Hey all! Hope you guys are enjoying your summer! Or winter for you guys in the Northern Hemisphere. The first chapter to not actually be named after a song I listened to...
Without further ado, you know how it goes.
I don't own Kingdom Hearts, nor Final Fantasy.
Chapter Six: Icy Touch
"Awake again boy?"
Roxas jerked from the bed only to be pulled back down to the bed by straps across his body and wrists. Roxas gasped as he made contact again with the hard bed, irritating wounds near the strapping as an ache filled other parts of his body.
As Roxas rested his head back catching his breath, he tried to register the surrounding environment. He could hear the movements of other people clinking glass, the sound of pen on paper, and a low murmur of talk between the other occupants inside the room. Blinking to clear his vision Roxas lazily moved his head around the room trying to clear the blur.
All Roxas could see was an incredibly well lit room. The walls, floors, and even the ceiling were such a sterile white colour that it began to hurt his eyes as they continued to adjust to the room. Roxas could also see the movements of people moving around in the room dressed in white lab coats carrying materials of varying colours. However, unlike other figures in the room, there were some figures dressed in black.
"The boy shows promise. He has remained in a stable condition after the first test." Said a voice on the other side of the room.
"There are better chance that this boy will become a dusk, or better yet a guinea pig," said another.
An awkward giggle could be heard coming from one of the men dressed in black robes. "I could always use a new guinea pig."
"Now, now Four. He may be a valuable asset to this experiment. He shows great promise," Another man in a black robe spoke. "Go easy on him."
Another giggle sounded through the space. "Why thank you, One. Let us see what 'promise' this boy has." The sound of boots echoed through the room as the man in the black coat grew closer. "Let's see what you can do boy," the voice whispered as only a grin could be seen from under the hood of the cloak.
The figure known as 'Four' stopped when he was by Roxas's bedside. Grinning down at the boy, Four reached behind him pulling a trolley from a nearby table. Glancing at the table all Roxas could see was syringes filled with dark materials and multiple silver utensils. "Allow me to make you feel a little more… comfortable," the figure grinned.
Four raised his hand and placed it on the exposed skin of Roxas's chest. Instantly Roxas felt as if someone had placed a heavy block of ice upon his chest. Gasping, Roxas tried to move away from the hand on his chest, only to be restrained by the straps.
"Let go," Roxas gasped. "It's cold. It starting to hurt! Stop!"
"Starting to hurt?" Four grinned. "Hmm, I may need to lower the temperature some more."
Roxas shouted in pain as the temperature dropped further where the man was touching. Roxas tried moving his hands, but the straps bit harshly into his wrists. Roxas continued to plead with the man to stop, but the hand pressed down further into his chest.
Looking down at the hand, Roxas's eyes widened at the sight. Spreading from the hand were crystals of ice moving further over his body as the skin darkened to purple and blue hues. Looking up at the cloaked man, all Roxas could see was a chilling grin from the man as he once again decreased the temperature around his hand. Roxas closed his eyes as he threw his head back in anguish from the pain.
"Roxas! Roxas wake up!" A voice whispered in his ear.
"Help me! Someone help!" Roxas screamed.
"Come on Roxas! Wake up! It's just a dream!" The voice grew in volume.
A dream? How could a dream hurt this much? How could it cause this much pain? Roxas thought to himself.
"Patient is in visible distress. His heart rate is too high. Doctor?"
"Roxas!"
As if snapping from one reality to another, in a blink of an eye the scene shifted from the strange cloaked man to familiar and unfamiliar faces crowded around his bed.
"You're awake." Cloud sighed in relief.
A silent 'all clear' was given out in the room, as other doctors and nurses left the room leaving behind Aerith, Zack and Cloud.
Taking shallow breaths Roxas stared at the identical looks of relief on the trio. Roxas tried speaking but his throat too dry for him to speak.
"Oh, hang on a second Roxas," Aerith began. She left her spot from her chair and walked to the sink in the corner of the room filling a cup of water. She walked back to the bed with the water reaching down to put it to his mouth for him to drink.
Roxas tried to reach up with his hands to grab the cup of water, but his hands were restrained in the straps they had placed him in. Roxas looked down sharply at the straps holding his hands back almost knocking the cup out of Aerith's hands. Roxas's eyes shot an accusing look toward the kind brunette as he tugged on the straps again.
"We put them on for your own safety Roxas. When you tried to escape the last time, you hurt a couple people and pulled some of your stitches out," Aerith spoke.
Roxas tried to speak again but only a quiet rasp escaped from his throat.
"Here, drink this." Aerith brought the cup back to the blonde's lips slowly tipping the cup back to allow the fluid into his mouth.
Finishing the water, Aerith took the cup away from his lips placing it on the bedside table while Roxas cleared his throat.
"These things," Roxas said tugging against the straps. "Aren't necessary."
"I doubt that," Zack snorted from his corner. "Yesterday, you kicked me in the face, threw me into Cloud. And then you ran out of this room like it was on fire trying to make a break for it. When Cloud and I finally caught up to you, you freaked out so we had to give you a sedative-tranquiliser thing."
Roxas looked down, feeling slightly guilty over the trouble he caused. He himself didn't really know why he did those things. He knew he felt scared and cornered, but after that he simply went on autopilot.
Cloud was watched Roxas look down at his hands while Zack spoke. "Why did you do it?" Cloud asked.
"I-I don't know…" Roxas stuttered. "I guess; I was just… scared. I mean I wake up, and I have no idea who I am. And only a while later I am being introduced to two new people. One who is apparently my brother, but I can't remember."
"Rox-" Aerith started.
