"Home?" Sora looks at his mother's out stretched hand. He remembers all the other times he's seen this. When he fallen and his mother would help him up. Or when they're crossing a dangerous street. When ever his mother would hold out her hand like this, it meant she wanted to help him. She wants to keep him safe.
Sora takes a step towards his mother.
He hears Ven cry through the darkness. He can hear his voice mumbling something but Sora can't understand it.
"Come on Sora." His mother urges. Sora takes another step forward, about to put his hand into his mother's-
"Sora!" Riku's voice cuts through the darkness. Sora turns away from his mother towards where he heard that voice. Now he can hear Ven too. He's calling for him. He wants him to come back.
"Sora what's wrong?"
"...I'm sorry mommy. I can't go back with you yet. I have a new family now...I think I want to stay with them." Sora turns to face his mother. "But I will be back. I won't leave again." Sora smiles at her.
"I will wait for you." She walks away slowly, keeping her eyes on Sora. She gives him this sweet smile. "Be happy Sora. Please don't regret this decision."
Then she's gone and there's nothing but darkness. There's no voices. No light. Just empty blackness.
Sora feels like he's floating down stream. He's not even sure if he's in water or not. He can't see anything. Sora feels like he should call out his brothers names. But he doesn't have the strength to do so. Sora just wants to sleep. His body feels heavy...
"...It could be...rejecting...his body can't..." Voices. He doesn't know who they are or what they mean.
"...Days...months...years..."
"Never..."
"...Damaged..."
"...Won't remember..."
" He isn't that strong...please remember..."
"Sora I won't leave you alone...Always I'll..."
"...I...miss you..."
"You look better every day Sora!"
"Sora I've been taking care of your flowers. They look great!"
"Me and Axel took over on the flowers...Ven has been out on a mission for awhile with Terra."
"Looking good!" Sora is starting to be able to hear the voices better. They're so spaced out but now he knows that Axel is talking right now. He can sense people around him.
"Sora It won't be much longer. I can feel it. I'm sorry I've been away for so long. I was tracking a werewolf with Terra. I can't wait to go on missions with you Sora. I have so much to show you...I miss you..." Ven's voice fades away.
There's nothing for awhile. Sora wonders if it's because people stopped coming around or if something happened to himself. The darkness has become thicker. It feels like he's drowning in all of it.
When it becomes lighter, Sora can sense someone is near him. There's no voices. The person will go away and then they will come back.
The darkness gets lighter and lighter till Sora becomes aware of his body. He aches, his muscles feel like they're glass and that if he moved he would break them. His skin feels so thin...he'll get cold and then he'll get really hot. When he gets cold his body shivers. And when he gets hot, he can feel the bed get wet with his sweat.
That person keeps coming back. Sora can feel this person put more things on his body when he gets cold and he feels this person remove the blankets when he gets hot.
Sora doesn't know how much time passes before he starts to become even more aware. There's sharp pains all through his body and his mind is fuzzy.
"...Ven told me I should talk to you." That's Riku's voice. Sora wasn't expecting that this person that's been around him to be Riku. There's a pause. "It's been a week since they've been gone. Ven, Roxas, Axel, Terra and Aqua...they're trying to fix a mess Vanitas has made. They should have dealt with him a long time ago. After what they found him doing to you...Well Vanitas knew he was going to be locked away. He won't escape."
Vanitas? Sora opens his mouth to question Riku but all that comes out his a pained gasp. Riku is by his side.
"Sora? Can you hear me?" Riku's voice is excited.
"...Ri..." Sora tries to say his name but he can't. His throat is too dry. He slowly opens his eyes, hissing from the small amount of light in the room. It takes him a couple of times to blink to refocus but then he can see. Riku is hovering over him, his green eyes wide.
"Sora you're awake! I have to tell Aqua and Terra!" Riku stops when Sora grabs his wrist. It's weak. He can' barely hold on. Riku glances back at him, staring at him with those intense eyes before he nods his head. He gives him a soft expression. "Ill be back Sora. I'll get you some water."
Sora nods his head and lets go. Riku is gone in a flash. Sora only has enough time to slowly sit himself up before Riku is back. Being a Occisor makes them so fast.
"Here you go." Riku hands him the cup of water. Sora carefully starts to sip at it, closing his eyes at feeling the nice cool liquid on his sore hot throat. Riku leans on the wall, his arms crossed, watching Sora. "...I can't believe you're up...We were starting to think you never would." He says it so casually but there's this glossiness to his eyes.
"I don't really..." Sora tries to gather his thoughts. His mind is still fuzzy. "...Am I...?"
"You're a Occisor. It was a success."
"How long have I been out?" Sora asks once he remembers. He remembers the pain. He remembers before then how he wanted to be like his family. He wanted to be a Occisor. Now he is one...Sora can't really tell the difference. Right now he feels pretty bad.
"Three years."
"Three years?!" Sora hops up in bed only to be quickly pushed down by Riku.
"You cant do that. You're just waking up, you have to rest." Riku says firmly. "Terra and Aqua have to look at you. They're on their way now."
"But...But...three years? I've been out for that long?...so that means...I'm eleven now?! I"ve missed three birthdays..." Sora trembles, the thought of sleeping for so long is almost something he can't grasp.
"If you were a human that would be true. You are still the age of eight. You're a Occisor now. You age much slower remember? You won't turn 9 for another seven years."
"So I'm...the same?" Sora looks down at his body. He looks a lot tinier. Sora looks at Riku and sees that he looks the same too. Time really does pass slowly for a Occisor. "but three years are gone...What happened while I was out? Was I just sleeping?"
"Yes. Aqua has been taking care of you the most. She's been washing you and feeding you. Ven is always in here. He spent more time in here then in his own bedroom. He is always talking to you...He said it helps..." Riku thinks for a moment. "Roxas and Axel have been in here a lot too. These pass three years we've just been training. Going on missions with Terra and Aqua."
Sora notices the many things in his room while Riku is talking. A lot of flowers, and rocks. There's some strange things he's never seen before but they're pretty. "Most of this stuff is from Ven. He always wanted to get you something from his missions. Roxas did it too." Riku explains.
"Wow..." Sora feels tears in the corner of his eyes. "You guys never forgot about me...for three years...it must have been a burden."
