"Why don't you two have a swim-off?"
"So if I win, Sora and I go alone to Destiny Islands."
"But if I win everyone stays here in Twilight Town with me, deal?"
"Deal."
Those words formed into sentences as those sentences formed into realization for the brunette. He didn't know the exact way he got dragged into the bet, but he knew he got into it pretty deep since Roxas was currently locked up in his room, saying he needed some time to, "think things over."
For Sora, he knew for sure that this could take a long while. Since Roxas could be overly dramatic with things, Sora was afraid he might plan some crazy but oh-so-brilliant-its-evil scheme to make the swimming match a living hell for Xion; assuming that they were currently arch nemesis.
Well that's only assuming, Sora thought carefully as he rested into the soft love seat. For all he knew, they could be playing games with his head all along for the sake of his dad's dying wish.
"But that doesn't make sense…" Sora shook his head as he ruffled his cinnamon locks in frustration. Overly thinking about this kind of stuff is not the best idea, Sora, the brunette mocked in his head. Though that was true, in the back of his head he still wondered why his life turned out this way.
Sora looked up toward the blank ceiling, letting the AC blow his plaid green tie lightly against his chest. The air felt cool against his warm, sweat induced tan skin; making the brunette remember about how sticky and dirty he was, causing him cringe inwardly. "Maybe I can use Roxas' shower," the boy whispered toward himself as he got up to walk over to the blonde's room door.
His feet clad socks made a pattering sound against the oak wooden floor, making his way into the hall where the bathroom, Roxas's room and a guest room were placed. The only light available was the one glowing from the crack of Roxas' door.
Without thought, the brunette rubbed the back of his head and looked at the sliver doorknob. He must have fallen asleep on my ass, Sora half joked, but wondered if he'd really do such a thing.
Pushing the door, he closed his eyes and sighed "Hey Roxas do you have a towel I can-" But when Sora opened his eyes to look, he was met with a pair of wide azure eyes… and a perfectly creamed and shaped naked body. The brunette's face warmed a bright shade of pink when he noticed the fluffy white towel that the fox was holding, was gratefully blocking his lower regions, silk blonde fox's tail and ears twitching with curiosity.
"S-sorry!" Sora quickly yelped, exiting from the room, slamming the door behind him. His feet quickly padded against the oak as he guided his way back to the love seat. He face was still set ablaze, the shape of the blonde's body drilled into his brain.
Seconds pasted like hours through the room; Sora's body trembling at the unwanted thoughts running violently through his head. "Oh goodness," the brunette grunted under his flushed breath.
He did not believe what he just saw.
He absolutely did not want to believe either; but how his heart thumped furiously inside of his ribbed cage told him otherwise.
Sora settled his face in the sweaty palms of his hands. "What is… going on with me?" Sora whispered, seeing if saying it aloud will give him the answer. "The only person I love is Riku. The guy I spent all my life with, Riku," he drilled out loud, but his heart was aching as it banged against his chest painfully as he said the jock's name. It just didn't feel right to say his name anymore, Sora thought, his throat compressing in pain.
As that thought crossed his mind, a soft hand went through the locks of his cinnamon hair, massaging his scalp lightly. "Don't worry too much idiot; I didn't mind that incident," Roxas whispered lightly. "Now raise your head, my loyal dog." Sora slowly did so, meeting up with soft blue eyes that made the brunette's throat relax, and heart beat rapidly.
A small smile formed onto Roxas face. "Now we have an important event tonight at the café that I want to attend with you. I have clothes for you so don't worry about that… and you can use my shower too." He gave Sora the needed things, (towel, clothing, loaf) as he gratefully took them in hand.
Sora looked at him again, seeing that the blonde wrapped the whole towel around his body and not around his waist. He also had on fluffy snow white house slippers to cover his small feet.
"You can use the shower now, as you can see I already did," Roxas waved him off as he took a few steps away from Sora. But the brunette grabbed his pale wrist, stopping him from walking any further.
Roxas hesitantly turned around to face the brunette again, Sora's eyes avoiding the blonde's questioning gaze. Roxas eyes narrowed as he walked back Sora and caressed his fingers lightly over the brunette's cheeks.
The fox's eyes stared deep into cobalt frightened ones as he lightly peck Sora's nose. Sora's orbs were wide for a second, but he let his lids shut and relaxed. Roxas took a look at Sora.
"I don't like it when you look like that." The blonde sighed then snuggled into the brunette's chest. "I'm sorry," Sora whispered into his ear, embracing him with his fingers tangled within the soft angelic hair.
Roxas tapped his green Conversed foot on the wooden ground as he waited impatiently for the dog to come out of the bathroom. "Dude," Roxas huffed as he glared at the door, "when are you gonna get your ass outta that bathroom!" A responding grumble could be heard on the other side of the door.
"Roxas," Sora groaned. "Why would you give me this kind of clothing anyway? Do I look like that kind of person to you?"
Sora sulked behind the door, the fox rolling his eyes in frustration. "At least let me see the outfit," Roxas stressed out, squeezing the brim of his nose. "Cloud and Zack are picking us up and I don't need them…"
The blonde's sentence faded into the thin air as he saw the brunette silently walk out of the steamy and clouded bathroom.
An eye matching v-neck sweater was worn over a light blue dress shirt and tucked in black tie, both of its sleeves rolled up to the elbows. His dark washed denim skinny jeans cling on his legs in a comfortable manner, as his low cut black Converse fit him perfectly; His crown necklace and a plain silver bracelet finishing the custom outfit.
Roxas smiled in an approval as the brunette did an awkward 360 motion turn. "Preppy; I think it looks cute."
Sora scoffed a little. "Cute, nicely said blondie." He lightly ruffled his locks which felt somewhat softer than before, making the fox slap his hand away. "But don't you think it's a little too, I don't know… Ralph Lauren?"
Sora thought for a minute, then his eyes widen. "Don't tell me…" Sora shook his head rapidly, repeating mumbling no's as he quickly tried to take off the expensive clothes.
