Chapter I
…
Rain fell in the empty city, skyscrapers stood tall in the dark night as the heart shaped moon shinned down on them, the only light other then the occasional neon sign.
Tchhhhh-STATIC-shhhhhhhhhh
A hooded figure walked threw the streets, his steps echoing in the night air.
"Your minds made up?" the hooded figure stopped turning to see another hooded figure identical to himself other then height, leaning against the wall of a near by building.
Chhhhh-STATIC-Sthhhhhhhhhhh
"I have to know" the other figure pushed off the wall.
"You can't…" the small figure looked away.
Shhhhhhhhhhh-STATIC-Tchhhhhhhhh
"No one would miss me" he said walking way from the taller hooded figure.
Sahhhchhhhh-STATIC-Scfhhhhhhhhh
"…I would" the older confessed sadly into the wind.
Schhhhhhh-STATIC-Thhhhhhh
The image blurred as static took over the memory.
…
Roxas eyes snapped open, waking from his dream. Sitting up in alarm as he looked around at his unfamiliar surroundings, slowly he remembered where he was as his dream faded.
"That's right I'm in his room… Sora's room" Roxas said. Looking over seeing the brunette sleeping soundly on the bed beside him, the same boy that talked him into staying in his room with him the night before after the blonde had finished his shower. The brunette took up most of the bed leaving little room for Roxas, the blonde wondered how he wasn't kicked off during the night. Shaking off the thought the teen stood making sure that he didn't wake the other teen as he threw off the star covered sheets. Grabbing his bag before heading down out and down the hall, returning to the bathroom he used the night before. Once changed Roxas exited making his way to the Strife's living room. The blonde sat on the sofa, looking at the clock on the wall he realized if was still early, not even six.
"I guess I'm still used to twilight time" he muttered as he pulled up his bag taking out a book and began to read, his knees pulled tightly to his chest.
-X-I-X-
Cloud woke after six, making his way to the kitchen to get the coffee started. The man was cut short when he spotted the young blonde already dressed sitting on his couch. Walking over he saw a book in the teen's hand.
"You're up early" the teen jumped nearly dropping his book, looking back at the man.
"Yeah not used to island time yet" he said uncertainly, turning back to his book.
"Do you like to read?" Roxas nodded in reply to the man's question. "Want any coffee?" Cloud asked as he walked back to the kitchen.
"No thanks, I don't like coffee"
"Hn, more for me" the man said calmly in the next room.
Cloud was left in peace after that, nearly forgetting about his guest until he took a seat at the table drinking his coffee looking over the paper. Hearing a chair being pulled out the older blonde looked up, Roxas paused.
"You don't mind if I join you do you, the light in the living room sucks" Roxas explained slowly, sitting once receiving a nod of approval from the older blonde. Taking his seat, Roxas resumed his reading, acting as if he didn't fell the eye that would fall upon him ever so often.
-X-I-X-
Tifa woke looking at he clock after seeing Cloud was already awake, it was near seven. Pulling on her robe she made her way to the kitchen to fetch some of the coffee she smelt in the air. She stopped at the sight before her, seeing her husband at the table was nothing new, it was seeing the younger blonde beside him. She smiled as the two unknowingly sat at the table reading, both sitting in the same way legs crossed under the table. They even held themselves the same way as then leaned over their read. Both unaware at just how much alike they looked at the moment.
"They really are cut from the same cloth" she whispered to herself as she joined them, walking into the sun lit room.
"Good morning" Roxas said politely seeing the woman.
"Good morning to you as well" Tifa said with a smile getting a cup of coffee before sitting at the end of the table. "How did you sleep last night Roxas?"
"Fine" he said not looking up from his book.
"How about you Cloud?"
"I slept well" Cloud replied, he too not looking up from his paper. Tifa let out a soft laugh of amusement, both blonde looking up at this, glancing at the woman.
"That's good" she managed as she sipped at her hot drink.
The blondes turned back to their reading, shortly after Xion entered the room giving them a warm smile as she grabbed a box of cereal eating straight from it as joining the group. Denzel was next to wake greeting them before asking his mom if she'd make him eggs. Tifa left the table as Denzel took her seat waiting for his food patiently. Sora stumbled out last, his energy not changing even in the early hours. He jumped into the seat next to Roxas, taking the box from his sister, greedily taking a handful of the dry cereal.
