~~~The Truth Will Set You Free~~~

Roxas POV

I am an idiot.

There I said it. Loud and clear…in my mind. They say the first thing to fix a problem is to admit you have one. So…

Now what?

I sighed as I switched the bag of cookies and brownies from my right hand to my left.

It's a good thing Kairi agreed to be my fake girlfriend for a while. Although, I wonder how Naminé will react?…Ah who am I kidding? She dumped me. I should've expected it. She and I are two different arts, there's no way it would've worked…

Or would it?

I stopped my mindless rambling as I stood in front of a door and rang it's bell. In a few seconds a familiar brown haired man opened the door.

"Oh hey Roxas," Leon said with a small smile.

I looked up to him and answered, "Hey, Uncle Squall."

Leon really did laugh this time as he ruffled my blond locks. "You know you could just call me 'Leon'." I returned his smile. "C'mon in. You could place those in the kitchen," he continued, pointing to the bag of goodies in my hand. "I hope you remember where the kitchen is?"

I laughed. "Yeah," I answered as I made my way to the kitchen.

I walked in to see Rinoa sitting down, reading a book.

"Good afternoon, Roxas," Rinoa greeted as she puts her book down. "What'cha got there?"

I smiled as I put the snacks on the table. "My mom made some extra sweets and she thought you guys would like some," I explained as I sit on opposite side of the table.

"How sweet," Rinoa said with a smile. "Tifa's the best." She seemed lost in her thoughts before she remembers my presence. "Oh I'm sorry Roxas," she said with an apologetic smile, "I forgot to ask if you wanted anything to drink or eat."

I frivolously shook my hands as she started to get up. "No, no!" I replied, "Really it's fine." Out of habit, I rub the back of my head.

She shrugged and sat back down. "Whatever you say."

Maybe I should ask Rinoa about Naminé. I mean…she's a girl, right? But then again, I don't know her all too well. Kairi could help but then again…her stepmother is sitting right in front of me so I might as well-

"Roxas, do me a favor and come here for a second," I heard Leon say in the other room. "It's about Kairi's 'accident'."

Rinoa and I get up and walk over to where Leon was in the living room. Screw the questions, why'd he say 'accident' like…like it wasn't?

"Roxas," Leon said seriously, "she's back."

I widened my eyes in surprise. Looks like those stories are true.

Sora POV

"Hi mom!" I exclaimed as I walked into the kitchen with a smile.

"Morning sweetheart," she answers as I take a seat across of Vanitas.

"Why are you so irritating?" he asked. I stuck out my tongue childishly before I begin to stare at my hands on the table with a sad expression.

"What?" Vanitas asked. "Don't tell me that comment got to you."

I shook my head. "No, it's just…" I don't understand this situation. That's what I'd like to say. But…I don't want to say it. It's like…telling your brother when he's got a really bad haircut when he thinks it looks good. Except this is more important…I think.

"Well what is it?" he asks as I trail off.

"How long are we going to have to pretend we're twins, Vanitas?" I asked. Vanitas looks at me in surprise before looking towards someplace else.

"I don't know," he answered. "I still don't see why they wanted us to be twins."

"It's because you two need to go to school together," my mom answered as she gives me a glass of orange juice. "Besides, since Vanitas is older, he already knows this stuff so he can help you." Vanitas smirked as he finishes his juice. I sighed. "It's a good thing the organization teaches you things a kid your age should know Vanitas," Mom continued, "or else I'd think you're a block head." I laugh at mom's statement as Vanitas scowls.

"Anyway," Vanitas said with a tiny blush adorning his cheeks, "why the sudden interest?"

My sadness took over my expression. "No reason." That's a lie, the real reason is-

"Sora, how stupid do you think I am?" Vanitas asked with an annoyed expression.

I laughed. "Okay, fine." I stay silent for a minute. Now how do I say this? Oh well, here goes nothing. "I don't want to be lying to everyone, you know?" I started. Vanitas gave me a confused look so I continue. "I mean, I trust these guys and they trust me. Plus I am dating Kairi and I hate lying to her."

Vanitas looked down for a second before he stood up, leaned against the table and glared at me.

"Why?" he asked. "Why do you care so much for these people?" I widened my eyes in surprise as he continued. "They're just going to end up backstabbing you and breaking your heart and WHO do you think is going to pick up the pieces?" I stay silent because I know he's speaking from experience. He's actually speaking from his heart. "Why can you trust people like this?" he asked, distressed. Tears didn't form in his eyes but he looked so upset, so…betrayed. "What makes you think that these people, your 'friends', care about you?" When he finished that sentence, he turned around and I thought that was all he wanted to say. Then, he said, "Why are you so lucky?" With that, he walked out.

"Vanitas," Mom whispered about to follow him.

"No," I said gently, "let me." She looked at me with a saddened expression but nodded nonetheless.

I waited a minute before I followed Vanitas outside.

~~~The Truth Will Set You Free~~~

I walked out and noticed Vani sitting on the stairs with his hands folded on his knees and his head almost hidden. I sat next to him.

After a moment, Vanitas said, "What? Are you here to tell me that not everyone's like that? That I was wrong?"

I sighed. "No," I answered, "I came to tell you that you are right. People are like that." He looks up towards me in wonder and confusion. "But you've got to learn to forgive and forget so you can make better friends." At that statement, Vanitas put his head back down and glared. I smiled. He's being stubborn again. Sometimes, I wonder how we pass off as twins. "You told me yourself that you tested Kairi because of what her cousin did to you."

"Don't remind me," he muttered.

