I have to take a shit and I don't like holding things in longer than necessary." Naminé ignored his tone unfortunately and went on.

"I'm taking us out tonight! I know you've been stressed out recently – No thanks to you, Roxas added silently. – so I got us tickets for dinner and show at Radiant Garden Theatre!"

Roxas rolled his eyes. "We live in Twilight Town," he said on a low tone. "What the hell made you think I would want to eat all the way out at some cheesy theatre with lame entertainment? If I want foreign food with a show, I'll order Wutainese and see if they can deliver under five minutes, got it?"

He heard Naminé giggle. What the hell was so fun- "Shiro Amano is performing."

"I'll pick you up at seven. Bye."

xXx

"D-Dad! S-Stop!" Sora yelled as he tried to get away from his father.

The room smelled like cheap beer and cigarettes. As always the older man was drunk and was now tearing his son's clothes off. "Quiet now Sora. You know you want it."

Sora shook his head furiously, tears flying everywhere. "I don't want it! I don't want it!" He received a hard slap across the face.

"Shut the hell up! Now!" Pants and underwear were ripped off. Sora cried out in pain as his father gripped his member harshly and turned him around on the old bed.

He screamed Roxas' name in pain as his father thrust into him violently.

xXx

Sora splashed cold water onto his face. He turned the tap off and grabbed the hand towel to wipe his face. It was like this all the time. Right before every damn performance those wretched memories came back. His world was completely dark yet he can still see that man. An endless nightmare. But he had come to terms with it. He deserved it. He was nothing. Nothing but trash this world recycles for everyone use, as his father put it.

Sora heard the voice everywhere. Even though he was dead, he was alive. Sora was famous and rich yet absolutely hated himself. Hated this disgusting, tainted, used person he was that people praised. He was a monster. A disgusting monster, yet no one could see it. No one could the pain. So many times had thoughts of suicide crossed the pianist's mind. But he refrained from it. Someone like him didn't deserve death. He was a walking sin, damned to walk an eternity in darkness.

And he accepted it. Until he crossed a street at the wrong time and, as they say, the rest is history.

Sora placed the Armani sunglasses back on and walked out of the private bathroom. He sighed as loud noises and conversations greeted his sensitive ears from every direction. He was still in Radiant Garden's theatre. His performance was tonight. Sora hated loud places. Hopefully when he walked out on stage the idiots would shut up.

Sora made his way backstage without any problems. He heard a voice call out to him instantly recognizing Leon, his manager. He could feel Leon coming towards him, walking stern and confident, guard always up. He always seemed to loosen up around Sora.

"You'll be going on stage in five minutes. Nervous?"

Sora smirked. "Leon. I'm blind. Its impossible for me to get stage fright so what is there for me to be nervous of?"

"You could walk out in your underwear."

At that, Sora snorted. "Oh please. I dress myself."

"See? That's what I'm afraid of."

Sora turned hearing an unknown voice.

"Shiro Amano to the stage, please. Everything is ready."

Sora nodded. "See you later Leon," he said as he headed for the stage.

Apparently, Leon wasn't done yet. "Sure you don't want to change your clothes?"

"Very funny."

The curtains opened and the applause began.

I know I'm nervous.

Tell me what you think.

-- M