Author's Notes:
This would have been up a lot sooner but I had to decide on something. I wasn't sure whether I wanted to drag a lot of the story parts out to the point of hatred inducing or pretty much just set them up like dominoes and let them fall fairly easily. So I compromised. I won't drag out a few things as much as I was going to and resolving other quite soon.
This chapter is very long, solely because I still feel bad about making you guys wait so long and merged two chapters into this Hulk sized one for your enjoyment. If you feel a little confused about a few things after reading it: don't worry. Things will be explained over the course of the upcoming chapters as I have purposely decided not to go into detail about a few things at this time.
I've got more at the bottom but for now you know the drill: read and enjoy!
(Note: The Song is "Maybe" by the band N.E.R.D. All rights and reserves to that artist(s) and their song writer. Also, where ever you so lyrics, in the middle, those are scene breaks.)
Sephiroth's Guide to Love and Deception
Chapter Twenty-Three: Maybe
Love was the egg.
See:
Sunday.
She promised that Sora would be 'complete' Sunday.
Kairi rocked back and forth from the toe to her heel anxiously, standing right before the front door to Namine's home, her hand in mid knock but never actually connecting with the oak wood.
She was nervous.
She was scared.
What if things hadn't gone the way she's hoped? What if Sora had woken up before Namine could finish and told her everything? What if Namine had screwed things up and Sora didn't remember anything at all? How would she explain that to his parents? Things were probably going to be hard enough to explain once everyone realized he forgot Riku as it were. Maybe she should have considered that…
She could feel her heart missing a beat. There are so many things that could go wrong…but oh if it actually worked…
She took a deep breath, just trying to think of positive thoughts and how wonderful her life was going to be once she could finally have Sora all to herself. A small wave of confidence overtook her and she finally knocked softly on the door.
It was a few seconds before someone all too familiar answered, his laughter like music as he stood in the doorway, not looking at her and obviously laughing at something someone inside had stated before he turned to greet her, the smile disappearing immediately and giving way for a blank expression.
And her heart stopped. His eyes were shining brightly, almost laminating in the evenings sky and his slightly tanned skin seemed to glow as his usually messy, gravity defying hair was back to it's original style instead of matted down by sweat, blood…and semen.
His clothing was different though. The same style: hoody with overly baggy shorts, buckles and zippers everywhere with a black undershirt…but this particular outfit was blue and black and silver and white and…good lord, how did Sora ever put so much things on one outfit? (AN: It's his wisdom form outfit from KH2.)
He continued to stare at her blankly and she fidgeted under his glare, wondering to herself if he might have actually remembered what she'd done before finally, a beautiful smile broke out onto his face that made her want to melt.
"Um…hello."
'Does he know what that can do to a girl, he looks so sweet and innocent,' Kairi cooed, fighting the urge to jump in place and squeal as he placed a hand on the back of his head and rubbed it, looking sheepish for a minute. "Didn't mean to stare at you but for a second there…okay, I'm just weird. Hi, I'm Sora."
Kairi laughed and took his hand once he extended it, shaking it with a playful role her eyes, already putting her plan in motion. "And I'm Kairi."
"Did you just move here or something?" Sora asked, a curious look forming on his features and she shook her head. "No, I've been here all my life--and you know that. Stop being so silly Zoey!"
He looked, as she expected, completely stumped. "Uh…"
And she laughed, not only because his face looked so cute and funny when Sora was completely oblivious and trying to think but because she realized Namine's trick had completely worked: he didn't remember her because she was too closely tied to Riku.
Which meant this was the perfect opportunity to 'tell him all about the two of them'.
"Sora…" she began, slowly ceasing in her laughter as she 'realized' he was really stumped and began to look completely hurt. "Sora…you really don't remember me--do you?"
Sora blinked before slowly shaking his head, already looking guilty and Kairi gave a deep sigh and turned away, rubbing her hands together in a nervous fashion, trying to muster up fake tears to go along with her 'hurt' expression.
"Oh this is…this is horrible. That means you won't remember what he did to you--to us-what we were--"
"Who?" Sora asked, completely dumbfounded and concerned as Kairi, still putting on her role, fell to her knees and began to sob, Sora rushing to her side and holding her. Kairi sniffed his hair slightly and fought the urge to sigh in bliss loudly and just tackle him.
"Kairi…what are you talking about? What did who do to us? And what were we?"
"Riku," a voice from the doorway called and both looked up to see Namine standing there, a solemn look on her face. "And Kairi…she's your girlfriend."
