I'm SO SORRY for the late update! . my final semester exam is coming this Thursday and I'm studying my a** off. I hate EXAMS! I was lucky to have a bit of free time to write this chapter little by little without my mom noticing. There will be two phone conversation in this chapter. Sora and Roxas's conversation with Xion will be in Italic. While Xion's will be normal. I would like to thank everyone that read this story and two reviews from miyakiki-sama, my first reviewer. Without further ado, lets start continue the story!
Sunset Angels
Chapter 3: Conflict, Hurts, Forgiveness
After their first dinner (except for Kairi) in the extraordinary cantina, they walked soundlessly back to their cabin while enjoying the gentle cold breeze blowing their hair. They don't mind the wind messing up their hair, as long as it is comfortable, they love it. Xion opened the cabin's door and Mai ran in with Namine hot on her heels. Just before Kairi was able to step in, Xion quickly grabbed her hand to call her to a stop.
"I-I need to talk…" Xion quietly said. Kairi blinked a few times then softly closed the cabin's door. She led Xion by her hand to a bench about two feet away from the door and motioned Xion to sit beside her.
"What is it that you would like to talk about, Xi?" Kairi asked her like a loving mother to a depressed child.
"Kairi… Do you feel that someone is watching us?" Xion said so soft that it turned out to be a whisper as she looked around to make sure nobody was spying on them.
"Someone was watching us?" Kairi said and copied Xion's movement. "What make you so sure that someone is watching us?" Kairi continued after she felt that they are truly alone outside.
"I… I don't know. It's just that… I had the feeling…"
"Where do you felt those 'so-called-feeling' you're talking about?" Kairi asked.
"Um… When I was alone outside, I had a small jolt. And I had one in the cantina too," Xion said as she thought back.
"Well…" Kairi leaned towards her slightly and grew a smile on her face, "Maybe it's just some man who thought you're pretty and can't stop looking at you. After all, you got stares from almost every boy back in college. It's usual, don't you think?"
Xion giggled softly and replied, "For your information, the person those boys are looking at is you. Not me." Kairi simply shrugged. "So? It's not like I want them too."
"Okay… Then… How about the one in the cantina? It was a big jolt that time instead of a small one," Xion asked on.
Kairi tapped her chin and said, "Maybe it's just those men, I think it's usual for people to look at you after a fight which involved you." Kairi flinched a bit when she saw Xion glared at her. "I mean… well… It was Seifer's like towards you which caused the fight with Riku… So… Um…"
"It's okay, Kairi. You don't have to say," Xion quickly cut in. So it was kind of her fault that they fight… Xion thought.
Seeing Xion being all desperate, Kairi quickly thought of another reason, "I-I believed that they stared at you because of your beauty. Like what I said just now, it's common for a man to look at a beautiful lady."
"No… I don't think so. Honestly, we three almost looked the same. It's like we are triplets, only with different hair colour. So, I don't think that's the reason." Xion replied.
"Then… Maybe you're just too tired today. You drove us all here to the mountains, carried the witches' luggage and bags, being blamed for the cause of the workboys' fight, and had to walked back up the slopes to reach back our cabin. You're just tired, that's all." Kairi told her and looked at Xion with caring eyes. Xion is just, too serious about something sometimes. She really needs to relax and chill. And that's what Kairi hope this holiday would help her.
"You think so?" Xion looked up, she is really bothered by this strange feeling and all the unexpected jolts, and this is only the first day! What can she do for the next 60 days? Her head started to spin.
"I know so. So, just forget about all those jolts and foolish men! Have a nice long hot bubble bath and a good night sleep. I'm sure you'll felt much better by tomorrow's sunrise!" Kairi said with a warm, kind smile on her face. Xion smiled back. "Now this is the happy, cute Xion I know! Smile more, Xion. You look beautiful with your smile, and smiling can help you feel much better. Trust me!" Kairi said and pushed Xion's lips up by the corners of her lips.
Xion giggled and smiled back to her. "Thank you, Kairi. You're such a great friend."
"I know," Xion giggled softly again at her childish reply. "Come on Xion, let's go take a nice sleep." Kairi said and stood up silently. She helped Xion up and placed one of her arms around Xion's shoulder and they both walked into the cabin together.
"We all deserved it a nice long relaxing rest. Especially after waiting for an hour for buck-teeth and skeleton! Both of them are so annoying! Not to mention ugly like hell!"
"Hahaha! You could say that again!" Then both of them laughed together, filled the once quiet and cold night with their sweet, warm laughter.
However, both of them have no idea how right Xion was.
