y.They Say a War is Coming
Written by (-whiteribbons-)
Chapter 2 : Something to remember me by?
Roxas and I spent the entire night unpacking while I listened to him hum a tune. He has a good voice, but he won't listen to me for a second when I tell him that. I just listened to it, because it seemed to soothe me.
The thoughts of never seeing my parents again, never being called Sora-kun again, heck, I even miss their Japanese bickering. It was really hard keeping myself from tears, but being with Roxas kind of calms my heart.
I don't particularly remember the song he's murmuring, but it was oddly beautiful.
"When you walk away, you don't hear me say, please… oh baby… don't go. Simple and Clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight, it's hard to let it go." I couldn't evoke the lyrics, but I heard the far-off tune of a guitar in the distance, as if I heard it straight from the radio, as if the song were playing all on its own. But I don't remember where and how I heard it, and yet the perfect way Roxas would sing it would bring my unreadable, distant memories to recall the easy guitar strokes that matched flawlessly with his song. I can only calmly smile as I rested on my cot.
"Ani?" I asked again, it seems that since we've got here, all I've done was ask a variety of questions. I wondered if he was annoyed yet.
"mm?" He stopped humming and murmuring, looking at me for a split second before resting again, waiting for my question.
"That song you were singing, I think I've heard it before, but I don't know where."
"It's funny, it's the same for me." I blinked at him. He was laying on his cot, arms folded behind his head, smiling dreamily to the ceiling, "I don't know where it came from. It popped into my head as I unpacked, and it kinda just flowed out of my mouth."
"Huh…" I said, thinking back, trying to remember. Whatever it was, seemed to have calmed my heart a lot. My thoughts of crying had vanished.
That's when a real guitar started playing- from next door.
The tune must have thrown off the moment, because Roxas growled, eyes glowering, as he marched out the door and yelled towards the barrack located to our left. "Axel shut up!"
"I know you like it! Hey, come sing me a song like you always do!"
"Hell no!"
I blinked and followed my brother outside, sighing in embarrassment as he started another fight with Axel.
"You guys are bothering the neighbors." Riku said cooly, he coughed a bit before regaining a nonchalant smile on his perfect face.
As I entered the scene, his eyes seemed to turn to me, so I looked away, blushing, hoping he didn't notice me staring. I don't like it when that happens- when you look at someone, but they seem to notice you staring at them then you look straight away, at first unaware that you were staring in the first place, but afterwards just plain embarrassed that you were looking so long. Some people tell me my stare is crazy, though I can't tell why. Is it because I just stare stupidly while I'm thinking?
He, instead, walked down the steps and confronted me with a smile. "Hey there, I'm Riku." He held out a hand.
I shook it gently, shyly, "H-hi, Riku, I'm Sora."
"You go to our school right, why don't I know you?" I shrugged and stared at him again. It was no wonder girls swarmed around him, heaven seemed to shine on him! As we let go of each other's hands, I bowed politely, using it as an excuse to hide my red face. I wonder if he had caught me staring again.
"Rikuuu! Are you cheating on me for Sora-chan!!" Axel flailed towards Riku, totally knocking him off from me, but somehow not knocking him off balance. Regaining composure, he brushed Axel off gently before turning to me and smiling. But as fast as he caught my eye with his smile, he turned and began a coughing fit.
Axel began to pat him on the back, trying to help him breathe.
"You're no fun, Riku." Axel said, pouting as he helped Riku once again regain his composure, "And go take some medication or something, like I told you to do before we got into the bus. And you say I don't listen." It was obvious that Riku had been sick even before they had arrived. The man shook Axel off, telling him not to worry before coughing and walking back into the barrack, most likely not going to take Axel's advice. Why I'd suspect that, I had no clue, but something in my gut went 'he's the kind of guy who just won't do it, regardless for the lack of reason.' I trust my gut a lot, it speaks nonsense but in the end can most of the time be right.
While my gut was explaining its thoughts to me, Axel had turned back to my brother, who had calmed down for a bit while Axel was occupied with Riku. Sadly, the second Riku left, things reverted back to the fight.
