Disclaimer; I do not own any of these characters or games
This chapter is a little shorter than the last but I hope it is still as good. This chapter focuses on Kairi starting school and chapter three will focus on her as seventeen, I won't say anymore to spoil it but Sora is on his way. ^-^
A now four year old Kairi bounded into the kitchen startling her father who was eating his breakfast at the table. The ostensibly bubbly redhead smiled sweetly at Cloud as he raised an eyebrow at her attire. In after her came an excited looking Tifa.
Kairi was dressed in a long dark ebony skirt which reached just below her knees, frilly cream ankle socks, a matching ivory coloured blouse with an elegant lace pattern on the buttoned up collar, a plain ashy cardigan and a similar shade covered her patented flat shoes. Her ruby hair had a clipped diamanté bow fastened in tying back her bangs off of her face; obviously Tifa's handiwork.
Cloud still wasn't with it, he couldn't understand why his baby girl was dressed up like she had to go to school – oh, it was her first ever day. The twenty one year old male pushed his breakfast aside and rotated his body in the chair so he was facing his family and held out his arms signalling for a hug from Kairi. The little girl immediately obliged giddily running across the slippery laminated kitchen floor despite Tifa's protests and cries to be careful not to slip and jumped into her father's arms.
'Do I look pretty Daddy?' The tiny girl asked as she sat neatly on his lap looking up into his usually stern, cold sapphire eyes, but when he was with Kairi and Tifa they were warm and full of love. 'Mummy did my hair with this pretty bow; she gave me it out of her drawer.'
Cloud looked up at Tifa to see her leaning against the kitchen doorframe with her arms folded across her chest admiring the sweet scene between father and daughter. Tifa loved Cloud's relationship with Kairi, the little girl brought out this paternal, overly possessive but extremely caring and loving side to him which was not one many had ever seen; even Tifa until she'd had Kairi.
It didn't take a genius to realise Cloud was a very difficult person to amuse as he was rarely caught cracking a smile and even when he did it was more like a half forced grimace. His stoic, languid attitude and aura was intense even though all he ever did was help people; he was a definitely a good guy, there wasn't a bad bone in his body even if his demeanour didn't act like he was nice or friendly.
But Kairi brought out not just a smile but a grin and laughter. Tifa still found it astonishing even after four years when his perfectly straight pearly teeth shone in between his beaming lips, because whenever Kairi wasn't around his character changed back into his original being. Of course he acted differently and charming to Tifa; always smiling and grinning but when he was with anyone else other than them two, it was a different story completely.
'What would you like for breakfast sweetie?' Tifa asked her daughter lovingly as she walked over to give Cloud a good morning kiss.
'Pancakes please Mummy, with syrup.' The redhead responded stretching her cardigan over her knees and curling up into a ball trying to hide herself from view; she wasn't succeeding.
Tifa laughed quietly to herself as she switched on the kitchen radio and began to get the ingredients and cooking equipment out of the cupboards. Quickly making the pancake batter she poured it neatly into the already heated up flat pan, the butter having melted already so it wouldn't stick. It didn't take long before she had served two medium sized pancakes to her hungry daughter who began devouring them as soon as Tifa's hand left the plate.
Cloud waited until the little girl had finished before picking her up and carrying her to Tifa, handing her over to the twenty year old young woman who rested her on her hip, he grabbed his key's and wallet and kissed Tifa on the lips lingering there for a moment. When both pulled away they couldn't help but to smirk at Kairi pulling a disgusted face with her tongue sticking out.
'I don't know why you're pulling that face; you're getting one too young lady.' Cloud laughed as he gave his daughter a goodbye peck on the lips. Kairi wiped her mouth dramatically causing Cloud and Tifa to howl with laughter, she really was too cute for her own good. The male ceased his amusement and looked at his daughter dead in the eye. 'You have a good first day sweetheart, you can tell me all about it when I get home tonight.'
He then turned to Tifa.