"Whoa, what are you doing?" Roxas asked as he fixed the brunette clothes back onto his body. Sora looked at the fox puzzled, like he had lost his mind. "Are you crazy? This must have cost you a fortune!"
The brunette exclaimed, stretching his arms out. Roxas sighed lightly, fixing Sora's now expensive clothing, "I wanted to get you something. You know…for helping with everything that's happened during the time we've been spending together."
Sora stared at the blonde suspiciously. But all he saw was light pink across the fox's cheeks and rarely innocent eyes.
The brunette sighed. "Well it is rare for you to do something so nice," Sora admitted as he leaned back into the bathroom, fixing his tie while staring into the mirror. He leaned back out and smiled his classic sunny smile, his pearly whites shinning bright. "So thanks, Roxas."
Roxas laughed lightly and cocked a side smile, "no problem, I guess." Seconds later a jolting buzzing could be heard, and Roxas immediately slipped his hand in his back cargo shorts pocket. He pulled out a sleek black phone and slid it open, checking the screen. His eyes skid cross it for a moment then he slipped it back into his pocket.
"Cloud and Zack are downstairs waiting, they're impatient when ready," Roxas grumbled, walking over to his room to shut off the lights and grabbed his keys and wallet.
The boys headed down out of the room and toward the white door where the spiral staircase was built. The brunette grinned as he settled his tushie on the expensive looking golden rail. Roxas rolled his eyes at the childish teenager and quickly stepped down the wooden stairs.
That was Sora's cue to commence his awesome sliding adventure down the golden rail.
LINE LINE LINE LINE LINE LINE
"Hey, what took you so guys long?" The raven shouted at the two teenagers walking out of the apartment. Roxas rubbed the back of his head in a nervous gesture. "I guess we… just lost track of time, sorry." Zack rolled his eyes a little and looked over toward Sora, glancing over his outfit.
"Preppy, it looks good on you, kid."
Roxas instantly smirked evilly toward the brunette who grimaced in return. "Now, let's get this on the road, I don't want to be late. Xehanort can be a total ass when his plans don't turn out right." The raven grumbled under his breath, checking the neon blue lighting on the back of his motorcycle.
Cloud, which was leaning on his bike the whole time, stared at Roxas, who in return immediately caught his gaze. A small grunt could be heard from Roxas as his eyes grew hazed and his body wobbled. Sora noticed this, causing him to send a worried look over to the blonde. Suddenly the fox's legs gave out making the brunette's reflex to catch him appear.
"Roxas, Roxas are you ok?" Sora sputtered, trying to shake him awake. Cloud leaned off of his bike to kneel down to Roxas's neck, slowly unhooking his chain. Seconds later, azure eyes were a brighter glint of blue as his lids open, lips forming into a small smile. Sora sighed and formed one also, staring into the granters eyes.
"You need to stop fainting like that, Ventus. It scares me you know," Sora lightly scolded the blonde, making the Granter giggle in his arms. Zack's eyes widen, mid way into giving his bike a light polish as Cloud looked up into the night sky.
The raven looked from his transportation to the brunette who was helping the blonde up to standing. Sora felt the gaze and turned toward the man and gave him a questioning look, the raven responding with a light chuckle. "Cloud, get your bike ready, we're leaving," Zack said, swinging his legs onto his. The older blonde nodded as he put on his helmet and black leather gloves.
Sora turned to the granter. "So why did you appear so suddenly?" He asked; puzzled at the time the Granter chose to arrive. Ventus smiled and cupped his hands against his heart. As the air slowly became cooler, Sora eyes widened and stepped back at the sudden light that glowed from the Granter's chest. It became brighter by the second, the brunette eventually shielding his eyes from the holy light.
Few seconds later, the air gradually warmed to summer's night temperature, the light fading along as well. "Look here Sora," Ventus whispered. The brunette obeyed, removing his arm, unblocking his sight. He was faced with a silver charm bracelet, spinning slowly mid-air in front of Sora's dumbstruck face. The brace had one charm on there; it was the same crown pendent that was given by his father, but smaller to fit the bracelet.
"It's to replace your necklace," Ventus explained. With the flick of the Granter's finger, the accessory floated over to Sora's wrist, slipping itself onto him.
Sora's looked at the charm, twisting his wrist at different angles to examine the bright ornament. "That's really nice Ventus," Sora smiled sincerely. "But you know I can't abandon my dad's…" Sora reached for the place his necklace should be, but his chest was currently bare. What..? Sora panicked in his head, now patting down his body in search of his precious item from his past.
The clearing of someone's throat could be heard; causing the brunette to look up to see a charm-less chain in the Granter's hand. Ventus then snickered and bent his knees a little, in position of lift-off. "Up you…" Ventus shouted, the hand now holding the chain pulled back in a throwing stance.
"Go!" And with that shout, the silver was thrown up into the air; its' twinkle in the night sky the last signal of its disappearance.
"Ok! Since we got everything in order, let's get to the party!" The blonde cheered, running over toward the back of Zack's motorcycle. Sora's shocked face dissolved into a once again dumbfounded one, practically imagining the pink flowers twiddling around the Granter's bright, youthful features.
Sora sighed, I guess ok since I still have the charm. Then he looked down again at his new version of symbolization of relationship with Roxas Strife.
The brunette had a gnawing feeling he started a new journey with this special piece of jewelry.
"Hey guys you're late," Xigbar called out from behind the welcome desk toward four males entering the building. Zack rolled his eyes as he placed his leather jacket on the coat rack. "Blame this kid for being such a wuss when riding the bike with Cloud," Zack scoffed back, throwing a thumb back at the nauseous Sora being held up by a concerned Ventus.
The brunette's head was hung down, one of his hands clutched around his gurgling stomach. Sora never would have guessed Cloud had such speed on a vehicle. Plus, there was traffic on the way, so the older blonde insisted in a monotone voice that they take the shortcut. Deciding without Sora's input, of course.
