Hey Guys!
I've been having a bit of trouble with the layout in fanfiction editing at the moment, So sorry for the mess you're about to try and read XD
Here is the next chapter of A New Beginning!
Settling In: (Part II)
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Sora's house warmed as the day dawned on Destiny Island, drawing the drowsiness out of the people within it.
Lea had made a new friend already, Angelo, Sora s dog had become quite fond of the red man. Kairi had already left an hour ago taking Namine with her next door to introduce Namine to her parents, and help her set up her new room. They would introduce Mr and Mrs Heart to Xion later in the night, after some mental preparation. Sora and Kairi would tackle that issue together after the others were settled in. Roxas and Lea were making themselves at home, each with a hot drink in their hands, watching the lunchtime news on the television in the lounge. The two ex organization members had brought the crib from the gummi ship after breakfast, which now resided in Sora s room with Xion in it who was happily fed,washed, changed, and asleep once more. Sora watched the two friends interacting from the kitchen. It was obvious they felt awkward settling in somewhere far from their old homes.
"Hey Roxas." Sora called as he finished up the dishes from breakfast and lunch, wiping his hands on the grey tea towel that hung over the oven handle.
Roxas hummed in response, his ears perking up as he watched TV quietly.
"I'll show you where your room is."
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Roxas followed Sora timidly down a hall on the bottom floor of the house, watching the brunette flick on light switches as he went. They passed a decorative shelf littered with trinkets and photos, and two other doors before reaching the last door at the end of the passageway. "This room is actually the biggest in the house." Sora began, turning the metal handle on the large white door. "It was our old games room of sorts. Riku, Kairi and I would have sleepovers down here, watch movies and stuff. This is the only bedroom on this floor, the rest of us are on the top floor but I figured you would appreciate some space down here."
Sora swung the door open with ease, and bright light escaped from the bedroom, bleeding into the darker, un-naturally lit hallway. Roxas made his way into the end room and Sora wasn't kidding. It was huge. It took up the whole end of the house. Three of the white walls had large windows, one overlooked the front and back gardens, and the middle stared straight over the hedge at a rather large house next door. Roxas noted this and pulled the long black curtains across to block their view into his new room.
"Don't worry Rox. That's just Kairi's house. No ghosts, or old ladies are going to be looking at you through their windows." Roxas whipped around to grin back at Sora s comment. "You might want to open your windows though, this is like a sunroom and if you aren't used to island heat it might get to you."
"Got it." Roxas looked around the monochromatic room. White walls, white ceilings, black curtains and carpet. A simple bed,with a decorative black headboard lay underneath the window that overlooked the front garden. A bookcase, a Tv, and some bean bags, decorated the room. It was homely, but still so unfamiliar to him. "Thanks Sora it's great." Roxas rubbed his neck sheepishly as he looked around the room feeling slightly overwhelmed, it was much nicer accommodation than he was expecting. Especially when comparing it to his cold metal undecorated room back with the Organisation.
Sora s face fell as he noticed Roxas unease, he began fishing around in his pants pockets, remembering his plan from Friday.
"Here."
Roxas was confused as Sora extended his hands towards him, once he saw what the boy was offering he felt as if all of the air had escaped his lungs. A blue orb, a photo, and a familiar munny pouch. Roxas felt tears prick the back of his eyes as he accepted his previous belongings. "You.. You kept these?"
"Of course!" Sora replied happily, glad he was able to give Roxas something of his own in his new life away from the ties of the organisation. "And if you look in the wardrobe your champion belt from your struggle tournament is in there too."
Roxas reached over to his bedside table and placed the items in his hands down gently, before going over to look in the wardrobe, finding his champion belt placed carefully in a shelf. Surrounded by nicely folded clothes. "I don't know what to say.."
"It's nothing, really. The clothes in there still have their tags on, Rinoa bought them for guessed we would be the same size. Oh by the way, there's a linen cupboard down the hall if you need extra sheets or towels, and the door next to this one is the one for your bathroom." Sora gestured down the passageway over his shoulder with his thumb.