"Hey what you reading?" Roxas didn't answer at first not knowing it was him he was talking to. "Roxas, what you reading?" the blonde looked up holding his book up so Sora could read it.
"'Diary of a Nobody'" the blonde said as he set the book back down.
"Is it any good? It sounds depressing"
"It's not depressing, it a work of humor. It's by George Grossmith"
"Really?" Sora paused looking at Roxas, "Are you reading it for school?"
"No I just like to read" Roxas confessed, while Sora made a face. "Theirs a comic version in the front pocket of my bag if you want to check it out" Roxas said not looking up. Hearing the word comic Sora dived for the bag on the back of Roxas chair.
"You must really like the book to have a novel version and a comic one" Denzel said as he his mother gave him his breakfast.
"It was a two pack"
"Oh" the youngest said eating his meal.
"Sora do you want eggs?" teen looked up from the bag.
"Please" he said before grabbing the comic, "Found it" Sora declared.
"Roxas do you want any eggs?" Tifa asked. Roxas looked up at the woman.
"Oh no I'm fine, thanks anyway" the woman watched him as he quickly looked down.
"Are you saying that because you're not hungry or because you're thinking you don't want to bother us anymore?"
"I'm not hungry" Tifa looked down at the blonde.
"Roxas" she said in a warning tone, her kids froze knowing the tone. Roxas looked up, unknowing the tone.
"Yes?"
"Are you hungry?" she said the blonde begin to look back down. "No" she snapped making Roxas freeze and look back up, "Tell me while looking at me and tell me your not hungry"
"I um… I'll take some eggs" Roxas said wisely.
"Good choice" Sora whispered to the blonde as they both looked down at their books.
Breakfast went quickly after that, Roxas learn quickly to watch Sora or he'd steal his food seeing at he teen seemed to have a black hole for a stomach; everyone other then Xion eating some eggs before going on with their day. The girls left with Denzel to go to the beach, Sora staying behind to go with Cloud and Roxas into town. Once in town Cloud left the two teens to wait as he went into the police station.
Looking around now the island seemed like a completely different place now that the rain had stopped letting the sun to shine down from the now perfectly blue sky. The warm sea air around them along with the palm trees made the place feel like a paradise. The sand and the ocean that was within sight made Roxas know why they named the islandsDestinyIsland.
"Is this your first time on the island?" Sora asked as they sat on the bench outside the station.
"Yes"
"So where are you from?"
"TwilightTown"
"Really I haven't been there yet. I heard it a great place to go in the summer"
"Yeah, but the only thing different in summer his the struggle tournament"
"Struggle?" Sora asked interested.
"Struggle tournament is when you ware a vest with balls on it, and then you have a struggle bat. You fight and whoever has the most balls left at the end wins… I'm not explaining it well. I know it sounds goofy but it's fun" Sora's eyes went wide.
"That sounds amazing! Have you ever done it?" Roxas nodded.
"Yeah last year I won" the blonde admitted digging out a blue marble off his pocket. "This was from the trophy, I took it off. It had four marbles altogether, Ventus and Namine has the other two, green and red"
"Are they your friends?"
"Yep more then that"
"Wait where the last one?" Roxas nodded to the car where his backpack was as he returning the marble to his pocket.
"In my bag, it's the yellow one"
"Um… Can I have it?" Sora asked.
"Sorry I'm giving it to someone"
"Can I ask who?" Roxas looked down nervously kicking his legs.
"Cloud…"
"Dad?" Sora asked confused.
"Yeah, but I just haven't had a moment yet" Roxas said looking up at the sky, "But if he doesn't want it then I'll give it to you"
"Promise?"
"Sure, promise"
"Sweet, I bet it would make a sweet keychain"
"Keychain?" Roxas asked the brunette, who smiled widely.
"Yeah I make keychains. I know it sounds dumb, but I do" Roxas thought about it for a moment before speaking.
"Could I see some?"
"Sure when we get home I'll show you. I don't have any with me now"
"Sora, could you make my marble into a keychain? I mean if it's not too much trouble"
"Would I! I would love to!"
"Really, that would be great I'm always so worried I'm going to loss it"
"Oh now I cant wait" Sora said talking about all the different ways he could make the keychain, Roxas smiling helping the brunette with his ideas.