The brunette turned his head to Ventus and put on a reassuring smile, making the blonde's desperately worried face turn soft. "Don't worry, I was just tossed around a little," Sora eased the Granter's soft hands off his shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, slightly towering over the blonde. "Remember Ventus, I can take care of myself sometimes too you know."
Ventus then realizes the body language Sora was posing, and then entangled his fingers behind his own back, smiling lightly at the brunette. "Sorry; I'm just…worried about you, Sora," Ventus whispers, for Sora's ears to only hear.
The brunette gazed into the Granter's eyes as his heart beat quickened, seeing them shine a magical gloss under the Incandescent light. But starring at those starry eyes made him feel strong with uneasy power. Adrenaline, it's generating so suddenly, Sora thought, and his pupils shrinking slowly at the site the Granter's orbs.
"Hey, Ventus It's almost time to greet our guest," Zack called across the lobby to the blonde, fixing his entirely new black vest and blue bow tie waiter attire. Ventus nodded to the raven and turned back to the slightly hypnotized Sora. "I-I guess I'll see you later, Sora," Ventus whispered, stepping closer to the brunette. Sora felt like he was in a daze from starring for so long; his body and head was feeling light.
Sora intertwined his fingers with Ventus'. Without looking down; he squeezed tightly onto the pair of small, soft hands. "Is it weird that, I feel like if you leave," Sora began, his hesitating tongue not cooperating with his commands to talk; Ventus smiled at Sora's nervous fragments and quirked a slim eyebrow in amusement.
"Let me guess," Ventus breathed. Sora then leaned down and softly connected his forehead with the blonde's. "You feel like, if I leave you right now, you'll be missing apart of you, is that correct?"
Sora nodded lightly, shaking both males' heads in the result.
The brunette didn't get how Ventus knew how to figure his feelings out so easily. He hadn't given the Granter any hint on how he was feeling; neither did Sora's own self knew exactly how to explain his feelings. But Sora knew it was a lonely and sullen feeling in his heart; that only occurred when he was away from Roxas' body.
"Well if it makes you feel better, whenever Roxas' body isn't within eyesight of your view," Ventus said, loosening his right hand from Sora's to hold it up.
Ventus grabbed Roxas's charm and kissed atop of it; Sora feeling sudden reassurance in his system as his own bracelet glowed the holy Granter light. "I want you to kiss your dad's pendant. That way, no matter if it's me or Roxas, we all will feel like we are one again, ok? "
The Granter giggled at Sora who was currently snuggling into the blonde's neck, inhaling the warm vanilla scent he gave off. The brunette couldn't be any happier than this moment. Ventus was so nice to him; he couldn't be so grateful for this person that suddenly came into his life. Sora sighed into the Granter neck. "Thank you, Ventus," the brunette hummed, making Ventus grunt and push the brunette away. "Alright, alright," Ventus hushed, chuckling at the boy's sudden affection.
"I'll serve you after we welcome the guest," Ventus said grinning wide. "I promise Sora, this night will be a night to remember!"
And with that, the ever so gleeful Granter disappeared to the back of the building; leaving only Sora in the lobby.
Ironically, Sora felt a strong gurgle in his stomach, making the brunette clutch his waist in pain. "Oh God," Sora hissed out of his lips, his breathe coming out in ragged pants. He felt nauseous so suddenly, a nice gloss of sweat slowly growing on his head. Have to…find bathroom, he thought, as he struggled to limp toward an open passage near the entrance Ventus exited to.
Sora quickly saw some lounging chairs and a painting of fruit on the wall; hinting that this was the waiting hall. Down the hall were two doors. One had a men bathroom sign and the other a women's one.
Bingo.
Sora rushed into the men's room and noticed gratefully that it was perfectly clean. He turned into the first stall, locked it and hung his head over the toilet; letting the contents from his stomach pour into the bowl, the brunette making sure to hold his cinnamon locks back.
After a minuet of gagging, Sora slid his body on the side of the cool stall's wall. He currently had a banging headache, and was now weak from the up-chucking he had just now. He also felt confused and dumbfounded at the fact that he could be so touchy-feely with the blonde.
You have Riku; Sora reminded himself, making his throat burn with ache. Get your head straight. You don't like Roxas, he likes Axel and you like Riku. But what made Sora depressed was that the jock didn't even know that he like him. At all. It was a sad and pathetic excuse to the brunette to say he had Riku; since he really didn't have anyone at all.
But, that's when it hit him.
"No matter if it's me or Roxas, we all will feel like we are one again."
"Kiss your father's pendant."
"We will feel like one…"
"Like one…"
"Like one…"
Sora darted his eyes to the silver brace that hung onto his tan wrist. The crown gleamed in the bright artificial ceiling light. His thoughts roamed from the pendant to the words of choice the Granter made toward Sora. "Like one… you say," the brunette whispered in low curious tone.
With a limp arm, the brunette reached out for his right wrist; brushing his fingers against the sliver brace. It shined brightly, happy to be touched by its bearer. Sora looked only at the crown pendant. "Dad…" the brunette whispered, his voice croaking in the remembrance of the tragic memory. Sora knew he wasn't alone. He had his dad in his memories.
But Sora's father wouldn't want the brunette to be alone and in denial forever. So Sora did exactly what Ventus instructed. With all his strength, he lifted his right wrist up to his lips, and lightly kissed the crown; his eye lids slowly closing in the process.
Sora heard it. A few seconds after he closed his eyes, he heard the sound that signaled the presence of the Granter;
The same exact ping that changed his life forever.
The brunette's body glowed in the blue light of the Granter's radiant power. The warmth of love and nostalgia flooded into the boy, making his cobalt orbs welt up in tears. His cold limbs where washed with goose bumps as Ventus responded to Sora's request to become one.
Sora felt…complete. This feeling was rare in the brunette's case; since he's always felt somewhat empty ever since he started living with aunt May. Sora sniffed and wiped the tears from his heated cheeks. With one boost from his arms, the brunette lifted himself from the tilted floor and opened the stall door.
