Chapter 7: Broken Promises

By: Kurai Muso-Ka

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters… only the story! ^_^

A/N: Hey you all!! I got bored so I decided to start this chapter. Yippie. Well hasn't this story come to a bump in the road… bet you guys didn't see that last chapter coming.. Hehehe. Well I've got more up my pants… I mean sleeve!! hehe So I hope you're ready for more. Lots been happening with me.. So I thank you all who reviewed my last chapter!! Thanks a lot!! I'll stop writing my little author's note and get started with the chapter. Hope you enjoy!! Please review!!

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"Will you? Will you love me tomorrow? So will you? Will you stay with me today? Will you? Will you be here tomorrow? Will you remember me yesterday?"

Selphie didn't dare say a word to the others about Sora. She knows every night he cries himself to sleep thinking about Kairi… and the worst part about it was knowing she couldn't do anything to prevent it. She tried her best to cheer him up, and she really thought she got him to smile when she told him that the ship was almost complete. But he merely nodded. Sometimes she wonders if he lost all sense of feeling… as if his emotions were suddenly drained from his soul. Selphie tries her best to ignore this… but something always nags at her in the back of her head…

"How about some water?" Her beautiful brown locks could be seen peeking into the room from behind the door. "You're in danger of getting dehydrated."

"Sure... I guess." Selphie's head peered in. The person lying in bed didn't look like the Sora she knew. He looked way to thin and his eyes were blood shot. The dark circles under his eyes made him look much older. If it wasn't for the rise and fall of his chest… Selphie would've thought he was dead. Just the sight of him made her want to cry… not out of pity… but for the last bit of hope that was dwindling out of her. Selphie walked over to Sora's empty glass and poured water to the top so that it barely spilled over the rim.

"Selphie. If my glass is that full… I won't be able to drink it without getting myself wet," Sora said. The tone of his voice was normal.. But his face was expressionless.

"Sorry," Selphie mumbled as she poured some back into the pitcher. She watched him drain the water thirstily not dripping a single drop. After he set his cup down Selphie asked quickly, "Are you hungry!?" She tried to sound as cheerful as possible... But over did it. She sounded more like a little girl in a candy shop who was given one hundred dollars to spend. This made Sora smile for the first time in weeks. Selphie was glad of it.

"Actually, I really am hungry." Selphie watched him get out of bed and walk casually to the door without her help. Her jaw dropped, but she put it back up quickly so Sora wouldn't notice. "What? Did you really think that I wouldn't get better while I sat in that God forsaken bed for all this time. Selphie, I think you've lost your touch." Sora taunted while giving her 'the look' She glared back.

"Oh yeah. We'll see if I can still beat you to the kitchen!"

"Not if I get there first!"

Outside Wakka was harvesting some coconuts when all of a sudden two undistinguishable blurs came running by making him drop his coconuts. (literally!)

"WhooooAAaaahhh! What in the blazes was that!? Ruddy children…," Wakka muttered as he bent down to gather his coconuts again. "No respect for me coconuts whatsoever."

"Well, well. Would you look at that. Sora has been cooped up in that God forsaken bed all this time and he still manages to beat Selphie at racing.

"HEY! I HEARD THAT!" Yelled a half exasperated Selphie, as she leaned against the wall trying to catch her breath. Sora was prancing around like a loon, which to Riku meant that he was victorious in beating Selphie.

"It's like nothing ever happened to him. He seems as normal as my precious coconuts." Wakka said looking at Sora then to his coconuts. "'Tis a beautiful thang seeing him like this again."

"He may seem normal on the outside… but in the inside he's still suffering," Riku stated with a tone of concern. "It worries me."

Wakka looked confused. "Y' talk of things like the inside and outside of Sora is hurting me head. I'll go shuck me coconuts." And Wakka walked off to the kitchen following Selphie and Sora. Riku decided to go back and help Tidus with the ship… he didn't trust him by himself with a hammer.... Especially when he nearly amputated his thumb.

In the Kitchen, Sora sat grinning at the table while watching Selphie start cooking. She could feel his eyes on her and was deeply irritated. She knew she had lost, but he didn't have to rub it in her face. But she continued to make him food. Wakka could be heard in the other room shucking his coconuts. Selphie always had this theory that he was a coconut in his past lifetime because of his fondness of them. This frightened her a little bit, but she tried to ignore it. Sora coughed loudly behind her, obviously trying to get her to turn around and lose her temper with him. He coughed again. Nothing. He even went to the trouble of falling out of his chair and even threatened to set his head on fire. Sora was now getting a little annoyed at her arrogant behavior… so he stomped across the room and turned Selphie around and kissed her. At that exact moment Wakka walked in.

"Do y' want some miiiiiilk…." He spotted them standing there in awkward silence still kissing. "Okaaaay… more coconut shucking then for me!" And off he went without another word. Sora's mouth left Selphie's, her eyes open wide with shock and surprise.