-X-I-X-
Inside the station Cloud spoke with his old friend, Jecht. He was a large man several inches taller then the blonde man and much stronger build. His dark hair pulled back by a red hair tie.
"Well my man I looks like this kids not joking" said the dark skinned man. "Take a look" he said turning the computer screen to the blonde.
"Roxas Shoji Diz: 14, born on August 1st… Blood type AB…" Cloud read out load looking over the information before him "Father Diz… That kid really is my brother"
"Yep" Jecht said jerking the screen back to himself. "Half anyway. Looks like you got two others too" the man said speed reading "Seems the pops of yours been busy" the dark man joked.
"Not the time Jecht"
"Yeah you're worried about the kids face right? He's a kid Cloud, they get into fights. I mean you really think your dear old man did it to him?"
"I wouldn't put it past him" Cloud said coldly, making the other sigh.
"Yeah well until you get proof or the kid saying he did, I can't do anything"
"I knew that"
"Well what you going to do with the kid?" Cloud glared at the man.
"What do you mean?"
"Oh come on man, think about it" he said pointedly, "It takes two days to get to the ferry dock on the main land, then another day across the sea to get here. That means that boy been away from home for at list three days, not counting today. Don't you think it's odd there isn't any missing person report?" Cloud looked back out the glass door of the station seeing the two teens talking on the bench. "So the kid wasn't lying about having no home. That and if you want too you could use it as a way to get custody of the kid"
"Are you serous" Cloud said looking back to the man, "I barely know the boy"
"He's blood. Not even you are that cold Cloud. You're not your father" Cloud sighed deeply rubbing his temples.
"Tifa's not going to want to hear this"
"I think she'll deal" Jecht said nodding back to the glass doors. Cloud turned, looking at the two boys and seeing the smile on his son's face. "I think the kid will fit in just fine. But there is one thing I think you should know" Cloud turned aback to the man who suddenly became serous.
Sora and Roxas talk about keychains turned into a talk about the sea then turned to their favorite videogame then to talking about sunsets. Both lost track of time as the spoke with each other not even realizing Cloud was finished as exiting the building.
"Time to go boys" he said both teens turned to him, Sora jumping off the bench eagerly, while Roxas stood slowly.
"Dad did you figure whatever out?" Sora asked as they walked to the car his arms crossed behind his head casually.
"Yes I did. I owe Roxas an apologies for not believe him" the younger blonde looked up at the man.
"No you don't" Roxas ensured, stopping as the came to the car. "I wouldn't believe me if I was you either. I barely believed it when I heard about it the first time" Roxas said taking his bag from the backseat of the car as Sora took shotgun.
"Rox?" Sora question when the blonde didn't join him in the car.
"I should get going and-"
"Get in the car Roxas" Cloud ordered cutting the boy of as he opened the car door.
"But Cloud-"
"Roxas get your ass in the car" he said cutting Roxas off again.
"You don't know me"
"I know you don't have a place to go and I know I'm going to get an ear full from my wife. Now get in" Roxas stared at Cloud confused. "Roxas your family, get in" the younger blonde thought about it before nodding before getting into the backseat, Cloud closing the door behind him.
The ride back to the Strife house was silent other then Sora suffering through the radio. Pulling up to the house both Strife's knew that the other were still gone. Not even a moment after getting out of the car two boys ran up to the fence of the home.
"Sora where heading to the beach you want to come?" called one boy, he had black hair and wearing white trunks. While the other beside him red hair wearing green trunks.
"Dad?" Cloud nodded to his son before he turned to the other. "Roxas you want to come?"
"You go along Sora I have some things I want to talk to Roxas about"
"'Kay. I got to grab my shorts!" Sora yelled to the boys running inside.
"Hurry up!" both shot back.
"Peter if you break my fence again I'll kick your ass" Cloud shot seeing the redhead jump onto the white wall, balance on it carefully. The redhead, Peter, yelped before jumping off the fence just as he'd gotten on.
"Ready" Sora called running out of the house in only his red trucks, "See you later Dad"
"Aladdin, stay in line!" Cloud called after them.
"Yes Sir!" the black haired teen said with a fake salute. Cloud shook his head at he and Roxas stepped inside. Moving to the living room the teen sat on the sofa while Cloud took a seat in the chair across from him.