What Sora saw in return was more than expected; it was feared. His chocolate spikes were slightly flattened, practically glistening with sweat. The brunette clothes were wrinkled, cheeks were stained with tears and eyes darkened.
"Shit," Sora cursed lightly, brushing wrinkles out of his clothes and straightening out his tie. He needed to hurry up; Ventus was probably waiting on him. Or worse, he's holding the greeting of the guest he talked about back longer than needed.
Sora abruptly stopped finger-combing his hair.
Exactly who were the guests that were coming to visit this café, anyway? Ventus never mentioned any specific details about this, "important event" to the brunette.
"Huh," Sora sighed, a stream of breath flowing out of the brunette's mouth. He caught a whiff of the smell, and instantly sealed his lips. Vomit, Sora thought grimly. He turned on the hot water faucet as it gushed out steaming water. Quickly, Sora ducked his head under the pipe, caught some water in his mouth, gurgled and then spit it into the sink. He repeated this process till he tasted nothing but his scalding pink tongue.
Once more before he left, the brunette stared back at the mirror, his cobalt eyes shined with gleam. "Let's have some fun, shall we Sora?" The brunette spoke toward mirror. He smiled one last time before he left the men's washroom.
Women. Women with all different colors of hair and eyes; from orange locks to gray orbs shined and practically glittered under the newly placed chandeliers. Sora stared in awe at the decorated Music Room and how well it paired up with the mystical females. They were mesmerizing with their unique looks. Sora had to admit, no matter how much he liked the same sex; their looks were absolutely stunning to the human eye.
Sora gulped down a wad of saliva. As soon as he placed his conversed feet from the wooded floor on the wine red carpet, all ears in the room perked and heads slowly turned to the brunette in unison; like there was a gravitational pull toward the human. Sora automatically tensed, his cheeks flaming lightly at the unneeded attention he was receiving. He had to find an empty seat, anywhere in a corner and out of plain sight, the brunette preferred.
Sora's eyes darted nervously around the room until he saw a red leather booth in the far corner. Secluded and empty.
Destination, lock on. Sora stated fiercely in his head. His body stiffly moved on whim, cobalt eyes staring straight at his safety zone. After these twenty steps, Sora would be safe from the intimidating eyes and deadly silence that gave him sudden shivers to his nerve endings. He would also, for the first time of his seventeen years of living, be able to be invisible to the naked eye, not to be noticed.
That's only what he'd hope for.
But that doesn't mean the brunette will receive it.
"Excuse me sir!" A feminine voice called from behind Sora, strong but adolescent. Sora ceased his walking, ten steps from his safe and secluded sanctuary. The brunette quietly sighed in defeat. You couldn't let me have this one wish, could you God?
The cinnamon haired boy cautiously turned about, only to be met with an icy chilling breeze lightly cooling his heated body. "Ahem!" The voice coughed, this time residing a couple of inches below the brunette. Sora tilted his head down, his cobalt eyes meeting with frosty blue orbs, curiously wide with a hint of determination. A girl, Sora stated obviously in his head.
But this wasn't any ordinary little girl. Hair white as freshly placed snow, leading down as waist length; a dark blue headband placed neatly at her hairline with a medium sized crystal snowflake pinned attached. With a small petite body, her ankle long, dark blue dress was decorated with eccentric bows, lace, bordering, and silk layers. She looked like a perfect princess doll from a limited edition winter collection to Sora; which made the brunette even more amazed she would come up to him and stir up a dramatic scene.
"U-uh," Sora stuttered, then cleared his throat. "How may I help you, ma'am," He asked, raising an eyebrow at his tone in voice he produced. Relax, The brunette stressed in his head. She sounds tougher than she looks.
"Mister," she began, closing her eyes and placing her cupped hands to her chest. Her palms glow an aqua blue, the color peeking out of the open spaces of her fingers. Sora eyes widened slightly at realization. I-is she a Granter also? But, she's kind of young… Sora thought suspiciously as her hands opened slowly, keeping all of the women in the room on the edge of their seats.
Once her small hands were fully open, womanly gasps echoed throughout the room rapidly as the classical music stopped playing. Sora stared absently at the object that floated just a few inches from the surface of the girl's palms.
Glowing a dark blue and sparkling a mystical dust was a blue rose; its thin petals closed tight like it was protecting itself from a winter's night. "…will you take my bud?" She finished squeakily with a bow, her arms stretched out, basically offering the wide-eyed brunette the flower.
Whispers went around the room like a breeze in the late autumn; spreading within the Music Room. Sora was confused deeply. He didn't know what this rose was, or what it represented. He didn't want to receive and let be a bad thing, or reject it; hurting the girl or causing another dramatic stir amongst the women.
The brunette sighed, making his decision quick within his head.
Sora's hand slowly brushed against the small girl's head. This petting causes the girl to look up at the brunette with her confused icy eyes. "What is your name?" Sora asked gently. The room was silent again, women in room straining their ears to hear the brunette's words.
"U-Usagi," she stuttered, her cheeks warm with embarrassment as she straightened her posture. Her hands lowered as the flower disappeared, leaving sparkling dust in its trail. Sora gave a small smile at her unique name. "Usagi, can you do I the honor, and save that flower for someone very special?" Sora asked, raising an eyebrow in question. "Someday, I know you will find that someone that will love you for who you are. You just have to be patient."
Usagi gasped as the brunette's hands entwined with hers, his cobalt orbs traced with loyalty and honesty; both hands and eyes warm and welcoming. Usagi's eyes brimmed with tears at the overwhelming feeling of warmth in her chest. "R-really? Are you really, really sure about that?" Usagi gasped, her words coming out as broken stutters as her tears slow trailed down her lit cheeks, her grip tightening onto the older boy's hands.
Sora nodded. "I promise."
Usagi latched into the startled brunette, bringing her thin arms around the brunette's waist.
