Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts!

Motherhood

Genre: Romance/Humor

Pairings: Roxas/Kairi

Rating: T

Summary: (AU) After his wife left him Roxas swore off women, but now his daughter Namine wants a mother and she has her eyes set on her red-haired pre-school teacher.

Chapter Four: Life's Mishaps

Entering her small apartment, Kairi placed up her jacket before she leaned against the wall, looking down at her feet. The evening with Riku had been perfect—as usual…but once again she felt extremely off with him. She loved him, that much was certain, but as of late she has been asking herself what kind of love she held for the handsome man. They grew up together; went to the same school, were basically next-door neighbors, joined basically all the same clubs, even went to the same college. Growing up she had a huge crush on him and she acted upon it as a freshmen as college—and they have been going out ever since.

A sigh escaped her lips as she kicked off her shoes and staggered her way into her kitchen, wincing at the sight. She didn't have much food to come-by. Even though she works at a very prestigious school, she is still only a teacher for kindergarten. She pulled opened her fridge and sighed; a half-carton of milk, three apples, five oranges, a packet of turkey, a bottled water, celery that desperately needed to be thrown out, two eggs, and some butter.

Closing the door she made her way to the cabinets, taking a gander inside. She at least had a few more packets of instant ramen, some canned soup, and was that a roach? She squealed a bit and jumped back a good five feet. Gathering up some courage she made her way back over and peered inside, only to sigh in relief. It was only a small box of raisins that she had tossed in there—in the inky blackness it appeared like a rather large bug.

Going over her food supply she estimated she would have no choice but to go to the grocery store by the end of the week. It was Tuesday, so by Sunday she should have enough money saved to get a few more items.

Riku knew she was having money problems, but she refused any charity. Besides he was not that better off.

And she would certainly not go to her big brother for help. She loved Squall, but he was so over-protective that as soon as he would hear her say money problems he would catch a flight down from Hallow Bastion and make a rather big scene. He had his own problems to deal with—like his rambunctious son Sora and his sickly wife Riona.

She giggled at the thought of her little nephew; he was so hyper and curious and was always getting into trouble. And then Riona, the poor woman was loosing a battle to cancer. Squall is distraught and having to make many difficult decisions for the present and future. She shook her head; no she was not going to her brother. Besides, she could handle this.

Walking into her small bedroom she fell face first on the mattress, praying that her brother's life would start looking up.

--

"You gonna come see Ms. Kairi tommra?" Namine asked as she was tucked in bed.

Roxas chuckled, "Tomorrow, sweetheart. And yes, I will pick you up and talk to your teacher." He smoothed her hair down. "Now you get some sleep—alright? In the morning we will have pancakes." Her eyes brightened instantly and snuggled deep in her covers, a little plush of a black thing in her arms. Roxas regarded the object with some interest—it was called a Heartless, a creature that was in one of the games Kingdom Hearts produced.

It was an ugly thing, but Namine loved it so much she begged to have one. So being the ever doting father he was, he got a good friend of his that made toys to build one just for her. It hardly left her room, it was too special to the small blonde to just lug around anywhere—but when it did it never left her sight.

Leaning over he gave her a quick peck on the head before he picked himself up and left her room.

"Daddy?" She called out before he closed the door.

"Yes?"

"You are going to love Ms. Kairi."

"I bet I will." He stated as he started to close the door again.

"Daddy?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

He smile went on his face as he heard those words, "I love you too…Now get some sleep munchkin."

"Kay…Night-night, daddy…"

"Night." He gently closed the door letting out a small sigh, a smile playing on his lips before he made his way downstairs where Axel would be waiting for him. His best friend was sprawled on the couch flipping threw the channels in a bored fashion. Smirking, Roxas leaned against the wall raising and eyebrow at the immaturity of his friend. "And you wonder why people call you a baby…"

Axel snorted, "Shut-up…I do not like being regarded in such a term."