"Come on Roxy-poo! Your singing is like heaven above!" Why did that sentence make me gag, even though it is true?
"Shut up and leave me alone!" Roxas yelled. I've never seen him so worked up, usually he's a lot calmer than I'd ever be.
Axel stuck out his tongue before following Riku into the barrack. Roxas growled and stomped off to ours, only leaving me to weakly follow.
He went back to his cot, retaining the comfortable position he was in before he had stomped out the door and stared at the ceiling. He didn't try to continue singing, probably bothered by Axel, and probably out of fear that he would snap out at me because Axel wore down his patience- I didn't speak a word.
It took an hour of silence for me to notice I was bored enough to just fall asleep, but certain thoughts began to haunt me again as I tried. My parents aren't here- one of the sources of safety at night that kept me sleeping soundly. The fact that the barracks had no electricity and that we had no candles to light up the place didn't help me any either. I felt I was at the verge of tears, obvious that I just wanted things to get back to the way they used to be- after this god forsaken war and this god forsaken restrictment law.
"Ani…" I murmured, hiding my tears. It would be no use for him to worry, he might use it as an excuse to not to do what I wanted him to do, "Can you sing that song again?"
He blinked at me before complaining, "Are you sure, I may break your eardrums."
"Please, I really liked it." I begged, my voice a little shaky from the tears. I tried my best to make myself sound as clear as possible, luckily, though, he took it was full-proof begging.
"Okay, okay." He sighed, starting the song up again.
"When you walk away, you don't hear me say, please… oh baby… don't go. Simple and Clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight, it's hard to let it go." The distant guitar I said I heard through memory seemed to suddenly become real, and it truly did. I suspected Axel was right outside our door sitting there with the guitar he snuck with him, strumming. It only meant he knew the song well too, but what was weirder was that Roxas only paused for a second, he didn't go out there and yell at Axel this time.
"You're giving me… too many things, lately. You're all I need… ohhh… you smiled at me… and said.
"Don't get me wrong I love you, but does that mean I have to meet your father, when we are older you'll understand, what I meant when I said 'no I don't think, life is quite that simple.'
"When you walk away, you don't hear me say please…. Oh baby… don't go. Simple and Clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight, it's hard to let it go…
"The Daily things, like this and that and what is what, that keep us all busy, are confusing me… that's when you came to me, and said, 'wish I can prove I love you, but does that mean I have to walk, on water, when we are older you'll understand it's enough when I say so, and maybe, some things are that simple.'
"When you walk away, you don't hear me say, please… Oh baby… don't go. Simple and Clean is the way you're making me feel tonight, it's hard to let go…
"Hold me, whatever lies beyond this morning is a little later on… regardless of warnings, the future doesn't scare me at all… Nothing's like before…
"When you walk away, you don't hear me say, please… Oh baby… don't go. Simple and Clean is the way you're making me feel tonight, it's hard to let go…
"Hold me, whatever lies beyond this morning is a little later on… regardless of warnings, the future doesn't scare me at all… Nothing's like before…
"Hold me, whatever lies beyond this morning is a little later on… regardless of warnings, the future doesn't scare me at all… Nothing's like before…"
As the guitar faded, I felt myself drift to sleep, Roxas' voice resonating in my head. I smiled calmly as Roxas hummed the last tunes.
Everything will be alright.
xX…Xx
"Are those the ones?" A dark figure asked, tapping his foot on the ground, growling.
"Appearently." A younger one sighed, watching the two from afar.
"We can't let him get his hands on them, or everything I've planned these entire four years may go to waste.
The other sighed again, continuing to watch them, "Tell me the reason you're doing this again, brother?"
There was no response, for the man only walked off, a pissed off look on his dark face.
xX…Xx
I woke up the next morning moaning over to Roxas, who I wanted to help me get up, but as I opened my eyes, I noticed…
…he wasn't there.
Blinking, I hopped off my bed and got dressed, heading out the door.
"Ani?" I called out, of course not getting any response. The area between the barracks was empty and quiet, it was far too early for anyone to just be walking around, well excepting for one.