And it was born in a cloud of silver lining.
But it broke…
I mean it hatched on the ground, so time flew right by me,
And while I. . .
That was Sunday night.
Now it was Monday morning and the heavens seem to know that everything in his life was fucked up.
Or at least, that was what the rain was telling him.
Axel lounged lazily off of the recliner, his legs swinging lazily off the side as he angrily flipped through channels on the large television, trying his best to forget everything that had transpired that entire weekend.
From the amazingly hot sexy with a sexy blond that involved honey (only because it made him hard just thinking about it and he was suppose to be pissed at Roxas right now) to the horrible drifting back to Destiny Island in a ridiculously small life boat after the cruise ship had sunk due to a mysterious inferno.
During school the entire day, that little sexy son of a bitch wouldn't speak to him, complete with not even acknowledging his presence until P.E.--which had now been dubbed the "Dueling Club' because all they'd done was practice fighting with melee and all types of weapons and dueling one another.
And as if to piss him off further than he already had by that ridiculous smirk he'd given Axel upon arrival, Professor Saix placed him as Roxas's dueling partner.
And of course, they got serious and nearly destroyed the entire gymnasium, complete with the deputy headmaster coming down and pulling the pair apart, giving Axel--on Professor Saix recommendation---and Axel only, a suspension from the academy for the rest of the week.
What. The. Fuck.
And just a moment ago, he heard through his overly chipper and bitch like cousin that Roxas was now getting 'private' fencing--or whatever--lessons from Saix.
Which was just perfect.
"Isn't there a damn law against teachers stealing someone else's boyfriends--especially when they're underage," Axel snarled to no one in particular.
"No," Ri joked matter of factly as she plopped down in a the love seat close to him, quickly waving him off as he slowly glared in her direction, about to speak.
"The door was unlocked so I just kinda let myself in," she announced.
". . .And knocking. Or having common sense that it's improper to walk into someone else's house without permission because you know, it's trespassing--didn't occure to you at all huh?" he asked in a deadpan tone, arching his brow.
"It did but I decided this was far more important," she announced with a grin before swinging her back pack in front of her and placing it on her lap before digging through it.
"It appears that everyone's love life--including your own--has gone to hell in a hand basket while I've been 'preoccupied' with Vincent," she announced and Axel rolled her eyes before sulking back in his seat.
"Don't wanna talk about it."
"Neither does Roxas," Ri announced with a sigh while taking out a folder. "All he said was that you were--a lot of words I won't repeat--and slammed the door in my face. I'd press the matter but you both are so anal that I don't care anymore. I have bigger problems: Cloud and Sephiroth, which I've already dealt with. And Sora's sudden disinterest in Riku."
"And when I actually give a flying shit about anyone else, I'll let you--"
"What if I told you there was a common denominator in everyone's sudden downward spiral in relationships, including your own?" she cut in, arching her eyebrows in a suggestive manner and Axel simply hunched and flipped a few more channels.
It was a moment before she pulled a 'stumping her feet' temper tantrum and slapped him in the arm with her folder, making him glare at her. "What, damn?!"
"Axel, I'm going to need your cut throat, eye for an eye, assistance if I'm to succeed in getting revenge for everyone and placing everyone back together! Pleeeeease! I swear I'll make it worth your wild!"
"How."
"I swear that I can get you and Roxas back on good terms before your birthday, which is what? Next Saturday?"
"End of the month."
"Yeah okay, that too. In any case, I can have you both together by then." she proclaimed and he simply hunched and rolled his eyes. "No sale. I really don't care if I ever--"
"Stop lying to yourself," she replied, waving him off with a knowing smirk. "Fine. Okay. I'll get you two back together and I promise I'll give you a very special--and embarrassing for Roxas--birthday gift you'll never forget."
He didn't look at her but she could tell he was interested by the small wicked smirk that formed on his lips. ". . . Reeeally now?"
"A gift fitting only for a truly sexy beast," she winked and Axel's smirk widened to show his pearly whites. "Honey."
"Honey?"
"It has to involve Roxas being covered in honey or no deal," Axel announced, switching from VH1 to MTV and making a face at the band that was on the television, muting them.
Ri nodded in approval. "They're totally overrated…so you're on board then?"
"Yeah, whatever, just make sure he's covered in honey," Axel yawned before stretching and getting out of his chair, headed for the kitchen to get a soda.
Ri flipped the folder open and taking a pin, put a check by his name, a devious lopsided smirk of her own on his face as she added the side note "Roxas Honey" under the 'Payment' column.