"The only burden was not knowing if you would wake up or not." Sora is surprised to hear that from Riku. The older one isn't looking at him. "Now that you're up, it's all good."
"Riku...Thank you." Sora gives him a bright smile. He feels his heart swell from those words. Riku cares about him. He shows it in his own way.
"For what?" He grunts, raising an eyebrow at Sora.
"For being there." Sora smiles. "I could sense you staying around me."
This gets Riku to look away quickly. "I was just doing my job."
Sora won't believe that's the only reason. He knows that Riku has gotten closer to him...the only one left is Vanitas- Sora's eyes widen.
"What about Vanitas?"
Riku tenses, his whole body stiffening up. His lips perk up in a snarl. "That guy...he-"
"Sora!" Ven comes running in the room, panting, his face red from his exertion. When he sees Sora sitting up in bed, staring at him with owl like eyes, he lets out a sound that might be a squeak or a sob.
"SORAAAA!" Ven is by his side in a second, his arms wrap around him tightly. "You're really awake! I've missed you so much and-" It doesn't seem like he's taking a breath.
Sora feels like he can't breath and he finds he doesn't have the stengh to hug Ven back, even though he wants too.
" Ven that's too much!" Aqua comes into the room, looking just as out of breath. She pulls Ven off of Sora, but she has the same look Ven has in his eyes. A growing happiness. Regained hope. "He just woke up sweetie." Aqua watches Sora closely, rubbing Ven's arm to settle him.
"I missed you too Ven. I missed you all. Sorry it took so long for me to get up." Sora gives him a small smile.
"Don't say sorry! You woke up! I have so much too tell you! Now that you're up, everything is going to be fine. You're one of us Sora! You're a Occisor!"Ven makes his way out of Aqua's grip to grab Sora's hand, much more gently this time. His blue eyes are so bright. It's almost hard to look at. "I've made sure to visit you every day. I brought you a lot of gifts! Aqua put some of them away because the room was getting too messy...but we can look at them later! There was this thing and...your flowers! We've all been taking care of them and-!" Ven is getting out of breath again.
His eyes are getting watery. Sora finds the strength to wrap his arms around Ven, laying his head weakly against his. Sora can't imagine how he would feel, if it was Ven who was asleep for three years. It must have been hard. He wonders if he felt lonely without him? Even though he had all his other brothers.
Ven holds him tightly, but not too tight. He feels something melt in Ven. He lets out a soft sigh and he finally takes a breather and is silent.
Sora's brain is feeling less fuzzy. He glances over to look at Riku, only to see Aqua is chatting with him quietly. It looks like an intense conversation. They both look at him at the same time. Aqua smiles sweetly, Riku averts his gaze.
"You are looking much better Sora. You'll still need to rest but I'm sure you'll be back to your usually self." Aqua encourages.
"Yeah she's right." Ven mumbles. He still hasn't let go of him. Riku stares at him strangely now. Sora can never tell what Riku is thinking but he's not sure he likes those shifty glances. He stays far away, arms crossed.
"Well I'll be damn. Riku wasn't lying." Axel walks in with Roxas. Both look wide eyed before Axel grins. "Sora, my man what took ya so long?"
"I don't know." Sora smiles, happy to see his brothers. Roxas looks him up and down before he smiles.
"Glad you're back Sora."
"I'm glad to see you all!" Sora chuckles, feel his chest swell.
"Haha! I knew Ven would be hugging all on him. Look at that. He won't let him go." Axel teases.
"And I'm not going to!" Ven pouts.
"Ven stop hogging Sora." Roxas walks closer. Ven doesn't make any move to let go.
"No!" Ven shakes his head.
"I can hug you both!" Sora holds open his arms. "Don't fight. I'm so happy right now." Roxas settles down and comes closer to hug him.
"Aw let me get in on this." Axel comes up, wrapping his arms around them all. " Come on Riku get in here. You know you missed Sora."
Riku averts his gaze. "...No thanks."
"What a turd." Axel grunts, getting Roxas to chuckle at the face Riku makes. His face also makes Sora laugh and soon they're all laughing. Riku's expression even softens and Aqua smiles.
"Looks like i'm missing out on the fun." Terra comes in, looking half shocked and half amazed with the atmosphere in the room. He wraps his arm around Aqua as he takes in Sora and his other boys. He smiles. "Sora... Welcome to the family."
Sora feels like he might cry but his eyes are so dry. His throat is dry too. The feeling is in his chest though. He feels it in his throat but it never comes out. He is home. With his family.
"Ven was so lost without you Sora, you should have seen him. He was always visiting you and taking care of your flowers." Axel smirks when Ven's face gets flushed.
"Y-Yeah so what?"
"Ven i'm happy you came. I think I remember hearing you. It would have been lonely if you didn't come by." Ven brightens up by Sora's words completely. "I felt you guys too...when you would come. I just couldn't do anything about it."
"That's to be expected. The chemicals put a toll on your body. But now you should just get stronger." Terra takes a step forward. "Ven...let go of him for a moment."
Ven takes a second but he does let go. He moves away from Sora so Terra can get closer. He leans in and sniffs his face. Sora tilts his head as Terra continues to inspect him. Everyone is watching so closely that Sora feels a bit uncomfortable.
"What's wrong?" Sora asks.
"Nothing." Terra says after awhile. He locks eyes with him. "Can you stand?"
Sora doesn't know but he wants to get out of this bed. He turns his body so his feet are hanging off of the bed. He gasps when the room spins and his ears fill with loud ringing.
"Let him get up by himself." He hears Terra say to someone. Sora is guessing Ven.
Once the dizzy spill ends, Sora slowly gets off the bed. He's a bit wobbly at first. Actually very wobbly. He almost falls face first on the floor but he quickly grabs the wall for leverage. He sticks his tongue out as he moves against the wall, but soon he's out of breath and his knees buckle.
He's caught by Ven and Roxas before he hits the ground.
The room has gone quiet. Sora glances up to see that Terra and Aqua are exchanging looks. "Your body is very weak. We have to work you up back to how you were." Ven and Roxas help him back into bed.
Both Riku and Axel have this same look on their faces. They're stone. Sora feels like hiding under the blanket for some reason. He feels like he's disappointed everyone.
