Disclaimer: I no own! You no sue! Or else I win and have my doggy poop on you! Mwahahaaah! *cough* ...Sorry.
Pre-writing Note: For those who voted before this has been posted, I willtry and write upon their wishes. See, what I'm gonna do is write two versions. Sure, probably a waste of paper, or my time, but that's okay. See, I never knew there were really strong NON-YAOI people out there, so I thought of doing two versions of the chapters that involve yaoiness/contact. So... Therefore, I think still keep my faithful readers and everyone enjoys the story! Is that okay with anyone? If not, or they suggest something--and you know I'm up for anything and will listen to everyone and to the best I can to satisfy everyone--go right ahead! Please tell me! Oh, and don't worry, I'll tell you which version you're looking at, okay? (if that is ever the case... though i'm still doubtful I'll actually pull it off)
Recap: It's been a while and Sora seemed to be doing fine in school until that one day when he was unfortunately late, thanks to brain-busting homework assignments. That day, he met with Seifer, thus placing him on the edge of trouble, let alone even more trouble the next day. Kuja, a college student, but also a colleague of Seifer's, helps the blond in his plan of mischief. What will happen to our brunette now??? Also, and what's with Riku and his sudden interest and worry for Sora? ((Hey, haven't I said that exact same sentence before????))
PS: "swum" is actually a word. I just figured that out... ^_^;;; Silly me.
Silver Water
III: Dragged and Drugged
"Lay him down gently, Seifer. You don't want to bruise him, now."
The said blond glared at the speaking male. "Shut up, Kuja."
The older male lifted a brow. "Excuse me, but I was only asking you to be careful with the precious boy. He's young and injuries at a young age aren't healthy for him!"
"Oh shut up, man. I don't give a crap about your kindness towards him. Just an hour earlier you were just 'Oh, whatever.' So don't change your mood now."
Kuja smiled, patting the narrow-eyed blond on the back. "Don't worry, Seifer, my friend. I will still be me even if my character is off the slightest."
"Huh. 'The slightest'? That's more then just a bit, Kuja."
The silver haired college student smiled, shaking his head. "Oh, just take good care of him until he wakes up, okay? He can be more useful then we expect. But first: interrogation, my friend. Where did you find such a prize?"
The blond shrugged. "He goes to my school. What does it matter?"
Kuja frowned. "It matters a lot, Seifer. Just because he goes to your school doesn't mean that he's suddenly available. How do we even know he's eligible?"
Seifer waved a hand in front of his face in a dismissing manner. "Ah, don't worry about it. I've watched him since he first ran into me the first day at school. He'll bend any way you want."
Upon seeing the smirk lit on his younger friend's face, Kuja couldn't help but smile himself and chuckle. "I see. Well, I hope you're right. I'd hate to be disappointed."
Seifer gave a triumphant look as one of his gloved hands ran through his slick hair. "You won't be disappointed, trust me."
And with that, the blond left the room, leaving the silver-haired college student to admire the sleeping figure, as well as think to himself.
"Hmm... It's a shame, really, that such a nice boy had to be put into such bad events..." He paused to laugh behind his head. "Then again, it's only through people like him that you can get work done... Oh well, too bad."
And then, he too left the room that now only occupied the sleeping figure...
Green eyes narrowed, footsteps quickening as the sound of shoes slapping rather hard on tile floors echoed throughout the house.
He was looking for his brother, and he had yet to find him. Damnit! Where could he have gone?!
"SEPHIROTH!!!!"
The name bounced off the walls and seemed to be said everywhere. It wouldn't be long until a servant or somebody else came out to tell him to shut up or otherwise yell softer--whatever that meant. Still, his footsteps rang on the tile floor as he loudly made his way to his brother's wing.
In their house, both sons of Ansem had their own wing to themselves. Each could put in there whatever they wanted, and their father wouldn't care one bit, as long as he alone wasn't disturbed.
So now, going down the hall, he was doing all he could not to break down every door before his brother decided to come out and meet him.
As soon as he neared the study hall, twin doors swung open, the older silver-haired son appearing with a glare on his features. He stopped abruptly when he saw his younger brother.
"What do you need, Riku, that you have the thought to scream bloody murder for me?"
Riku was about to burst out a vulgar sentence, but regained his composure. At the last second, he jumped off the bus and decided to walk his way home. He had decided during his long walk that he'd pay a visit to a certain cousin of his. But the fastest way was by a motorized vehicle. So obviously, he needed to borrow a car. He wasn't old enough to drive without an adult yet, and since his brother was here, he might as well get him to go over there. Hopefully, he would say yes.
"I need you to drive me somewhere."
Sephiroth lifted a brow, the glare he held lightening some as he heard footsteps approach behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the blond he was studying with. He turned back to his brother and lifted the other brow. "As you can see, I'm busy."
Riku mentally rolled his eyes. "If unless this is a make-out session, or studying for some grand test, it can wait."
"So can your wanting to go somewhere."
"No, actually it can't."
Sephiroth crossed his arms over his chest. "And why not?"
Riku paused before answering. He didn't want to say something that might make his brother or his "study buddy" think he actually cared for the well-being of someone, so he had to chose his words carefully. That, or lie. "I need to talk to Kuja." ...Or be very evasive of the whole truth.
The older silver haired male snorted. "And why do you want to talk to that bitch?"
Riku restrained hismelf from narrowing his eyes. He sighed inwardly, trying not to lose his usual cool. He could stay neutral, he knew how, so he must. Okay... Breath in... and exhale... Alright. "I just need a few words with him. Hell, if you want, bring your friend so you can study in the car to make up for lost time while I talk to our 'bitch' of a cousin."
Sephiroth looked over his shoulder to the shorter male with blond spikes. "Cloud? It's up to you. I'd rather not, but if you want..."
Cloud smiled at the both males. "I don't mind. Let me just get my books and you can take your brother to your cousin's house."
Sephiroth nodded and went and disappeared into his room to grab his keys and sunglasses while Cloud went back into the study hall to pick up what few books he needed for the subjects he needed help from. Riku, on the other hand, wanted to roll his eyes, but he didn't, as his brother's actions were a bit off.
No one other than from the family and his father's company has set foot in his family's house, let alone someone from his brother's school. It seemed amazing that he gained his first true friend, and Riku himself had yet to experience one. Sure, there was the Goth Queen, but that kind of friendship was different. Heck, by his terms, it ISN'T a friendship, especially if something didn't happen to him not long ago...