'And you just relax today, you have been on the go none stop for four years with Kairi and I'm not saying that it has been a bad thing but today just spend a little you time, okay?' He sounded assertive in his order and she nodded meekly, a bit of 'me time' didn't actually sound too bad.
'Good, have a good day.' He concluded kissing his girlfriend on the head then turning to Kairi and repeating the same gesture then leaving. 'You too munchkin.'
As Tifa drove Kairi to school she took a quick glance towards the little one who was buckled up in the passenger seat next to her before immediately tearing her eyes back to the road. The young girl had been oddly quiet on the journey so far and even though the building was only ten minutes away, now that Kairi had learnt to speak she usually never shut up.
'You're very quiet sweetie, is something the matter?' Tifa asked her daughter kindly as she shiftily pulled a hand off of the steering wheel to stroke the little girls hand for comfort.
'Yes I'm fine Mummy; I just don't want you to leave.' The toddler replied a few tears forming in her eyes. Luckily they had arrived at the destination so Tifa parked the car and turned in her daughter's direction while unbuckling her seat belt and pulling her into her lap for a cuddle.
'Don't cry sweetie, it's only for a few hours and then you get to see me again. I will be here to pick you up, think how proud Daddy and I will be if you be a big brave girl and go to school.' The young mother persuaded, wiping the little girl's tears and brushing her hair with her left hand. She stopped crying and looked up at her mother.
'Okay, I will make you proud.' She concluded as a forced smile made its way onto her dainty face.
'That's my girl, come on let's make you some new friends.' Tifa smiled as she lifted her girl out of the car and held her hand all the way into the classroom.
After dropping Kairi off at school Tifa decided to go home and put her feet up, something she hadn't been able to do in a long time. For the past four years while Cloud was usually at work all day, Kairi had been at home with Tifa and she was always on lookout in case Kairi did anything; it was even worse when the little girl had learnt to walk and talk, she followed her mother around like shadow.
It wasn't as though Tifa was complaining she loved her daughter more than words could express but she had to admit being a full time mother was very hard work. What made it even more difficult however was when she had had her she was only a child herself technically. But Tifa would be lying if she didn't say that these past four years with Kairi and Cloud haven't been the best years of her life so far.
Whenever Kairi was around this whole atmosphere fell upon anyone and immediately brightened everyone's attitudes up. She was a tiny bubble of fun always smiling and finding enjoyment in every little thing.
It wasn't long before Tifa was required to pick Kairi up seeing as it was only like playgroup in the school grounds. So Tifa waited patiently with all the other parents and guardians in the playground searching for the flamboyant colour of her daughter's vivid hair. It only registered that a small lump had jumped into her arms when she saw a blur of crimson in her face.
'Mummy!' The bundle cried happily giving Tifa a kiss on the cheek and hugging her neck for all she was worth.
'Hello sweetie, did you have a good day?' The brunette enquired pulling her daughter's forehead close to her lips to give her a chaste peck there caressing the soft skin of the four year old.
'Yes I made a new friend, her name is Olette and she's really nice.' The redhead replied eagerly and clearly excited to give her mother an earful about her day. 'We did finger painting and learnt the first 13 letters of the alphabet.'
'Sounds like you've had a very busy day; how about we surprise Daddy at work on the way home to tell him, would you like to do that or shall we wait until he gets home a bit later?' Tifa asked extremely proud and incredibly relieved that her daughter's first day was a success.
'Can we go now and see him at work please?' Kairi asked delightfully practically bouncing up and down in her mother's arms as she walked them up to the car. Tifa nodded and strapped Kairi in securely before starting the vehicle and taking off towards the garage where Cloud worked.
As Cloud was under a car lying on the mechanics creeper he looked to the left slightly and even though the car he was working on was levitated by the jack stand quite a bit he still couldn't see the face which belonged to the feet. Although it didn't take a genius for him to realise it was the same socks and shoes he had been looking at this morning. Rolling out from underneath the suspended vehicle he wiped the oil that had leaked onto his face with a dirty rag before standing up to greet his two favourite girls.