"Tell me Sora, do you feel any different?"
"Different? Well I feel weak right now but..." Sora trails off when he sees something shift in Terra's eyes. Sora has noticed he's more hyper aware of changes in his family's expressions. Also he feels things differently. Should he mention that?
"Then you should get some rest. That walk took a lot out of you." Terra looks towards the boys. "We should give him rest." Everyone leaves quickly. Expect for Ven.
"Did I...do bad?" Sora asks, glancing at Ven who is staring at him. Ven smiles and shakes his head.
"No. You did good Sora! You've been out for awhile...your body just isn't use to moving is all! Don't worry. Aqua and Terra will fix you up!"
"Ven, come on leave Sora alone for a bit."
"But..." Ven stops before he frowns. He glances at Sora once more before he leaves.
When everyone is gone, Sora realizes that he never got to fine out what happen to Vanitas. He also doesn't want to rest. He wants to be with his family. When he opens his mouth to speak, he finds a wave of fatigue hits him hard. His eye lids feel like rocks.
He's just...so...so...tired. He thinks he hears whispering. Hushed voices.
Then there's nothing.
"Hey now! You're doing pretty good!" Axel grins as he watches Sora walk his way up and down the stairs, walking with him just to make sure he doesn't fall. "I think after this you'll be set."
"Yeah. I feel a lot better." Sora smiles. It's been three months since he woke up from his three year slumber. His muscles have gotten strong once more and he's able to walk properly. Of course it took a lot of everyone working him up to this. They started with exercises in the bed, then out of the bed, then walking, then walking faster, then jumping. He's able to do everything that he use to do.
Sora is sure that after this session with Axel, they'll take him off restrictions and he can start training as a Occisor!
It's all thanks to his brothers. Each session was someone different. All his brothers have helped him recover...Except for Vanitas. Sora still doesn't know about what happened to him.
He's tried asking everyone. Ven just changes the subject. Roxas would do the same. Riku just ignores his questioning all together. Terra and Aqua would be quick to get out of the conversation. Axel is the only one left to ask.
"Hey Axel..." Sora starts off slowly as he gets to the top of the stairs only to go down them.
"Hm?"
"Where's Vanitas?"
There's a period of silence. Sora is starting to worry Axel is just going to ignore him like Riku. He sighs. "Well I expected this coming. You already asked everyone else." Axel rubs the back of his head.
"No once is answering me...it's been three months and I haven't seen him...No one has even said his name. Riku was telling me something about him when I woke up but then everyone came in and he stopped...now he won't tell me what it was."
"That's cus we're not suppose to." Axel tilts his head up for a moment before those green eyes lock onto Sora's wide blue. "Look, I wouldn't worry about it now. Vanitas is coming back but not for awhile. Focus on getting stronger. Come on lets do some more exercises and finish this up. I bet you're sick of them right?"
They go on with the exercises that Sora has no trouble with now. He wants to know more but he's content with knowing that Vanitas is coming back. He just wonders why no one wanted to tell him? Or why they're not suppose to say anything? Riku said Vanitas did something...what did he do? And when will he be back?
Vanitas may be mean, but he's his brother now. He's the reason he has this family. Sora wants to show him affection too, just like his brothers have shown for him.
Sora hopes he comes back soon.
"See?" Sora beams after doing a couple laps around the house, jumping as high as he can and even adding a couple of push ups. Terra has a stern expression before he smiles.
"Looks like you're all better now Sora."
"Does that mean I can start Occisor training?" Sora bites his lip, jumping up and down into place. He's too excited. Ven who is watching all this next to Roxas looks about the same as him. All his brothers are here to watch this...except for Vanitas.
"Yes. I think it's time."
"Yessssssss!" Sora shouts in joy. Ven runs up to him, and the two young boys start to jump up and down in their excitement.
"Sora I can't wait to go on missions with you! This is going to be so much fun! I'll help you if you need it!-" Ven starts to go on excitedly.
"Took ya long enough. Three months of having to help your ass walk and now you're finally here." Axel smirks.
"Good job Sora." Roxas walks over to the two boys, giving him a smile. His eyes widen when he's pulled in by Sora and is forced to jump up and down with them. His protests soon turn into laughter.
Terra puts his arm around Aqua, watching the three play with the two adults sharing a smile.
"Didn't expect this did ya Riku?" Axel glances over at the silvered haired male who is leading against the house.
"..." Riku doesn't respond.
"...I know I didn't. I thought Sora was a goner. I didn't expect for him to wake up. I didn't expect him to make a full recovery either. There's something different about him though...you sense it don't you? I think that's what Aqua and Terra have been whispering about." Axel speaks slowly, making sure only Riku can hear.
"Would you stop talking about it?" Riku sends him a sharp glare.
"I'm just saying." Axel holds up his arms. "He doesn't smell like a human but...he doesn't smell like us...I wonder if this is because of how hard it was on him to change, or if this has something to do about what Vanitas did-"
"Axel." Riku warns, his voice dark.
"What did Vanitas do anyway? All aqua and Terra would tell us is that he tried to hurt Sora...but is that what really happened? You've been pretty messed up since you 'walked' in on whatever he was doing. You're so young but you look like you're about to kill over any second, so it must have been something serious."
"..." Riku uncrosses his arms, marching back into the house. Axel watches him go from the corner of his eye. He looks back at Sora, watching how Ven hangs off of him and Roxas is saying something about how Ven needs to stop bothering Sora so much. The three look like they're having fun. All giggles and smiles.
He glances at Terra and Aqua. They're gone.
"It seems that Riku is being secretive as always. Terra and Aqua are upset about something...and then there's Sora. Ven is in denial, Roxas seems to be ignoring it but...I'm sure they can all sense it and smell it. Something's up."
"Axel what are you doing over there talking to yourself?" Roxas raises his eyebrow.
"Nothing. Just being awesome." Axel grins, making his way over to the blonde.
"If you say so." Roxas grunts. He blinks when he turns around. Sora and Ven are gone. "He's always taking Sora off somewhere. He's never been good with sharing with me." Roxas glares at his feet.
"Well Ven doesn't have me. I'll hang off you Roxas~" Axel hugs Roxas from behind putting his wight on him. Roxas glares forward for a moment before his expression softens.