But enough of that, Riku thought, scolding himself. He wasn't supposed to dwell on the past, not now. There was an innocent (yet stupid) boy about to make a major mistake out there, and he wasn't going to sit by. He knew some things about Seifer and Kuja's business system that could scar the brunette, and--much as he didn't want to admit it--he didn't want that to happen to the boy.
The silver haired teen was pulled out of his thoughts when his older brother cleared his throat. "Are we going?"
Riku jerked, turning his attention toward his brother. "Yeah. Just lead that way to your car." He gestured for emphasis, following his brother and his study partner to the car, sitting himself in the back without much thought. He had to think.
In fact, he thought so long and of so much on the drive to his cousin's house that the ride seemed to not have happened at all! ...and somehow, he ended up in front of Kuja's house.
When he pulled out of his thoughts and came back to reality just as Sephiroth pulled into the driveway, Riku couldn't help but narrow his eyes. He remembered both conversations the brunette had with Seifer and Kuja.
So, when Sephiroth just barely stopped the car, Riku got out the car, slammed the door shut just as Sephiroth cursed at him in how he was handling his car, and quickly made his way to the front door of his cousin's house. There, he knocked on the door and rang the bell at the same time.
Dizzy... Nauseous... Sick...
Oh god, he thought. He was experiencing the worst headache ever. He was swimming in something that wasn't supposed to be swum in. Oh how he wanted to open his eyes, but couldn't bring himself to it with his head throbbing so much.
Sora groaned, turning his head to the side a bit as if it would help lessen the thrumming in his head. He felt like noodle, his limbs heavy and not the least bit under his control.
As much as he dared, he opened his eyes and turned on his side. The throbbing in his head worsened and it felt like everything in his body was screaming, especially his brain where cells were going kamikaze all over the place.
But even so, he strained and forced himself to keep his eyes open, even though his vision was a good as looking through a kaleidoscope. His vision swam and was so blurry, that by only feel he could tell he was in a bed.
He inhaled the faint scent of lavender on the sheets and pillows, one by which he clutch as tightly as he could. He sighed and tried to rest into the comfort the bed gave him, his eyelids feeling heavy and starting to close.
That is... until he felt someone touch his shoulder, turning him back onto his back. Then, he forced himself to keep his eyes open, seeing a blurry form in front of him, almost towering over him.
"You are a SIGHT, my dear boy."
Sora blinked (or so he thought he did), taking a while to register what was said to him. "Whuagh..?"
The other seemed to laugh at him. "Aw, now isn't that comical? You can't speak right... Well, until you at least get your vision back, which I'm sure you haven't by the glazed look in your eyes, I'll be back. Heehee. Oh, this is really a comical deal."
The presence next to the bed was gone, leaving the drugged brunette alone in the bed as he went back on his side. He let his eyes close again, drifting off into sleep again.
Sephiroth glared at Riku's back as he practically jumped out of the car and ran to the front door. Jeez, he thought, does the boy have no respect of other people's things?
The silver haired male, with his sunglasses arched on his nose, sighed, turning to the blond who lifted a brow, amusement in his eyes.
Sephiroth frowned. "What?"
Cloud shook his head. "Nothing. It's just that you and your brother get along fairly well, even if you look like you don't appreciate the other's company."
Sephiroth snorted and looked away.
Cloud smiled, looking down at his lap where his books were, open and to the correct page. "Ah, but that's a good thing. I don't really like my brother and his annoying habits, but he helps in the family, pulling his own weight the best he can when he can." He paused to lower his voice, adding under his breath, "Especially now... when we really need help..."
But Sephiroth could the soft sentence that wasn't directed toward him. He turned back toward the blond, frowning again. "What do you mean by 'especially now'?"
Cloud snapped his head up, surprised the other heard his last part. "Oh-- Um..." Quickly, he looked away, staring down at his books again. "It's nothing."
Sephiroth lifted a brow but let it slide. For now, he guessed, he would let the blond keep his secrets to himself. But really, he wondered what could be wrong in the Strife household. The place seemed so welcoming that he doubted anything could go wrong there. But hearing the soft voice of Cloud Strife and his hidden grief, he was curious--probably more curious than he should be.
Even though, he had no right to pry just yet. He had to let the subject drop, so he did. He let Cloud start up the lesson that was interrupted earlier in his study hall, though he knew the blond was currently avoiding his gaze.
Kuja quietly entered the room that held the drugged brunette, a glass in his hands. Smiling lightly, he neared the boy and sat on the edge of his bed, setting the glass down on the nightstand while waiting for the other to wake up.
And when those pure blue eyes DID open, the silver-haired college student couldn't help but grin. Oh, what a wonderful shade those eyes were... But--
Kuja shook his head. No, he wasn't supposed to be thinking like that. 'Shut up Kuja, shut up,' he mentally berated himself. 'Don't think that! ...Okay now, help him wake up! Not think about how his eyes are!'
So, carefully, and slowly, he gracefully turned him over so he lay on his back. It was a short moment of silence before those blue eyes averted from the canopy of the bed to the older male, eyes still a bit unfocused, but very well making the boy look close to normal.
Kuja furrowed his brows. 'The drug must be improved... Hmm... And I thought that capsule was supposed to help... Oh well, that's what we get for using one that dematerializes quickly.'
Shrugging, he helped the boy into a sitting position, aiding him as he drank from the glass he brought, then getting him out of bed. All the while, he was careful, acting almost as if he could drop and break the boy with one slight mistake or movement.
He partially carried the boy as they exited the room and into the living room that was connected to the kitchen, while the dining area was closed off by a wall and set of doors.
In the living room, the brunette was placed on the couch and fixed into a comfortable position.
While the college student worked, he didn't notice his partner-in-crime come up from behind him, an irritated expression on his face.
"Kuja, for god's sake, leave him alone! Jeez! Are we here to screw up his life or baby him as if he were three?!" came the blond's deep voice, great irriation and annoyance present.
Kuja smiled as he brushed back a stray bang from the brunette's face. "Seifer, my dear boy, we cannot abandon him."
Seifer interrupted. "Abandon him? What the hell does that have to do with anything?"
The older of the two sighed, shaking his head. "Nothing. ...I'm only saying that he will need to be in top shape if he is to be of our service."
Seifer rolled his eyes, moving toward the kitchen which he was originally heading toward. There, the fridge was opened and sifted through for a nice illegal beverage. "Kuja, where's your ice?"
From the living room, Kuja's head popped up. "Excuse me? What ice?"
"You know, ICE."
Kuja frowned upon hearing this. He got up and headed for the kitchen, finding his colleague now rummaging through his mini bar. With raised eyebrows, he peered over the blond's shoulder to see what the other was looking at.