"FINALLY YOU NOTICE ME! Jesus, woman! What did I ever do to you!? Sheeshers…" He stomped back to his chair leaving Selphie standing there not moving an inch. Sora continued with his ranting about her being such a jerk to him. "I mean, seriously. I could've killed myself and you wouldn't realize it! Jes-" Sora was cut short when he saw the look on her face. "What?!!" Sora obviously didn't get it. (He's kinda slow on the up bringing.)

"You-You-You… k-k-kissed me!!" Selphie stammered. "You kissed me!!"

"Yeah! It's no big deal. I do it to Kairi all the time and she likes it!! Why? Do you think I'm a bad kisser or something?!!" Selphie was taken a back by Sora's response and blushed furiously. Sora's eyes widened, waiting expectantly for her answer.

"Well.. You don't understand. You love Kairi… and I'm just.. A nobody. You shouldn't be going around and kissing girls! It's not right."

"Well you're the only two girls on the whole island.. I wouldn't want to be kissing Riku or Wakka or anything!! That would be gross!!" Selphie agreed wholeheartedly… but the thought of Sora kissing her… what would Kairi think?!! She still stood there looking at Sora, who stared back stupidly.

'What the hell do I do now?!! Sora just kissed me and I'm standing here like a moron.. And what if Kairi finds out.. I'll be soooo dead when she comes home.. I just worried about her actually surviving out there where ever she is. Goddamn it.. SAY SOMETHING!!' Selphie thought desperately trying to think of something to say. For the fact that she just had a conversation with herself rattled her thoughts a bit, but she was determined to break the awkward silence that filled the room.

"Well… I was just.. Uh.. Surprised! That's all."

"I guess I was a bit drastic on trying to get your attention! Sheesh.. I was about to throw one of your cooking pans at your head if the kiss didn't work!! I swear.. I think you deaf in one ear.. Lemme check!!" Sora got up from his chair a walked over to Selphie. With one hand, he brushed away the hair covering her ear and peered into her ear. "I can't see anything!!" Sora complained while squinting even harder in attempts to find something wrong with her. Still nothing. "Hold still!!! Sheeshers!"

Selphie always had feelings for Sora.. But never gathered up the courage to tell him.. Especially since she found out he loves Kairi.. But that didn't come as a shock to her… in fact, she was actually predicting it. Just seeing them on the roof tops looking at the stars was one of the most romantic things she's ever seen.. Apart from when she caught Riku crying in Wakka's arms when they were still kids. But still… she knew she never had a chance with him… his strong physic, his gorgeous brown eyes, his soft golden brown locks, and that smile that could warm any heart were all to good to be true. She's been waiting for this day to come… to have him kiss her.. But it was all just a joke.. Really. Just a joke to get her attention.. There were no feelings put into that kiss… there was nothing else to worry about… Once they got Kairi back.. Everything would go back to the way it was before that damned Sephiroth.. I mean who names their kid Sephiroth anyways?!!

"Ok fine.. Maybe you're not deaf in one ear.. Maybe you're just mentally challenged." Selphie snapped out of her trans and glared daggers at him. "It's ok.. I'm mentally challenged too!! So is Riku, Wakka, and Tidus… well… especially Tidus." Selphie would never be able to figure him out as long as she lived.. But she'll never change the way she felt about him….

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Sephiroth studied the state of the room. Filthy. His long bony finger grazed the top of the mantle gathering a thick layer of gray dust. "Disgusting." He said in a low growl. He turned around to survey Kairi's state. All night he could hear her tossing and turning. He felt her head a couple of times which was covered in cold sweat. Sephiroth knew she was dreaming.. Her head full of darkness waiting to over come her innocent body. Pitiful. She was just another victim to Sephiroth's wrath. Many times before he abducted many gullible princesses and raped them shamelessly… wiping all memory of their loved ones and leaving nothing but fear and memories from the past. He fought their male counterparts which added to the suspense of taking what they prized most. He then abandoned his victims to die.. Knowing their partners lost all hope in finding them. Kairi was no different. In a few hours time.. He would leave her and find another innocent prey to swipe their memories. Everything was going the way it should.

'Kairi would wake up and wouldn't know where the hell she is… be trapped in this room for days, even weeks… stave until her body totally shuts down on her…. and over time she'll lose all her energy and will to survive. Perfect. And even if her so called 'lover' comes to save the day.. She won't be able to recognize him.. And probably even attack him. But that doesn't matter to me anymore… I just want to get the hell out of this filthy piece of shit humans actually call a suite." Sephiroth started to gather his things and stroked Kairi for the last time. "You were just not my type, sweetheart. Goodbye… Princess." Sephiroth's voice lingered in the room for a few moments as he watched her sleep peacefully. He picked up her soiled clothes from the dusty floor and placed them neatly on the bed next to her. He thought she might need them once she awakened. He hadn't dressed her after their affair the night before… and didn't bother to. His eyes swept the room one last time and then to Kairi. Even after being beaten and raped… she still looked as beautiful as ever.. Her beautiful, soft skin glistened as small patches of light shining through small holes in the windows hit it. Sephiroth was having second thoughts of leaving her here.. To die a slow painful death.. But thought better of it. 'She deserves it…' And without another glance back into the room, he headed out with his cloak whipping the air behind him as he shut the door quietly.