"And to make it worse, people keep giving me this look; like I am not even supposed to be here and I don't know why." Roxas paused catching his breath. "And after getting all these looks, and meeting my 'supposed brother' he keeps asking me who I am even though I know that my name is right. It's the one thing I know is right in my life. Can you imagine that? Someone pressing you for answers when you just can't remember?!"
It was Cloud's and Zack turn to look down as Roxas started talking. They didn't think how Roxas could possibly be feeling about the situation. They were so focused on the fact that they had found the boy after being missing for five years they didn't think how it may be affecting him.
"Oh my, I am sorry Roxas. This is just, the first time I have had a case like this before and-" Aerith started apologising before she was again interrupted.
"Cold," Roxas whispered.
"Cold?" Aerith asked, taken aback from the random interruption.
The door opened and in stepped a middle-aged doctor with long blonde hair over his white coat. "Good morning. I am Doctor Vexen Baxter, and I will be taking over this case." Vexen walked through the room to Aerith hand held out for Roxas's file.
"Since when?" Zack hissed at the blonde doctor.
"Since Doctor Fair did not take the appropriate protocols into account when dealing with cases such as this. Which resulted in the patient escaping, injuring himself and other patients inside the hospital which then further required to capture and sedate the patient."
"That isn't Aerith's fault," Zack began.
"Zack please," Aerith held a hand up. "I however don't see how this means I am off the case. This and worse has happened to other patients in the hospital and they have kept their case."
"That may be true Doctor Fair. However, this case falls under special circumstances due to the injuries and aliments the patient has. The board has decided that the patient-" Vexen was then interrupted from an angry hiss from the hospital bed.
"This patient has a name, Doctor Baxter,' Cloud hissed.
"Unfortunately, he has not been identified and will remain as John Doe until further evidence and a confirmation has been made. Meaning there is no choice for Mr. Doe," Vexen smirked.
A cough was heard behind Vexen that made him whirl around to face the blonde. "I can confirm that this is Roxas Strife."
"Mr. Doe has provided no evidence of memory-" Vexen tried again.
"Roxas was able to describe our Mother, as well as our younger brother in detail to myself, Zack, and Doctor Fair prior to the incident. I also take fault for the incident, as I had antagonised him which resulted in the incident occurring."
"Very well. I am afraid that, at the hospital's request, I will be remaining his doctor during his treatment," Vexen stated.
"In this case, I would like to request that Doctor Fair be Roxas's primary doctor as she is our family's doctor. I believe she is more than capable to treat my little brother."
"Very well, I will have to let the board know of these new revelations in Mr. Strife's case," Vexen crossly stated before he whipped himself out of the room in a huff.
"Well that guy is a dick," Zack huffed.
"Took the words right out of my mouth," Cloud spoke.
"Thank you Cloud. I really appreciate that," Aerith nodded her head in Cloud's direction.
Roxas hadn't said a word throughout the exchange. He simply watched the door as if expecting him to walk back through for another fight. Apparently unnoticed by the others in the room, the temperature of the room picked up to normal temperatures again after he left. Roxas stayed focused on this fact even though his conscious mind had no idea why.
"Hey, Roxas." Cloud waved a hand in front of Roxas's face snapping him from his thoughts.
Roxas blinked sharply before resting his gaze on the once silent blonde. Tilting his head to the side he silently asked him why he wanted his attention.
Cloud glanced quickly at the door before his gaze rested back on Roxas. "You know you don't have to worry. I'll make sure he doesn't come back, okay Rox?"
Roxas looked down and nodded his head at Cloud. A silent agreement between the two brothers.
"I hate to burst your bubble, but I am sending the pair of you home to get some food, much needed rest, and a shower." Aerith spoke. "And I will not take no as an answer, now go! Shoo, shoo, shoo."
"Aerith really I don't need to."
"I said no 'no's Cloud! You were here essentially all of yesterday, and I even let you stay all night when we weren't supposed to have any visitors."
"Aerith." Cloud tried again but Aerith shot him a look. "Okay, you win. But I'll be back later."
"Good, now shoo! I have things I need to arrange here." Aerith smiled. "You too Zack."
"Okay Angel. I'll see you at home." Zack grinned back. "Cloud let me know if you need me."
"I will." At his response, both Zack and Aerith left the room saying their goodbyes and promising to see Roxas soon; leaving the two blondes in the room together.
"So, I guess I'll see you later then." Roxas spoke.
"Yeah, I guess," Cloud said rubbing the back of his neck. "Although, I think next time there will probably be more people."
"More people? Who else could there be-" Roxas started before he paused thinking. "You mean, Mum and Sora will be coming too?"
Cloud was startled to hear the name coming from Roxas. "What did you just say?"
"That Mum and Sora would be coming too?"
Cloud then smirked at Roxas. He had remembered Sora's name; it was a positive sign that he may be regaining his memories. "Yeah, Mum and Sora." Smiling Cloud turned and left with a small wave of goodbye.
Leaving the hospital and returning to Seventh Heaven was a blur for Cloud. He didn't even really remember parking Fenrir on the side of the road and walking into the bar, much less sitting in the same stool as yesterday.
Tifa felt as sense of déjà vu as she turned around only to be surprised at the appearance of the blonde. However, this time, there was obviously something on his mind as his face showed how tired he really was.
Trying to make light of Cloud's appearance, "Up all night partying huh?" she smiled at the exhausted blonde.
"No, not at all," was the quiet reply from the blonde.
Frowning, the barmaid focused all her attention on Cloud. "Cloud, what's wrong? Yesterday, you go and visit Aerith at the hospital and this is the first I am hearing and seeing of you. What happened?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Oh yeah? Try me."
"I don't know how they did it, but… they somehow found Roxas."