Trail of Broken Hearts

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Chapter 2

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Dinner was anything but ordinary in the Strife household. I walked down the stairs, hearing the chatter of my brothers amongst my father's reprimanding voice. However, I heard another that caught me off guard.

I stepped off the stairs and walked across the foyer, finding myself in the kitchen. Nervously, I glanced around, seeing dad washing his hands in the sink. He turned around, drying his hands on a dishtowel, jumping slightly as his gaze full onto me.

"There you are, Sora. I was wondering if Ventus had told you about dinner." He smiled at me, ruffling my hair affectionately.

I smiled faintly at him, only to receive a gentle push toward the dining room.

"Take a seat with your brothers. I'll have dinner out in a moment."

"Okay."

I headed into the dining room, surprised at how large the room was. A large oak table stood in the center of the white-walled room, six chairs lining the table. I raised a brow at the amount of chairs. There were only four of us, right? Why were there so many?

Ventus was seated on the right side of the table, Roxas sitting across from him. I sat down across from them, feeling awkward. Their eyes were trained on me, silently judging me.

Ventus broke the tense moment, sending a cheerful smile my way.

"I was wondering when you'd come down, Sor."

I smiled back briefly. "I guess I lost track of time."

Roxas rolled his eyes at my statement. "Because unpacking is so hard and time consuming," he taunted.

"It is. I'm still unpacking." I sent his way.

"Whatever."

Ventus looked at us both and frowned. "Come on guys, cheer up! I don't think we'll want Dad to intervene and ground us. Besides, Leon is here too."

Roxas sighed heavily and gave a nod. "Fine. I'll be on my best behavior oh perfect one."

Ventus sighed and then glanced at me with a hopeful smile.

"No worries, Ven. I'll behave." It was then that I remembered the name he had mentioned a few moments earlier.

"Who is Leon?"

Ventus and Roxas glanced at each other silently. It felt like I had asked a forbidden question.

After a bit, Ventus answered with a quick notion. "He's dad's friend. He's over here a lot. Get used to seeing him."

I didn't say anything. They were hiding something from me. Why were they so quiet and tense when I asked about Leon?

Heavy footfalls echoed across the wooden floor. I heard that deep voice again, the one I hadn't recognized earlier. In stepped the man who I had seen in all the pictures hanging on the walls.

Leon stood at an impressive height. His hair was short, framing his face and chin. A large scar covered a great amount of his face, running into his deep cerulean eyes. He wore leather combat boots, tight jeans and a black shirt.

He took one of the two seats at the head of the table, smiling at my brothers.

"Hey kids, how's it going today?"

Ventus and Roxas both greeted him kindly, leaving me to face the brunet awkwardly.

His eyes fell onto me, curiosity evident in his cerulean depths.

"Ah, you must be Sora."

I gave a weak nod. "Yes, sir."

He shook his head and made a face. "No need to call me, sir. I'm not that old, kid."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize. Just call me Leon."

I gave a nod in affirmation. "Okay, Leon."

He gave me a smile that made the moment less awkward.

"Good. Well it's great to finally meet you, Sora. I've heard a lot about you."

"Good things I hope."

Dad walked into the room with a large pot in his hands. He set it in the center of the table, chuckling.

"I see you've met Leon, Sora."

"Yes, we've met." the brunet added. He stood up and walked over toward Dad.

"Let me help you get dishes, Cloud. You know how those boys are too caught up to do anything else."

Roxas and Ventus pouted at this, yelling out a 'hey!'

I shook my head and turned toward the adults.

"Would you like me to help set the table?"

Leon and Cloud stopped and looked down at me in surprise.

"You want to help us set the table?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Sure why not? Since those two won't help, I don't mind lending a hand." I added, feeling bold.

Dad smiled at me and ruffled my hair at my comment. "You were always the polite and obedient one, Sor." As he said this, he looked at my hair, making a face.

"You need a haircut, Sky."

Dad often called me 'sky.' He had named me Sora, which means 'sky' in Japanese. I never understood why he named me that.

A frown marred my face at this. I recoiled from his touch, shaking my head.

Seeing this, both of the adults chuckled at me.

"What's wrong with a haircut, kid?" Leon asked.

I didn't reply at first, not wanting to give them the reasoning behind my hate of haircuts.

"I just don't want to cut it is all."

"Sora, I won't force you to cut it all off, but I think you need to get a trim at least. I'll give you some money to get it done this week, okay?"

My father's tone wasn't one to argue with. I just nodded, knowing that his word was final. After all, I was living under his roof now.

Satisfied with my acceptance, he then led me to the kitchen, Leon staying behind with my brothers.

I found it strange that Leon didn't come with us. Something was up.

I stopped in front of the island in the kitchen, gazing up at the tall counters. Damn it… the entire layout of this kitchen is for tall people.

Dad opened a few cabinets, taking out dishes. He handed me five plates and then proceeded to get silverware out of a nearby drawer.

The tension was thick as hell. What was going on?