"Thank you, Mister." She muffled quietly within his now tear-stained vest.
Sora chuckled, and then slowly petted her silky hair. Suddenly, someone started clapping in the room, followed by the rest of the emotionally moved women in the room. Soon enough the whole room was whistling and clapping loudly as Sora and Usagi both parted ways, leaving the brunette to settle into the empty booth shortly.
Sora sighed and relaxed his body. As his breathing slowed, his upper body practically melted into the red leather. After all that has happened to the brunette in one evening, he just wanted to get this "important event" over and done with. Maybe if I just rest my eyes for a bit, Sora suggested, doing just that as the classical music played; small voices roaming around him.
A warm puff of air brushed against the boy's right cheek, making the brunette's eyes snap open and head turn over to the direction. He saw nothing but an empty leather part of the booth.
Sora's furrowed his brows together. I must be out of it today… He guessed as he slowly turned his head back, eyelids closing back also.
"Wake up my prince," a slurred voice chimed into the brunette's ear. Sora flinched at the sudden air that breezed into his ear cavity. "What the fu-" Sora hissed quietly. His eyes flickered toward the spot again; only to meet something unusually… different.
Long sunny yellow locks of hair tangled the brunette's sight, followed by a ski sloped nose and darkened amber orbs.
It was woman.
And it smells like she had some drinks, Sora cringed, wrinkling his nose in the thick smell of alcohol. She was a four inch space away from Sora's face; her pink glossed lips parted at the sight of the teenage boy, orbs slowly soaking up the eye candy in front of her. "Oh, my…" she moaned, biting her bottom lip in the process. Sora raised a brow at the woman's gesture.
"Like something you see?" Sora asked, his irritation penetrating through his words.
She nodded-giggled, her French manicured fingers slowly climbed its way up the brunette's tanned, toned dress shirt clad arm. Sora just stared her fingers, his biceps tensing uncomfortably.
He wanted to move. He wanted to someplace more relaxing and filled with fewer women in the room. Sora could feel other pairs of eyes watching the disturbing sexual harassment taking place on the brunette. Sora could also tell that those pairs of eyes see it as mere drunken flirting.
If only they knew, the brunette sighed, flinching suddenly as his whole body tightening painfully at the slick scratches the blonde woman made at his arm; thin lines of blood tracing down his arm.
Suddenly, cold fingers roughly pinched Sora's chin, turning it swiftly toward another surprise that Sora somehow suspected.
A pair of misted maroon eyes bored holes through the teen boy, dilated with lust and fierceness.
It was another woman.
Where the hell were they coming from?
"Since you realize what type of situation you're in," The dark haired woman whispered sinisterly within the brunette's ear.
"We hope that you'll cooperate now, sweetie," the blonde finished in a sing song voice, licking small amount of blood that pooled onto her index finger.
This is bad, Sora thought. He was shaking. The brunette also noticed that his vision was losing focus.
If only someone could save him from this nightmare.
If only.
"Three," the blonde whispered as she leaned closer to Sora's neck.
"Two," whispered the maroon eyed woman who leaned to an unoccupied area of the brunette's neck.
Sora's breath hitched inside of his throat, his eyes clamped shut; prepared for the last number to be counted.
"One."
If only.
"Stop it."
All eyes flickered toward where the voice was heard. Sora's heart started beating faster as his eyes gazed at the alluring sight.
But as for the two women, the only sight they was saw, was the sight of a threatening aura.
"N-nee-sama?" They both croaked; orbs wide and already pleading for forgiveness.
The woman's skin was a silky milk chocolate shade, making her piercing amber eyes pop and glitter in the ceiling light. Her edgy bob hair cut was jet black, for the acceptation of a bang on the left side of her face; which faded to a sunshine blonde color.
Her eyes and brows scrunched up in frustration. "What are you doing, Sunshine, Midnight?" She asked; her voice not in the most tolerable tone.
They both slowly slid away from Sora, and pouted; both of their heads hung low in shame. A few seconds went by and no answer was heard from either of the guilty women.
'Nee-sama' sighed.
"I apologize on behalf of my two sisters," she said, gently placing her index finger in the middle of the brunette's forehead.
His body heated up for a moment, cooled then went back to normal temperature. All of a sudden, Sora could move his arms and legs, and could actually breathe again.
"They are horribly rabid when they see an attractive male," she finished with the roll of her eyes. Sora unwounded his shoulder blades then chuckled. "Thank you, for saving me…" he trailed off, looking into her bright eyes.
She smiled. "My name is Mir, and no problem."
"As for you two," Mir growled, her eyes flickering to the still pouting women. "Haven't I told you two not to seal people into a Nightmare Realm? You could have killed him!"
"But we didn't!" Sunshine defended.
"But you almost did; and that's all that matters." Mir hissed, making the blonde shrink back down, her arms folded against her chest like a stubborn child.
"And Midnight, you shouldn't even be here," she sighed, sitting next to the guilty raven haired woman. Her tone softened. "Didn't you have a marriage rehearsal tonight?"
Sora just watched as Midnight played with the ends of her hair. "I didn't want to go. Plus I don't even like the guy," she admitted quietly in a matter of fact tone.
Mir grumbled under her breath, massaging the brim of her ski slope nose.
"And what are you doing in a place like this…"
"I-Its Sora," the brunette stuttered, giving a half smile; answering Mir's questioning gaze. "Sora Lockhart. My friend invited me here for a-"
He paused. Should I be telling the truth? Sora pondered quickly within his head, feeling three pairs of eyes staring him down. With the whole Granter thing, he wasn't sure Ventus was supposed to be interacting with him before his death. And now that he thought about it, wouldn't it be better if someone else was in charge of Roxas?
No, let's not start with this argument again Sora! The brunette frazzled within his head, conflicted with his inner emotions.
He then made a decision.
"…this party." Sora finished hesitantly.
The woman stared at Sora suspiciously, as the brunette excepted.