When he saw what it was, a corner of his lip twitched upwards. "I thought you were looking for 'ice'?"
Seifer turned around, a pair of shotglasses in his hand. "I was."
"And? Any luck?"
Seifer smirked, giving one of the two glasses to the silver-haired man. "The evidence is right in front of you."
The older of the two chuckled and took the glass gratefully. "You have such stupid nicknames for things, Seifer..." And with that, he turned around and went back to the living room, chuckling even more when he found the brunette struggling to get off the couch without falling down in dizziness.
Shaking his silver locks, Kuja came up and helped the brunette sit back down just as the doorbell rang with a set of pounds on the door. "Oh dear, I wonder who that may be..." he said absently. Over his shoulder, he added. "Seifer, would you please get that?"
A grunt was the answer to his question as the other did as he was asked, slowly making his way to the door and peering out of the eye-hole. A brow was lifted as he looked outside. He turned around and walked back toward the other in the living room. "It's your cousin... Both of them it seems, by the looks of it. It seems one has a certain friend in his car. Looks kinda like..."
Seifer's voice trailed as he remembered that the name he was about to speak was forbidden in Kuja's house unless if a death sentence was attached to it.
Kuja, on the other hand, though knowing exactly who the blond was talking about, didn't seem bothered (though really, that was just a mask, just like all the other guises he wore). He smiled lightly, standing up and patted himself off to restraighten his clothes. "My cousin? Both? My, I must be in need of something then... I hope it's not too difficult..." he said lightly, disappearing into the hall and going over to the door.
Seifer stared after the other as he heard him unlock the door and opened it slowly, greeting his cousin with a warm welcome. But he knew that Kuja was only hiding his frustration. The silver-haired male was cautious and there was no doubt in his voice that he feared (even if only at slightest) that his cousin would rip up his plans just like last time.
Last time....
Seifer shook his head slightly, dismissing his thoughts immediately. He wouldn't think of such a time as that, especially in the other's pressence and when the very person who caused such trouble was visiting.
Oh great... Seifer thought as he listened to Kuja's conversation with his cousin.
Once Kuja had opened the door, he immediately met with an irritated face that could only belong to his cousin. "Ah, Riku! What brings you here?"
"I'd like to talk to you," was the other silver-haired male's even answer.
Kuja, unfazed at the other's tone, smiled, opening the door wider and stepping back slightly to let the other come forward. "Come to visit, are you? I feel so graced! You never do such things! You never have before!"
But really, what the older male meant was that Riku never visited for "casual" reasons, or friendly relative contact. In fact, the only time Riku ever really set foot in his house was to cause trouble for him and his business. This bothered him greatly, but never would he show it to the young man. That would be giving him clarification that coming over unsettled him--and weakness was just a plague to him.
So, as the other was in his house right now, he hoped that he did not know the brunette on the couch, for knowing Seifer was just bad enough.
"What did you want to talk about, dear cousin?"
Riku's eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly, breaking his mask. "Just things, here and there..."
Kuja smiled, though in his mind he was calculating the boy. Risking around Riku was like risking around him or Ansem. Oh, to dare to put a toe our of line with a man like Ansem was to put a toe out--or even a head!--in front of a swinging scythe that was ready to cut anything off that came it's way.
"Come in then," he said, moving aside to let the slightly taller male have access to his house, closing the door behind him as the other brushed by and looked around, settling his eyes on a shotglass on the den's coffee table.
Riku raised a brow at what he saw. No brunette in site. Hmm... Well, he may not be in the den-slash-dining room, but maybe somewhere else... "Drinking, Kuja?" He looked over his shoulder to see his cousin come up by him.
"Oh, just a bit. I guess I decided to take a small sip today..."
Riku quirked his other brow, looking slightly surprised. "Really?"
Kuja smiled a bit, going for his glass and taking a sip from it. "Is that hard to believe?"
"Somewhat."
The older of the two smiled a bit more, shaking his head, long locks swaying. "Well, what did you want to talk to me about? I'm sure my drinking habits aren't it. Hmm?"
Riku walked around the den, then the dining room fingering the fine wood of the table, poking at every other thing and talking as he walked. "How's it been going? Anything new or up? ...I think Father's to throw another business gathering this up-coming holiday. I'm sure all of the family's invited. Are you going?"
Kuja watched as the other walked, looking around almost absently. "I'm fine. And as for your father hosting a get-together with his business peoples and showing off what grand relatives and children he has--not to mention his house--I'm sure I won't be needed."
The idle chat Riku was putting up was a mere distraction for Kuja, though he knew it didn't work, as the other was just as sharp as he was, but he continued anyway. "But you CAN come. Though you may not, you can. ...I may bring a few schoolmates. Who knows?"
Kuja blinked. He caught when the other said "schoolmates" instead of "friends". He wondered slightly: did that mean that the boy did not have friends? Or if any, not even a handful? "Schoolmates, my Riku? Not friends? Just random people?"
Riku shrugged as he found a soda on the kitchen table, untouched. "Mind I?" he asked, turning back to Kuja who just smiled and shook his head. "Thanks."
He opened the can and look a long gulp, the acid of the drink tingling his mouth after he swallowed. He sighed a bit under his breath. He had yet to answer the question...
"So?"
Riku looked back at his cousin. His expression was all that told Kuja that didn't know what the other wanted.
"My question...?"
Riku shrugged. "Oh. Well, I guess they could be called friends, but I don't use that term often. 'Friends' just doesn't roll off my tongue that naturally."
Kuja leaned on the edge of his table. "I see."
Riku, who had his back to the other, shrugged again, looking out the window that was right behind the table. "There's always the regular people I am around with, or a few freshmens who are pleasing enough."
Purposely, he skirted detailing a specific freshman. This one he wanted to find and drag back to stupid-ass safety, away from his cousin and who else knows what kind of contraptions and business forms he has? He also wanted to kick the brunette's butt for not heeding his words. He knew how Seifer worked and who he worked with. The fact that one of them was his cousin made things complicated because Kuja was practically a son to Ansem. Though the man was disgusted with the other at times, he was still treated as if he was part of the family.
And thinking of it now made Riku almost shake in anger and digust. ...But never mind that. He needed to know if Kuja "remembered" any brunette freshmens as his victims. And if so, what he did with him.
But with the said male, he narrowed his eyes slightly, masking his suspicion and irritation with a smile as the younger male turned to face him. "My, I never knew that you had friedns younger then you. I always thought that you were one to hang around more matured people and their grouping. I guess I was wrong..."