***1314***
It was still dark out when a pounding noise rampaged against the wooden door of the cabin. Groaned in annoyance, Xion got up sleepily from bed. 'The loud banging is going to wake up Mai!' Being a nurse, she was accustomed to being pulled up from sleep and had adjusted over the years. Also by being a light sleeper, she got used to such condition. Letting her eyes adjusted to the darkness around her, Xion turned her head and wanted to make sure Mai was still sound asleep. But to her surprise, she wasn't there, not even a hint of black hair was present. What greeted her eyes was Mai's favourite teddy bear, laying on the bed all alone, waiting for its owner to come back and cuddle it. 'Oh My God! Where's Mai!'
Xion hurried got off her bed and towards the bedroom's door, which she found it half open. Where could Mai been to? Xion raced towards the door that was still pounding loudly and opened it in swift motion, only to come face to face to no other but Roxas Strife himself. Wait. No. Roxas was taller than Xion for a head. His arm extended and Mai was dangling in mid air like a giant spider. Xion gasped and stretched out her arms to rescue her niece, who seems to be very uncomfortable been pulled by the back collar of her night shirt and she seems to be having a hard time to breathe.
"Aunt Xion! He spanked me! I'm telling this to mommy and she will kick the brain out from his head!" Mai sobbed while Xion looked a bit shocked by her words. For a five year old girl, she knows a lot of words. Xion glared angrily back to Roxas and said in her angry tone, "What's wrong with you? What have you done to her! She's only five and you should know people didn't like to be lifted up by their collar! You're choking her, do you know that!"
"What's wrong with me! It should be what's wrong with you! Sleeping in late and let your own niece wandering around the ranch all by herself while you were snoozing. If I wasn't on the night shift and around the stables, she'll be dead by now!" Roxas told her in a hostile tone. Xion blinked her eyes at him. 'Sleeping in? Snoozing? What in the world is he talking about?'
Xion was about to scream out another protest but then she saw the sun just skimming from the eastern horizon. "Oh my… Is sunrise…" Xion uttered softly.
Roxas ignored her words and continued, "This niece of yours sneaked into a stable and went into one of the horses' stall. It's dark and anything that touches those horses will shock them and eventually started to kick around. It's lucky that she went into Old Bessie's stall, or else she'll be dead and flattened by now. Except for that, your niece also set some of the stable horses free from their stall and sent them on a wild free run. It's gonna use up at least three days for my men to round them up!"
The doors in her cabin and the other door of a nearby cabin flew opened, then shut softly. Except for the door of Ivy's cabin, which slammed shut with a loud thump. Xion had wished he will lowered down his voice and quit making a commotion. Kairi and Namine were stood behind her, and Kairi carried Mai from Xion's arms and into her own. Xion was sure that Ivy and Wren was watching this too, pleased themselves with the 'morning entertainment'.
"You better keep her under your attention during your duration at Devil's Mount, Ms. Lockhart, or I'll keep her under lock and key for you!" He went on like thunders.
Xion sighed as Ivy's and Wren's disarrayed forms entered the morning shadows. And they were coming to join the argument. Their hair still threaded in curlers and Ivy had a silly mud mask on her forehead, making her looked even more hideous than before.
"Well? Ms. Lockhart? Are you deaf!" Roxas demanded for an answer impatiently, obviously wanted some reactions from her.
Xion bit her lower pink lip and told him, "No. But at the moment I wish that I was!"
Her comment perked his anger and he slowly clutched his fist tight. No matter how beautiful the girl looked, her temper was pissing him off. "Watch your tone when you're speaking to me. I believed you knew who I am," Roxas warned her.
"In my eye, you're just another good-looking-blonde-but-good-for-nothing-and-unfriendly-to-children man! And that kind of men irritates me!" Xion shouted back to him, not caring what was his rank and his shocked face. 'Just like Demyx. Good for nothing…'
"Why you… little…" Roxas mumbled, don't know how to reply. Xion was about to mock him for being silent when Ivy sauntered up and demanded, "Get back into your cabin! We'll handle this situation. Get in now!" Xion eyed the two ugly hags who acted as if Xion was lower than them. Yes, she wasn't rich like them, but she was almost three years older than them for god's sake!
With no choice, Xion nodded and backed off slowly. She had enough with this Roxas and his cursed tongue and she can't stand looking at him for another second. Xion was about to turn and retreat back to the cabin when she heard Ivy told Mr. Strife, "Don't mind her. She's a nobody. She's just a maid that looks after that kid. Now, what seems to be the problem, Mr. Strife?"