"Hey Sora." I turned to see Riku walking down the aisle, holding a box of things. He coughed a bit, almost dropping his stuff. I jumped forward to help him, but he easily regained balance and signaled that he was alright.
I nodded before remembering what I was investigating, "Oh Riku, I was wondering if you've seen my brother."
"That's kind of funny, I was looking for Axel too, do you think they went to go fight somewhere?" My mind flashed to the events of the afternoon before.
"Oh no, I don't want them fighting! I have to go find them!" I was about to rush off when I was stopped.
"Hey wait." I turned to see him throw something at me. Luckily I caught it, and took a second to examine the article. A piece of fresh bread, "it's your breakfast, I have a feeling it may take you all morning to find them so eat up. If you want, I can go and save them some food too, wherever they are."
"That'd be so great! Thanks Riku, you're really kind!"
"Don't mention it." He whistled and walked into Axel and his shared room to continue unpacking, a few coughs here and there. I smiled. At least we had one good comrade to rely on, but then I also wondered if he took Axel's advice on taking some medication.
I blinked and took a bite of the bread he tossed me while making my rounds, hoping to find the two somewhere. I concentrated on my ears, since I thought I'd hear them fight long before I saw them.
It seems they steered clear of the barracks and went somewhere far from any sign of human, because it wasn't until I was off the barrack's campus that I heard a familiar voice.
But it wasn't bickering that I heard as I approached a site way off of the barrack territory, instead it was beautiful music.
Axel and Roxas were sitting together all buddy-buddy and singing songs together. Really, that's the first time I've ever seen Roxas freely sing, and Axel was pretty good at guitar too. Seeing as these kinds of moments were rare, AKA times Roxas and Axel got along, I snuck off again, hoping they'd come back in time for breakfast.
Then I was reminded of the song I slept to. I hummed it all the way back.
xX…Xx
Just as I hoped, both came bickering in right before breakfast started, luckily we got spots in the middle of the line. With their disgusting bickering though, it was rather hard to stand in line. I could hardly believe they were actually the people calmly sitting there singing and playing guitar into the quiet morning air.
"Maybe if you just agreed with me once in a while." Roxas put his hands on his hips, much like a housewife to a husband who is too busy to do his chores.
"Maybe if you stopped nagging me every now and then." Axel stared grumpily down at him, crossing his arms and shooting a ferocious glare down at Roxas' direction with unforgiving green eyes. Even the purple tattoos below his eyes seemed to glare.
"Why do you torture me so?" Roxas huffed, looking like a lost golden retriever puppy as he pouted.
"Why do you hate me so much?!" Axel protested, using that time to scratch his scalp through his fire-red hair.
The two stopped and glared at each other, making me mentally slap myself. Riku, on the other hand, only stood there coughing a bit with a nice and happy smile. I really wish I could steal it from him right now.
After we got our meals, we sat in front of our barracks. It was unbelievably disgusting.
While gagging, I threw the food away, watching as Roxas and Axel were somehow mobbing it down easily due to so stupid contest they made about who can eat faster. I think I'll laugh when they start throwing up.
The guitar Axel was playing sat calmly on their porch, just letting me enjoy the view and remembering the beautiful sounds of it along with Roxas' voice. I really can't help it, I just wish I can hear it all again. I was too afraid to ask though. Roxas would probably complain about his voice, leaving Axel the time to tease him even more. Maybe one day I'll just sneak along with them and listen from the sidelines. It was a lot better than my CD player.
"So should we get more acquainted?" I snapped out of my thoughts and turned to the flawless voice from beside me. Green orbs eyed me curiously, the shine in them made my heart somehow twist, something a body does when it wants to greedily grab something they want; I was always a sucker for shiny things.
"Sure!" I said happily after a pause. I ignored my urge to just squeeze his eyes out and keep them for my own and looked back at the two boys who were stubbornly fighting.
He coughed a bit before smiling again and continuing, "Okay, while those two bicker, I might get to know the only boy in school that I've never met. I wonder if you're interesting."
"Most likely not." I countered, laughing sheepishly. What could be interesting about me at all?
"I'm sure there's something." Riku replied, as if answering my thoughts.