"My 'employer' will call you in 24 hours."
"Whatever."
I know you thought your life was gonna be easy,
When you didn't call.
You thought you heard it all,
I know you thought your life was gonna be easy,
You thought you had it all,
But you found that you wrong. . .
I don't understand it.
He walked through the rain, trudging through the mud, his usually spiky blond hair now a matted mess against his face as he made his way through the back roads, millions of thoughts of what had happened and what he'd done wrong roaming around his head.
What the hell happened to us--to me?
Cloud ignored any signs of life in favor of keeping his head down, his eyes unusually bright against the cloudy gray backdrop of thunder, lightening and hazing rain. He left his motorcycle at school--the same place he'd left him.
He won't tell me what to do…what he wants me to do to make this better.
Cloud could see his new destination just a few feet away from him, already hearing wild laughter and what sounded like rapid cursing.
He just glares at me, like he hates me. Then tells me not to discuss it--but blames me. But he won't let me fix it.
Cloud tried hard not to tread through the flowers that she'd so carefully planted so close to the narrow cobble stone walkway.
But was this really going to make any of it better--being here? Being with…him? But he understood--and he would help me. Maybe he had an answer.
He reached up and knocked on the door, waiting patiently before the door swung open, his nostrils filling with the tangy smell of spices and sugars, the light from instead being only that of candle light.
The lights must have gone out.
"What are you doing out in this weather kid."
Cloud finally looked up, stormy eyes meeting with ocean blue before he opened the hand he'd been clutching the entire trek there, showing it to Leon.
A single cross necklace laid in his palm…matching the one the blond was wearing around his neck.
See Maybe,
There was something wrong!
But you weren't tell me no: No!
For the entire weekend, he hadn't been able to find him.
He hadn't answered his calls. He hadn't been able to contact him. His family--no one--seemed to know where he was.
And then the brunette was just there Monday. With Kairi.
Riku didn't know what to make of it at first. He's simply stood there with Tidus and Wakka, whom remained deathly quiet, both looking at Riku as if waiting to see what the platinum haired blond would do.
He'd simply taken a deep breath, and walked over to Sora, a bright smile on his face, touching the brunets shoulder softly, making him jump a little before he turned around, frowning at him.
He'd simply arched his brow. "Zo? Where you been?"
Sora blinked before giving him a once over and without a word, waltzed away, taking Kairi's hand and pulling her behind him. Riku--along with any one of their friends within a five mile radius--was stunned.
He watched the pair disappear into the school, swearing that he heard Sora whisper to Kairi "…the guy?" before they were out of ear shot.
He'd spent the morning trying to catch up to Sora then, not succeeding until they'd gone to class--only to be completely ignored in favor of the brunette doing his studies.
So then he'd imagined that Sora was furious about being 'stood up' for their trip and Riku couldn't help but be relieved.
Okay, no big. Sora didn't stay mad long and he'd easily be able to win him over--even if Kairi might have a role in this that he was unaware of. She couldn't possibly make things worse between them…Sora wasn't that naïve anymore.
But then Sora slipped past him in the hallway and Riku could have sworn that when he'd passed by and he'd tried to get him to stop and talk to him, Sora had only glared back at him with something like…well…hatred--before meeting up with Kairi and the pair walking to their next class.
Then he was completely stumped…and worried.
But it wasn't until lunch that everything seemed to go downhill.
He'd stormed past everyone, pushing others out of the way and caught Sora in the lunch line, screaming at him that he was sorry for whatever he'd done, as long as he wasn't angry.
He knew everyone had stopped what they were doing in favor of watching the second (soon to be) landmark event between the pair at lunch period (for those that remembered the first) but he officially just didn't give a damn.
Sora had simply looked at him with wide eyes as if he was completely crazy before slowly bending over to take his tray and scoot away from him, eyeing him the entire time as if he would explode at any given second.
Which he kinda, erm, did.
"Sora!" he'd screamed, grabbing him by the arm and shaking him a little, making the brunette drop his tray with a small yelp.
"What the hell do you want me to do? I'm sorry I stood you up--I didn't mean to--I don't even know what the hell happened! Just don't be mad alright, let's talk about this."
And there was a dead silence that followed for what seemed like eternity before Sora yanked his arm away form Riku and backed away. " 'Sorry' doesn't even begin to cover what you've done to me jackass."
There were wide eyes and gasps but Riku's face faltered slightly before he made it as stone cold as possible to mask his emotions. He didn't think it was that bad.
"Sora."