Within Kairi's head swirled dark clouds of death and fear. Her bare body covered in sweat under the four poster bed's moldy sheets. This feeling inside her made her want to scream out to someone.. But she didn't know who. This emptiness within made her stomach churn and heart ache like never before. Three dark shadows loomed around in her head…. 'Do I have to choose?……… but……. I can't!' She lay there still engrossed in her thoughts while miles away a certain someone was thinking the same thing…

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Selphie never forgot that kiss… never. Every time she saw Sora, her heart leapt and did numerous somersaults in her stomach. She couldn't control it.. Even how hard she tried.. She couldn't deny her love for Sora. She knew Sora loved Kairi.. And she him. Nothing could ever change between Sora and herself.. Nothing.

Sora sat in the kitchen waiting for Selphie to finish cooking. He had no idea what made him kiss her the other day. It was nothing like kissing Kairi… it was like a mix of awkwardness and pleasure. He's never EVER thought of having a relationship with Selphie… they've been the closest of friends ever since they met. She was like an older sister.. Even if he was older than her for over a year. She thought him everything she knew.. Well not everything. Sora was still the worst cook on the whole island. He had no idea what came over him that day. But whatever it was… he hopes it never happens again.. He was still madly in love with Kairi.. And nothing will ever change that. Plus.. If he did have an affair with Selphie.. It's like loving your own sibling.. Which was beyond weird. Sora looked up to watch Selphie cook. She was obviously the best out of everyone.. Besides Kairi. She makes killer scrambled eggs. Selphie was so graceful Sora thought.. Actually noticing for the first time. The way her hands were so nimble when she cracked the eggs with one hand into a bowl and stirred at the same time. She dipped her finger into some pots and tasted, occasionally adding more and more things. Her long slender tan legs sticking out from underneath her bright yellow dress Kairi made for her, added to her beauty.

'BLEACK!! What the hell am I thinking?! Selphie isn't for me… she's not even my type! We argue more than anyone on the island… well not counting Tidus, Riku, and Wakka.. And Kairi too.. But still! What the hell am I supposta do now?!!'

'Would you like salt and pepper on your eggs, Sora?" Selphie's voice asked sweetly interrupting his thoughts.

"Kiss her again!!" A little voice said annoyingly in his ear. "Common'.. you know you want to."

"NO WAY! I SWEAR! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HEAD!!" Sora screamed out loud making Selphie almost drop an egg.

"Excuse me?!" Selphie said in a rather squeaky voice.

"Common' Sora… just a little peck on the cheek.. Then to the mouth… then a little tongue here and there.. And then we start getting rid of that dress of hers." The little voice persisted. "no big deal.. Kairi's not here anyways.."

"SHUTTUP!! GET AWAY FROM ME!!" Sora yelled again!! Selphie was taken a back.

"Ok ok! Sheesh Sora… no need to get pissy with me.. Someone's PMSing!!" She turned around and resumed cooking.

"See look what you did." Sora said in an undertone. "Now she's mad at me."

"It's your own fault… you're the one who can't keep his thoughts to himself… god." Then another voice popped into his other ear.

"Not you again.. Gosh.. How many times do I have to tell you not to meddle with Sora's affairs.. He can do it himself. Besides he has Kairi. Don't you Sora?"

"Yeah…"

"Well then… stick to her. Simple as that."

"I guess.. But she's not here!! That stupid dickhead took her."

"Well then get her back and beat the living shit out of him!!" His little devil-self protested. His other counterpart (his angel form) crossed his arms.

"I don't think that beating the living shit out of anything is going to get us anywhere. They still haven't finished the ship and Selphie is getting suspicious."

"Ooook. Well then you think of another idea!! At least I don't wear a dress."

"IT'S A ROBE!! How many times do I have to tell you!! And this isn't working.. We have to help Sora!! And all you're doing is being an ignorant, selfish, incompetent.."

"OK OK OK shuttup before you run out of adjectives to throw at me."

Sora was listening to his consciences argue while he started to think about what they were talking about. It was true what they say.. How was he supposta save Kairi when they were running out of time. And who knows if they could find her… let alone find her alive. He still couldn't lose hope.

"Sora? Your food is ready. I'll just leave it here on the table for you." Selphie's voice was cautious and unsteady. Sora knew that face she wore on her face. Nervous and anxious. 'Sheesh… what's wrong with her? Is there something on my face or something?!'