After a while of surprised silence from me, I continued to reject his idea. To me, there really wasn't. I can't sing, my grades are low, my athletics are completely useless, and overall, I just can't do anything right. It was part of the reason I was always bullied as a child, I'm lucky to have a brother like Roxas to save me.
"So then what's your full name?" Riku asked, letting out one cough into his hands. "I'm Rienaku Riku. Don't try to trace back my last name." I blinked for a minute, wondering why he added that. It also made me wonder where his family was.
"Oh… um," I snapped back into reality, suddenly forgetting my own name for a moment, "I-it's Unmei Sora." My parents always told me that Unmei meant Destiny, and that Roxas and I should be rather proud of our last name.
I was surprised, though, when Riku looked at me with surprised eyes. "Unmei… did your parents say anything about your last name?"
I blinked, "Well they only said it meant Destiny."
Riku seemed to laugh at himself, probably mistaking something about my last name before breaking into a coughing fit. I pat his back, trying to help him, but he calmed down and continued laughing. "Oh, I see, sorry." He said.
"It's fine," I laughed. The subject never resurfaced after that.
We took turns asking questions, but that was only a bunch of Q&A about each other, like 'what's your favorite color' and what not. The only time we really got into something was when I asked, "So, what was your family like?"
He paused for a second, seeming to recall something dangerous, I was at the brink of taking it back, but he decided to answer me anyway.
"I never really got to know them." He smiled his smile and looked up at the sky, but the feeling I got from this was weird, it was as if for once, he was lying. I repeat, the gut speaks nonsense… that makes sense. Maybe it's me who speaks nonsense, "Axel on the other hand ran away from home." He laughed, "The guy was poorer than a snail and right now, in this living style was actually something granted to him."
"Oh…" I said, nodding, "…I really liked my parents, though…" I held back my tears as I remembered everything we used to do together, all together, "but now I know I might not ever see them again."
I was surprised what came next, he hugged me. This definitely wasn't a gesture males would practice, it was more of a female thing for a 'I hope you feel better.' But for some reason, once it did happen, it felt so real coming from another guy. "T-thanks" I stuttered.
Coughing, he turned back to the bickering boys, who were just about dead from yelling so much. I was glad it had quieted down though. With a sigh, I reached back and turned on my CD player.
I layed down on their porch and took a bit of a rest. As I expected, the songs in my CDs didn't compare to the beauty I heard from Axel and Roxas, but it was still a little calming. And because there was really nothing else to do, I took a sudden nap, feeling that I should care less about the world around me.
It wasn't until everyone yelled my name did I wake up.
Another line was forming for lunch.
"Come on, Sora, we'll miss lunch!"
"No it's okay I think I'll pass." I said calmly, no matter what, I wouldn't get to eat that without gagging and throwing it back out.
Riku coughed then held up his hand as if to say that he would skip lunch too.
Roxas glared at me and ranted about how I'll become anorexic if I don't eat, and Axel talked to Riku about how he should eat because he was sick. We both ignored them before they rushed off to get food. Of course, as soon as they left, they found some kind of excuse to bicker, as usual started by something stupid that Axel had to reply on. People were actually leaving the line, annoyed by their fight. It was then I began to wonder how I was able to deal with it.
"Those two are weird." I sighed, putting my CD player away. I need to work on storing its battery, I only have a limited amount, after all.
"Ha ha I know…" He smiled down at me as I sat up, stretching. A few coughs here and there, but he was alright, bringing his arms down an relaxing as he stared off to the sky. A weird thought in me asked me dearly to go and play with the long silver hair before me. It looked so soft and well kept, even in these conditions. I wonder how he was able to dye his hair white. Usually one would say 'ew, he's an old man!' but for some reason, his looks atoned for that con. And it looked so oddly natural as well. In order to keep those thoughts away, I decided to conjure up a random question.
"Hey, Riku, is there something that you think is bad about coming here?" I asked, not really sure where it came from.