Seifer, on the other side of the wall in the living room with the still drugged brunette, frowned as he heard Kuja and Riku's last few words. He knew that Riku was not to hang around many people, but as for hanging around adults and people much older then his brother or cousin, that was farfetched. Riku never touched a soul out of his school, if any IN it. The boy was known for being a loner--even when with Lulu and the others, the boy seemed to fall behind and keep to himself.
The blond snorted, suddenly remembering one of the days they had bumped into each other. That wasn't a pleasant moment and he slowly learned (first-hand) not to mess with the guy.
But.....
He didn't regret SOME of the things he got to do over that year...
Seifer almost laughed aloud at the mere thought of what trouble stampeded through last year when he remembered that a brunette was right in front of him, and two highly dangerous men were on the other side of the wall.
So, doing one of them a favor, he finished his shot and picked up the brunette. He started half-carrying, half-dragging him back to a room on the opposite side of the house, away from the two who talked near the door. There, the blond settled the brunette down, waiting for him to wake a bit more from the drug.
When the other SEEMED to have more sense in him, he slapped him a bit to make sure. "Oy!"
A responce came from the brunette as he tried to swat his hand away.
Seifer, satisfied to some extent, smirked a bit. "Hey. I have a proposal for you."
The brunette narrowed his eyes, silent.
"Okay, I'll take it as a yes then. I want you to be a little friend of mine at school, hmm?"
The latter of the two gave him a questioning look, staying silent as it seemed like the best thing to do.
"No reason, really. Just some company. Hmm... I'm thinking of a business arrangement. What do you think of that?"
A glare answered him.
"Now, don't get me wrong, it's quite fine and no harm will be done to you." Seifer paused, thinking that sentence over. "Well... that is if you can do what we ask."
Sora scoffed, the noise coming from his mouth sounding much like "plegh".
Seifer's smirk stretched a bit more. "Is that a yes? I can take it as a yes, you know. 'No's aren't allowed in this business, you know. Not if you want to stay as you are now. I have many ways to torture you and your family, so really, a 'yes' to my question would suit you very well. I mean, the job's not that hard, really. It's like doing errands--but it's like you have a bomb in your pocket while you're doing so. That's all the more reason for you to be careful, right? So what do you say?"
The brunette looked away, grunting his answer.
When Seifer heard the small reply behind the indistinct noise, he merely took it as an agreement to his terms. Inwardly, he sighed, relieved a bit for unexpressed reasons. He patted the burnette's cheek in a teasing manner before exiting the room, closing the door silently behind him so that he could hear the conversatioin that still continued beyond the walls... unnoticed.
Kuja followed Riku as he went into the kitchen, noticing that Seifer and the brunette were gone from sight, their pressence unnoticable on the couch. He smiled a bit, grateful that Seifer hid away to some other part of his hosue while his "guest" was still here.
Speaking of which...
Riku opened the fridge, looking through it a bit before closing it again. "Nice oranization..." he commented absently.
"Thank you," Kuja answered a bit dryly.
Riku moved on as if he didn't hear the other's responce, looking around as he did earlier. He had yet to see the pressence of the one he looked for. It seemed odd to him that he was no where in sight--but then again, he could be in onr of the rooms. Or... not here at all. He didn't want to bust through the rooms in search of the stupid male, or raise suspicion from his cousin, but he couldn't leave... not just yet...
But he had no choice. There was no evidence of there being another lifeform in this bloody house other than that of Kuja.
Making his way back to the door, cutting through to the den, he made his goodbye to his cousin. He didn't want to leave, not until he'd searched the house all over, but he couldn't... not yet... Hopefully, he could get a word later.
Kuja smiled as he walked his cousin out, locking up after him and acknowledging the pressence of Seifer who hid in the shadows. "He's a handful, huh?"
Seifer only inclined his head slightly. "You seem... frustrated."
Turning to the tall blond, Kuja sighed, shakking his head. "I am, Seifer my friend. I am... But hopefully, things will not go wrong. At least... not yet. We have barely started. We WILL finish this..."
The blond nodded, silent as he followed the older man.
Sephiroth looked up from the text book he was reading from when he caught sight of his younger brother making his way toward the day. With a snort, he closed the book, marking his page with his finger. "Well, the brat makes his way over."
Cloud, who was taking notes on what Sephiroth was telling to him, looked up as well, frowning a bit. Riku looked irritated and slightly angered. He wondered what could have happened that would make the boy appear so. But... no matter. It was none of his business. Turning to his tutorer, he smiled, taking his book from the man and slipping his papers in to mark the page instead of his finger.
"I suppose that it's time to go, then? And... since I have my things with me, could you take me home on the way back? I think it will make things easier for the both of us," he said as Riku climbed in the back seat and nearly slammed the door after him.
The silver-haired man nodded, putting his sunglasses on that he had taken off sometime during the lesson. "Right." And he started the car as he glared in the rear-view mirror at his brother who was handling his car roughly.
He would talk to him about his mood later... For now, he'd take Cloud home.
~*~*~*~*~
AN: If anyone must know, I'm adding this story on fandomination.net and continue it there as well. (That doesn't mean I'm discontinuing it here. Only that I'm ADDING it to another site.) And, if anyone has any other suggestions as to where I can post some of my stories, please do when you review.
Oh, and I'm sorry for the weird cliffie (since it seems like one). But hey, you got a chappie! And if anyone's confused about what the house looks like, well.... I modeled it after one of my friend's house because... it's cool, man! She has a neat house (though she'd never catch me saying that to her... or anyone else's house I've been to) and seemed PERFECT for what I was doing. The two couldn't be seen! Thus extending my story even more! Hah!
.... Don't get it? Sory. I guess it's ahrd to get in my weird language of mine...
But hey, let me create a visual for you... Hmm... How should I describe the house...? Or should I sketch it one of these days? ... Hmm... Lemme try now... (and as for the girl who's house I used, many thnaks cuz your house is cool [though i doubt you're reading this right now]!!)
Let me walk you through Kuja's (NOT my friend's) house as if you were actually looking at it....