"It's gonna be good not sharing a bathroom with an entire organisation." Joked Roxas lightly, mentally making a note to thank Rinoa later.
"Yeah well, scrub up because we're going to your new in laws soon." Sora teased as he walked out of Roxas room, "And leave some hot water for me!"
Roxas visibly paled at the thought, "Hey! Hey! They're your in laws too!"
"NUH-UH! Kairi and I aren't together!" Sora yelled in response as he made his way down the corridor.
"THAT'S NOT WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE THIS MORNING!"
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Sora looked back over his shoulder and laughed. It was going to be good to have Roxas here. Someone else to live in this lonely house. It was good having his aunt here, even if she was always busy with work. Growing up he had Riku and Kairi to go out and play with. But after he failed his mark of mastery, when he finally came back to the islands, he was alone. Riku was off learning about being a Master, Kairi was doing her pre-training tests with Merlin and Lea, and Rinoa had been working all day. It was strange to have moments to himself. As he walked down the hallway, he paused. The shelf they had passed earlier held a lot of memories of his childhood. His hand passed over a picture of himself and his dad. The photoframe had gotten fairly dusty sitting on this wall cabinet. Sora brushed off the front of the frame. He had only been four at the time, taken on one of the many times his dad had rowed him out to the play island as a kid. He loved it when his dad was home. He was always out on long business trips across the islands. Working on secret missions for the Mayor. Sora gazed at his and his fathers happy smiles as Sora sat upon his shoulders, holding onto his dad's ebony spikes. It wouldn't be long now until his dad would be home again. Sora hadn't seen him in a few weeks. He came back from working 2 weeks after the mastery exam, and had stayed at home much longer this time before setting off again. He had wanted to make sure that Sora was settling in at high school before jetting off again, promising a happy surprise on his return. Sora wasn't looking forward to the surprise as much as seeing his dad though.
'Not long now' He thought contently as he set the frame down and carried on his way back to the lounge.
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Lea was stretched out over the couch, his legs swinging over the ends of the armrests. The lunchtime show was chatting away in front of him. Sora heard the downstairs shower turn on down the hall behind him.
"Hey Lea."
His red haired head peeked over the top of the grey couch.
"Yo."
"I'm ready to take you over to Riku's if you're ready?" Sora chirped as he grabbed the keys to his car. The black BMW had previously belonged to his dad, but his dad only ever drove his works council car because it could be ferried for free between the islands because of its business purposes. Sora wasn't going to say no to a new car when it was offered.
Lea hummed unsurely. "Actually if it's all the same with you, I'd like to stay out in the gummi ship. It's a little more private. It'd be weird living in someone's house without them there y'know."
Sora placed the keys back on the kitchen island. "Fair enough. You'd be around here for meals and stuff, so it probably does make more sense for you to be closer anyway." Grinned the island boy. Lea smiled in return. "Are you coming with us to Kairi s later?"
"I think I'll skip the family meeting. I'm sure I'll hear all about it later. My plans are to sleep, train and look around."
"Those are pretty good plans if you ask me." Sora walked into the kitchen and opened the pantry cupboard. Grabbing some dog treats and throwing them to Lea. "If you think you guys are good friends wait until you give him some of these." Lea grinned catching the box. "You should take him on your adventure later. He hasn't had a walk in a few days. The two males looked over to the dog that lay next to the fire on a black rug happily snoring away.
"I think Angelo is beating me at my own plans." Lea laughed as he made himself more comfortable, closing his eyes.