"Yeah, Ven doesn't have you."
"And if you want Sora to hang out with us more you just got to steal him away. Sora seems like the type to want to give affection to everyone."
"Yeah. I guess I should have seen this coming. My brother has been waiting more intensely for Sora to come back. He' gotten so attached to Sora in such a little time. I feel it that...that's some kind of love in my brother for Sora...I kind of thought that maybe if we lost Sora we may have lost my brother too..." Roxas is quiet before he closes his eyes and smiles. "So...I suppose it's okay if he steals him away this time."
"Look at you caring for your brother." Axel teases poking him in the cheek. Roxas smacks his hand away. "Want to get some ice cream? Go to our usual spot?"
Roxas thinks for a moment before he nods. "I want to. Sea salt."
"Of course."
As Axel expected, Roxas isn't saying anything about Sora. It seems he is ignoring these concerning facts but that's okay. Axel isn't going to trouble him with it. He'll keep his eyes open and if there is a problem well...
He'll face that later.
"Thanks again Ven, for taking care of my flowers." Sora touches a yellow rose delicately. Ven is sitting next to him in the garden, staring up at the crescent moon in the sky.
"Oh it's no problem! I wouldn't want them dying after all the hard work you put in! I wasn't the only one. Roxas and Axel helped too...even Riku!" Ven grabs Sora's hand. "But I must admit I did a lot of it." He beams.
" I'm glad. You guys have helped me so much. I'm just so happy that I can finally join you guys. Now I won't be a burden."
"You never were a burden to me." Ven shakes his head. "I would have gladly taken care of you for hundreds of years!"
"You're crazy Ven." Sora chuckles, bumping foreheads with his friend. "Just thinking about that is crazy! That's way too long!"
"Nuh huh. Its not long at all." Ven says firmly before he looks away, up towards the moon again. "...you're my family. 100 years isn't anything. Time isn't anything. I've been here a very, very long time Sora. Time isn't..." Ven closes his eyes.
"Ven?" Sora frowns at the change in the other boy. "Is something wrong? I didn't mean anything by it but...to me 100 years is super long!"
"Sora Occisor age much differently then humans. Ten human years equal one for us. I've been here all my life. I'm eight Sora. I've been here for 80 years."
Sora feels his breath catch in his throat. "80 years? Wow Ven...you're so old!"
"No I'm so young!" Ven chuckles. " Old would be...a very large number. We can grow to be so old that there hasn't been a Occisor documented yet that has died of old age. It's always other reasons."
"Wow...so I'll get to be that old..." Sora is still trying to process this.
"You have a pretty funny face right now." Ven giggles. "So you see...100 years isn't anything. Not to me. I would have waited longer for 80 years were lonely but... In all my 80 years of life, I've never had as much fun since you've come along. There's just something about you Sora. Something special. You've brought everyone closer together and I..." Ven wraps his arms around him. "I'm happy that you're one of us now."
"I'm happy too Ven." Sora rubs his back. He's feeling something...a sort of sadness? A worry? "Are you okay Ven?"
"I am now."
Then what is this feeling he's sensing? Should he tell Ven about these powers? Is it because he's a Occisor? Or is it all in his head? Sora opens his mouth...before he shuts it.
For some reason he can't bring himself to say it. He feels like it would hurt Ven to press more into his feelings.
Ven is holding him much more tightly than normal. So Sora just tightens his grip.
It's been seven years. It's almost unbelievable but it's been that long. Time seems to go by so slow as a Occisor...or maybe it's just Sora. For seven years Sora has been training as a Occisor but not in the way he thought he would be. He was picturing that all his brothers would train together and they would have magical powers and such...
The reality is that Sora spent most of these seven years alone. The person he saw the most was Terra, the man who has been training him so diligently. For five days a week Sora did everything that Terra wanted him to do. Which included running laps in the forest, doing push ups, curl ups, and combat training with the wooden Sword. Each day he would add on more that he should do. More laps to run, more curl ups...
At first Sora was disappointed. The training didn't seem anything special. He wanted to see how his brothers were being trained but Terra wouldn't let him have contact with his brothers on training days. When it got to the weekend, his brothers weren't allowed to tell him about their training.
Ven gave him an encouraging smile and told him 'it's always like this in the beginning. Once you pass the basics, it gets better, I promise!'
With that, Sora held on to hope of it getting better.
Weeks turned into months and months into years. Sora's body slowly became stronger. After running for awhile he use to get out of breath and his lungs would burn. Not anymore. His muscles use to cramp up and he wouldn't be able to move for days after working them so hard. Not anymore.
If there's anything this training has done, it's made him stronger. His body feels reformed. He can't even imagine how strong his brothers are compared to him. They've been training so much longer than him! Sora wants to hurry up and catch up...
"Break this rock and then we can go in for the night." Terra points to a large bolder he had placed in the yard just for Sora's training. His face is stern, watching him carefully.
"Okay!" Sora grips his fist before he punches the rock. It cracks under his force but doesn't shatter. "Grr!" Sora hits it again and it breaks into little pieces. Sora jumps up and down. "I did it!" It took Sora so long to get his punch strong enough to break rock! This is amazing!
"Good job Sora." Terra smiles, patting Sora on the head. "Why don't you head in? You did good today."
Sora nods excitedly before running off towards the house. He doesn't catch how Terra glances at the shattered rock with his eyebrows furrowing.
"Ven! Roxas!" Sora calls once he opens the door. He hopes the twins are here. Or at least Ven. Sora frowns when he sees the lights are off.
He misses everyone so much. Sora remembers Ven saying how he was lonely. Sora didn't understand how he could be lonely with having a family but now he understands. Training is hard work. Sora barely has any time for himself and when he does have free time, his brothers are on missions. Every once in awhile he gets lucky and someone is home on the weekend.
He loves it when it's Ven. They play so many games and stay up late talking.
When it's Riku he keeps his distance mostly. They did watch a movie once together.
When it's Roxas they talk. When it's Axel, they talk about Roxas.
Sora just wants to be with his brothers. All of them.
"Happy birthday!" Sora nearly jumps out of his skin when the lights flash on.