One story house... where the windows are large and the covers on them are like that you see in a movie, folding like that of a closet door. once you step inside throught hte front door, you see a hallway to your right, a room in front of your, and just down the hall are a few more rooms and a bathroom. you head down that hall and immediately to your right you see the "den" that probably really is supposed to be the livign room since the fireplace is right there. but it is used as a den wtih only a few couches and a coffee table in the center. to your left, you see a wall that separates this "den" from the "living room". in the middle, you see two white sliding doors, easy access and way to get from one part oft he house to the other. but as you look around to your right, you see the dining room, no wall seperating it from the "den", but from the kitchen like the "Den" from the living room. So, you see this long wall that splits the house in two sections, beautifully decorated with antiques and more miscellaneous things to decorate the house. you head toward the dining room, seeing another of those wide windows with the folding covers, much unlike the usual window curtains you see in every other home. but as you look again to your left, you see the door that gives way to the kitchen. so, going there, you meet immediately with the garage door and some room that seems to look like a office or probably antoher room, a laundry room not far off int aht direction either. but ignoring that, you turn back to the kitchen, the fridge right at your left, a small section of the counter right there before the wall that separates the house pops up, cabinets just above it, much resembling a place for a mini bar. but in the kitchen you notice this platform where some chairs are set up around it, like a table. jsut beyond that is the sink and the rest of the counter and cabinets, a microwave off in the corner near the coffee maker. but you move on past that, seeing a last backyard with a giant tree toward the back and some plants behind a bbq pit. the backyard is paved with blocks, assorted in a decorative and fashionable way, adding elegance to the house that seems almost normal from the outside. but before you can go outside where large window pains salute you so that you may see all of the back, you meet with the "living room", the thing that probably was suposed to be on the other side of that wall behind you instead of the den and dining room. dual couches formed in an "L" mark off where the kitchen and "living room" meet and stop. but you walk past the living room, past the entertainment system with the large-screen tv with pictures and a set of large speakers ont eh shelves that flanked the television. you meet with the hall again, seeing a room to your right that appears bigger than the tohers--maybe the master bedroom. you avoid the room and walk back down that hall you saw earlier from the door. as you walk, you see nothing to your right but a few framed things here and there, but to your right are the rooms. first is the largest bathroom you've ever seen, perfectly clean and sparkling, a window about the size of an average computer screen on the opposite wall of the door that you're peering through. this can no doubt be the master bathroom, judging by it's size and fine condition. but as you move on, you see another room, like you saw before on the other side of the hall. this room was not the one that was right in front of you when coming through the front door, but the one right next to it. it is small then the other rooms--practically the smallest of them all--but still had good size. but there is still one room left. the one in front of the door. this one is large, the second largest room on the house, holding an ajoined bathroom. the bathroom of this room is not as large or quite as fancy at the master's but it still holds a cabinet on one wall, a sink and large mirror ont he other, and a toilet and shower appliance. good enough for THAT room. so let's get back outside... once out the door you meet wtih what would seem like a quarter circle popping out of the blocked floor (the same blocks as the backyard), holding a small circle of flowers and a single tree in that lone patch of grass. you sit on the raised blocks, getting that sense of romance in you jsut by sitting there, the small shade of the tree giving you feel of being in a romance movie where a character strolls in the park and sits on a classic bench, admiring the surroundings. but none of that. you get up and go to the garage that enough space for two large cars to come it. the driveway and big and long, good enough view inside the house though only the top part of the shutters are folded back and you can see nothing inside but the ceiling. but... you notice something on the other side of the garage. curious, you look as see a gate. hm... going through it, you follow the stone path beneath you to the backyard, plants flanking the path in that fantasy sort of way. with a sigh, you admire the calming environment; but also, you sigh because the tour is over. there is no more to see. the house was welcoming enough... and it was so beautiful...
^^ But you should notice that the house ALONE is comforting. What about the residents of the house?? LOL Fine out!
Please review for this story! And if you people still have trouble visualizing the house, well... Sorry, but that's as detailed as I get. Oh, and for suggesting any sites for me to put my stories on (your own personal sites are welcome as well), please add that as well in your review. (Please put in your email when you review so that I may contact you for whatever reasons I may have. And Besides, I'd like to know my readers. ^^ Why? My readers are cool because they put up with me! Yay readers and reviews! Reviews especially because they actaully TELL me they're reading my story and liking it!)
Pre-writing Note: For those who voted before this has been posted, I willtry and write upon their wishes. See, what I'm gonna do is write two versions. Sure, probably a waste of paper, or my time, but that's okay. See, I never knew there were really strong NON-YAOI people out there, so I thought of doing two versions of the chapters that involve yaoiness/contact. So... Therefore, I think still keep my faithful readers and everyone enjoys the story! Is that okay with anyone? If not, or they suggest something--and you know I'm up for anything and will listen to everyone and to the best I can to satisfy everyone--go right ahead! Please tell me! Oh, and don't worry, I'll tell you which version you're looking at, okay? (if that is ever the case... though i'm still doubtful I'll actually pull it off)
Recap: It's been a while and Sora seemed to be doing fine in school until that one day when he was unfortunately late, thanks to brain-busting homework assignments. That day, he met with Seifer, thus placing him on the edge of trouble, let alone even more trouble the next day. Kuja, a college student, but also a colleague of Seifer's, helps the blond in his plan of mischief. What will happen to our brunette now??? Also, and what's with Riku and his sudden interest and worry for Sora? ((Hey, haven't I said that exact same sentence before????))
PS: "swum" is actually a word. I just figured that out... ^_^;;; Silly me.
Silver Water
III: Dragged and Drugged
"Lay him down gently, Seifer. You don't want to bruise him, now."
The said blond glared at the speaking male. "Shut up, Kuja."
The older male lifted a brow. "Excuse me, but I was only asking you to be careful with the precious boy. He's young and injuries at a young age aren't healthy for him!"
"Oh shut up, man. I don't give a crap about your kindness towards him. Just an hour earlier you were just 'Oh, whatever.' So don't change your mood now."
Kuja smiled, patting the narrow-eyed blond on the back. "Don't worry, Seifer, my friend. I will still be me even if my character is off the slightest."
"Huh. 'The slightest'? That's more then just a bit, Kuja."
The silver haired college student smiled, shaking his head. "Oh, just take good care of him until he wakes up, okay? He can be more useful then we expect. But first: interrogation, my friend. Where did you find such a prize?"
The blond shrugged. "He goes to my school. What does it matter?"
Kuja frowned. "It matters a lot, Seifer. Just because he goes to your school doesn't mean that he's suddenly available. How do we even know he's eligible?"
Seifer waved a hand in front of his face in a dismissing manner. "Ah, don't worry about it. I've watched him since he first ran into me the first day at school. He'll bend any way you want."
Upon seeing the smirk lit on his younger friend's face, Kuja couldn't help but smile himself and chuckle. "I see. Well, I hope you're right. I'd hate to be disappointed."
Seifer gave a triumphant look as one of his gloved hands ran through his slick hair. "You won't be disappointed, trust me."
And with that, the blond left the room, leaving the silver-haired college student to admire the sleeping figure, as well as think to himself.
"Hmm... It's a shame, really, that such a nice boy had to be put into such bad events..." He paused to laugh behind his head. "Then again, it's only through people like him that you can get work done... Oh well, too bad."