"I know everything--everything you did. And I want you to stay the hell away from me!" Sora screamed.
Then Riku just got angry. "Sora--I didn't do anything to you! I haven't even seen you this past weekend and--"
"She told me everything," he snapped nastily and Riku froze. "About before, when you dumped me. Then you pretending to try to get back with me only to get revenge. Everything! And I want you out of my life Riku!"
If the situation hadn't been dire, Riku may have laughed at the bewildered look Ri shot first to Roxas, then to Cloud from across the room before continuing to watch the scene.
"Sora, I don't know what who said but--"
"Just leave me the hell alone Riku--leave us the hell alone!" he screamed angrily, those once beautiful sapphire eyes filled with bitterness. And hatred.
"Sora?" a timid voice called softly and he seemed to calm down immediately. Kairi stepped up toward the pair, looking slightly afraid, first in an accusing way at Riku before in concern at Sora.
The brunette took a deep breath and smiled at her brightly, seeming more concerned about making sure she didn't think anything was wrong. But Riku knew something was wrong.
Terribly wrong.
"It's okay Kai, I'm done." he said, taking her hand in his and giving it a soft squeeze before turning to everyone and in his same normal goofy fashion, gave a sheepish laugh and wave. "Sorry--erm--everyone."
He'd--Riku--had stood there, feeling like someone had punched him in the face as he watched the pair leave and take a table, ignoring the odd looks from anyone else.
And he'd stayed that way until about five minutes later, when he stormed the table, grabbing Kairi harshly by her arm and yanking the girl out of her seat, swinging her close to him and looking at her through his bang with narrowed eyes as if he might murder her.
"What the hell did you say to him you sniveling little bitch!?" he'd screamed in a seething fashion and once again, everything halted. For the first time in a long time, she looked at him with true fear and guilt, knowing that he knew she was up to something.
"Whoa, Ku, calm down sweetheart," he heard Ri urge, already getting to her feet and holding her arms out as if she might try to ease him away from her.
But he wasn't having any of it. He yanked her further away from the table and shook her as hard as he could. "What the hell did you do to him! Answer me!"
There was a loud popping sound and Riku found himself stumbling backward, knocking into Tidus who had come over from Selphie's table a few down, catching the platinum haired blond before he'd hit the floor while muttering "Fucking shit!"
He held his jaw, feeling the pain coursing through it before he looked up at Sora, who still had his fist balled up while holding Kairi close to him with his other arm, wrapping it protectively around her waist, the red head burying her face into his shoulder as if she might cry.
"Stay away from her," Sora warned in a menacing--or attempted because he was just too adorable to actually pull it off--fashion before walking Kairi out of the lunch room, leaving him, once again, stunned.
The entire gang had crowded around him then but he'd simply pushed them away and ran after the pair, determined to get some answers out of someone, ignoring the worried calls of Tidus and Wakka and hearing heavy footsteps following him already--though he didn't care enough to turn around and see whom they belong to.
Instead he chased the two down to the hallway, where Sora was holding Kairi close and comforting her before the brunette looked up and placed himself between them, as if to protect her.
"Stay away from my girlfriend Riku," Sora snapped and Riku froze dead in his tracks.
Girlfriend…Kairi…?
He'd shook his head. "Sora, I don't know what the hell is going on--or what Kairi told you about me--or why you would believe it--but Kairi is not your damn girlfriend!"
"She didn't say anything," Sora snapped angrily and Riku stayed silent, eyeing the pair before the brunette continued. "Kairi only reminded me of who she was and that she was my girlfriend. It was Namine that told me all about you!"
Those last words had stuck with Riku the rest of the day, even now as he sat on the roof of his house, letting the rain wash over him, his hair slicked back while his bang stuck to his face, hiding it a little less now.
Namine…Sora hated him… Kairi was his girlfriend…
"What the hell is going on?" Riku whispered to the wind.
See Maybe,
The laughs on me!
And life was telling me a joke: Joke!
"Isn't this exciting?" Yuffie gushed as she looked down the all for the fifth time since Cloud had arrived, wanting desperately to run to Leon's room and put her ear to the door just to see what was going on.
"Not really," Cid announced bored and she placed her hands on her hips and glared. "Cid! This is wonderful! Cloud finally dumped that abusive loser and where'd he go? Running back to Leon! How does that song go? Run…to the arms…of the one, who--"
"Spare us, for the love of Jenova, please," Cid snapped loudly, tossing his toothpick at her. "Not being able to work on any of my inventions cause the lights have gone out is bad enough, the last thing I need is your fucking voice giving me a headache!"