"Yeah, I kind of miss school and all my friends and such." He answered it immediately. He looked like the kind who was too smart to care about school, and too cool to have friends, though, so the answer seemed kind of awkward. At the same time, my gut told me it was took awkward to believe. Again, my gut, its nonsense, and the way it always seemed to be right. I took a good look at him, he was staring off as if he didn't care. Maybe my gut really is right.
I replied, remembering the fact that I had no true friends either, excepting my brother of course, "Oh, all my friends told me bye and my girlfriend dumped me as I left, in a calm way…(as if she didn't care) some friends." I glared at the sand below my feet. Really. I don't think they cared for me at all. I was the kind of person prone to being used. And I was, used every second of the day like a maid, or maybe that's what they referred me as, rather than a 'friend'.
"Huh." Riku said, once again nonchalantly, he looked at me sympathetically, though, but afterwards continued to stare off, as if saying 'you seem the kind of person- naïve.' I sighed to myself. Yes, naïve matched my actions all too well.
Never the less, I continued the conversation, "Are all girls like that? You've had a girlfriend right? I mean, my brother said they were always swarming around you…"
"I turn them all down." Not even letting me continue my babble. I blinked at him, and the only thing that went through my mind was 'why?' I'm sure there was some kind of girl he could have liked. But as my thoughts scanned through every girl that went to our school, he asked, "Tell me, who was your girlfriend?"
"Kairi." I blinked back to when she dumped me and sighed to myself. I felt like an idiot.
"Right, she asked me out, and you were kind of her choice if I turned her down."
My mind flashed back to Kairi. Now that I think of it, she didn't seem caring across the phone, and she never really seemed caring at all. I did know her for a long time and all, but when we started going out, she began to get a little distant. Of course, because of this, we never got past the hugging stage, in fact I don't remember her hugging me at all after we hooked up. It was probably the popular girls that she befriended, changing her completely. I remember when she used to be an honest, innocent girl. Really, this is what this horrible world does to you. I looked down in shame, it only made me feel more idiotic.
"Sorry." He said, once again breaking through my thoughts, another coughing fit came after that.
"No, it's fine." I played with my fingers thinking back. Roxas did tell me a while before that she wasn't playing the game as if she really would have wanted me, but I kind of ignored him, thinking I knew Kairi better because we were childhood friends. But after a while of my self-shame, I decided it was too quiet, "So, why did you turn all the girls down, you're already with someone or something?"
He shrugged and looked away for a second, but as I thought of telling him that it was alright for him not to say, but he looked back with a sigh, "You promise you won't hate me if I tell you why?" He looked at me with sincere green eyes, only making me ogle at their perfection before smiling honestly.
"Of course not, we're friends now right? Unlike my friends I'm no backstabber."
He laughed a bit before calming down and pausing for a while. He opened his mouth a few times as if to say something, but closed it right back down. He probably was looking for the right words, and somehow, I find that kind of… adorable?
I know, it was weird.
"I…" He finally started, after one more coughing fit. However, that cough caught him again, and after that fit stopped, unfortunately, 'destiny' seemed to inevitably stop him once again:
"HELLO EVERYONE!" Both of us jumped as Axel and Roxas came crashing back towards us. Well there went our moment.
Riku sighed and shrugged as he walked back into his cabin, coughing. He looked rather upset, he must have really wanted to tell me what he was going to tell me. I was going to follow him, but that would be rude to intrude another's… residence, since we really can't call this a house. I promised myself that when I see him tomorrow I'd ask, but first, I need to help these two get along.
"So how's the powder 'pizza' Ani?" I asked, trying to get my thoughts off the curiosity of Riku's secret.
"mmmphmpm." He gulped and tried again, "It tastes like shit but I like it."
"Hahahaha." Axel nodded in agreement as he stuffed his mouth with more food.
And once again, the food eating contest started.
It was interesting though, because Roxas won this round, unlike the last where Axel took control.
I can't help but smile. Even though they fought every moment of the day, it seems as if their relationship was rather close. I wonder how they act in class, because sadly, school doesn't let us twins be in the same classroom.