"Such a sophisticated sentence." The blonde teased as he made his way over, kicking Axel's legs off and plopping down. He sprawled out, his head falling back against the head of the couch. "I'm meeting up with Namine's teacher tomorrow."

"Good luck with that…I have a feeling that if you threaten her she will probably kick your ass."

Roxas chuckled, "I would love to see her try."

"Once you meet her you will see her rather…short-tempered ways. I really have no idea how the two of you are going to it off, but why do I feel like it will be hell?" Axel reached over and extracted his revenge on the blonde by kicking his legs. "I want some pizza…"

"You just had a hamburger."

"That was a hamburger—now I want a pizza." He gave a pat to his muscled stomach. "I'm so hungry!"

Roxas rolled his blue eyes. "When are you not hungry? Just go to the kitchen and make yourself something." He sighed when he saw the man make no move. "Lazy-ass."

"Damn straight."

With another roll of his eyes, Roxas picked himself up and stretched back like a cat, before he glared down at the red-head. "I'm going to take a shower and then go to bed…try not to stay up to late and give Namine a bad example. She's just beginning to start refusing to go to bed." Axel just waved him off as he continued to flip. Walking up to his room, he entered the master-bed room and sighed at the sight of the large empty bed. Rubbing the back of his neck he couldn't help but feel a bit lonely and very aggravated—Larxene did this. He clenched his fist, his eyes flashing with raw hatred, she destroyed him—it was her fault he was cold and made of stone, that it seemed he didn't have a heart.

Cursing he pulled off his white shirt and allowed it to fall on the ground, his jeans falling against his hips. He stormed into his bathroom turning on the water to his large shower, until it began to steam. Inhaling, he quickly tried to calm his homicidal rage, biting his tongue and closing his eyes to ease himself down. Only Namine, his precious little daughter, could help him fall at ease but since she was in bed he had no one who could help him feel more at control.

Messaging his head, he took another deep breaths before he stripped down ant entered the shower, hoping the hot water could clam him down. His blonde hair began to stick to his face.

He hoped that Namine's new teacher didn't piss him off especially when he was feeling so on edge—which usually meant that his ex-wife and Xemas would be paying him a visit really soon. If the teacher did piss him off he can't promise that he wouldn't make her life an absolute hell.

--

"And then the prince and sleeping beauty rode off into the sunset to live happily ever after." Kairi closed the book, looking down at her students. "Now was there a moral to this story?"

"Don't touch spinning-wheels!" Rikku cried out, making Kairi giggle.

"Ok…is there another guess?"

"Witches are evil and mean!" Paine inputted as she crossed her arms over her chest, looking very serious. "You have to invite them to parties or they get even meaner!"

Kairi raised an eyebrow at this, an amused smile playing on her face. "Is it possible that this didn't have a moral?"

The children reeled back, gasping. "Everything has a moral!" They cried making her laugh, and place her hands up in surrender.

"Ok-ok-ok…what is the moral then?"

"L-love c-co-conquers a-a-all?" Namine sputtered out bashfully.

Kairi beamed over at her, "Excellent Namine! You are so smart!" She clasped her hands together as she praised the girl, who blushed in return. "Namine is right! Love will conquer all, so this leads us to today's art class." Namine looked very excited at the mention of art. "I want all of you to draw a picture for those you love." Ok the assignment was a stretch from the story but she had to keep the kids constantly busy and thinking. Besides she wanted Namine to have some time to do her favorite thing.

"Everyone to their seats and we will begin the assignment!" The class cheered and hurried over to the small round tables where their art supplies were laid out. "It can be for your parents, friends, or even your boy and girl friends." She teased, instantly all the kids began gagging and squealing in horror at the thought of being with the opposite gender. Kairi rolled her eyes before she continued, "I want you to draw them in a way to show how their loves conquers all. In that I mean how the prince used his love for sleeping beauty to defeat the dragon and the evil witch—what has the one you love done?"

Instantly the kids grabbed their papers and crayons and began to work.