The two began to bicker and Aerith gave a deep sigh as she placed the final dish on the table. They would be having a candle lit dinner it seemed and had the circumstances been better, she might have seen light humor in this.
But truthfully, she was far too worried. Cloud was there with Leon…he had Sephiroth's cross which meant that they must have broken up…and it was technically because of the information that she and Yuffie had given the stormy eyed man.
She knew better now but at the time, she honestly thought that Cloud was in danger. She was only trying to do what was best for him.
And while she was happy for Leon at possibly finding love…she'd ruined another for him to have it.
And that just didn't sit right with her. And she wasn't sure what she'd done now to fix it would make matters better or worse.
There was a slow, deliberate knock on the door and everyone paused, the pair ceasing in their arguing and looked over at Aerith, both seeming to have the 'who is that' look on their face.
But she knew. She'd been expecting him. And as she walked over and opened the door, the taller silvered haired beauty having to bend down a little to walk through the doorway, she knew things were possibly about to get worse.
"Aerith." Sephiroth greeted coldly, walking directly past her without looking, heading straight for Leon's room, completely ignoring Yuffie's shouts that he couldn't go back there, the previous encounter with the blond on his mind…
"What…do…you…want from me!" Cloud yelled angrily as he punched Sephiroth's locker door shut, the platinum haired blond simply glancing over at him, arching a brow before shaking his head and continuing on his way.
"Sephiroth! Damn it, stop being so fucking stubborn and tell me what the hell you want me to do! I said I was sorry! I know I was wrong for blaming you--what the hell else can I do? Stop being such a prick and tell me!" the blond screamed and Sephiroth, in an instant, had him pinned to the lockers behind them, Mako green eyes burning into ocean blue before drifting down to catch a glimpse of rose colored lips.
And for a brief moment, he felt the urge to dominate the blond further, to take out his sexual frustrations that had been pinned up since their senseless squabble…but reframed, simply making sure their lips were inches apart instead. "I shouldn't have to tell you anything Strife: you should know what needs to be done. You broke it,"
He slipped the cross he hand been wearing up until that part into the Blonds' shirt pocket. "You can fix it."
He released him then and walked away, leaving the speechless blond in his wake.
Sephiroth paused in front of the door he assumed lead to Leon's room and smirk. He couldn't help but wonder if Cloud was actually fixing things…or making them worse.
And they say if something's yours…
And you let it go…
And if it comes back to you,
Then it was yours along.
But I let you go. Along with all those lies from you.
I wonder what else lies in you…
Or if the lies are simply a front
See:
Leon looked at Cloud, startled to say the least and unable to mask it. He frowned softly, shaking his head a little before he glared back at the blond. "What…did you just ask me? Cloud?"
The blond took a deep breath. "Do you…have you…are you interested in me, Leon?"
There was a heavy silence between the two and realizing that, for whatever reason, the brunette wasn't going to answer, Cloud chose to continue. "Leon…I love you."
The air seemed to thin for the brunette.
"…like a brother."
Leon blinked and felt like Yuffie had just stormed in and punched him in the face, with a brick, for no reason. His voice came out deadpanned. "What."
"I know that you've been worried about me Leon. I know that you think the worst about Sephiroth and I know that maybe these feelings are generated further by the fact that you may like me. And even if they aren't" the blond quickly added, seeing the brunette ready to protest. "It…just doesn't matter. Sephiroth is a lot of things. Some I understand, some of it I don't. But I know him enough to know that he wouldn't do what we accused him of.
"It's not blind faith or blind trust or love…I just…know. I think that's why he's so pissed at me--that's why he gave me the necklace before we left school today. Because I was suppose to know him better than that--my faith never should have faltered, not because I'm blind, but because I know him. And love him."
There was another long pause of silence before Leon finally spoke. ". . .I know--knew you did kid. I guess maybe in a way I was hoping that jackass of a boyfriend of yours would mess up…and when Yuffie told me what happened and Aerith backed it up, in a way, I was happy. Because I knew I could get a shot with you, I suppose.
"But then I knew in the back of mind that you'd never settle with anything kid. This guy had to be special if you were gonna be interested. I knew you to be smarter than that…better than that. But what the hell, a man can dream, can't he?"
They both shared a stiff laugh and Cloud nodded softly. "Ex."