"Ah!" Sora gets into the stance Terra taught him, his muscles tensing up to fight. His eyes brighten when he sees it's his family...all his brothers and Aqua! On the table is a cake with nine candles.
"Ven! Roxas! Riku! Axel!" Sora feels his eyes water before he blinks. "...Did you just say happy birthday? Who's birthday is it?"
"It's yours silly!" Ven runs up to him and hugs him tightly. Sora hugs him back, sighing in relief. He's overwhelmed by all the good feelings he's getting from Ven.
"But my birthday is in January!" Sora says still dumbfounded.
"I know it's strange but...you're birthday changes after you've turned into a Occisor." Roxas explains off to the side. He looks tempted to join in on the hug fest.
"It becomes the day you were turned." Axel adds. He pushes Roxas into the hug by wrapping his arms around him and Sora, trapping Ven in the middle.
"It's been ten years from the date of your turning...so you're now nine." Riku states, not moving any closer. "...The day you were turned is the day you were reborn. You are no longer human."
"Wow...so October 5th is my new birthday." Sora smiles, the jitters filling him. He starts to laugh.
"What's so funny?" Axel raises his eyebrow as they let go of him, Ven is still hanging off of him but Sora doesn't mind.
"I'm just so happy! It's been so long... since I've seen everyone." Sora sniffles.
"Come on Don't cry Sora." Riku winces, looking uncomfortable. "It wasn't that long..."
"Yeah come on Sora you're nine now. Big boy." Axel grins.
Sora ends up crying anyway. He can feel the tears fall down his face. Ven is quick to console him.
"I missed you so much too Sora. Don't feel bad. I feel like crying too." Ven's eyes are like blue pools. He pushes Sora's face in his chest, his fingers are going through his hair in a soothing way.
"Ven this wouldn't be the first time." Roxas grunts. " 'I miss Soraaaa, I hate basic traininggg, why won't Terra let me see himmm." Axel cracks up at Roxas imitating Ven's whiny voice.
"S-Shut up Roxas!" Ven's cheeks get pink, sending a glare towards Roxas who chuckles. "You missed Sora too!"
"Yeah but I didn't cry about it." Roxas glances at Sora as he pulls away from Ven. "But...I'm happy to see you again too Sora."
"Me too Roxas. I don't want to be away from you guys for so long again..."
"You don't have to worry about that Sora." Terra walks in with this smile on his face. "Your basic training is over...I think it's about time you start working on using a weapon. You'll now be trained along side your brothers."
"Yesss!" Ven jumps up and down.
"Took you long enough." Riku says but there's a slight smile on his lips.
"I'm going to give you a week break before your training starts again. Have fun and relax."
Sora's chest is so tight. It's finally over. He doesn't know what to say.
"Let's have some cake Sora. It's time for you to make a wish." Aqua smiles, lighting the candles. Sora stands in front of the cake, surrounded by his brothers. Ven is holding his hand, hoping excitedly. Roxas and Axel stand close together, and Riku is watching him.
What should he wish for? When he's so happy? Sora thinks for a moment before he blows out the candles.
'I wish that we'll always be able to stay together like this'.
"What did you wish for?" Ven asks.
"He can't tell or it won't come true." Roxas shakes his head.
"It's not going to come true anyway. You can't just wish for something to happen." Riku says.
"Boo Riku, Boo." Axel jeers.
Sora just laughs. Maybe wishes don't happen but he will dream that they do. Still...even in this happy moment...There's a dark shadow in the back of his mind, something pulling at his chest. There's something missing...
And he knows it's Vanitas.
Sora has been thinking about him a lot. Vanitas that is. He finds that he can't go a day without the raven haired male crossing his mind and every time he thinks of him there's this emptiness in his chest. The thoughts come randomly too. Like when he gets the rare chance to eat dinner with one of his brother's or Aqua, and he sees that extra chair they don't use anymore.
Sora strokes a yellow rose, sitting out in the garden. The sun is half way in the sky and it's gotten much cooler out as the night time approaches.
He really thinks about Vanitas when he takes care of his yellow roses. The same roses that are the color of his eyes, the same roses he planted just for Vanitas. He never got to show him these flowers. They never got to play baseball together.
Sora has asked many times about Vanitas. No one seems to have answers for him. They evade his questions. Axel told him seven years ago Vanitas would come back...how much longer does he have to wait? Where has he been all this time? Sora just wants to know...
Why is his family so secretive about it? It's almost like they are trying to forget about Vanitas. No one talks about him.
It hurts inside. There's this cold feeling that grips his heart whenever he thinks about it. Sora's been seeing things too he's been thinking about Vanitas so much. Sometimes from the corner of his eye he'll catch something that looks like a shadow but when he looks no one is there. Sometimes he thinks he hears his voice but when he listens more carefully there's nothing.
Sora hasn't told anyone about it. It's gotten to the point he's worried to bring up Vanitas. When ever he does, the whole atmosphere can change. It's like Sora can sense their frustration with him or more so he can sense how strongly they don't want to talk about Vanitas.
That's another thing. The feelings he can sense. Sora is sure now that it must have something to do with him being a Occisor. He never could sense things like this before and he's sure it's not in his head. It happens randomly sometimes...He can't control it.
For example, the other day Terra was angry with Axel for not doing his chores. Sora didn't sense his anger but could tell he was angry from his expression. Later that day, Roxas was sitting alone and Sora could feel his fatigue, and anxiousness. It's like the feelings become his own.
Then there's the feelings he doesn't know where they are coming from. He could be training or sitting alone and he will feel this great anger. It burns his stomach and feels like a lump in his throat he can't swallow. The anger is so hot it burns him like fire and Sora is sure this feeling is what hatred feels like.
It's not from Sora. He doesn't know who he's feeling.
Sora hasn't told anyone about him sensing feelings either. He's not sure why but he feels nervous about telling his family. Maybe because he feels like he's invading their privacy by looking into their emotions but he doesn't mean to. Sora thinks when he's able to control this power better he'll tell his family. Sora tried once to tell Ven about this power but then his throat closed up and he would not say the words.
Sora runs a hand through his brown locks, taking a deep breath. He looks up at the sky that is casting out colors of red and orange.
These seven years have been hard. He's happy now that he's going to start training with his brothers but there's still a part of him that can't rejoice. It makes him feel guilty both for feeling guilty and for feeling happiness.