And then, he too left the room that now only occupied the sleeping figure...
Green eyes narrowed, footsteps quickening as the sound of shoes slapping rather hard on tile floors echoed throughout the house.
He was looking for his brother, and he had yet to find him. Damnit! Where could he have gone?!
"SEPHIROTH!!!!"
The name bounced off the walls and seemed to be said everywhere. It wouldn't be long until a servant or somebody else came out to tell him to shut up or otherwise yell softer--whatever that meant. Still, his footsteps rang on the tile floor as he loudly made his way to his brother's wing.
In their house, both sons of Ansem had their own wing to themselves. Each could put in there whatever they wanted, and their father wouldn't care one bit, as long as he alone wasn't disturbed.
So now, going down the hall, he was doing all he could not to break down every door before his brother decided to come out and meet him.
As soon as he neared the study hall, twin doors swung open, the older silver-haired son appearing with a glare on his features. He stopped abruptly when he saw his younger brother.
"What do you need, Riku, that you have the thought to scream bloody murder for me?"
Riku was about to burst out a vulgar sentence, but regained his composure. At the last second, he jumped off the bus and decided to walk his way home. He had decided during his long walk that he'd pay a visit to a certain cousin of his. But the fastest way was by a motorized vehicle. So obviously, he needed to borrow a car. He wasn't old enough to drive without an adult yet, and since his brother was here, he might as well get him to go over there. Hopefully, he would say yes.
"I need you to drive me somewhere."
Sephiroth lifted a brow, the glare he held lightening some as he heard footsteps approach behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the blond he was studying with. He turned back to his brother and lifted the other brow. "As you can see, I'm busy."
Riku mentally rolled his eyes. "If unless this is a make-out session, or studying for some grand test, it can wait."
"So can your wanting to go somewhere."
"No, actually it can't."
Sephiroth crossed his arms over his chest. "And why not?"
Riku paused before answering. He didn't want to say something that might make his brother or his "study buddy" think he actually cared for the well-being of someone, so he had to chose his words carefully. That, or lie. "I need to talk to Kuja." ...Or be very evasive of the whole truth.
The older silver haired male snorted. "And why do you want to talk to that bitch?"
Riku restrained hismelf from narrowing his eyes. He sighed inwardly, trying not to lose his usual cool. He could stay neutral, he knew how, so he must. Okay... Breath in... and exhale... Alright. "I just need a few words with him. Hell, if you want, bring your friend so you can study in the car to make up for lost time while I talk to our 'bitch' of a cousin."
Sephiroth looked over his shoulder to the shorter male with blond spikes. "Cloud? It's up to you. I'd rather not, but if you want..."
Cloud smiled at the both males. "I don't mind. Let me just get my books and you can take your brother to your cousin's house."
Sephiroth nodded and went and disappeared into his room to grab his keys and sunglasses while Cloud went back into the study hall to pick up what few books he needed for the subjects he needed help from. Riku, on the other hand, wanted to roll his eyes, but he didn't, as his brother's actions were a bit off.
No one other than from the family and his father's company has set foot in his family's house, let alone someone from his brother's school. It seemed amazing that he gained his first true friend, and Riku himself had yet to experience one. Sure, there was the Goth Queen, but that kind of friendship was different. Heck, by his terms, it ISN'T a friendship, especially if something didn't happen to him not long ago...
But enough of that, Riku thought, scolding himself. He wasn't supposed to dwell on the past, not now. There was an innocent (yet stupid) boy about to make a major mistake out there, and he wasn't going to sit by. He knew some things about Seifer and Kuja's business system that could scar the brunette, and--much as he didn't want to admit it--he didn't want that to happen to the boy.
The silver haired teen was pulled out of his thoughts when his older brother cleared his throat. "Are we going?"
Riku jerked, turning his attention toward his brother. "Yeah. Just lead that way to your car." He gestured for emphasis, following his brother and his study partner to the car, sitting himself in the back without much thought. He had to think.
In fact, he thought so long and of so much on the drive to his cousin's house that the ride seemed to not have happened at all! ...and somehow, he ended up in front of Kuja's house.
When he pulled out of his thoughts and came back to reality just as Sephiroth pulled into the driveway, Riku couldn't help but narrow his eyes. He remembered both conversations the brunette had with Seifer and Kuja.
So, when Sephiroth just barely stopped the car, Riku got out the car, slammed the door shut just as Sephiroth cursed at him in how he was handling his car, and quickly made his way to the front door of his cousin's house. There, he knocked on the door and rang the bell at the same time.
Dizzy... Nauseous... Sick...
Oh god, he thought. He was experiencing the worst headache ever. He was swimming in something that wasn't supposed to be swum in. Oh how he wanted to open his eyes, but couldn't bring himself to it with his head throbbing so much.
Sora groaned, turning his head to the side a bit as if it would help lessen the thrumming in his head. He felt like noodle, his limbs heavy and not the least bit under his control.
As much as he dared, he opened his eyes and turned on his side. The throbbing in his head worsened and it felt like everything in his body was screaming, especially his brain where cells were going kamikaze all over the place.
But even so, he strained and forced himself to keep his eyes open, even though his vision was a good as looking through a kaleidoscope. His vision swam and was so blurry, that by only feel he could tell he was in a bed.
He inhaled the faint scent of lavender on the sheets and pillows, one by which he clutch as tightly as he could. He sighed and tried to rest into the comfort the bed gave him, his eyelids feeling heavy and starting to close.
That is... until he felt someone touch his shoulder, turning him back onto his back. Then, he forced himself to keep his eyes open, seeing a blurry form in front of him, almost towering over him.
"You are a SIGHT, my dear boy."
Sora blinked (or so he thought he did), taking a while to register what was said to him. "Whuagh..?"
The other seemed to laugh at him. "Aw, now isn't that comical? You can't speak right... Well, until you at least get your vision back, which I'm sure you haven't by the glazed look in your eyes, I'll be back. Heehee. Oh, this is really a comical deal."
The presence next to the bed was gone, leaving the drugged brunette alone in the bed as he went back on his side. He let his eyes close again, drifting off into sleep again.
Sephiroth glared at Riku's back as he practically jumped out of the car and ran to the front door. Jeez, he thought, does the boy have no respect of other people's things?
The silver haired male, with his sunglasses arched on his nose, sighed, turning to the blond who lifted a brow, amusement in his eyes.
Sephiroth frowned. "What?"
Cloud shook his head. "Nothing. It's just that you and your brother get along fairly well, even if you look like you don't appreciate the other's company."