'What are you two doing here?' He asked with a smile, genuinely surprised as Tifa just beamed at him.
'Daddy! I did it, my first day at school I did it!' Kairi exclaimed while jumping up and down at his feet for a hug. The blond happily obliged and picked her up resting her on his right hip.
'Well done honey I'm very proud of you. Did you have a good time?' He asked as Kairi began to tell him all the things she had beforehand told her mother.
The next afternoon, Kairi and her new friend Olette walked hand in hand out onto the playground at the end of the day where their awaiting parents would be to pick them up. Olette spotted her parents and waved enthusiastically in their direction before turning her innocent face back to the redhead whose eyes were searching desperately for Tifa.
'Can you see your Mummy?' The small brunette asked not wanting to leave her new friend alone.
Olette was a perky enthusiastic girl. She was a few months older than Kairi and had russet hair which curled slightly towards the ends. Her emerald eyes stood out against her naturally flushed complexion and she was the slightest bit taller than Kairi.
'Kairi!' A voice suddenly sounded which came out of nowhere. The violet eyed girl whipped her head around curiously at the familiar voice but couldn't pinpoint it. She heard her name called again and turned around to see Ventus walking up to both the little girls with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
'Is that your boyfriend? If so he's really tall.' Olette asked naively causing Kairi's eyes to bulge out of her head.
'No way, that's my Uncle.' She explained to the brunette before turning back to a chuckling Ventus; kids really do come out with the strangest of things, he thought.
'Uncle Ven what are you doing here?' Kairi asked extremely confused by the absence of her mother.
'I've come to pick you up kiddo, Mummy and Daddy have gone out for a meal and asked me to come and get you. Which means we can spend all evening playing games and messing up the house, how does that sound?' Ventus asked laughing as he squatted down uncomfortably in front of her ruffling her hair.
'Yeah!' Kairi responded eagerly as a huge beam printed across her pretty face. She said goodbye to Olette and waited until she was with her parents before turning back to her Uncle and reaching up her arms beckoning that she wanted to be carried. The nineteen year old male placed his hands on her underarms and lifted her up with ease resting her on his left hip while he carried her black backpack in his right hand.
Walking to his car which was parked a few blocks away from the school he sat her in the front with him and buckled her up safely while proceeding to get into the driver's seat. Turning the key in the ignition they set off towards Kairi's house.
'Would you like some sea – salt ice cream pumpkin?' He asked already knowing what the answer would be; he was right. As she answered yes he turned towards the town centre and parked up outside the ice cream shop. Quickly running in as fast a he could he ordered two of the frozen lollies then got back in the car. He handed the girl her icy treat which she happily accepted and drove home.
Once back at the house Kairi ran upstairs to get her favourite stuffed animal while Ventus went to go get a drink. Truth was he was knackered; he hated his job and he missed being the carefree child he used to be. Working from seven in the morning until three in the afternoon didn't seem like much, in fact it was just a normal nine to five except a few hours earlier but everyday he felt drained. As though the life has been sucked out of him.
Usually when the blond went home to the flat he shared with Terra and Aqua, he'd collapse and watch TV, then eat, collapse again and go to bed at around eleven or twelve just to repeat the same routine the following day.
But when he was with his unofficial niece he felt like a kid again. So when Tifa had called him at work that afternoon to see if he could pick her up from school he buoyantly obliged.
The irony of it all made him laugh; just four years ago when the little girl was born he was so incredibly excited because he could feel more grown up and teach her things, she could look up to him. Although now he just wished he was her age again, times sure felt a whole lot simpler.
As the kettle boiled he heard tiny footsteps bombing in behind him. Turning around there she was looking up at him with her big glimmering eyes full of innocence and persuasion. She looked cute; and she knew she looked cute, she was the beginning of an evil genius. Just what did she want?
'Uncle Ven, please may I have a glass of milk?' She asked her mouth forming a small pout. It wasn't helpful to anyone knowing she had learnt about the puppy dog face.