Leon arched his brow and Cloud continued. "He's my ex now. He gave me back his cross. As long as he had it on, I figured there might be a sliver of hope that we could still make it--"
"And you will," Leon snapped, slapping Cloud over the head, making the blond yell before glaring daggers at Leon. "What the hell was--"
"What did I tell you about giving up kid? If you can stand up to Yuffie trying to get you to put on a dress just to see how it would look, then you can get back that jackass with or without anyone disrupting the two of you. Stop being such a stubborn depressed ass and get the hell out of my room so you can go find your boyfriend."
Cloud opened his mouth to correct him but Leon cut him off with a stern snap of "Boyfriend" to emphasize his point.
Cloud sighed before nodding and smirking a little. "Yeah, whatever. Thanks."
Leon hunched. "One thing."
"What thing?" Cloud retorted and Leon grabbed his face softly under the chin and pulling it forward before the blond could resist, he delivered a soft kiss to his lips, loving, tenderly, before pulling back and kissing him again on the forehead.
Leon took one look at the blushing and bewildered face of the blond and he couldn't help the warm smile that crossed his features. "I just wanted to know…what it would have been like. You know…before you go back to having a full time boy toy."
Cloud shook his head, a slow smirk forming on his lips before he punched Leon hard in the arm. "Not bad."
"Yeah, well, your loss," Leon teased and this earned yet another punch on the shoulder, causing him to laugh. "Now stand up, get the hell out and go find--"
He paused when he looked up, a towering silver haired beauty standing in the doorway, sword already drawn, Mako green eyes burning with fury and hatred at they glared directly at Leon, making the blond beside the brunette go pale.
"Well…that was easy. Nevermind."
I know you thought, your life was gonna be easy,
When you didn't call, you thought you had it all.
I know you thought, your life was gonna be easy,
You thought you had it all, but you found that you were wrong…
"You can't do this to him!" he snapped, finally launching himself out of his chair and making it fall over.
"That will be quite enough," Deputy Headmaster Yen Sid announced, glaring coldly at his once prized pupil, black eyes boring into his, making him feel naked. "The consequences for student/teacher relationships--"
"But he is a student too!" Zexion screamed angrily, making Professor Merlin (who had escorted them to the office once he had free period) cringe a little while Yen Sid remained unparsed. "We have every right to engage in a relationship! He's as much of a student as I am and--"
"There are rules that must be adhered to and in these situations, they can not be broken. Yes, he is still a student but he is also a professor and as such, when he sighed the contract it legally bound him to the laws and bylaws of his profession. I am sorry, but I am afraid my hands are tied. Zexion Walters and Demyx Andrews, I have no choice but to suspend you both from school until your hearing with the headmaster." Yen Sid took a deep breath. "Professor Demyx, your scholarship will more than likely be revoked and you stand a possibility of being prosecuted against--"
"What?!" Zexion screamed in fury.
"--by Mr. Walters parents if they deem fit, as well as the school," Yen Sid finished, looking grave.
Zexion was so angry that his hands were in tight fist, nearly drawing blood from his palms, his nails were digging in so deep. His eyes were wide and furious and he was clenching his teeth together so hard that he was scared they might actually break.
But a soft touch to his hand beckoned him and he calmed down, letting his hand uncoil so that it could be held, looking over with worry to the surprisingly calm and gentle musician that had remained seated and silent.
Zexion looked at him in despair, not caring that they were being watched. "But don't you get it?! You'll possibly get expelled--and even if you don't, once they revoke your scholarship, you won't be able to come to the academy! And my father--he'll never understand--he'll prosecute and you could be jailed--"
Merlin's eyes widened and Yen Sid simply closed his eyes to give the pair privacy as Demyx got to his feet and gave the rambling silver haired boy a long kiss on his lips, feeling Zexion sigh into the kiss and the tension from his shoulders release as the sagged.
He pulled away from him once satisfied before touching foreheads and giving him a reassuring smile. "They could put me in the pits of hell Zexion and all would have been worth it just for the chance to have met you. As long as you do not suffer for my mistake--"
"Mistake?" Zexion whispered softly, fearful.
Demyx gave a soft laugh. "No, not you. You were never a mistake. Perhaps my way of going about it, for not waiting, for not thinking things through before I pulled you into this--that was my mistake. But the repercussions are worth it Zexion. And they always will be."
Zexion simply looked at their legs, no longer able to look into those beautiful eyes of his. He'd never had anyone care for him that deeply and to know that he finally had someone willing to give up so much just for the chance to know him, let alone be with him…
Zexion felt the fury build inside of him as he let out a cry of anger, knocking some of his test tubes and other scientific equipment to the ground, letting the deafening sound of it all breaking drown out his cries.