"Vani…" I started, "we can't be together forever." He looked shocked for a moment but I continued, "I mean, one day, we're not going to be Vanitas and Sora, we're going to be Vanitas and Sora, the Fair brothers, you know?"

He stayed silent for a minute before putting his head down. "Yeah, I got it."

I stood up and extended my hand towards him, "As of now, we'll be Vani and Sora, the Fair twins."

He looked up at my extended hand with a confused expression for a moment. "Yeah," he answered as he grabbed my hand and I hauled him up. "But you know Sora," he continued as he pulled me into a headlock, "you really are a sap."

I laughed as I tried to break free. "But that's why you love me, right?"

And at that moment, he smiled. Vanitas smiled- not smirked- smiled. "That's exactly why."

Kairi POV

It's snowing.

Plain and simple. Outside my window, I see a light snow fall. It's pretty beautiful. Too bad I don't have the artistic ability to capture this landscape like Naminé can.

I brace against the back of the bed (making sure I set myself properly), bored. Why does my computer pick now to die? And I can't find the dumb plug-ins either. I was in the middle of my Pokémon fan fiction too! Oh well, at least I have time to think through the plot.

Just then, someone knocked on the door. Looks like I wouldn't have time to think through Ash and May's reunion after all.

"Come in," I said.

"Hey," Vanitas said as he walked in.

"Vanitas?" I said as anger started to build up and I glared at him. "What do you want this time?"

He was quite for a moment before he whispered, "I'm sorry."

My glare turned into an unbelieving stare. "W-what?"

"Jeez, Kairi," he said in a way that almost reminded me of Sora, "I know you're injured, I didn't know you were deaf too." Is that…playfulness hidden in his voice? HOLY BANANA, IT IS!

I smiled. "I'm sorry," I said sarcastically, "I didn't know Vanitas had the ability to be nice."

"Yeah, well," Vanitas said, going back to his normal voice, "don't get used to it."

I smiled. "Hey, Vanitas?" He looked over to me. "Why'd you do it?"

He looked away, not letting his emotions reach his face. "That's a story for another day."

I was about to answer, but my cell phone went off playing "Hukuna Matata" from The Lion King. Vanitas gave me a look telling me he thought I was crazy as he raised an eyebrow. He didn't say anything, though. Smart boy.

I looked at my caller-id and noticed it was Olette. Olette? I wonder how she's doing.

"Hey Olette," I said as I answered my cell.

"I'm going to do it," she said quickly as I noticed she was panting and snow was being crushed under her feet in a rapid, uneven rhythm.

"Olette," I said with shock in my voice, "are you drunk?"

I heard her crying through the phone. "I'm going to do it," she repeated. "I'm going to throw myself off the bridge and drown!" she shouted.

"Olette! No!" I shout back but it was too late. She hung up.

I have to think fast. "Vanitas can you-?" I started to say but he's already out the door. Thanks a lot dude. It looks like he'll be no help. I've got to get to her!

I get up, wobbling a little as I get used to being on my legs again. My leg doesn't hurt too much. I pull on my jeans, a shirt and a jacket as I think of a plan. Now if I time this right, I may be able to escape.

Suddenly, I hear a beeper thing flat line causing some of the patients to panic. Since everyone's distracted, I rush towards the door, accidentally slamming into someone. He grabbed my arm and held me steady.

"Go," Vanitas said. "I'll call everyone and keep the doctors busy. The bridge isn't far from here and I forgot my car. You think you can make it?" he asked as he looked down at me.

I nod. "I'll be able to reach her the fastest if I run."

"Alright," he answered. "Don't hurt yourself."

I ran past him. He managed to cause a ruckus, made someone faint and had all the attention directed to someplace else.

I made my way to the front of the hospital. Now all I have to do is get past the receptionist. She's talking to someone. Maybe I could- Oh no! It's Doctor Eraqus! If he sees me, I'm screwed!…He saw me. Damn it.

He gave me a stern look. My expression falls to a frown. He turned his attention to the receptionist and told her, "I believe that patient is sleepwalking." Then he pointed in the direction opposite of me. "I would love to help," he continued, "but I really need to check on a patient." Me. I smiled. He gave me a look that told me I needed a REALLY good explanation. I think I do.

With the people who knew I should be in bed distracted (mostly), I made a run for the door and started my trip to the bridge.

To be honest, it feels good to exercise my muscles like this but I have a bad feeling that this is going to end badly. For who? I have no idea.

I wonder how close Olette is to the edge. Did she jump yet? I really hope not. She shouldn't be acting like this! Why is she drunk! Who did this?

I jumped over a car that was waiting for the stoplight to change. Running on the road was faster than the sidewalk so I did that. Ah! The bridge! So close…

I ran to the middle of the bridge and noticed a familiar brunette on the edge.

"OLETTE!" I shouted. She looked over to me with tears in her eyes. Good. I think she has some sense still. She rushed over to me as I fall on my knees.

"Kairi!" she yelled. "What were you thinking?"

"I.." I started but stopped as I tried to catch my breath. "I had to stop you…"

"You didn't have to do anything," she said with a cold demeanor.

"Yes," I continued, panting, "yes I did. Because…we all love you Olette. Why can't you see that?"

She looks over at me, shocked. "No," she said, "You're on the floor, more injured then before and it's all my fault!"

"What? Olette, no-!"

"No, this is for the best," she shouted as she ran to the side of the bridge.

"Olette!" I shouted as I tried to stand up. Bad idea. With all my adrenaline used up, a sharp pain shot through my body. Stupid, stupid! In a futile attempt (since I ran out of ideas), I extended my hand towards her, pleading her to come back.

"Olette!" please don't do this. Someone help!