'Sure, just let me make this cappuccino quickly then I will get your milk and we can go and watch telly, sound good?' The nineteen year old enquired as he looked down at her, the pout was already turning into a gleeful smile and as she nodded in agreement she took off to get sat down in a comfortable seat. She chose the big sofa so she could sit next to her Uncle.
Shaking his head at the toddler's actions he quickly made the hot drink for himself and then proceeded pouring the semi skimmed milk into a tall glass, he stuck her little pink swirly straw in it to make it easier for her to sip from; she only had a tiny mouth after all.
Walking in with both beverages, one in each hand, he handed the little one her cold refreshment and took a seat beside her. The size difference between them was so funny, the 3'1'' girl and the 6'3'' man. She sat with her legs crossed handling her milk in both hands as Ventus started flicking through the children's channels inwardly groaning at having to watch them no matter how much he loved her.
Once she had settled on her 'favourite' programme which was something about a talking dog and his friends who helped you count and learn things interactively he began to zone out, he looked at her face but she was too engrossed in her show to even acknowledge him. He scrolled through his phone for a good ten minutes giving Aqua a quick text just for something to do and explain why he'd be late back that night.
A small rumble sound echoed from her way causing him to smile as she changed her position a little.
'Sounds like someone is getting hungry.' The male laughed as he pulled her onto his lap, but when he received no answer or attention as her eyes were still glued to the animation in front of her, he poked her belly and tickled her sides causing a giggle to escape from her. She looked back over her right shoulder and blinked up at him. 'Would you like me to make you some dinner?'
She indicated yes with a nod and turned back to her cartoon silently going back into her previous trance. Rolling his eyes with amusement he lifted her up and placed her back on the sofa where she was formerly prior to being lifted onto his lap, he walked off to heat up the alphabet spaghetti Tifa had left out. Lifting the deep bowled pan he poured the tinned food and left it to boil for the time given.
It didn't take too long to heat up and start bubbling so when he served it he left it for a few moments to cool down before calling her in. She reluctantly walked to the kitchen looking upset as she was missing her show but as soon as her eyes locked on the food the expression changed immediately.
Running to the table she sat in front of her food and picked up the spoon that was almost the size of her arm she was that small. Ventus sat down at the table to watch her making sure she didn't burn herself. While she was eating though she looked up at him with curiosity bubbling in her eyes.
'Why haven't you got a girlfriend Uncle Ven?' She asked innocently while chewing her letter shaped pasta. The male raised an eyebrow and a light blush grazed his cheeks at the girl's question. It had certainly caught him off guard.
'I just don't, the time will come though.' He explained composing himself and feeling the flush brush off of his cheeks.
'Do you want one?' Kairi continued while munching casually.
'It'd be nice but I don't want a girl for the sake of it, I would want her because I'd love her.' Ventus smiled thinking of his future and settling down with a girl.
'Like you love me?' The redhead asked intriguingly and Ventus couldn't help but chuckle at her sweet naivety.
'No not quite pumpkin; I love you as a family member as in you are like a daughter to me but there is a different kind of love other than family love.' He clarified wondering if that made any sense to the four year old, sure she was smart for her age but discussing the concept of love was complicated; and that was applied to everyone.
'As in Mummy and Daddy's love?' She enquired. The nineteen year old looked surprised at her sudden correct conclusion but he smiled and nodded.
'Yes, as in Mummy and Daddy's love.' He ran a hand through her feathery bangs and continued. 'What brought all this on cutie?'
'I just want you to be happy and find someone to love.' She shrugged as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. Ventus' heart went out to her; she had such a pure heart at such a young age.
'I am happy with all my family and friends; there will be plenty of time in the future to find my soul mate. For now though I need to teach you things, like how to give your Daddy a makeover while he's sleeping.' He answered as he looked over at her grinning face at the suggestion; she nodded in agreement as they settled up a simple plan out to get Cloud when he was next asleep.
Thank you for reading, review.