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Sora took his cue to leave, and walked quietly up the white stairs to the second landing of the house. A familiar sight greeted his eyes at the top, two white bookshelves that were inbuilt into the walls framed a window seat. It was Sora's favourite place in the house. This little reading nook overlooked the Cul-de-sac road that he and Kairi lived on. From here he could see everyone. As a kid he would watch the neighbours come home from work in their cars, see them tend to their gardens and occasionally watch the sun set up here when he wasn't watching it on the beach with his friends. Lately he would sit there late at night and look up at the stars. Wonder how his friends were doing across the worlds. Wonder where across the islands his dad was. Kairi was right. There are many worlds, and they share the same sky. Looking up at the stars made Sora feel closer to Donald, Goofy and his dad. Sora's eyes drifted down the hallway. To one side of the stairs was the bathroom, the door was ajar letting the light from its windows seep into the upper landing. Across from the bathroom was Rinoa s room her door slightly open, enough to let Angelo in and out as he pleased. His eyes fixated on his dad s room at the end of the hall, the white door firmly shut as always. Sora sighed, facing away from the door and making his way to his own bedroom. His room was unusually dark. The dark curtains were pulled, blacking out the room. Sora crept inside quietly. Making his way to the crib at the end of the bed. Xion slept soundly, apparently enjoying the peace and quiet after the loud whirring of the gummi ship. He watched her for a new moments. She continued to sleep soundly without stirring. A blue light lit up the room from the bedside table, distracting Sora from the youngest member of the group. He walked over to his illuminated phone.
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2 Text messages from: Rinoa: 2 days ago.
Whoops. Sora really did need to remember to take his phone when he was going off world.
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1 Text message from: Kairi: 2 mins ago.
Sora smiled as he opened his phone, opening her message.
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S.O.S.
Coming back over.
We'll be there in 10. :D
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Sora looked at the time. Kairi and Namine would be over soon. He took once last look to check on Xion before grabbing a new clean pair of clothes and throwing them on his bed for later. He left his room as quietly as he entered and made his way to the bathroom to have a quick shower. Closing the white door behind himself, he walked over to the mirror above the sink. Rinoa must've known he would be coming over today because she had cleaned up all of her more expensive products she usually leaves around. Sora took one look at his reflection and groaned. He reached down to open up the cupboard under the sink, pulling out his razor, he quickly tidied himself up. Facial hair was just an annoyance at this point. But tomorrow was Monday, and Monday's mean school. Even though he and Kairi would only be going in to grab their work and explain their situation with Xion to their teachers, he was sure his aunt, the principal, would not approve that her own nephew wasn't abiding to the on-campus rules. So the tedious task of shaving continued. He quickly tidied the shavings in the sink before turning on the shower fan and shower, throwing a towel beside the glass shower on the floor mat. He discarded his dirty clothes, and stepped into the hot water. He noticed that Rinoa had bought some new vanilla body wash and shampoo and conditioner. Sora took a palmful of each of the hair products and cleaned his hair before scrubbing his body with the body wash. Relishing in the few moments he had left in the shower he remembered back to his adventures across the worlds. He Donald and Goofy would often stay on worlds for many days at a time, and would sometimes have to go a week without showering. In dusty worlds such as the Land of Dragons, and the Pride lands the amount of dust that coated Sora would turn the bottom of the gummi ship shower to a sludge of mud. He hadn't realised at the time how much dirt he had accumulated in his fur as a lion until he had reverted back to his human form. Something he would have to warn Kairi about if they ever travelled there.
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Speaking of Kairi, she should be downstairs by now. He flicked the shower off, stepped out into the brisk air, and began to wrap his towel around his midsection. Sora scrunched his nose slightly, bringing his forearm to his face to sniff.
I might have overdone it with the vanilla.. He chuckled to himself.
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From the bathroom he heard a slight cry out from Xion. Quickly picking up his discarded clothes he rushed out of the bathroom. Sora jogged quickly down the hall holding his towel up with one hand and his clothes with the other. He knitted his eyebrows together as he grew confused. Shaking his head. He thought heard a few quick thumps pounding closer and closer towards him. Sora only had enough time to whip his head around to see Kairi, who had her head down, focused on running up the stairs to also check on Xion.
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Kairi ran into Sora full force once she reached the top of the stairs. His wet feet slipped on the carpet from the impact from the redhead, causing the two to topple over one another. Sora dropped his clothes and pulled Kairi towards him so that her head would narrowly miss the edge of the window seat. She landed ontop of him with an oof knocking all of the wind from Sora s lungs as her elbows bent into his chest.