"Who are you going to draw Wakka?" Kairi asked, as she peered over his shoulder and at his paper. "Oh—is that your big sister?" The young boy nodded looking very pleased at his art. She gave him a pat on the head before she walked over to the other kids complementing or asking questions, anything to make them feel appreciated and cared for. They all placed their hearts into their arts in hopes to receive praise from Kairi.

"Is that your daddy and uncle?" The teacher asked as she squatted down next to the small blonde. "I know that one is Axel because of the red-hair…so that must be your daddy, right?"

Namine beamed proudly as she showed her art, "This is Uncle Axel and daddy fighting off the evil witch…"

"Oh? And what is the witch's name?"

"U-uhm…" Namine narrowed her eyes in concentration, as she tried to remember the name of the woman she was drawing. "I-I-I think she is called…oh! Larxene! She is very-very mean…Daddy and Uncle Axel don't like her at all…"

"Ooh…Well as long as they are protecting you than that is perfectly fine." She gave the girl a pat on the head. "Is your daddy coming to visit me today?"

Namine nodded, "Yeah! My daddy is very nice and super strong! He practices m-ma-matshel arts!" She then held out her hands. "He practices with a looooong stick called a-a-a-a…booken! He's really-really fast…and really hand-some!"

Kairi giggled, "He sounds fantastic Namine! Ooh! I'm blushing just thinking about him."

Namine frowned, "You like my daddy?"

"Well…I haven't met him yet but yeah! I like him because he is raising you and you obviously love him very much. So I know I will like him!" She then looked up only to yelp slightly. "Rikku! Don't stick those up your nose!" She picked herself up and hurried over to the tanned girl who was in the process of sticking crayons up her nose.

Namine watched her, 'She likes daddy…and daddy likes her…tha-that means they should get married!' Her eyes sparkled at the logic; she was going to get a mommy! A grin went on her face as she continued to draw, now adding Kairi right next to her, also being protected by her uncle Axel and daddy. 'Daddies protect mommies and mommies protect babies!' She finished the drawing the woman by adding the violet eyes and pink dress.

"Ms. Kairi?" A voice from the front began, startling everyone. Looking up and over, Namine saw that it was the teacher that brought her to the class the other-day.

"Oh—Ms. Gainsborough, one moment please." The younger woman stated as she finished wiping clean the crayon and giving Rikku a lecture on why one does not stick things up their noses. "Now, I'm trusting you to not do that again." Kairi handed her the purple crayon before she picked herself up and hurried over to Aerith.

"Aerith, what's up?" She asked, making sure all the kids were safe—especially certain tanned blonde who had a liking of placing inappropriate items in inappropriate places.

"You have an important phone-call. Mr. Merlin says it is urgent…"

Kairi nodded, before she looked over at her class, "I will be right back everyone! The principle needs to see me." The class 'oooooed' as if she was in trouble. Kairi stuck her tongue out at them. "Mind Ms. Gainsborough, alright?"

Namine began to panic somewhat when she saw the woman begin to leave, "M-Ms. K-Kairi…!" She almost wailed.

Looking back, Kairi saw the girl's terrified face at being left alone in the class without her. Glancing over at Aerith, who giggled slightly with a nod, Kairi held out her hand to the blonde, "Want to come to the principle's office with me?" The girl did not answer as she ran after her, clinging to her hand desperately.

Aerith watched with a smile, the girl had got very attached to Kairi in such a short amount of time. She was worried if Kairi made the right decision to bring the child with her, but she trusted Kairi's way of thinking.

"Be weary of that one…" Kairi stated as she pointed to Rikku who beamed up innocently.

"I will, now you better hurry."

Kairi nodded and began out the door, hand in hand with Namine. The blonde was looking down, "I-I'm sorry…"

The red-head blinked, "Why are you sorry?"

"Ma-making you take me…"

Kairi's heart melted, the girl was the most selfless thing she had ever come across. "It's ok, besides—you haven't met Principle Merlin have you? He is very nice and always has candy in his office." She winked at the girl. "Now let's hurry up and get some!"

"Yeah!"