Sephiroth snorted and looked away.
Cloud smiled, looking down at his lap where his books were, open and to the correct page. "Ah, but that's a good thing. I don't really like my brother and his annoying habits, but he helps in the family, pulling his own weight the best he can when he can." He paused to lower his voice, adding under his breath, "Especially now... when we really need help..."
But Sephiroth could the soft sentence that wasn't directed toward him. He turned back toward the blond, frowning again. "What do you mean by 'especially now'?"
Cloud snapped his head up, surprised the other heard his last part. "Oh-- Um..." Quickly, he looked away, staring down at his books again. "It's nothing."
Sephiroth lifted a brow but let it slide. For now, he guessed, he would let the blond keep his secrets to himself. But really, he wondered what could be wrong in the Strife household. The place seemed so welcoming that he doubted anything could go wrong there. But hearing the soft voice of Cloud Strife and his hidden grief, he was curious--probably more curious than he should be.
Even though, he had no right to pry just yet. He had to let the subject drop, so he did. He let Cloud start up the lesson that was interrupted earlier in his study hall, though he knew the blond was currently avoiding his gaze.
Kuja quietly entered the room that held the drugged brunette, a glass in his hands. Smiling lightly, he neared the boy and sat on the edge of his bed, setting the glass down on the nightstand while waiting for the other to wake up.
And when those pure blue eyes DID open, the silver-haired college student couldn't help but grin. Oh, what a wonderful shade those eyes were... But--
Kuja shook his head. No, he wasn't supposed to be thinking like that. 'Shut up Kuja, shut up,' he mentally berated himself. 'Don't think that! ...Okay now, help him wake up! Not think about how his eyes are!'
So, carefully, and slowly, he gracefully turned him over so he lay on his back. It was a short moment of silence before those blue eyes averted from the canopy of the bed to the older male, eyes still a bit unfocused, but very well making the boy look close to normal.
Kuja furrowed his brows. 'The drug must be improved... Hmm... And I thought that capsule was supposed to help... Oh well, that's what we get for using one that dematerializes quickly.'
Shrugging, he helped the boy into a sitting position, aiding him as he drank from the glass he brought, then getting him out of bed. All the while, he was careful, acting almost as if he could drop and break the boy with one slight mistake or movement.
He partially carried the boy as they exited the room and into the living room that was connected to the kitchen, while the dining area was closed off by a wall and set of doors.
In the living room, the brunette was placed on the couch and fixed into a comfortable position.
While the college student worked, he didn't notice his partner-in-crime come up from behind him, an irritated expression on his face.
"Kuja, for god's sake, leave him alone! Jeez! Are we here to screw up his life or baby him as if he were three?!" came the blond's deep voice, great irriation and annoyance present.
Kuja smiled as he brushed back a stray bang from the brunette's face. "Seifer, my dear boy, we cannot abandon him."
Seifer interrupted. "Abandon him? What the hell does that have to do with anything?"
The older of the two sighed, shaking his head. "Nothing. ...I'm only saying that he will need to be in top shape if he is to be of our service."
Seifer rolled his eyes, moving toward the kitchen which he was originally heading toward. There, the fridge was opened and sifted through for a nice illegal beverage. "Kuja, where's your ice?"
From the living room, Kuja's head popped up. "Excuse me? What ice?"
"You know, ICE."
Kuja frowned upon hearing this. He got up and headed for the kitchen, finding his colleague now rummaging through his mini bar. With raised eyebrows, he peered over the blond's shoulder to see what the other was looking at.
When he saw what it was, a corner of his lip twitched upwards. "I thought you were looking for 'ice'?"
Seifer turned around, a pair of shotglasses in his hand. "I was."
"And? Any luck?"
Seifer smirked, giving one of the two glasses to the silver-haired man. "The evidence is right in front of you."
The older of the two chuckled and took the glass gratefully. "You have such stupid nicknames for things, Seifer..." And with that, he turned around and went back to the living room, chuckling even more when he found the brunette struggling to get off the couch without falling down in dizziness.
Shaking his silver locks, Kuja came up and helped the brunette sit back down just as the doorbell rang with a set of pounds on the door. "Oh dear, I wonder who that may be..." he said absently. Over his shoulder, he added. "Seifer, would you please get that?"
A grunt was the answer to his question as the other did as he was asked, slowly making his way to the door and peering out of the eye-hole. A brow was lifted as he looked outside. He turned around and walked back toward the other in the living room. "It's your cousin... Both of them it seems, by the looks of it. It seems one has a certain friend in his car. Looks kinda like..."
Seifer's voice trailed as he remembered that the name he was about to speak was forbidden in Kuja's house unless if a death sentence was attached to it.
Kuja, on the other hand, though knowing exactly who the blond was talking about, didn't seem bothered (though really, that was just a mask, just like all the other guises he wore). He smiled lightly, standing up and patted himself off to restraighten his clothes. "My cousin? Both? My, I must be in need of something then... I hope it's not too difficult..." he said lightly, disappearing into the hall and going over to the door.
Seifer stared after the other as he heard him unlock the door and opened it slowly, greeting his cousin with a warm welcome. But he knew that Kuja was only hiding his frustration. The silver-haired male was cautious and there was no doubt in his voice that he feared (even if only at slightest) that his cousin would rip up his plans just like last time.
Last time....
Seifer shook his head slightly, dismissing his thoughts immediately. He wouldn't think of such a time as that, especially in the other's pressence and when the very person who caused such trouble was visiting.
Oh great... Seifer thought as he listened to Kuja's conversation with his cousin.
Once Kuja had opened the door, he immediately met with an irritated face that could only belong to his cousin. "Ah, Riku! What brings you here?"
"I'd like to talk to you," was the other silver-haired male's even answer.
Kuja, unfazed at the other's tone, smiled, opening the door wider and stepping back slightly to let the other come forward. "Come to visit, are you? I feel so graced! You never do such things! You never have before!"
But really, what the older male meant was that Riku never visited for "casual" reasons, or friendly relative contact. In fact, the only time Riku ever really set foot in his house was to cause trouble for him and his business. This bothered him greatly, but never would he show it to the young man. That would be giving him clarification that coming over unsettled him--and weakness was just a plague to him.
So, as the other was in his house right now, he hoped that he did not know the brunette on the couch, for knowing Seifer was just bad enough.
"What did you want to talk about, dear cousin?"
Riku's eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly, breaking his mask. "Just things, here and there..."
Kuja smiled, though in his mind he was calculating the boy. Risking around Riku was like risking around him or Ansem. Oh, to dare to put a toe our of line with a man like Ansem was to put a toe out--or even a head!--in front of a swinging scythe that was ready to cut anything off that came it's way.