Just the thought of what Demyx was sacrificing--what he might loose--and all because of that little bitch--his anger was getting the better of him now that he was safely tucked away into his laboratory, a gift from his mother for his tenth birthday.
The school had already called his parents by the time he'd gotten home and his father was…furious to say the least. It wasn't because he was gay--no, his father had and has quite a few men on his 'payroll'.
It was because of Demyx's social standing…his place in the world. Oh no, he wasn't fit to be with the son of Nathanial Walters--only as a man on the side, if even that.
"A musician," Zexion bitterly muttered, throwing more of his things around, mocking his father. "You let someone so low, such filth, sway your heart boy? You dare desecrate the house of Walter--FUCK THIS HOUSE!"
A beaker met it's end against the wall.
"Fuck YOUR rules!"
Papers, scattered everywhere.
"FUCK--"
"Well good lord Zexion, dropping the F-Bomb enough?" Ri asked in a contemplated tone, pausing at the bottom of the stairs. He spun around to face the dirty blond, his eyes glowing with dangerous fury.
"Get out."
"Relax," she sighed, giving him a honest sympathetic look. "I heard…about Demyx. And from the sounds of the argument I heard before I got here, I know your dad wants to sue."
"…He told me to say he 'bewitched' me," Zexion laughed bitterly before throwing another beaker and making her flitch at little.
"Um…well look, you're not the only one that been effected by all this and it's been decided that something needs to be done," Ri announced, taking a folder from behind her back. "You're a genius of sorts and I know your pissed and want some type of revenge."
"I should have already had that," he snapped, slamming his fist on the desk. "But the little bitch…she found a way. Sora is fucked up--I could see that at lunch. Must have used Namine--"
"Namine?"
"Nevermind it," he said quickly and Ri sighed, choosing to go along with that. After all, he was never going to tell her anything she wanted to know in this state of distress--and her employer could take care of Nami once she told him she might have something to do with it. "I've already destroyed my replica--"
"Replica?"
"--for nothing," he continued, rambling angrily. "I can't prove it wasn't Riku now--that she was involved. FUCK!"
He broke the only beaker he had left and Ri grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him before slapping him in the face, making him glare at her angrily. She smiled sheepishly. "I always wanted to do that. No, seriously Zexion. If revenge on Kairi is what you're looking for then I'm here to help."
He only glared at her.
"Look Zexion, my dad: he's really good friends with the headmaster of the school and Riku's dad is one of the most powerful men in Destiny Island. He's got more than enough pull to get this waved off. You have to deal with your own dad and his charges but I can at least stop Demyx from getting kicked out of school. Maybe we can--"
"There's no need to bargain with me, I'll do it without payment. An eye for an eye is all I want, Demyx and I can deal with our own problems," he snapped, turning away from her and storming off, toward the stairs. "Find the exit."
"Sure, whatever," she hunched nonchalantly and watched him for a moment before he disappeared up the stairs, flipping open her book and putting a check by his name while a 'N/A' was placed by it, under the 'Price' Column.
See Maybe! There was something wrong…
And you weren't tell me No: No!
See! See, Maybe…
"Sephiroth!" Cloud whimpered as he felt teeth biting into the sensitive part of his neck, bucking softly to try to regain dominance but to no avail.
"Oh no Strife," the Mako green eyed teen growled, grinding his hips into Cloud's while tightening his vise like grip on his wrist before nipping at his neck again, making the blond pur in ecstasy. "Little prick…you won't escape this punishment so easily."
"I didn't…you said you forgave," the blond cried desperately before a strong thrust made him cry out again, making him toss his head back as far as it possibly could into the pillow as Sephiroth grinded his hips playfully again before continuing his strong thrust into the blond, making him howl in pleasure.
"Forgave--not forget Strife. And if you were not punished you'd be subject to commit the same acts again," he purred seductively, making a long trail with his tongue from the blonds' jaw line to the nook in his neck before biting down and sucking hard, marking him, neither noticing that both necklaces'--Sephiroth once again wearing his--had locked together, as one.
Outside the room, the owners of the house sat in awkward silence around the dinner table, hearing the loud crashes of a headboard connecting with a wall while yelps and screams flooded the otherwise quiet setting, making Aerith blush while Cid banged his own head on the table and gave an exasperated sigh.
Yuffie was glaring at Leon confused, who was ignoring her completely in favor of dialing someone on a cell phone before a cheerful voice answered. "Leo?"
"Done."