--

"What the hell do you think you are doing here?" Roxas spat out, his blue eyes growing cold as he regarded his ex-wife who was sitting coyly on his desk, her short skirt riding up to revel her long sculpted legs.

She was looking over her perfectly manicured nails, her lips pulled back in a smirk as she eyed Roxas with a lustful glint. Her ex-husband was one of the most desirable males she has come across—even her current lover did not have to looks to match. Messy blonde hair, cold ocean blue eyes, muscular-sculpted body, stone-cut jaw, a face that looked to have been carved out by angels, large warm hands, tall dominating figure—the man was a sex-god.

Picking herself up the woman made her way over to the male, her hips swaying back and forth. Her nimble hands reached over and picked at his shirt, slowly unbuttoning it to revel his sculpted chest, which she allowed her hands to roam over. "Now is that anyway to talk to me?"

"I think it is a perfect way to talk to you." He showed no signs of pleasure from her ministrations, in fact he seemed annoyed. "Now what the hell do you want?"

"I want my share."

He rolled his eyes and pushed her off of him, "I should've known…get the hell away from me and my company Larxene." He re-buttoned his shirt and running a hand threw his hair, making his way to his seat. "You have no right to any profit Kingdom Hearts makes. Now leave…"

"I have plenty of right!" She accused. "When we divorced I got an equal amount of everything!"

"And I received all the profits many months after our divorce. You have no legal rights over Kingdom Hearts or its profits."

"Roxas--"

"I don't want to here it, Larxene. Now get out of my office." He crossed his arms over his chest, glaring dangerously at the seductive female in front of him. He then looked at the door, "That goes for you as well, Xemas."

"I can't fool you can I?" A man with long silver hair and golden eyes teased as he made his way from the hallway and into the large spacious office. "You were always the best of all of them…you had power, precisions, and the ability to kill with a twisted smile." He sighed in a mocking manor. "I gave you a home, power—and this is how you thank me."

"There is nothing for me to thank you for…why don't you go back to hell, and take your whore with you?" He pulled out some papers, coming off uncaring to the two in front of him. "I have an appointment I cannot miss, now if you will excuse me…"

"One with your daughter?" Xemas cooed out, making Roxas freeze completely. "Namine, right? What is she now? Four—five? Just beginning to come into life." He began to pick off some imaginary lent off his long black jacket. "Would such a shame if something would happen to her…" He was slammed against the wall, furious blue eyes glaring at him.

"If you so much as look at her--"

"Temper, temper…you are jumping to conclusions, Mr. Akira. All I said is that it would be a shame if something were to happen to her, nothing more." The blonde's man grip in his neck tightened. "My word, such anger—you haven't changed much at all…"

"Get. The. Hell. Out." He released the man and shoved him away.

Xemas held his bruised throat, with a bit of a smirk on his face, "Fine…we will continue this discussion another time…but Kingdom Hearts will be mine in the end." He jerked his head to the woman who huffed at the command but complied giving a sultry wink to Roxas before she disappeared out the door. Xemas followed her, giving the man another smirk before he left, shutting the door.

With a gargled scream, Roxas picked up a lamp and threw it against the wall leading it to explode. Panting, his eyes appearing like the color of ice, Roxas spun and punched the wall indenting it—wishing he could find a better way to control his violent temper and impulses. His body was shaking with rage and try as he might he could not stop his anger. "Fuck…"

"I take it you want me to pick up Namine?" Axel asked, entering from their adjoined office, he heard the entire conversation but knew it was Roxas's fight, not his. If he needed help Roxas would let Axel know.

"Yes, I can't face her feeling like this…" He clenched his jaw, closing his eyes try as he might he could not control himself. Running a hand threw his locks, he leaned his head against the wall, doing his breathing exercises. "Tell her I am really sorry for breaking my promise…"

"Hey bud—it's Namine, she will understand. Just make sure you bring her something nice tonight…Like a puppy!"

"NO!!"