Xion quickly shut the door behind her and then she regretted that she didn't slam it shut loudly. How could Ivy said such a thing. Yes, she was looking after her niece and also them and their house in Twilight Town. She accepted to be called as a 'maid', who is loyal to masters and very important for rich household for keeping the house tidy and dirt-free. But when she heard the way Ivy said it, she felt that her place had dropped to a slave.
Xion sighed and slowly sank down onto the floor. Her legs were placed like a 'V' beside her, and gazed down onto her laps. She hated her life being tortured by those two lazy, brainless, and ugly teenage girls! She had enough of them… She warped her arms around her petite figure, tried to stop herself from crying in frustration.
Kairi quickly let Mai down to her feet and hugged Xion's trembling body. She knew how much pain she had to bear. Every time Xion came back to the dorm after her job at the Jones resident, she looked tired as always and even a few new thin cuts on her arms. Once, she saw Xion had a big bruise on her knee, and she had hid it away like what she did to the rest of her cuts and bruises. All the evidences of her torture was hidden away under her clothing or thin make-up. Those two ugly ninnies always enjoy hurting Xion in many ways.
"Shh… Is okay, Xion. Just cry. You'll feel much better…" Kairi cooed softly. Xion's dam broke and the tears that she had always tried to hide flows out like rivers. She let her head fell on Kairi's shoulder and cried softly. Namine knelt down at her other side and gave her a hug too. If she as her cousin didn't comfort her, then she is nothing. Even lower than a foe.
The three of them stayed motionless in that position for a few minutes, until Xion's tears had dried up and she felt much better. Mai knew she had done something wrong and she had went into her bedroom awhile ago to think over what she had done and made Aunt Xion to cry.
"Xion… How about you take a relaxing shower while I clean this cabin up?" Namine suggested, still locked in the group hug. Xion nodded and they broke up the warm hug, and let Xion walked to the bathroom. After Xion had stepped into the bathroom, Kairi gave out a huge sigh.
"Poor Xion. Those dirty ugly slugs are really getting on my nerves!" Namine said looked out from a window nearby and noticed that the Jones and Mr. Strife had already gone. "Ya… They had gone too far this time. How dare they treat Xion like she was lower than them! I'll murder them! I promised!" Kairi said loudly, but at a tone which she sure Xion won't hear it.
Namine turned to face Kairi and nodded, "Someday, they will get what they deserve!" Kairi nodded and said, "We had to come up with something… Something that will make them not to annoy Xion anymore."
Namine tapped her chin then an invisible light bulb shone above her head, "Oh! I know!"
"What is it?" Namine whispered into Kairi's ear and a smile formed on her face. Namine withdrew and Kairi told her, "That's a nice one. But we need a perfect time to do that so it will looks like an accident. But when?"
"Well… I think we better do that after a few days, so they won't figure out that it was us," Namine suggested.
"Ya. I guess you're right," Kairi continued, "I hope it will be a success."
"I do hope too…"
***1314***
"Sigh…" Xion sighed and turned the hot water off. After letting the hot water beat her trembling and throbbing muscles, she felt much better. But she kept on feeling something was not right. Is it guilt? No, it can't be. She hasn't done anything wrong, right? Or is it the fight with Roxas was wrong? 'I can't stand this kind of felling anymore… I had to make it go away, somehow.' Xion thought as she warped her petite figure with her towel and looked at herself in the misty mirror.
She had never cry like that after her harsh broke up with Demyx last season. She shuddered when it reminded her of that moment. Without any reason, her fingers were like having the mind of their own and lifted up to the air and went closer to the mirror. Her index finger started to trace out a drawing on the mist. She let her finger continued as her mind was on something else. When the drawing was done, she looked up and can hardly believe her eyes. She actually drew that cursed past boyfriend Demyx's face out. She stared at the blur drawing in fear and the smirk on his face made her shivered. "No… No! No! Get out of my head! Ah!" Xion screamed and wiped the drawing away quickly with her trembling hand. Xion breathe deeply as she looked at her reflection on the mist-free mirror. She looked like a mess, even though she just showered.
"Xion! Are you alright in there? We heard you scream! Xi! You okay!" Kairi shouted as she banged the door.
Xion hugged herself and tried to reply as calm as possible, "I-I'm fine. Ju-just a small cockroach. I'm fine…"
"Are you sure?" It was Namine voice this time.
Xion closed her eyes and replied, "Yes. I suppose…" The last two words were so soft not even Xion can heard it clearly herself.
"Okay then. If you say so." Xion heard footsteps retreating from the door and she gave out a huge sigh.
