AN :)) Sorry I took so long to update! I had this ultra hard French project. O well. Anyways, thanks again to all my wonderful reviewers!!! You guys are mega awesome! So, in the spirit of keeping this short, time for the story!

Disclaimer: If I did, I obviously wouldn't be writing this, now would I?

Symbols

Thoughts

Flashbacks

&&&&&&&&&& scene change

"slip"

"Is there anything you'd like to go over before you audition? We've got time, seeing as Mr. Hikari has yet to grace us with his presence." Yuna asked.

"No, I think I'm good." Kairi reassured her. She had, after all, been practicing all week.

"Well, I guess there's no point in wai- " Yuna began, but was cut off by Sora, running full-tilt, into the room.

"Well, speak of the devil." She finished.

"Emphasis on devil." Kairi mumbled.

"What was that?" Sora asked, his tone rising.

"Nothing." Kairi smirked.

"Well, since you're already ready, go on Kairi. You can go first." Yuna resolved.

Kairi walked to the center of the room and took a deep breath in preparation. The music began and notes and lyrics began to poor expertly from her mouth. Sora sat gaping at the Red-headed singer. She smiled in satisfaction as the song came to a close.

"Very good Kairi! You did an excellent job!" Yuna said clapping.

"Thank you Ms.Yuna" she said bowing politely.

"Alright Sora, you're up." Yuna called as she set up the stereo for the next song.

Kairi held in a laugh. This was gonna be good. She sat down in a chair and prepared for the worst singing she'd ever heard. However, it never came. Instead, Sora's strong and steady voice washed over her ears. Wait a minute, he's… good? How is that even possible? She thought, somewhat pouting, but part of her was enjoying the song. She would have to fix that. The song finished with both Yuna and Kairi gawking at the brunette. He chuckled and scratched the back of his head. In that moment, with him standing there and looking humble and innocent, Kairi found him… cute.

"So, I take it I got the part huh?" He said with a cocky grin. Well that didn't last long, but she had to admit, he was good.

"We'll see." Yuna said scribbling notes onto a pad of paper. "You two can go now." She said dismissing them with a wave of her hand.

Kairi grabbed her purse and exited the room quickly. She wasn't in the mood to talk to Sora.

"So, what were you really doing at the coffee shop?" Sora asked, showing that fate was not on her side today.

"I told you already." Kairi said pressing onward, reaching her car in record time.

"That B.S.? That wasn't a real answer." He said, trying to get a reply before she got into her car.

"Well that's all you're gonna get." She said shutting her door to cut off the conversation. She sighed heavily as she put her keys into the ignition and drove off. She parked in a parking spot at the mall and headed into Destiny Café. She carefully tied her apron behind her back and approached the register.

"Hey Kai." Leon said approaching her.

"Oh, hey Leon, I didn't know you were working today." She said.

"Yah, I needed some extra cash, so I decided to put in some time. Besides, Cid isn't here on Saturdays; he said it was his 'family day'. "The two looked at each other, before bursting into laughter.

"Ahhh, good times, good times." He laughed,"Hey can you get this guy? I'm gonna go get more filters."

"Yah I got it." Kairi said, sighing off her laughter. "Welcome to Destiny Café. What can I get y- Oh my god, Seifer?!" Kairi said in disbelief.

"Hey Kairi" He said quietly.

"What are you doing here?" She asked in bewilderment.

"Do you have a minute?" he asked.

"Yeah, sure." She replied showing him to a table. She pulled out a chair and sat down, delicately folding her hands. She looked up to find him staring at the table. She decided this wouldn't go any where unless she made the first effort.

"I haven't seen you since the hospital." She said thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I did a good job of getting out of there pretty fast didn't I?" he said shamefully. There was a moment of silence before Kairi posed the dreaded question:

"So why did you leave?"

"To be honest, I'm not completely sure myself. Just knew that I couldn't be there. I needed to get out; I couldn't stand being in my skin. So I went to the bank, took some cash from my parents, and left. It was after a month of running that I realized it wasn't working. So, I settled down in Hollow Bastion. I got a job and started working, but no matter what I did, I still saw Reno, trapped in that god forsaken car. He was screaming, but I couldn't do anything. I just sat there until it was quiet. Then I remembered what I did to you, and your mother. The guilt, I couldn't get away from it. It was all my fault. I killed him and your mother. I was a murderer. I remember wondering if he was cold, if he was alone and I couldn't live with it. I just wanted to die and join him; at least I'd be doing something worth while with my life.

Finally, someone convinced me to go to a psychologist. He helped me to make things ok. Not perfect, or even close, but just livable. So finally I got the balls to come here and talk to you. About time right?"

"Oh my gosh. How did you know I was here?"

"Well, let me tell you, this isn't the first café I've been to looking for you." He said with subtle humor. Not a complete answer to her question, but good enough.

"So, now what?" she asked, confused as to his intentions.

"I wanted to say, I'm sorry. I know that's not good enough and I know it won't bring her back, but I just… I…" Kairi reached across the table and put a hand on his shoulder.

"It's ok." She said, he looked up and Kairi was surprised to see a tear making its way down his face. "Thank you." He said, a smile finally making its way onto his features.

"Well, I think that's enough emotion for one day." Kairi said laughing. It felt good to finally talk about it.

Seifer stood up and pushed his chair in, Kairi doing the same.

"Well, I'm gonna go." He said with his thumb pointing to the door. Kairi gave him a quick hug, before biding him goodbye for the last time. She stood there thinking for some time. What if it was a relief for her? Was she happy to have escaped Jecht? But why this way? Why did she have to die to get away from him? I hope though, wherever she is, that she is happy. She deserves at least that much. Kairi smiled a bittersweet smile, like one that follows the farewell of a friend. You aren't really happy, but you need to smile as a way of proving to yourself that there is hope.

She headed up to the counter, quickly filling Leon in as to what had happened, and found herself in yet another embrace.

&&&&&&&&&&

Sora lay on his bed, staring at his wall clock. 10:34, it read. He sighed and turned over, wincing as pressure was put upon his fresh bruise. What has his father been mad about again? He couldn't remember, not that it made a difference. He still would have been beaten to a pulp.

I could leave right now. I could be in Twilight Town right now. But then I'd be giving up. I'd let him win. That'd hurt worse than his beatings. Besides, why give up this house. I have everything anyone could wish for. And all my friends are here. I don't have long till I'll be leaving anyway. Maybe if I play hard enough, he'll be proud of me. That's not likely. At least if I wait, he'll pay for me to get into college. Hopefully one that's far from here. The beatings aren't that bad, I'm strong, I'll show him.

Then everything blurred, and Sora fell into a dreamless sleep.

AN :)) Ok, I know that was kind of a short Sora segment, but I think it was necessary. Anyways, R&R as always, and I'll try to have the next chapter out ASAP. Thanks! Livvy