--

Principle Merlin was a white-haired man with a fetching for blue. His white beard went past his knobby knees and his blue hat made him appear very odd looking. He blinked and fumbled around when Kairi entered the office with a little blonde child—Namine Akira he believed. He swallowed slightly, that child's father is a very dangerous and temperamental young man with a father-complex, he is very-VERY overprotective and has threatened him a few times saying if Namine continued to come home crying he would make sure he was never a principle again, or anything else for that manor.

"Ms. Papou, is there something the matter with her?" He asked regarding the child.

"Huh? Oh no-no! She just wanted to come with me and have a bit of your toffee while I take this call—if that is ok." Her violet eyes pleaded with the man who sighed, knowing he would not be able resist her puppy-dog-face of doom. He nodded and brought out his secret stash of candy and handed a piece of toffee to the blonde who shyly accepted it and began to nibble on it.

Picking up the phone from her boss Kairi answered, "Hello?"

"Hey baby-girl."

Her eyes went wide and then softened, "Hey…"

"I'm sorry for bothering you during your working hours, but baby-girl I need help…" His voice was pleading, and he sounded worn and tired—on the verge of crying.

"I'm always up for helping you Squall…" She bit her lip, feeling tears beginning to form, like they always do when she talks to her older brother. He was going threw such a hard time and sounded so weak and sad. "How is Sora?"

"Fine…he is well…" Squall replied.

"How is…how is she?"

He sighed on the other end, "Not so good I'm afraid…she is getting worse a-and…" He chocked back a sob on the other end making her want to cry. Her normally calm, take-charge, and strong brother was about to cry. "Her chemotherapy is beginning to show its effects and she will be spending practically all of her time in the hospital now…"

"Oh God." Kairi rasped, wiping her eyes. She loved Riona, she is always so sweet to her when she visits and she makes her brother one of the happiest man alive. "Squall—I am so sorry…Do you need me to come down there?"

Namine snapped her head up at hearing what her teacher said, 'Leaving?' He began to panic at the thought. Ms. Kairi is the only one other then her daddy and Uncle Axel who understood her! She did not want her Ms. Kairi to be taken away!

"No-no…that's not what I wanted at all…baby-girl I need a big favor from you."

"I'm willing to do anything for you…just name it."

"Let Sora stay with you."

Kairi reeled back in shock at the request, "Take care of Sora? Squall…"

"Please, Kairi. No child, especially his age, should watch as his mother slowly dies away. No child should watch what Riona is going threw…Kairi please. I'm hardly ever at home and now that she is going to be basically living at the hospital…No—I will not allow Sora to watch this. He needs to get away from here, Kairi I am begging you, please let him stay with you."

"Being a teacher is not exactly profitable…He would probably struggle, I don't have a big apartment."

"I understand that baby-girl, but you have to understand…Sora is witnessing his mother's slow death and he hardly sees his father and when he does he is about to fall to the ground crying…I am very tired and weak. He needs to get away from all of this."

Kairi bit her lip, tears now running freely down her cheeks, "I-I…" She nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "Yes. Sora can stay with me…I will take good care of him and make sure he has a good vacation."

Squall sighed in relief, "Thank you so much…He will arrive at the airport Saturday morning, I will call you to tell you what plane and time. Thank you again baby-girl, Sora really needs this."

"It's alright." She smiled. "I will love to spend time with him…Love you Squall."

"Love you too."

Kairi hung up the phone looking down at it for a moment, taking time to collect herself. Once she was calmed she wiped her eyes and looked over at Merlin, who was looking at her with sympathy. "Is everything alright?"

The woman shook her head, "No…well not really. My brother's wife is getting sicker and he wants me to take care of his son for some time so he doesn't have to witness everything. I will pay you back—but can you please enroll him here? I will work extra to pay for Sora's tuition but please—please."

"Alright, alright…" Merlin stated as he picked himself up and placed his wrinkly hands on her shoulders. "Calm down, don't worry about it. We will figure it out later. But of course your nephew can come here…he does need to get away from his home. Don't worry about paying; you need to concentrate on helping your nephew."