Making sure the towel is still warped tightly around her, Xion quickly exited the bathroom and went into her bedroom to dress up. She picked out a random bra and underwear, an azure coloured thin fabric V-neck tank top with the word 'Angel' in black on the back and a ripped skinny dark blue jean with two white butterflies sewed on the back pockets. She combed her hair tidy, clipped a few split ends she has with her sewing scissor and felt much comfortable in her favourite clothes.
She tidied up her bed and helped Mai changed her clothes after she had her shower. Xion was tying Mai's shoulder length hair into two cute pigtails when Mai suddenly said, "Aunt Xion."
"Yes, dear?" Xion asked while taking a purple hair band from her accessories box.
"I'm sorry I made you cry, Aunt Xion." Xion smiled slightly and stroked Mai's little head.
"You didn't make me cry, sweetie," Xion answered and finished the last pigtail. Mai turned her head so she can face Xion.
"But I saw you cried just now. Just now in the living room. Don't you cry because I caused all those troubles?" Mai asked again.
"It's not you Mai. And you're only a child, children of this age is active and playful. I know the others will understand." Xion said as Mai climbed and sat onto her laps. (A.N. They were sitting on the bed the whole time when tying the hair. Sorry I mention it right now.)
"But… I'm still very sorry, Aunt Xion!" Mai cried out and hugged Xion's waist. Xion smiled and hugged her back softly. They broke the hug a moment later and Xion told Mai, "Why don't you go play with Kairi and Namine for awhile?" Mai nodded and ran out of the room.
Xion sat on her bed wondering, 'Should I apologize to Mr. Strife? It was my fault to let Mai wander out of the cabin by herself.' Xion checked her watch and found out that it had been an hour after the fight. 'He should have cooled down by now.'
Xion walked to the living room and picked up the phone. She looked at the paper that Sora gave her yesterday and dialed the number.
"Tut… Tut… Tut… Clack. Hello? Here is the service area. How may I help you?" The clear familiar voice rang from the other side of the line.
"Hello. Sora, right?" Xion asked just to make sure the person was the little happy fool.
"Yes, I am. What seems to be the problem, Xion?"
"Um… I would like to speak to Mr. Strife, if possible."
"Sorry Xion. You can't."
Can't? "W-Why?"
"He's out on a business trip."
"Out on a business trip?"
"Yup! And he won't be back till next two weeks."
"What time does he left?"
"Huh? Oh! Last week."
"Last week? Impossible!"
"Everything is possible, Xion."
"I know. B-But… I met him just now. An hour ago." Xion asked confusedly.
"You did?"
"Yes I did. I met him yesterday in the cantina too. So was everyone."
"That's strange. He didn't say he will come back this week. Not to say yesterday. I didn't saw him came to the main building either." Sora continued in a confused tone.
"I swore to Kingdom Hearts that I saw him. You can ask Mr. Alexander, Seifer and Mr. Randifer if you don't believe me!" Xion said.
"Ok ok… Chill, Xion. Um… Does he have spiky blonde hair?"
"Uh-huh."
"Eyes that is as blue as the clear sea of Destiny Islands?" Sora asked again.
"Yup." She had been to Destiny Island before. There is where Kairi lived once. And she had to agree, the sea is very beautiful. A perfect clear blue for such a beautiful island.
"Then you're right."
"Right about what? That I really saw Mr. Strife?"
"That's how my father looked like. I wonder why he came back this early." Sora asked himself.
'What? Sora's father?' Xion blinked twice. "Sora… Your father is only around 22 years old?"
"Huh? No way!"
"Then… H-He…"
"Well… My dad does looked like in his early 20s but he is twice my age." Sora replied.
"Um… Sora, you had mentioned that you have a brother, right. Is he here? In Devil's Mount?" Xion asked.
"Ya. Why you asked?"
"Well…What does he looks like?"
"Um… About my height, 21 years old, going 22 next month, love to wear clothes that have checkered parts, spiky blonde hair, and a pair of sea blue eyes…" Sora's voice faded to a whisper. There was a moment of silent until an "Oops." was heard from the other line.
Xion sighed. Why is it so hard to make a call to Mr. Roxas Strife? And Sora had mistaken that she is finding his father, whoever the name is.
"Um… I'll get him on the line. Please hold." Sora said quickly and switched the line to 'Mr. Strife Number 2' office phone. Why does Roxas wants everyone to call him Mr. Strife? It's making everything so complicating! There was a short pause then another familiar voice clicked on the line.
"Hello? Roxas Strife here."
Xion blinked and took a deep breath, she hoped this conversation will help them get along, and so she didn't want to push the wrong button. She breathed deeply again and with the effort to proceed, "Hi, Mr. Strife. Xion Lockhart here."