In a split second, Midnight caught the boy's gaze for the second time this night. But this time, Mir had approving eyes of her sister's actions.
"Sora, tell me the real reason why you're here at a Granter only organization meeting." Mir commanded, blankly staring at the brunette's face.
Sora's eyes glow a bright crystal blue color, body frozen for the second time tonight.
"Ventus, a granter of Roxas Strife, invited me here." He stated with a monotone voice.
Sunshine gasped while Midnight gritted her teeth and reached out to clutch the brunette's jaw in frustration.
On the other hand, Mir crossed her arms against her chest calmly.
"Continue, Sora," Mir commanded again.
"…"
"Continue, I say!" Mir commanded again, more stern this time.
But nothing came out of the brunette's mouth. Sunshine clutched her heart, her small face traced with sadness and concern for her sister.
"Midnight…that's enough," The blonde whispered, easing her hand off of Sora's jaw.
Midnight slowly removed eye contact from Sora's; causing the brunette to stir from his hypnotized state; eyes changing back to cobalt blue.
Sora dropped his head into his hands, groaning in pain. "Wha- What happened..?"
No one spoke, to the brunette's surprise.
Until a sniffle was heard.
"…Midnight, Sunshine," Mir whispered, her head hung low.
They both turned to their older sister's voice with concerned eyes.
"…he's alive?" She asked as she lifted up her head, tears slipping down her cheeks from her questioning, water-filled eyes.
They both nodded eagerly, trying to hold back tears themselves.
Mir chuckled as she smiled, tears still running down her cheeks. "I'm glad…" She whispered, wiping her eyes with her hands. "I'm so, so glad!"
Midnight and Sunshine held hand together as they nodded enthusiastically.
Sora was utterly confused.
But he was unusually glad too.
And he had no problem with that.
But time froze for the brunette, and once it did, he had already known why.
She's back.
"Hello female Granters of the Hoshi Union," a male voice welcomed from the risen platform in front of the ballroom. It echoed from the walls of the room, collecting the attention of the graceful women.
"We would like to welcome the guest of absolute honor; our queen to-be of our home, Princess Tenshi!"
On cue, the lights shut off and one beam of light aimed on a girl nears the double door entrance.
With luscious waves of blonde hair about waist length, her long white bridal styled dress practically sparkled with essence of a princess; long white gloves covering her small hands that were folded and placed neatly on her abdomen. And instead of a regular tiara a princess would wear, it was replaced with a holy white halo that gleamed bright; hovering gently above her head.
Tenshi's lids were closed. But when she opened them, all eyes were definalty on her now. Sora's jaw slacked a bit also.
Her eyes glowed an azure color, looking straight ahead and never wandering to look at gawking spectators.
Sora's heart raced. It was her. The girl from the pool who completely made Sora's overwhelming confidence fade away and cheeks set ablaze.
A thought knocked his senses into place, face palming himself.
"That's Ventus," he whispered, loud for the three girls squeak a surprised 'Eh?'
Once the princess came onto the stage, light set on her still, she stood in front of the golden microphone stand.
"I welcome you all to this wonderful get together. I am happy to be with all of you tonight in the human world," she pronounced, smiling sincerely at the women. Sora noticed that the voice was female; but sounded familiar to his ears.
Yup, no doubt that's totally Ventus.
Sora felt like he wasn't heard by the triplets, only they were bedazzled by the "woman's" beauty.
If only they fluffing knew.
Amidst the speech Tenshi was giving about Hoshi Union's history and how Granters prospered off of the Heavens above, Sora was lost into her angelic orbs as they glittered in the single spotlight.
To think, Sora began, leaning his chin in the palms of his hands. Ventus and Roxas are somewhere inside of that delicate body.
It really surprised him when he saw the same bracelet that he receive not long ago on the Princess's wrist as it gleamed a bright red
Wait, Sora sat up as his heart raced and his eyes peered harder at the accessory. Bright red?
Mir looked up at Sora in a jolted manner. "W-what's wrong?" She stuttered quietly, grabbing Sora's wrist and pulling him back down in his seat.
Sora stayed quite as he saw her brace glow even darker blood red, scaring him slightly with shivers running down his spine. Was anybody seeing this?
Sora's head slowly lowered toward his brace.
No.
It was repeatedly blinking blood red at an alarming rate.
Oh no.
His left ear twitched. Sora turned his head as the first thing to catch his cobalt orbs was a tall glass of water. The brunette stared cautiously at it.
A sudden ripple appeared though it.
But no one was settled at the table.
Something was coming after Sora.
No, Sora corrected as he looked back at the brace connected to Tenshi's wrist; getting up and running toward it.
Not just Me.
Both of us.
"Princess, watch out!" Sora screamed as he tackled down Tenshi to the ground, both of them rolling till they hit the wall.
All Sora heard were his ears ringing and faint muffling of screams.
"Sora, Sora! Sora please you have to wake up!" A panicking voice filtered his ears. The vision was blurry as he saw a blob of blonde hair.
"R-roxas?" He whispered questionably, peering up at the blob of color. Sora started hearing more clearly now, the womanly screams still present and companied by loud bangs and sounds of things being destroyed.
"It's Ventus and I need your help, people are in danger." His voice wavered, trying to pull the brunette up from the ground. "Come on Sora, please wake up!"
Sora was now worried. He heard the Granter's voice as it sounded like he was on the verge of crying.
The brunette didn't like that one bit.
He blinked multiple times to be able to get a clearer sight of things. It worked, but he didn't like what he saw.
Walls were destroyed, ceilings were broken down and practically everything looked like it was in ruins.
Who could have done such a thing?
Sora sat up and held his head. It throbbed with unusual pain.
By now everyone had evacuated the room; leave only Sora and Ventus within the Music Room.
"Sora!" Ventus squeaked, grabbing the brunette with his arms and snuggling with his chest. "You're not dead…thank the Goddess you're alright."
Sora pushed him away as he gripped his shoulders tightly.