"Thank you…Thank you so much. This means so much to me and my brother."

"It's alright…now go on back to your students…but clean up your face first, alright? No need to startle the children."

Kairi nodded as she wiped her face again, "Come on Namine, let's go back to class." The blonde nodded and hurried over to her, grasping her hand.

Looking up she frowned at the sight of her sad face, "W-what's wrong?"

"My brother's wife is very-very sick. I am going to take care of his son for a while." She stopped and kneeled down to the child. "Namine, sweetie…can you help me out?" Namine nodded, she would do most anything for Ms. Kairi. "Can you help out my nephew? He is going to be new and will need a friend…can you help him out?"

"He-help h-him o-out?" She squeaked, appearing a bit fearful about hanging out with another child.

"He's going to need a friend and I will need an assistant—someone I can trust." Her lips pulled back. "Can you do this job?"

Namine nodded, looking very serious. "I will be tha best assist-tant eva!"

Kairi smiled gently at the girl, "Thank you so much…this will really help me." She gave her blonde hair a pat on the head. "You are going to do a great job, now let's go back to class. Ok?"

--

Axel came up to the classroom and heard some singing, Namine's and her teacher's. "How much is that doggy in the window—ARF-ARF!—the one with the waggly tail—ARF-ARF!—how much is that doggy in the window—ARF-ARF!—I wonder if that doggy's for sale." The two then giggled, making Axel smile.

Knocking on the door, Axel gave the two a smile, "Hey good-looking."

Namine frowned, "Where is daddy?"

"He says sorry sweetie, but the evil witch returned and your daddy had to battle her." Namine's blue eyes went wide at the mention to of the witch. "Don't worry; your daddy beat her and her troll real easily. But he had to make sure they left."

"Oh…" She then looked over at her teacher, biting her lip. "Uncle Axel…can Ms. Kairi come over for dinner?"

Axel bit back a groan, 'That thing?! Noooo!! Not the bitch with a hot body!' "I'm sure Ms. Kairi is very busing…"

"Namine, I would love too—but would I be a bother?" She gave a smirk up at the red head who wanted to slam his head against the wall.

"No! And I want you to meet my daddy. Please? Please? Please?!"

Kairi giggled at the girl's pleads. "Ask your daddy, and if he says yes I will come over Friday…ok?"

"YAY!!" She began to pull at Axel's jacket. "Hurry, hurry! We need to ask daddy! Let's go ask daddy! Hurry Uncle Axel!"

"Ugh…" Axel glared at the smaller woman who was smirking smugly up at him. "Fine, fine…Let's go ask daddy."

"Yay! I'll see you tommara Ms. Kairi!" Namine waved before she grasped her uncle's hand and began to force him out of the door. "Hurry, hurry! Ask daddy! Ask daddy!"

"Alright-alright…see you tommara Ms. Kairi." Axel mocked as he followed his god-child out of the door, waving to the woman who waved back, laughing.

After a pause, Kairi sighed and slumped against her chair before she buried her face in her hands, "Oh God…what am I going to do?—Sora…"

--

Author: Next chapter the two meet, and as you see—I found a place for Sora! Hurray for me! I feel so bad for making Larxene such a…whore and a bitch…I mean like this. I know she isn't a whore (maybe a bitch but nothing wrong with that) it's just that someone had to be the evil woman and it couldn't be Olette…I think. There aren't many female characters I can use…Well please review!

Oh! I have fallen in love with this couple, and I have an idea for another story, but it might be a bit too much like this one. Can you guys give me your opinions?

Summary: (AU, College Fic) The moment Kairi saw Roxas it was love, but she is to shy to talk to the handsome loner. Roxas is rather cold and uncaring but fiercely protective over his twin, Namine who is blind. Not only is she competing against his sister she is competing against the entire female body—how can the quiet nothing-special Kairi be with someone as great and popular as Roxas? And if she is nothing special why is some underground mafia organization so desperately trying to kidnap her? And why is it that wherever Kairi goes she meets up with the handsome male whom she desires?