"Owwwww!" Sora groaned as he rubbed the back of his head with his free hand that wasn't holding his towel up.
"Oh my god.. I am, sooo sorry!" Kairi's face flamed red as she lifted it from Sora's wet chest. She shifted her weight awkwardly off of him as she wiped the water droplets from herself that she was now soaked in.
"Is everything okay up there guys?" Namine called from downstairs somewhere, obviously hearing the landing from their fall.
"Yeah!" The two teens replied hastily.
Kairi fussed as she knelt beside the winded boy. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah I'm okay." Sora replied sheepishly still rubbing the back of his head he began to sit up. He felt her stares burn his naked frame. "I'll just go get changed quickly. Uhh. Wait here. I'll bring Xion out after." Sora shuffled skilfully into a standing position, grabbing his belongings which he had dropped hurriedly, and rushed to his room.
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Sora quickly closed the door behind himself. He leant his bare back against the cold wooden door. His heart beating erratically at the embarrassment he had just experienced. He closed his eyes and slowly calmed in the confines of his room. Xion called out again. Sora walked over to her cot and patted her head reassuringly.
"Hold on a minute Xi, I'll get you out soon." Xion squirmed in her place while Sora changed into some comfy clothes, his dark grey track pants and a white tee. Slipping on some socks he made his way over to Xion. Her little hands waved in the air towards him, urging him to pick her up. He obliged, holding her against his chest. Her excited eyes looked over his shoulder, observing his room. She already seemed older with each sleep she took, she was definitely heavier again. Xion grabbed his cheek in her small pudgy little fingers and grasped it with all her strength.
"Okay, Okay! We'll go out now." Sora delicately pried her digits away from his face, fending her attempts at clawing his face once again.
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Kairi was sitting at the top of the stairs waiting for them, she had a bottle in her hand which she must have gone downstairs to get for Xion. She smiled radiantly at the two of them. Sora towered over Kairi, leant down and placed Xion in her ready arms. Kairi smiled down at the black haired girl as she fed her, toying with a few strands of her ebony hair as she waited.
"It's longer isn't it?" She asked absentmindedly, referring to Xion's hair.
"She's growing quicker than I thought she would that's for sure." Sora stretched himself across the window seat cushions between Kairi and the window, propping his back up against the opposite wall to Kairi.
She sighed. "I wonder if real parents think their children grow this fast."
"Hm? What do you mean?" He blinked.
"Well Xion has a spell on her, to make her age faster than normal and we can already see the changes in a few days. I just wondered if real parents feel as if their own children grow this fast. You could blink and miss something.." Kairi finished as she looked away from Xion, to peer out of the window sadly.
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Sora followed her gaze. Small spits of rain drizzled the window lightly as darker clouds rolled in above them. The cold instantaneously coming in through the glass. Sora maneuvered himself slightly and leaned across Kairi s legs to grab a blanket from the storage draws that the window seat was made from. He shuffled to sit shoulder to shoulder with his friend before pulling the blanket over the both of them.
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"Well I think your birth parents would have felt that way with you." Sora started as he stroked Xion's hair as she lay in Kairi's arm. "They might have missed a bit of your growing up since your world fell, but I'm sure that they would be proud of the person you are today Kairi. Your parents now are proud of you. And so am I."
Kairi snapped her head up, meeting his gaze in slight shock. "You're.. You're proud of me?"
Sora smiled, "Of course! Riku and I probably don t tell you often enough that we are, it must be the downside of having guys as your friends. But you're brave, and smart and kind. Everyone at school likes you, and you're the top in almost all of your classes. Your training with Merlin is going great right now too. You're always trying your hardest, and that's why you're my best friend Kairi." He reached down and squeezed her hand reassuringly, Kairi smiled in response.
"Thanks Sora. It means a lot." She nudged his shoulder affectionately. "Wait- I thought Riku was your best friend?"
Sora smirked, "I guess you might have moved up the ranks a bit." He nudged her back playfully and they resumed watching Xion as she fell asleep.
"Hey Sora?" Kairi looked up at him with her azure eyes, making sure he was listening.