Guilty for feeling guilty because he should be rejoicing. He's going to be able to see his brothers a lot more now. He's not going to be lonely and he'll get to spend a lot more time with Ven. He feels guilty for being happy because...Vanitas.
He's the reason he's here. Sora doesn't feel right that he's having all these good things happen to him and he doesn't even know where Vanitas is, if he's okay, if he's lonely, if he's upset. It's been ten years.
Sora finds he's filled with conflicting emotions and when he's alone like this all he can do is try to sort them out.
Ven, Riku, Axel, and Roxas went on a mission with Terra. Apparently it's pretty important because they're going to be gone the whole week Sora has his vacation. Aqua reassured him that next weekend everyone would be home. It was time for everyone to have a little break.
Sora's excited for next weekend. He's already planned a bunch of stuff with Ven and he was thinking he could play some games with all his brothers like baseball-
Sora tenses up just when he's cut off one of the yellow roses that were riped for the picking. He slowly turns his head and blinks a couple of times. There's a black thing silvering around his ankle. It doesn't have eyes that Sora can see or a mouth. The only thing Sora can think to call it is a snake.
The black snake unwraps itself from Sora and starts to move towards the forest. Something pulls at his chest and he finds himself getting up, following after it. There's a part of him that feels like he should tell Aqua that he's going into the forest but there's a stronger part of him that urges him to keep on.
This snake...Sora feels that anger burn his chest and throat, it feels like something is curling around his heart and squeezing. The snake keeps going deeper, and deeper into the forest. Sora doesn't know how long he's been walking but by the time the snake leads him to a cave he's never seen before, it's pitch black.
Thank goodness for being a Occisor. He can feel his eyes adjust to the darkness, and he can see with his night vision. The snake is harder to see but Sora is able to keep up as they go into the cave. It really wants to show him something...This is so strange.
The snake disappears just as Sora is aware of light and warmth. He looks up, his pupils adjusting to the scene before him. Sora feels his breathing stop.
"...Vanitas?" Sora gasps, seeing said boy behind bars that are glowing red. It's what gave the cave light and warmth. Vanitas stares at him blankly, he's standing in the corner, looking much smaller. His face is sunken in and he looks so pale. "Vanitas!" Sora runs up to the bars, his eyes wide. "What are you doing in here?! Is this where you been all this time? Who put you here?-"
Vanitas laughs. The low chuckle rumbles his throat, getting Sora to stop. Those yellow eyes pierce through him with so much disdain that Sora feels himself take a step back. "Who put me here? Hmm I wonder." Vanitas taps his finger to his chin. "Maybe the people who have been lying to you for seven years? Maybe your so called 'family?'"
"Why would they put you in here? That's horrible! Have you been here the whole seven years?"
"I've been here for 9 years. You see Sora, i've been framed for something I didn't do. Those bastards just wanted someone to blame. I was never a part of their family. They all hate me." Vanitas closes his eyes and sits down against the wall.
"That's not true Vanitas! I don't hate you!" Sora locks eyes with him. "And no one else does!-"
"Then why would they lock me away for nine years? With barely any food or a place to wash myself. I've been down here for nine years, alone."
"I-I...I don't know Vanitas." Sora frowns, feeling something ache when Vanitas' eyes dull.
"They've wanted to throw me in a cage. Ever since the beginning. I should have seen this coming. Of course someone like me couldn't have a family."
"That's not true Vanitas! You do have a family! I don't know why they would lock you up...but you're my brother!-"
"You're just like them." Vanitas mumbles.
"No Vanitas. Don't worry. I'm going to talk to Terra and Aqua. I'll make sure to get you out-"
"Talking to them isn't going to do anything. If you're really my brother...if you really care about me..." Vanitas opens his eyes, locking onto Sora's. "You'll set me free."
"Okay! How do I get you out?" Sora asks, no hesitation. His mind is on overdrive. He still can't believe his family would do this to Vanitas. Sora doesn't think there's anything he could have done that he would deserve this treatment. It's not like anyone would tell him what he did...so how does he know that Vanitas did anything?
"Just grab the bars and wish to set me free. You're a Occisor now so you should be able to do it." Vanitas seems a bit surprised by Sora's quick answer. "They put magic on it so I can't get out...only another Occisor can set me free."
"Like this?" Sora grabs the bars and closes his eyes. It doesn't burn like he thought it would. He wishes for Vanitas to be set free. Sora's eyes widen when the bars fade away. Sora beams at Vanitas. "I did it! You're free! Now we can talk to Aqua and Terra and clear up this misunderstanding-"
"You fool!" Vanitas's eyes flash white, his smile sinister. In a blink of an eye Vanitas has Sora pinned to the wall by his neck. He's squeezing him so hard that Sora can't breath. "You should have more faith in your so called 'family'. Do you want to know why I was locked away?" Vanitas leans in close to his ear before licking up it, getting Sora to squirm. "I tried to kill you when you were asleep."
"W-Why?" Sora wheezes out, looking at Vanitas with wide, frightened eyes.
"I got bored." Vanitas shrugs. "I wanted you to die. It would have been a lot funner if you did. You were starting to get better and Ven was gathering hope...everyone was. You weren't suppose to survive the transformation. So I went to take care of matters into my own hands. Riku ended up walking in on me and stopped my plans...but he didn't stop all of them."
Vanitas' white eyes shake in his excitement, he leans close so Sora can feel his breath on his lips. "I planted my darkness inside of you. I sent my darkness down into your throat with a kiss. That kiss that Riku witness has also planted a seed of darkness into his own heart. I didn't even have to touch him." Vanitas's eyes narrow in glee when Sora makes a choking nose, his face turning blue."No matter where you go, or what you do, you can't escape me. At anytime I could kill you and absorb your life force."
Sora feels tears fall down his face. He's scared. He's terrified. He doesn't even register what Vanitas is saying. Sora is trying his hardest to get Vanitas's hands off of his neck but he's not strong enough. After seven years of training so hard, he's not strong enough to even save himself of being choked. He's no match for Vanitas.
Maybe it's the tears but Vanitas loosens his hold on his neck and Sora can breathe. He takes greedy gulps of air, feeling his lungs refill and sting.