"Roxas I'm going to get straight to the point. Would you like to live here?" the teen's eyes widened, "Unlike our father, I will not throw my family away. Roxas it up to you but if you want you are welcome here. I know Tifa will have my neck for saying any of this without talking about this with her but you're my brother if only by half. And I wont let you live on the streets."
"What if… What if Tifa doesn't want me here?"
"Then I'll set up someplace else for you to stay"
"… What if I'm some crazy that father kicked out because I'm to much trouble"
"Are you crazy?" the man asked not taking his eyes off the boy.
"I'm not crazy" Roxas said certainly, looking down again.
"I see. Is there anything else I should know?"
"No…"
"I read the report" Cloud said bluntly making Roxas head shot back up.
"What?"
"Do I have to worry about you trying to jump again?"
"I was eight; every kid wants to fly at that age" Roxas said coldly knowing what the man was talking about.
"Yes but not many clam they have pixie dust then go try jumping off a clock tower" Cloud said recalling what he'd read on the police report back with Jecht.
"I was eight" Roxas claimed bitterly. "I can tell the different between reality and fantasy now" Cloud stared at the teen studying him before he stood.
"Yes I guess your right. Sora and Xion used to believe they were mermaid when they were children. I'm glad they grew out of that one" Cloud said as he walked out of the room, "Now come help me make lunch, we'll talk more in the kitchen"
-X-I-X-
The sunset turned the once clear blue sky overDestinyIsland, pink with hews of yellow and violet. Becoming contrast with the green leaves of the palm trees and sea, making the island seem more beautiful. The island dieing down with the sun, the sound of the beach faded to the sound of waves. Tifa and the kids returned just as the sun began to set. Roxas watched as the kids went to their rooms. Cloud pulled his wife aside in their own room.
"You did what?" she near snapped after hearing what he husband had decided without her.
"Tifa he has no where to go. I can understand if you don't want him here, but I'm not just going to let him go homeless"
"We don't have anymore room for him" Tifa admitted, "Its not that I mind, it's more the fact we have no place for him"
"I was going to speak to Sora about it after you. He has a big room; he'll just have to move some of his things to the garage. Then we'll but another bed in there" Cloud said staring down at his wife's brown eyes.
"You've been thinking about this all day haven't you?"
"Yes" Tifa sighed
"Fine he can stay, but" she said poking her husband in the chest. "It has to be okay with the kids first" the blonde man smiled giving he a kiss on her forehead.
"Thank you for understanding"
"Yes well you're getting more of an earful later" Cloud only smiled in defeat at his wife.
-X-I-X-
"YES!" Sora cheered happily jumping form the sofa into the air. Cloud shook his head holding back a smirk and his wife told the boy to sit down.
"Sora calm down" Xion said after her mother pulling the boy back down roughly.
"How can I calm down?" he said ecstatically, "We getting a new brother" he cheered throwing his arms up in victory.
"He isn't going to be your brother" Cloud informed making Sora's face fall.
"What? Why not?" Cloud looked over the blonde that stood beside him. Roxas looked down nervously as the events unfolded around him. Feeling eyes on his Roxas looked over to see Cloud, watching him.
"Roxas why don't you tell Sora why you can't be his brother" the man offered as Roxas looked between the man and his son.
"They don't know?" the blonde asked. "I thought you told them" Roxas said sounding a little shocked.
"Told us what?" Xion asked impatiently, "Why would we know anything"
"But you all were being so nice. They… you were acting like that even not knowing?" the teen spoke looking at them all his shock clear.
"Knowing what?" Denzel asked, he too losing patience.
"I'm Roxas Diz" the blonde introduced himself with a small bow. "I'm Cloud's brother"
"What?" all kids snapped looking at the teen how stared back questionable as they stared at him. Sora's hand shot up pointing at him his mouth a jar, for once finding himself at a lose of words. Xion and Denzel openly stared at the teen as if he'd grown a second head. The Strife parents found back a laugh as their kids jump from their seat surrounding the poor boy.
"How old are you again?" Xion asked first as the boys follow quickly after her.
"How'd you get here?"
"You can't be my uncle"
"This is so weird" Xion said as Sora turn to his father.
"This has to be illegal somehow?" the blonde man rose a brow at his son.
"How so?"