"Really?"
"Well, to say the least, when they're done, I won't be sleeping in my bed for a while," Leon groaned and the other voice laughed. "Thanks Leo--I know it was asking a lot."
"…He almost stabbed me again."
"Why?"
"Kissed the kid."
"Smaaaart."
There was a pause. "Are you sure you'll be alright Leon."
"…In time. As long as he's happy and that jackass is good to Cloud--and I get to blame you and Aerith if he does anything since you're the ones that convinced me he was innocent--then I'll be fine. Besides, I got a letter," Leon muttered softly, realizing everyone was choosing to pay attention to him now instead of what was going on in his room.
"From?"
"…Seifer."
"Seifer!" everyone in the room cried (as well as Ri over the phone) in confusion, surprise--and Yuffie in excitement, already standing on her feet and clapping her hands together.
The Laughs on me,
And Life was telling me a joke: joke!
Babe. . .
Hearing the excitement over the phone, Ri shook her head and hung up her cell, rounding the corner that led to her home. After a few moments, she paused, looking up to see Kairi and Sora standing on the porch, the red head giggling while Sora pecked her softly on the lips before she hugged him swiftly and skipped--skipped--away.
But only Ri caught that troubled look Sora gave her before he went inside and on a whim, she jogged to catch up with her younger brother, catching the door before he shut it.
"Oh, hey Ri," he smiled brightly and she wrapped her arm around his neck. "So Zoey's got himself a little giiiiiirlfriend!" she gushed and Sora rolled his eyes and pulled away. "I guess."
"You guess?" she arched a brow.
". . .Maybe."
"What's wrong Sora," she asked knowingly and the brunette sighed. "She's a nice girl Ri. She's pretty and she's so…clingy. But there's something…wrong."
"Wrong?" she inquired and he nodded softly.
"She says…that we were going out Ri. Before I…forgot her. And I mean--I didn't forget you or Cloud and anyone else I think…just her. And Riku. But I just don't feel like…I mean she's nice to be around but my feelings are…and when I saw Riku…"
"I thought you hated him," she asked confused, remembering lunch.
"I do," he snapped before sighing and calming down. "I…think I do. I mean I don't know. Namine told me that he did something terrible to me."
"When?"
"Sunday. I met--or was reintroduced--to Kairi and she was about to tell me when Namine showed up. She explained about Riku and she told me that he'd done some bad things to me…that we were no longer a couple because of it. And when she told me I was Kairi's boyfriend. Well...erm…"
"Em? Em what?"
"She added that 'the heart is the only interpretation'--once Kairi wasn't paying attention," Sora repeated confused. " I mean…she really seems to like me so I guess we were going out or something…but…"
He became quiet and just shook his head. "I need to get some rest. I've had a long day. Night Ri."
"Night widdle brodda," she cooed and ruffled his hair and he laughed, yanking away from her before jogging up the stairs, Ri watching him intently before she plopped down on their couch, the folder landing in her lap with a soft 'slap'.
Axel's birthday. The Last Saturday of this month.
That was the goal date that had been set to get not only the temperamental red head and her stubborn to fault cousin back together--but they had the impossible task of getting her absent minded brother and the 'his soul was now the abyss' Ku back together--for the third time--as well.
She looked down at the folder and thinking for a moment, finally labeled it as she took her cell phone and dialed a number, only having to wait a moment before a cold voice answered.
"Hey. Everyone's on board and waiting on your call. Operation: K.A.I.R.I. is ready to be set in motion sir."
As he replied and gave further instruction, she had a spark of what she thought was genius and she quickly added underneath: (A.K.A: Sephiroth's Guide to Love and Deception.)
Author's Notes: I've decided, since the next chapter is already typed up and ready to post, I won't give any hints for what's to come. However, when said chapter will be posted depends on everyone reading and how much they erm...well...want it. ::Evil, manical laughter ensues::
::Clears Throat:: Happy reading!
As always, I have to thank the people that have reviewed, sent private emails or hell, just read the story so far. I'm just pleased that someone out there actually likes it so far. Though I would like to answer a few questions I got from ShootingStar:
-When Sora will find out the truth about what happened (aka what Kairi did to him and/or set up) will differ from when he and Riku get back together. I have set aside two very special events for both incidents.
-No, I will not kill Kairi. Or at least, not yet. ::lmao::
-I will reframe from answering any and all questions about Xladin, Marluxia, & the mysterious ex or who's story it will impact. But you're very close and you'll find out a lot in the next chapter.
Kamirine