Sora's vision is blurry from his tears but he can hear Vanitas chuckle. So dark that it gives him goosebumps. "Remember that thought. You will never be a match for me Sora. You are my entertainment. You are my food. At any moment I could kill you. I own you."
Sora screams. There's something- There's something burning him from the inside, curling around his organs. He feels a wave of nausea hit him yet all he does is scream. It feels like there's a bunch of burning hot worms wiggling around in his guts.
"Do you feel me inside you?" Vanitas laughs over his screams. "Wiggling around, invading any barrier you hoped to put up. Accept me. Accept my darkness!"
There's worms under his skin, he can feel them crawling. He feels his flesh sizzling.
"It seems you can't take much more." Vanitas sounds annoyed. He lets go of him. All of a sudden the pain goes away and he's left with the after sting. Sora falls to his side, holding his stomach. His body can't stop trembling. "I have to say, putting my lips on your disgusting mouth was worth it. I've seen such an excellent expression. Your pure fear. I've tasted your helplessness. It was delicious. I look forward to seeing more of those torturous looks on your face."
"..W...Why?" Sora can only get that one word out of his mouth. He looks up at Vanitas who stares down at him with those now yellow eyes. They stare at him with indifference now, like a bug under his feet. It looks like he's debating on stepping on him.
"Why? Do I need a reason?" Vanitas raises his eyebrow. "I suppose if I had to choose a reason..." A large smile rips his lips. "It'S bEcAuSe I lOvE sEeInG yOu iN pAiN."
"I...I don't believe you!" Sora swallows. "Why would you have saved me then...You gave me a new family and-"
"You're wrong. So wrong." Vanitas glances towards the cave entrance. His hand twitches and he starts to walk away. "I never saved you. I stopped that man because I want to be the one to break you. Those big eyes, filled with innocence. I want to rip you apart. I brought you into a home where I was sure you would get attached. I was expecting you to die from the turning but it seems you get to be tortured more. The 'family' you have was never a family. Aqua and Terra are making weapons. They find children who have no where to go, take away their humanity and use them. You're nothing but a tool to them and to me."
"N-No! We are a family! Terra...and Aqua...they care about us-" Vanitas kicks him in the stomach. Sora feels the acid come up his throat. He gags, losing what he ate for dinner.
"They don't. The boys you call brothers are not your brothers. They don't think of you as a brother. You are not family." Vanitas clicks his tongue. "Looks like my fun is going to be cut short. Don't worry. I won't be far away."
In a flash he's gone. He leaves streaks of black snakes wiggling around as if trying to go back to him. Sora can only stare where he is, wheezing, holding his stomach. He feels like his stomach has exploded.
Everything is getting dizzy.
"Sora? Sora where are you?" He can hear Aqua calling him. She's far away, she's probably still at the house. Sora's hearing must have gotten better or...Aqua is just being really loud...Sora remembers what Terra taught him. Even though it hurts he takes a deep breath, thinking about how much he wants Aqua to hear him.
"Help!" his voice echos through the cave, it vibrates like it's alive. Sora is sure Aqua heard him. He can sense her feelings...anxiousness...fear...it's making it harder for Sora to stay conscious.
She's getting closer and closer...Sora lets himself rest. He lets the darkness consume him. All he sees is those yellow eyes gleaming at him.
Then there's nothing.
"Sora, you must be more careful." Sora hears Aqua's voice. It's soft just like the fingers that are stroking his cheek. Sora forces his eyes to open. She pauses her stroking. "Sora? You're up? Please don't try not to move too fast."
"Aqua..."Sora remembers everything that happened. He rubs his stomach. He can still feel the soreness, proof of what happened. Everything Vanitas said is stuck in his head. Even though he was panicking when Vanitas was talking to him, now everything is crystal clear.
"Terra will be here any minute. I called him back." Aqua frowns when she sees the way Sora is looking at her. "...I'm sure you have many questions. I have a few of my own." She reaches out hesitantly as if Sora would move away from her hand.
He lets her stroke his hair. He closes his eyes. He feels a bit dizzy. When he touches his stomach he realizes he doesn't have a shirt on. He looks down, and feels himself tense.
His stomach has a nasty purple bruise that covers over his belly button.
"He hurt you pretty badly." Aqua rubs Sora's scalp to give him comfort.
"Vanitas must really...hate me." Sora gets out, feeling his chest tighten up. He remembers the way Vanitas looked at him. Those words are taunting him.
"I want to be the one to break you." "I want to put you through pain." "I own you."
"Vanitas is a very hateful person. I'm sure he hates everyone. Not just you. There are just some people you can't be friends with...no matter how hard you try to help them."
"Aqua and Terra are making weapons. You are a tool."
"...Aqua..." Sora's expression twist when she looks at him with those blue eyes filled with concern. How could he have any doubt? Sora felt her feelings when he called out to her. She was afraid. She was anxious. Sora is more than a tool. They're family. He should have no doubts. Vanitas shouldn't be able to make him doubt that.
"What is it?"
"Nothing."
"Sora what happened?!" Ven comes into the room and is by his side faster than Sora can answer him. He look sat the bruise before grabbing Sora's arm, being close to his face. "Who did this to you?"
"Oh man that looks bad." Axel comes in with Riku and Roxas. All his brothers gather around him.
"You didn't tell us their was an attack." Riku grips his fist, glancing at Aqua. "Is the attacker still here?"
There's so much noise from Ven fussing over him, and Riku's questioning. All Sora is looking at is Terra though. They're having a stare off.
"Why...Why did you lock Vanitas away for nine years?" Sora asks, getting everyone to get quiet. Sora only looks at Terra. "Why didn't anyone...tell me?"
"Uh oh..." Axel rubs the back of his head. Ven frowns deeply, looking a bit guilty. Roxas averts his gaze. Riku's expression is stone.
"I suppose you found Vanitas and set him free...if I can guess by the state you are in." Terra says sternly.
"I did let him go." Sora doesn't back down. "No one told me where Vanitas was. I was worried all this time and then I see him like that...I couldn't just leave him there."
"I wanted to keep it from you because I was worried something like this would happen. Your heart is too big Sora." Terra sighs.