"That" Sora said dramatically throwing his hands out at Roxas. "He's my age. It's wrong!" he declared looking at his father seriously, "I didn't even know we had a grandpa other then Grandpa Lockhart"
"That is because I didn't, and still do not, want my children around that man" Cloud said flatly making it clear that there was no more questions on the matter.
"Okay do we have a grandma I don't know about?" Sora questioned the two.
"No" both blondes said together.
"Dad" Denzel spoke up as everything calmed. "Why are you're last names different?" the older two siblings nodded in agreement.
"I took my mothers last name not my fathers" Cloud explained quickly giving little details about the subject.
"Oh… Why?" Sora asked.
"Would you rather be Sora Diz, then Sora Strife?" frowning Sora shock his head.
"No I'll pass"
"Alright then since it seems you don't mind are new guest" Tifa said silencing them. "Sora your father and I were hoping you wouldn't mind sharing your room with Roxas" frown on Sora's face turned to a smile in an instant.
"That means you're going to have to clear one side of your room" Cloud pointed out quickly. The teen paused thinking it over smile never leaving his face.
"I don't see a problem with it" the brunette said turning the blonde. "What about you Roxas?"
"Nope" he said giving a small smile, "Ush!" Roxas wheezed as Sora's arms wrapped around him, cutting off his air.
"You smiled"
"I don't think he can breathe Sor. He looks like he's in pain" Xion pointed out, Sora pulled away instantly.
"Oh no, are you okay? You're not hurt right? Sorry I didn't mean too! You're not smiling anymore…" Sora started worried and ended with a pout as he spoke.
"It's alright Sora" Roxas said honestly, he hadn't minded the hug if it wasn't for the fact he couldn't breathe well with the boy held him so tightly. After catching his breath Roxas gave the boy another small smile, earning a much bigger one in return. The blonde did his best to fight back the urge to flinch.
"Now that everything's settled" Cloud stood from his seat. "Welcome to the family Roxas"
"Yeah welcome" Denzel said from beside his dad.
"Same" Xion cheeped.
"Ditto!" Sora said throwing his arm around Roxas for another hug. The blonde did his best not to tense, not used to so much affection. At least this time Sora let him breath.
"Well now that done, let's move to the next problem" Tifa said everyone turning to her, "What do we have for dinner?"
"Pizza!" Sora declared; one arm still around Roxas as the other arm was thrown into the air.
"Roxas?" Cloud asked the boy knowing his other kids would want pizza as well.
"I don't mind pizza as long as it doesn't have sardines"
"Ew, how would ate that" Xion said, "But if you say no pineapple I may have to hit you" she warned, Roxas shrugged.
"I don't mind it, but it's not my favorite either"
"So what is your favorite Roxas?" Tifa asked.
"Just cheese"
"Score" Sora shot, "I knew you and me would be friends"
"So cheese is your favorite too?"
"Yep" he said with a nod. "I also like melon soda and the best ice cream ever is-"
"Sea salt" Roxas said cutting him off.
"How'd you know!"
"It's my favorite too but even if you hadn't like it I would still say its best"
"See I'm not the only one!" Sora said turning to the others sticking his tongue out.
"Sor I never said it wasn't good! I just like vanilla too" Xion pointed out.
"I just don't like it" Denzel said walking way with his mother to the kitchen.
"Roxas lets go start clearing out my room" Sora said taking the blondes hand as he dragged him upstairs.
By the time the pizza arrived, the two teens had only got through a corner of Sora's room. And it wasn't because it was big; it was because Sora was an average 14 year old boy and had a messy room. When they'd first started Roxas knew it was going to take more then one day. They would need one day just to clean it before they started going and moving anything. At this point Roxas wasn't sure if it could be clean, but that was probably just him he thought as they made their way to the kitchen. They ate around the table, Roxas listening silently as the family spoke to each other. The teen couldn't help but smile as Sora and Xion found childishly over the last piece, Cloud and Tifa shaking their heads, while Denzel ate laughing at them.
The blonde never would have thought this would have happened. No in all his wieldiest dream had he thought it. When Roxas decided to ask his older brother for help, all he expected was to be allowed to sleep on their floor, then be kicked to the curve the next morning. He never thought Cloud would want to invite him into his home let alone into his family. Into a family Roxas didn't even know existed or knew he had until the last night. And yet sitting around the table watching all the familiar, yet unfamiliar faces, Roxas couldn't help but feel he belonged.