"Yeah?" He hummed.
She took a moment to draw her breath. "I think your Dad would be proud of you too."
He gave her a small smile.
"Thanks Kai."
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Sora watched Kairi's soft gentle hands trail across the baby girl soothingly. The two of them looked as if they were in their own world. Sora couldn't help but feel special for sharing this kind of a moment with Kairi. He was glad that she was here to help him raise Xion. He was happy that they were able to give Xion the opportunity to have a childhood. Even if it was much more fast tracked than normal. A few days ago she looked like a newborn, now anyone would think she was a few months old.
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"So what was the SOS text for anyway?" He asked, distractedly drawing a smiley face in the condensation of the window.
"Oh. Yeah. About that." She laughed.
Sora s face fell, expecting the worst. "Did things not go well with Namine?"
"No it s not that," Kairi rolled her eyes, "They love her. Obviously, we're so similar." She joked. Nam's downstairs with Roxas right now. Kairi finished suggestively wiggling her eyebrows.
"What is it then?" He asked, drawing another smiley face on the window, this one had eyelashes however.
"Well Mum and Dad were in a rush to get to work but they want to meet up with everyone later. Over dinner."
Sora shuddered. It wasn't often that Kairi's family got together for dinners, her parents were often busy in their home offices with work. But formal dinners with the Mayor usually ended up in interrogations.
"Oh.."
"Yeah. I already asked Lea to come, but he said he had plans or something."
"I'd have plans too if I were him." Sora joked.
"Hey, Dad's not that bad." Kairi defended. Mr Heart wasn't bad in informal situations, but on special occasions such as christmases, and tonight, he would be in his protective Mayor mode.
The teen boy only laughed. "Remember when he thought you and Riku were in a secret relationship he tore you guys to shreds! What's he gonna do when he see's her." Sora pointed at their current child.
"Probably jump to conclusions." She smiled slyly. "That's why we'll explain the situation during dinner, and bring her over aaafter." Kairi seemed confident in her plan of action.
"You really think that'll work?" Sora asked bewilderedly. She shrugged beside him.
"It's the best shot we have. She'll win them over with her cuteness." Kairi grinned cheekily.
"What, like you did?" Sora teased, blushing slightly realising her just indirectly called Kairi cute. She didn't seem to take notice.
"Of course, where did you think she got it from?" She yawned leaning her head against his shoulder.
Sora rolled his eyes at her mock self confidence and wrapped an arm around her bare shoulders, unconsciously pulling her closer to him.
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"You smell like vanilla." Kairi commented softly, leaning closer into him. He panicked, realising how frilly he must smell right now, forgetting to put on a more masculine deodorant was a mistake. Sora felt the need to pull away when Kairi interrupted his thoughts.
"It's nice."
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He felt his heart slowly dissipate from its panicked pace as Kairi's breaths evened out and she lulled to sleep with Xion. Soon enough, he too followed them into the realm of sleep.
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Aaaaand that's the end of this chapter!
FanFiction kept deleting all of my line breaks and quotations " and apostrophes ' *Dies*
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This was about setting up how the living arrangements were going to be.
Since we're missing out on 'Sassy Ven' we're going to be seeing a bit of Sassy Roxas :)
Sora's been a bit hot and cold recently, at times he's fine, happy and easygoing and other times he's more brooding, nervous and confused about his feelings for Kairi. But there is a reason :)
Get ready for some new FF characters to enter into the story! Their ages etc will be manipulated to fit the story.
Up next will be a little bit of development between Lea, and Rinoa! Their backstories are tied to the over-arching plot so get your minds ready.
Also Sora's ever elusive Dad will be named soon!
The next chapter is pretty much ready (just need to tweak a few things) and it will be up in a few days after this is posted,
But first a question for the readers :)
~Who wants to try guess who the THREE new FF characters will be?
Filling in the spots for MAYOR: MAYOR"S WIFE: and Kairi's ISLAND GRANDMA.
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Anyway,
Happy Reading!
Will update again soon :)
Tayliexx