After Lunch, Roxas and Axel were so tired they decided to take a nap. It was funny watching them sleep on the ground. Sometimes Roxas would accidentally kick Axel, and sometimes Axel would cuddle around Roxas, it was actually rather amusing to watch. It wasn't until the two were fast asleep and had stopped moving had Riku find his time to wander back out.
"Hey, let's go for a walk." I said immediately, dragging him away from the sleeping pair.
He was rather surprised, but didn't fight back as I dragged him away. When were finally a reasonable distance, I started up our conversation again.
"I'm sorry, I lost you after Axel rudely invaded." Kicking a rock, I took a few long steps forward. Riku followed easily, seeing as he had longer legs.
"It's fine," A cough, "I was going to tell you why I dumped every girl who dared to ask my out right?"
"Yeah." I said casually, waiting for him to tell me who he likes.
"Well… to tell you the truth, I don't like girls." I wasn't really absorbing the words that moment, and I let out an 'oh' in reply. Immediately after, however, I wanted to scream 'what?!' but found it was best I kept that in. I wouldn't really find him so 'homosexual,' though. Usually the gay guys I meet talk like preps and walk around like they're all that. Riku was a normal, hot, teenage boy, but I got my answer about that afterwards, "Well it's not really that I don't like girls, I mean I do like them, but not as much as boys. You can probably consider me bi." The fact got me a little mixed.
"I see." I said, smiling at him. I was okay with that, unlike the other guys at my school who would have just walked off and went 'ew don't get anywhere near me' I could care less. I find it stupid that people can't accept other's sexuality. If he was gay- he was gay. It just meant he likes guys, it doesn't mean he's so desperate for a guy that he'd jump the closest one to him. If that were it, I'd officially be in that range to get jumped, but I wasn't. I've seen girls worse than him, really. What kind of rumors do people have to stupidly pass around anyway?
"You're okay with that?" He asked, curious.
"I don't really care." I said with a smile. It was then, though I had suddenly lost my balance. I felt the air falling around me, and I knew that I should brace myself before my face plumps into the dirt. I wasn't particularly sure what I tripped on, but I knew I just… tripped.
Ready for a face full of dirt I closed my eyes, but instead, something else had happened, and it was a complete accident- because at that moment, I planted my lips on his.
And we shared our first kisses.
END OF CHAPTER 2
A/N: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA I edited this not too long ago, and yeah, it was just a character builder. The next chapter starts the real action, though. If you want to know. Also, I'm making another story as well, so after chapter three, I'm not sure if I want to revert to 'update when can' or something. I guess it relies on what you think. Do you think this is good enough to be updated every week for me? I'd like at least five reviewers telling me that then, because I die without reviews D:
So anyway, I did get reviews last chapter!! X3 it makes me heart them so much! Kanarah J I'd like to thank though for catching stuff for me. No, I didn't do good Japanese studying last chapter, Onii-chan and Okaa-san aren't the right terms for Sora to use. D: Instead, mother should be 'Haha' which I do believe is short for hahane xD Now I remember Kuro-chan saying it, then there's Ani for big brother, not Onii-chan. Thanks so much, KJ! I shall find a way to fix them sometime, thanks and sorry for the inconvenience. Then again, I suspect no one to be really listening to me. –sigh-
TsukiShy and Smiley Smackdown made me happies too :D they told me to keep writing, so I am, so rawr! I promise you, though, that it really does get more interesting from here. Deeper into the knowledge of Riku's true character!! Mysterious, is it not?! Well, maybe not. Nothing I say is interesting :D
I hope you like it though. Rawr, I love you all, review, or I may not update so well.
Notes
OMG LESSONS OF THE DAY?!
Japanese in the camps had harbl food.
They lived in these one room houses called barracks. xD
They slept in these small cots that were horribly uncomfortable.
The only bathroom is like miles away, and it had to be shared with like 1000 people.
Yeah, just some stuff.
And the song sang, it is indeed Simple and Clean by Utada, if you haven't already figured out .0.
It'll play an important role in the story, you'll see (=
Copyright: Kingdom Hearts: i.e. Sora, Axel, Roxas, Riku, and Kairi © Square Enix/Disney Games
Information gathered from and Encarta Student DVD Encyclopedia.