"Thanks for helping me set the table, Sora. Your brothers rarely help me with that anymore."

I offered him a small smile. "I always help mom set the table for dinner. It's the least I can do for you too. For taking me in and all."

I looked down at the plates, finding the intricate patterns a matter of interest.

Huh, who knew plates could have such cool designs.

"Sora, you're my son. I'd do anything for you."

The response was expected of course. Dad does anything and everything for us. He always has. It's one of the reasons why I was able to attend the private school back home. I faced many problems at the public school there.

"I know, Dad. I just want to help out in any way I can."

He took out the remainder of the silverware and set them on top of the dishes.

"Sora, can you help me out with something?"

I looked up, cerulean eyes wide. "Hmm? Sure, what do you need help with?"

He looked so serious in that moment that I knew it was something of great importance to him.

"Well, it's a few things, actually. First off, can you help us out with Roxas? Ven and I have tried to get through to him but he doesn't listen. He's been going through some rough times lately."

'Shit. I should have known it involved Roxas. This was going to be tough.'

"I can try. He and I aren't on the best of terms right now."

Dad's eyes so eerily similar to mine narrowed. He looked angry at this bit of knowledge. His fists clenching at his sides.

"He's being rude to you? Do I need to talk to him?"

I shook my head quickly. "No! I can handle it. I think he's just having a hard time adjusting to me being here. It is my fault. I haven't seen him or the rest of you in four years."

He didn't say anything for a bit. I knew deep down it had upset him and he had a hard time dealing with my lack of communication and visiting.

"Sora, let's take this out shall we? Dinner is probably getting cold."

Nodding in response, I followed him back out to the dining room, spotting the all too familiar angered gaze from Roxas.

It was going to be an interesting stay here on the islands with my family.

(***)

Dinner went by quickly. No one spoke while we were eating. It was odd to see how tense one dinner could possibly be. With mom, dinner was always a warm and comforting time.

We'd talk and ask each other about our days. It was even nicer when Zack was over. Dinner just felt right with mom and Zack. Here at dad's… I'm not sure what to expect.

I retired to my room after dinner, declining the dessert that Leon had brought over. Ventus must have thought I was insane.

No, I'm not insane. I needed to be alone. Dinner was stressful enough with Roxas glaring at me and Leon trying to ask me questions once we had finished eating.

So here I was, locked in my new bedroom, lying on the bed with my iPod on full blast, music blaring through my headphones. My eyes closed as I allowed myself to relax, knowing that tomorrow would begin the true trials I feared. School. I would be attending a public school this time around.

Destiny High was the only high school on the main island. This I had learned from Ventus on the walk home from the station. They didn't wear uniforms as far as I knew. That was new for me.

Tomorrow I wouldn't be Sora. I would be Sora Strife, the youngest son of Cloud Strife. Dad was popular on these islands. His name was celebrity status. Ventus and Roxas both dealt with this for years. I had not. Just how hard would it be to fill the shoes as Strife here?

The music distracted me briefly, reminding me that I still had to deal with tomorrow. I hadn't been in a public school since my parent's divorce. I had lost a bit of myself in those times, upset by their splitting. It all changed after I was beaten up by Seifer. He had beaten me to unconsciousness that day. Mom wouldn't stand for it. She and Dad both decided that I needed a more 'stable and secure' place to finish my education.

I had barely started high school before I was pulled out and brought here. I was scared. Meeting new people and making friends… Just how would these people react to me, the distant little brother of Roxas and Ventus Strife?

Sighing, I turned onto my side, headphones sliding down my head.

With this movement, I could hear someone banging on my bedroom door. The knocking was insistent, annoying even.

I shoved my headphones off, hearing the knocking only increase further. 'Shit.'

Stalking over to the door, I opened it, finding myself face-to-face with Roxas.

Seeing him, my brows rose in surprise. 'Why is he of all people banging on my bedroom door?'

"Is there something you wanted?"

He glared at me, appearing annoyed. "I've been banging on your stupid door for the past twenty minutes."

Roxas always exaggerated. Like he had been knocking on the door that long.

"Sorry, I was listening to music."

"Whatever. Look, Dad told me to come and apologize to you for how I've been treating you."

"He did?"

The blond nodded. "Yeah, he told me I wasn't being fair. I mean it's been four years since you've given a damn about us."

I knew where this was going. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him. He just had to bring that up continuously.

"Roxas, stop. I think we've argued about this enough for one day. Bring it up tomorrow. I'm tired and I have to get stuff ready for school."

He didn't react to my comments, choosing to smirk at me.

"Deal. Oh and we leave for school at six-thirty, dummy. Be ready and don't expect me to help you out. You're on your own, Sora."

With that said, Roxas sauntered down the hall to his and Ventus' room, slamming the door closed.

'Well, looks like he's warming up to me a bit.'

I turned around and closed my door, locking it again. Tomorrow was beginning of my new life here on the islands. I hope that I can get through it and make a friend or two.