"Ventus," Sora said sternly, looking directly into his frightened eyes. "What happened here?"
"Demons." Ventus said with a shaky voice. "They've come after the ones who bear bracelets of Hoshi."
Sora's heart dropped at that sentence. I knew it. There is always a bad side to good things.
And if all stories went according to Sora's hypothesis;
This was time to beat the bad guy.
"Where are they now?" Sora quickly asked, getting up and pulling Ventus up along with him.
"Aren't you afri-"
"I said," Sora stated more calmly, but his threatening face said otherwise. "Where are they now, Ventus?"
The Granter stared at the brunette once more, and then nodded. "Follow me."
But before they could take another step, a loud boom could be heard on the roof, followed by pieces of ceiling falling off once more.
"Hurry!" Ventus ran toward a single door exit that leads to a massive sliver stair case that leads to the roof.
They both, with a quick pace, ran up the stairs.
"You're probably wondering how this exactly happened," Ventus huffed as he ran. Sora scoffed. "Oh no, I have this happen to me on a regular basis, Ventus," the brunette sarcastically stated.
"Good, cause we're here." Ventus said blandly, one arm gesturing toward the black roof entrance.
Sora stopped in his tracks, five steps away from the Granter. He glanced at the door and then at Ventus, whose intense eyes gave a chilling feeling the brunette's bones.
"I believe in you Sora." Ventus whispered. "And, I know for sure that… Roxas does too."
Sora jolted and looked away quickly from Ventus's soft gaze; his cheeks warming up suddenly.
I know he does, the brunette said matter-of-factly within his head. And I believe in him too that he will give me strength to be brave enough to fight whatever is out there.
"Are you ready, Sora?" The blonde asked, undoing his brace from his wrist.
Sora suddenly smirked, his toes and fingertips tingling with a fiery sensation. His brace glowed holy white as his eyes grew ten times bright; body glowing the holy Granter light.
"I'm ready for anything, Ventus," Sora said while cocking a smile.
The granter silently mouthed some words as the bracelet glowed, hovered and spun rapidly within the palm of his hands. Sora watched in awe as the bracelet instantly turned into a white halo above his golden locks of hair.
"Woah," Sora gasped. "Can I do something like that?"
Ventus smirked as he aimed his hand at Sora's bracelet. It snapped itself from its bearer and hovered into the Granter's magical hands; spinning rapidly.
Ventus walked up to Sora and showed him his hand. It showed three different colors; red, blue and gold.
"Pick a color for you first outfit and weapon; you can thank me later," the blonde Granter giggled as the brunette grinned.
Sora reached out and touched the gold glob of light, suddenly making the bracelet stop spinning and turn gold; snapping itself back in the brunette.
A burst of energy filled the insides of Sora, his body immediately traced with gold holy light; his eyes turning bright amber.
"Uh, where's my weapons and out…" Sora questionably asked, looking around.
But what caught the brunette off guard was the door opening, revealing a monstrous shadow with beady red eyes. It towered over the building as its mouth less head tore apart to screech in piercing horror.
"Oh…shit."
"Here I go!" Ventus shouted as he ran onto the roof and easily preformed an Aerial Cartwheel. But he added on a back flip, which caused Sora's mind to boggle when he saw him transformed his clothes during that acrobatic move.
Ven landed graceful on the smooth concrete with a light thug. He turned around with a smile plastered on his face. "Can you beat that, Sora?" He shouted.
The Granter was now wearing a white v-neck collared, sleeveless vest, white arm warmers with one buckle at the upper bicep and wrist, skinny white pants and white faux leather strappy buckle knee high boots. His fox ears and tail also appeared.
Sora gulped down a wad of saliva. He then felt sparks of yellow from the comer of his eye.
It was his hand giving off that electric energy throughout his body.
And he loved every bit of it.
Sora turned around and faced staircase. He slowly breathed out, then in.
The Demon screeched again, egging the brunette on.
Sora then flipped backward.
But he didn't stop there.
One, two, he counted gingerly as he preformed his springy back flips. On the third one, he used all of his strength and bounce in his step to flip high enough.
And boy did this brunette get some air time.
Finally, during that move in mid-air, he transformed into his golden outfit with two blades appearing suddenly in his hands. Sora continued his backward flip, feeling renewed energy within his new form.
Three, the brunette counted another flip. For the fourth and last one, he sprung from the surface and aimed his electricity filled blade at the concert roof.
Once Sora landed, he unleashed a surging wave of power onto the platform, causing it to ripple outward throughout the whole roof; also shocking the Demon, causing the evil being to roar in pain.
Without rising his head, Sora lifted his body up and pulled out his electric-filled blade from the roof with ease; the second one being levitated by the boy's electricity-filled hand.
The brunette jerked his head up, revealing playful amber eyes and a cocky smirk.
"Let's play," growled the brunette.
Ventus whistles at the stealthy boy. "I can't lie to you Sora, but the way said that was oh so sexy." He said as he twitched his fox ears in approval.
"Save it for later Ven," Sora chuckled smoothly, aiming his right blade toward the demon. "We have bushiness to take care of."
Bolts of electricity shot from the blade and at the monster, but it blocked it easily, it generating arms from the dark night sky power.
Sora noticed this and ran from its long destructive arms trying to squish the brunette against the platform. While performing every acrobatic trick in the book, Sora noticed Ventus was just standing and watching the show take place.
"Ventus!" Sora yelled, front flipping over the demonic hand that tried to clutch his body whole, tumbling in perfect formation onto the ground. "What the hell are you doing? Aren't you going to help me?" He screeched, heaving from all the movement.
Ventus shrugged. "You never asked for my help."
"Really?" Sora gasped sarcastically. "I never would have- Woah!"
Suddenly, Sora was raised from the ground by Demon's hand, slowly being sucked in by the dark abyss.
"OK, now is the time to help Ventus!" Sora shrieked at the top of his lungs.