"He could have killed you." Ven squeezes his hand tighter.
"I'm not going to keep quiet. He needs to know." Riku looks at Terra who nods his head. "Sora, Vanitas tried to kill you. A Occisor attacking another Occisor is punishable by death. We should have just killed him." Riku growls.
"But we didn't want to kill him Sora. That is why we locked him away. I kept trying to talk to him, to make him see the error of his ways but he still had ill intent towards you. I was worried if I let him out he would try to hurt you again." Terra thinks for a moment. "...How did you find him?"
"A...A black snake led me too him." They all exchange a look.
"So Vanitas has gotten stronger, even without us training him..." Terra looks troubled. " When you see black snakes, don't ever follow them. I was going to wait to later to explain this to you but each Occisor has a certain power. Most are elements. Like how my element is earth and Aqua's water. There are some though, that are special. Vanitas is one of those. He controls darkness. He gets stronger by feeding off of negative emotions in the heart."
"You are my food."
"He can...control darkness?" Sora tries to comprehend what Terra just said. They can control elements?
"Yes. Because of this power it has made him very strong for his age. I would not say that he is stronger than Aqua or me...yet. Even with him so far away it still seems he was able to feed off of negative emotions. He was strong enough to get some of his darkness out to lead you to him. It's troubling."
"That guy...He really hurt you..." Ven glares, those blue eyes burning. He strokes the bruise on his stomach. Sora can feel Ven's anger in his veins. It stings but...he can also feel his concern for him. That concern is like cool water over hot flames. It fills Sora with the need to hug Ven so he does. He hugs him tightly.
"I'm okay Ven. Don't be upset."
"Sora..." Sora can feel him settle down, if just a bit as he holds him back. Sora's stomach starts to twist in another feeling he's sensing but it's gone quickly. It didn't feel pleasant. Riku is looking away from them. He's glaring at Terra.
"We should have killed him. We should have followed the law."
"If we had always followed the law Sora wouldn't be here right now."
Riku sets his jaw.
"You think Vanitas will come back to try to kill Sora?" Axel questions, crossing his arms.
"I do not know. That is why till Sora gets stronger, he will always have someone with him."
"I-I don't need all that! I'll be fine-"
"No Sora. Vanitas is too strong. We must take extra precautions." Aqua shakes her head.
"I'll be with Sora always!"Ven holds up his hand.
"We will take turns with it. You can't be with Sora all the time Ven."
Ven pouts at that. Roxas rolls his eyes at his brother.
" We must all be diligent. You know how Vanitas is with revenge. He is angry with us all for locking him away." Terra looks around at everyone. All the brothers nod, their eyes getting a ting white at thinking of an upcoming fight. Terra's expression softens when he sees how Sora is looking down. "...We should have told you Sora. We just wanted to protect you. We knew that if you knew that Vanitas was locked away you would feel guilty. Your heart is pure. I wanted you to enjoy being awake with your brothers. Now I can't hide what we've done. We just wanted to keep you safe."
"I know I just...Why does Vanitas..."
"I want to see you in pain."
Does Vanitas feed off of these bad emotions? Does he get stronger on them? Is that why he does it? Or does he really just hate Sora that much?
"He is an evil boy. There's nothing else to say. Aqua and I tried to change him. We gave him as much love and affection as we could. His element is darkness. His soul Is darkness. We couldn't do anything to change that." Terra shakes his head.
"But..." Sora doesn't want to believe that. He's sure Vanitas wants love just like everyone else. He's sure that...Those gleaming yellow eyes flash through his mind...that there's some light in him yet.
"Ven why don't you get Sora to bed? He needs his rest." Aqua smiles gently.
"Leave it to me!" Sora's eyes widen when Ven picks him up easily. He cradles him in his arms. He walks out of the room like this...Sora can see that all his brothers have stayed in that room with Aqua and Terra. He feels like they're going to talk about what happen. Sora frowns.
He doesn't like when they exclude him from things.
Sora winces when Ven places him carefully into his bed. "Thanks Ven."
"No problem Sora." Ven smiles, sitting in bed with him.
"...Do think they're mad at me?" Sora questions softly.
"Nah. Of course not. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. You kept asking about it but...I knew we weren't suppose to say anything and...I didn't want you getting upset. I shouldn't lie to you though." Ven looks down at his hands before he looks at Sora.
"It's okay Ven. I'm not mat at you." Sora smiles. "I know you just wanted to help." Ven is the opposite of Vanitas.
Ven stares at him a moment before those eyes burn with a passion. "I won't lie to you again. I promise."
"I promise I won't lie either." Sora holds out his pinky and giggles when Ven is quick to grab it.
"I'll keep you safe Sora!"
"I want to be strong enough to keep myself safe!" Sora complains. He thinks for a moment before he looks at Ven. "If what Terra said is true...what kind of element do you control?"
"Wind." Ven smiles as he holds out his hand. Sora feels a soft breeze move his bangs out of his face, caressing his cheek.
"Wow! Did you do that?"
"I sure did. It's nothing too special-"
"That was amazing! Will I be able to control wind too?!"
"Maybe." Ven flushes, looking pleased with how Sora is looking at him. "Or any other kind of element! Riku is earth like Terra. Axel has fire and Roxas has wind like me."
"Ohh Fire sounds cool too!"
"Wind is cooler." Ven pouts.
Sora giggles at his best friend before he lays his forehead against his. "Yeah. Ven is the coolest."
If Ven had a tail it would be wagging a mile a minute.
Sora feels a sudden fatigue wash over him and he has to lay down. "I think I'm...going to sleep..." The experience with Vanitas has been physically and emotionally draining.
"Get some sleep Sora. We start training together soon. And we have that fun weekend planned. It's going to be great." Ven strokes Sora's hair till his breathing becomes even. Sora has fallen asleep.
Ven's smile slowly falls as he stares at the young boy. He strokes his cheek before trailing his hand down to his bruised stomach.
Ven frowns deeply before leaning down. He gives the bruise a kiss.
"I won't let this happen again Sora. I'm sorry I wasn't there. I'll protect you better from now on because you're..." Ven cuddles up next to Sora.
Ven feels his heart flutter while looking at Sora's long eyelashes.
"...precious to me."
Thanks for the reviews! Till next time.