Kingdom Hearts: A New Power

Chapter 2: Love

Aeros reached the Feasting Hall several minutes before Chorey did, and got to enjoy a substantial dinner before his new found friend even reached the Hall, panting slightly from the effort of trying to catch up with him.

Aeros was still a little hurt from his father's comments earlier in the day, and felt an even greater pang in his heart as Riku stood up to deliver a speech to the students.

"Students of the Keyblade Academy, I hope you all enjoyed your feast." Riku boomed out confidently as he addressed them. "However, as you know, final exams are all upon us. I look forward to grading all of our classes, and I hope you all are performing up to standards." As he said this, he looked down at Aeros subtly. Aeros frowned under his father's gaze, refusing to allow himself to accept that his father's way was the only way to fight.

'I'll graduate, Father.' He silently thought, issuing a challenge through those thoughts, 'Just watch me. I'll graduate, with flying colours, and you'll have no choice but to accept that I'm just as capable as you are. Just as good a fighter as Chorey, only in a different way.'

Riku held Aeros' gaze long enough, he decided, and proceeded to snap away from it. "Now, I trust you are all well-fed on dinner, so, here's a little dessert to go alongside it." Riku clapped his hands, and the kitchen staff proceeded to flood the hall, each carrying a small mound of various sweets. Aeros grabbed a little of everything, taking in as much as he could handle.

As everyone began to slow down in their eating, Riku stood up again, excused everyone from the hall, and bid them goodnight. Aeros walked with Riku and Terra to the family's home, and settled in for the night.

Aeros laid awake in his bed for a couple of hours before the door to his room opened silently. So intent he was on his thoughts, that he did not notice his companion until his mother gently sat down on his bed next to him. Aeros jerked in surprise as his thoughts were broken.

"Mother," Aeros said softly. "Why are you here?"

Terra smiled softly at her son, then replied, "Don't think your father and I didn't notice you being late for dinner. Where did you go, anyway? We spend hours looking for you, and were worried when we couldn't find you."

Aeros bowed his head, remembering what his father had said. "I heard what Father said to you, Mother... about how much of a failure I am, about how I will never live up to his expectations. About how I am not strong enough for him to accept me..." Aeros started sobbing softly into his knees, silently cursing himself for his lack of strength.

Terra looked at Aeros, stunned. "You... You heard that conversation, didn't you? After today's training?" Aeros nodded, trying to stifle his crying. Terra gently put her arm around her son's shoulder, and silently cursed Riku for being so stubborn. "Aeros, it isn't like that, really... Your father is just surprised about how you turned out when it came to fighting, that's all."

Aeros sniffed and said bitterly, "Yeah, Mother, 'surprised'... not disappointed or anything.", turning his head slightly away from her.

"Honey," Terra said soothingly, while gently stroking his back, "your father isn't disappointed in you, I assure you. He loves you, as do I, and we could never be disappointed in you. You are still perfectly capable of holding your own in battle, he just isn't sure how best to develop your abilities to make you be the best you can be."

Aeros looked up at his mother, his eyes red from constant crying, tear stains streaking his cheeks. "A-are you sure, Mother?" He hiccuped, his breathing still heavy.

"Of course, dear." Terra held her son close. "Don't worry about it, he'll think of something, and be able to support you." She then let go of him, and walked out the door. "Rest up, kid. Tomorrow's a big day. Gotta prepare for your exams, right?" Aeros nodded as he got under the covers of his bed, and rested his eyes. "Goodnight, Aeros."

"Goodnight, Mother." Aeros yawned, as Terra smiled sweetly at him, turned off his light, and silently shut the door.

Terra slipped into her bed, and started manipulating an aura ball that she conjured up. After a little while, Riku finally decided to retire for the night.

"You're not still trying to combine your aura with Rexrat, are you, babe?" Riku smirked as he slipped under his own covers. He saw the slip in her concentration, and knew he didn't simply disturb her concentration. "Terra, what's wrong?" He asked, wondering what could have spawned that reaction.

"Aeros over-heard our little conversation after training today." Terra muttered angrily, the division between the two auras becoming more distinct as she spoke. "He thinks you're disappointed in him, and is extremely hurt now."

"Take it that's why he ran off, and didn't return until half-way through dinner?" Riku sighed, and rolled his eyes. "Pfft, it's for good reason, too. No point in taking these courses if you barely lay a scratch on an enemy."

Terra gave up on the aura ball, and dismissed it, rolling away from him. "You're so stubborn, Riku. Why can't you see that he's got a gift, just not the same as you or I?" She spoke bitterly.

Riku winced slightly at her icy tone, but then proceeded to rest his head on her shoulder. "What say you we have another attempt, babe?" His fingers traced over the skin of her arm. "We could make a much better kid, a much stronger one, just you and me. How about it?"

Terra snorted, slapped his hand off, and pulled the sheets up over her. "You're being a real jerk about this, Riku. Can't you at least try to show him some support? He's got potential, like I said."

Riku rolled his eyes and turned around. "Potential my ass." He yawned before drifting off to sleep. He was asleep so soon, that he wasn't aware of Terra's growing anger, or the sadness of the young boy in the room across the hall.

"Yeah, Mother... 'surprised'" Aeros muttered as he cried himself to a fitful sleep.