Said boy looked calmly toward the slowly-being-eaten-by-darkness brunette. "I need a proposition," hummed the Granter. "Then I'll save you."
Was he SERIOUS? Sora panicked. He had to think, and fast. What would Ventus want?
What would Ventus want…?
"You're the only one who can do this;he needsyou, not I."
"Sora, you are the only one who can help him find happiness again."
"Everyone stays here in Twilight Town withme, deal?"
"You really care about him, don't you Ventus?"
He got it.
It all made sense now.
"I promise to help Roxas win that bet with Xion," Sora shouted quickly. "I'll make sure he'll win, so that we can spend the summer together, and make lots of memories together!"
Ventus' eyes widened in a surprised manner then slid closed; his playful smirk appearing across his lips.
"Deal."
The Granter held his hand outward, mystical energy generating in mid air. A long, white staff appeared into the Granter's hands. He twirled the object in both of his hands, behind his back and in front of him again. With one swift downward slice, a sharp blade of air cut off the Demon's suffocating arm; causing it to screech aloud in pain.
Sora was released and tumbled roughly onto the roof, coughing and gagging for air.
"Sora, I know how to defeat him, listen close," Ventus shouted. Sora willed his body upward from the ground, limping slightly. "I'm listening!"
"I'll recite a spell. All you have to do is get to the top of his head, stick the electrical blade there and throw the other on at him, saying the word, 'repent.' Got it?" Ventus yelled.
"Piece of cake," Sora mumbled under his breath. As he said that, the Demon's arm tried to knock Sora off of the roof, but instead, Sora back flipped and grabbed onto it for dear life has he started climbing the appendage.
Ventus then began reciting; eyes closed, staff in hand aimed at the Demon.
O wicked soul, birth from impurities of the heart;
Sora ran up the arm as he heard Ventus started reciting.
Receive judgment from the Granter's Goddess;
Ventus eyes opened and gleam an unnatural white, mystic color. A ping could be heard as a magic-casting circle rounded itself around the Granter, the wind speeds picking up within the circle.
Be cleansed from ash to ash;
Sora finally reached the head of the Demon. "You're so done for!" He barked, and stabbed the dome of Demon's head with the electrical blade, sending waves of magnetic power throughout the monster. It roared agony, trying to shake off the brunette; but the boy kept a tight hold, not wanting to let this chance go.
Return to the land of Hoshi.
Ventus thus spun his staff above his head. The faster he spun it, the brighter it got. It was only was a matter time till he let go.
Sora then slowed down time as he flipped kick the monster square in the middle of its forehead, back flipping off of its body.
Repent!
Ventus let go of the staff, sending it flying to the stomach of the monster. It entered the crying Demon with ease.
"Repent!"
Sora skidded against the concrete, blade in hand. With swift movement, the brunette jumped and preformed a corkscrew spin mid air. After three spins, he let go of the blade; it spinning with hurling speed toward the monster.
As it struck through the Demon, its body bubbled up, and blew into pieces; splattering big blobs of tar in every direction.
Sora landed on the roof with a rough landing, barrel rolling till he hit the wall with a thug.
Ventus' circle faded away as his eyes turned back an azure color. He sighed in relief; but once he turned around to see a not moving brunette, his heart dropped immediately.
"Oh no…" He cried in fear. He ran toward Sora, kneeling by his limp body. He placed Sora's head on his lap.
"Sora…Sora, please, oh please wake up." Ventus begged, shaking the brunette lightly and whimpering with every word spoken.
No response was heard from the brunette.
Ventus started to shake as eyes weld up in tears, slowly cascading down his cheeks. He covered his mouth as he squeezed his eyes shut; ears and tail limp.
He couldn't believe it.
He didn't want to.
"Sora…" Ventus sobbed. "Please, don't leave me... Don't leave Roxas!"
Dark.
It was…so dark.
And cold.
So very, very cold.
Sora!
Wha-
I'm scared Sora, want to be by you side again!
Me …too.
Please don't forget about me, Sora.
Why would I…?
My time has passed, and now I need to go Sora.
W-wait; wait a minute!
I love you… Sora.
No…Please.
Don't leave.
Leave…
"Don't…"
Wet droplets landed on the brunette's cheek. Sora's vision and hearing came muffled.
But he noticed a big blob of…blonde.
He decided to touch it.
"..ora!"
"So…!"
"Wake…"
The brunette blinked a few times, trying his best to clear his vision.
"Sora! Sora, please don't leave me."
It's Ventus.
"Why would I leave you, Ventus?" Sora whispered, finally able to see and hear clearly. He saw the Granter crying. It was a saddening sight for the boy.
"And stop crying," muffled the brunette, wiping the tears from the Granter's redden cheeks. "I don't like it when you cry."
Ventus only gasped, and pressed Sora's head against his chest; snuggling him protectively.
Don't ever ever, ever, ever, ever, scare me like that again," scolded the blonde. He then repeated kissed Sora's forehead, glad to have the brunette back and live.
Sora just chuckled at how exaggerated Ventus could be. But he was glad that someone would care if he'd died.
"Ventus, can I sleep now," questioned the brunette, yawning and snuggling toward the blonde's warm lap. Ventus giggled as he petted Sora's spiky cinnamon hair down.
"Yes you may," Ventus assured. "Goodnight Sora."
Sora only smiled, peacefully letting his chest rise up and down in a calming pace.
"Oh, by the Sora?" Ventus perked softly, whispering inside of Sora's ear.
"Hmm?"
"Did you know that the formal way of saying, 'let's have sex,' in the Hoshi Union is offering your flower and asking if you could 'take my bud'?"
...
...
...
"Eh?"
AHHHHHHHH- That was fun to make. I had to consume about 300 mg of caffeine to get this action-ridden chapter written. I hoped you, the reader, enjoyed it as much as I did. Basically, it's over 9k words, so take your time and read it~
Hope to get the next chapter out soon!
(P.S. I was wondering when Someone would notice this was loosely based off of Toradora~)