There was no answer came from the other side. 'He just wants to make things difficult for me, isn't he?' Xion thought.
Unknown to her, Roxas was so stunned by her sudden call that he could have been knocked over by a soft blow from his annoying brother, Sora. This Xion woman has been on his mind all morning, most of yesterday night too. How did he get into this kind of situation? He asked himself.
Roxas had decided to apologize to her for his loud voice and behavior in the morning, but he didn't know that Xion would have called him herself. 'Oh my… What should I say?' He started to panic a bit.
Unable to stands the silence, Xion decided to make the first move herself. "Um… I would like to apologize for my-" Should she apologize about her behavior towards him? "Um... I mean, I would like to apologize for letting my niece venture out like what she did this morning. I promised that such thing will not happen again."
Roxas was still in locked silence and so Xion continued, hoping he will at least say one sentence, "Um… I'm sorry about what happened in the cantina yesterday night. I didn't know that they will fight…"
Roxas cleared his throat and said, "Did those two 'rich maniacs' goad you to call me?"
"Who?"
Roxas chuckled slightly before saying, "Your 'friends': the skeleton and the buck-teeth one."
"Oh… No. Of course not, Mr. Strife. I call you because that's my own choice," Xion said, not minding the name callings at all, she also called them in different names too. It seems like Roxas is just like her friends and herself.
"I see." Roxas drawled thoughtfully. "You see, there is no need for an apologize. What I said and did today was wrong. I wasn't quite in a good mood this morning. And so…" He sighed. "I'm sorry for my outburst at the cabin. So, um… If there's nothing else-"
"Wait!" Xion cried out and switched her voice to a softer tone before she continued, "There is something else. Um… You said we better let your know and organize any outdoor activities, right? You see, we had planned to go for a horseback riding around the mountain before lunch today. It's it possible on such a short notice?"
Roxas fished out his schedule notebook and checked the time. His time was mostly free except meeting Mr. Xigbar and Mr. Luxord later around 3 pm. "How about 9.30? Your friends can enjoy a long ride and the temperature here is always cool, even at the time like this." Roxas asked her.
"That sounds great! Thank you!" Xion answered. When Roxas was calmed, his voice sounds so friendly…
"Um… Ms. Lockhart?"
"Yes?"
"Um… I was thinking… How about we forget the whole situation that happened this morning and get to know each other more?"
Xion was shocked by his question. Does he want to befriend with her? "Ya… Sure." She replied in a soft tone.
"That's great. I'm glad you called and we have things straightened out. I'll be meeting you at your cabin, and then I'll bring you all to the stables."
"Ok. That sounds just fine."
"Well, if there isn't anything else. See you later."
"See you…" With her last sentence, the line was dead and Xion felt zillion times better. And the unknown feeling that tightens around her heart just now had vanished from existence.
Roxas stared at the phone. He found out that he was actually looking forwards for the ride. Since today he was mostly free, he better hold tight to this chance and relax for awhile. He just wished that the meeting with the slightly cranky Mr. Xigbar and the 'poker king', Mr. Luxord later won't spoil the rest of his day. Roxas quickly continue doing his paperwork so he can finish them all by the appointed time.
Unknown to him, a certain someone was standing outside his office with his ear placed on the bottom of a glass and the opening of the glass was placed against the door, had eavesdropped the whole conversation between him and Xion. (Somehow he also heard what Xion had said) The person removed the glass from the door and planted a huge grin formed on his face before exited the building.
Nagira: Wow... that's a lot. now I can concentrate on my exam. I'm afraid but I'll be putting this story on a temporary hold. I'll try my best to update next month, June. Hope you enjoy this chapter and tha-.
Axel: Wait wait wait! i hardly appear in this chapter!
Nagira: Well... You appeared last chapter.
Axel: Only for a short while. At least write me appear longer.
Nagira: You will! In um... Next next chappie...
Axel: WHAT! That's so long and u will be on hold!
Nagira: Don't blame me! Blame the school!
Axel: *stands up*
Nagira: Where r u going?
Axel: Go burn ur school.
Nagira: 0.0 NO! The principal will expel me if he found out! *tackled Axel to the ground*
Axel: Get off me!
Nagira: Not unless you said your line and promise me not to burn down my school!
Axel: Okay. Thank you for reading and please review. And I promise not to burn your school.
Nagira: That's better. *got off him* *Axel stood up and ran out*
Axel: i'm gonna burn ur school!
Nagira: NO! AXEL! STOP! YOU PROMISED! *ran out and chase Axel*