"Uhh.. I'll just go now." Selphie was about to leave when Sora grabbed her arm. Her face burned with embarrassment.

"Oh common! Eat with me. Don't leave me with them!!" His devil-self kicked him in the head. "PLEASE!!" Selphie's face scrunched up with confusion but didn't bother to ask. She sat down and grabbed a piece of Sora's buttered toast. Sora's face split into a wide grin. Pleased with herself, Selphie sat at the table contently watching Sora scarf down his food. 'He'll never change.'

Riku came thundering in. "THE SHIP IS READY!!"

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Kairi awoke hours later. The sun was setting making the sky look like a handsome mural painted with blood. She looked around wildly.. Still scared of finding Sephiroth.. But there was no sign of him. Her chest rose and fell heavily as she recalled the night before. Flashes of images scared her mind forever.. The harder she tried to forget, the more vivid the images become. It was no use. She drove her fist hard and fast into the wall out of anger. A small hole appeared from under her red bruised fist. Besides achieving excruciating pain, she realized there was something written underneath the plaster that covered the walls. Her fingers pried the plaster off the walls hurriedly. After a few minutes of ripping the wall apart, words could be distinguishable. "Hollow Bastion?!" She repeated the word inside her head and then something clicked in her head. "oh my god… MOM… DAD!! HELP ME!! It's all coming back to me now… I'm home! Hollow Bastion!!"

"I knew you'd figure it out…" Kairi jumped. Sephiroth was back. "That's why I brought you here…. You're very smart."

"I thought you left!!" Kairi's voice squeaked softly. "Why have you come back." Sephiroth grinned and replied simply, "Because… I couldn't just leave you… you're just to beautiful unlike the other Princesses. I couldn't stop thinking about you. I wanted to be with you. So I've come back for you." His arms reached out to her.

"No! You can't take me anywhere. I have to find my family. They told me they'd wait for me! I have to go look for them!"

"Yes, I know you want to see you family… but you can't." But before Kairi could speak Sephiroth had his lips on hers again, intoxicating her with waves of desire. "You belong to me." His tongue grazed her neck and down her chest making her whole body tremble uncontrollably. Sephiroth continued to talk to her.. Trying to intimidate her with his hurtful words. "Your parents abandoned you… why do you want to go back to them? Don't you see? They lied to you… they don't love you. And what makes you think they'd be waiting for you… huh?" Kairi's eyes were stinging with tears as she tried to push him off of her.

"You're wrong! They do love me!! They just wanted what was best for me!! THEY LOVE ME!!" Her scream echoed around the room. Sephiroth pulled away and looked at her lying there… tears staining her perfect face.. Life dwindling out of her every second she struggled or raised her voice. But he continued to push her to her limit.

"If they wanted was best for you… then why are you in this old, abandoned room.. Dying.. All by yourself. Is that the best? Is it, Kairi? IS IT?!!" His face right in front of her own.. Bearing down on her. "ANSWER ME!!"

"No…" Kairi's whimpering voice answered weakly.

"That's what I thought." He bent down to kiss her again when a loud bang came from behind the door. Another loud bang followed.. And then another one.

"So they came after all… right on time." Sephiroth straightened himself up as Kairi scrambled away from him and slipped her clothes on hastily. She was wondering who 'They' were when the door came crashing down to the floor. A tattered looking boy stood there followed by a silver-haired boy who looked slightly older. Two other males stood behind them… one of them looked the eldest while the brown haired boy looked a bit younger. And a pretty girl in a yellow dress stood next to them all.

"Let her go, Sephiroth." The tattered looking one stepped forward holding out something that resembled an oversized key. Kairi wondered how the hell he knew Sephiroth when he spoke himself.

"I thought I would be seeing you here, Sora. But you're to late. Kairi's gone."

Sora looked at Kairi and for a moment he couldn't ever recognize her. The state that Kairi was in made him grip his key blade even tighter making his knuckles turn white. Her clothes were torn and blood, dirt, and sweat covered her body making her look like she was a survivor of a violent battle. She was undistinguishable from the Kairi he once knew.

"What have you done with her?"

"No need to worry.. I've taken care of everything."

Sora stepped forward and grasped Kairi's shoulders and looked into her eyes… but they weren't how he remembered them. They seemed stoic.

"Kairi! It's me!!" Her eyes seemed to go right through him.. Trying to remember.. "Kairi!!" then she spoke in a soft, shaky voice…

"W-who…… who are you?"

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A/N: That's the end of chapter 7!!! Yay!! Hashanah pretty intense huh?! Well what do you think? I hope it's not to short or anything. Well I have a state report for school to be completed. So I'll start the next chapter as soon as possible! Thanks again… please review! As always!

Kurai muso-Ka