"Come in then," he said, moving aside to let the slightly taller male have access to his house, closing the door behind him as the other brushed by and looked around, settling his eyes on a shotglass on the den's coffee table.
Riku raised a brow at what he saw. No brunette in site. Hmm... Well, he may not be in the den-slash-dining room, but maybe somewhere else... "Drinking, Kuja?" He looked over his shoulder to see his cousin come up by him.
"Oh, just a bit. I guess I decided to take a small sip today..."
Riku quirked his other brow, looking slightly surprised. "Really?"
Kuja smiled a bit, going for his glass and taking a sip from it. "Is that hard to believe?"
"Somewhat."
The older of the two smiled a bit more, shaking his head, long locks swaying. "Well, what did you want to talk to me about? I'm sure my drinking habits aren't it. Hmm?"
Riku walked around the den, then the dining room fingering the fine wood of the table, poking at every other thing and talking as he walked. "How's it been going? Anything new or up? ...I think Father's to throw another business gathering this up-coming holiday. I'm sure all of the family's invited. Are you going?"
Kuja watched as the other walked, looking around almost absently. "I'm fine. And as for your father hosting a get-together with his business peoples and showing off what grand relatives and children he has--not to mention his house--I'm sure I won't be needed."
The idle chat Riku was putting up was a mere distraction for Kuja, though he knew it didn't work, as the other was just as sharp as he was, but he continued anyway. "But you CAN come. Though you may not, you can. ...I may bring a few schoolmates. Who knows?"
Kuja blinked. He caught when the other said "schoolmates" instead of "friends". He wondered slightly: did that mean that the boy did not have friends? Or if any, not even a handful? "Schoolmates, my Riku? Not friends? Just random people?"
Riku shrugged as he found a soda on the kitchen table, untouched. "Mind I?" he asked, turning back to Kuja who just smiled and shook his head. "Thanks."
He opened the can and look a long gulp, the acid of the drink tingling his mouth after he swallowed. He sighed a bit under his breath. He had yet to answer the question...
"So?"
Riku looked back at his cousin. His expression was all that told Kuja that didn't know what the other wanted.
"My question...?"
Riku shrugged. "Oh. Well, I guess they could be called friends, but I don't use that term often. 'Friends' just doesn't roll off my tongue that naturally."
Kuja leaned on the edge of his table. "I see."
Riku, who had his back to the other, shrugged again, looking out the window that was right behind the table. "There's always the regular people I am around with, or a few freshmens who are pleasing enough."
Purposely, he skirted detailing a specific freshman. This one he wanted to find and drag back to stupid-ass safety, away from his cousin and who else knows what kind of contraptions and business forms he has? He also wanted to kick the brunette's butt for not heeding his words. He knew how Seifer worked and who he worked with. The fact that one of them was his cousin made things complicated because Kuja was practically a son to Ansem. Though the man was disgusted with the other at times, he was still treated as if he was part of the family.
And thinking of it now made Riku almost shake in anger and digust. ...But never mind that. He needed to know if Kuja "remembered" any brunette freshmens as his victims. And if so, what he did with him.
But with the said male, he narrowed his eyes slightly, masking his suspicion and irritation with a smile as the younger male turned to face him. "My, I never knew that you had friedns younger then you. I always thought that you were one to hang around more matured people and their grouping. I guess I was wrong..."
Seifer, on the other side of the wall in the living room with the still drugged brunette, frowned as he heard Kuja and Riku's last few words. He knew that Riku was not to hang around many people, but as for hanging around adults and people much older then his brother or cousin, that was farfetched. Riku never touched a soul out of his school, if any IN it. The boy was known for being a loner--even when with Lulu and the others, the boy seemed to fall behind and keep to himself.
The blond snorted, suddenly remembering one of the days they had bumped into each other. That wasn't a pleasant moment and he slowly learned (first-hand) not to mess with the guy.
But.....
He didn't regret SOME of the things he got to do over that year...
Seifer almost laughed aloud at the mere thought of what trouble stampeded through last year when he remembered that a brunette was right in front of him, and two highly dangerous men were on the other side of the wall.
So, doing one of them a favor, he finished his shot and picked up the brunette. He started half-carrying, half-dragging him back to a room on the opposite side of the house, away from the two who talked near the door. There, the blond settled the brunette down, waiting for him to wake a bit more from the drug.
When the other SEEMED to have more sense in him, he slapped him a bit to make sure. "Oy!"
A responce came from the brunette as he tried to swat his hand away.
Seifer, satisfied to some extent, smirked a bit. "Hey. I have a proposal for you."
The brunette narrowed his eyes, silent.
"Okay, I'll take it as a yes then. I want you to be a little friend of mine at school, hmm?"
The latter of the two gave him a questioning look, staying silent as it seemed like the best thing to do.
"No reason, really. Just some company. Hmm... I'm thinking of a business arrangement. What do you think of that?"
A glare answered him.
"Now, don't get me wrong, it's quite fine and no harm will be done to you." Seifer paused, thinking that sentence over. "Well... that is if you can do what we ask."
Sora scoffed, the noise coming from his mouth sounding much like "plegh".
Seifer's smirk stretched a bit more. "Is that a yes? I can take it as a yes, you know. 'No's aren't allowed in this business, you know. Not if you want to stay as you are now. I have many ways to torture you and your family, so really, a 'yes' to my question would suit you very well. I mean, the job's not that hard, really. It's like doing errands--but it's like you have a bomb in your pocket while you're doing so. That's all the more reason for you to be careful, right? So what do you say?"
The brunette looked away, grunting his answer.
When Seifer heard the small reply behind the indistinct noise, he merely took it as an agreement to his terms. Inwardly, he sighed, relieved a bit for unexpressed reasons. He patted the burnette's cheek in a teasing manner before exiting the room, closing the door silently behind him so that he could hear the conversatioin that still continued beyond the walls... unnoticed.
Kuja followed Riku as he went into the kitchen, noticing that Seifer and the brunette were gone from sight, their pressence unnoticable on the couch. He smiled a bit, grateful that Seifer hid away to some other part of his hosue while his "guest" was still here.
Speaking of which...
Riku opened the fridge, looking through it a bit before closing it again. "Nice oranization..." he commented absently.
"Thank you," Kuja answered a bit dryly.
Riku moved on as if he didn't hear the other's responce, looking around as he did earlier. He had yet to see the pressence of the one he looked for. It seemed odd to him that he was no where in sight--but then again, he could be in onr of the rooms. Or... not here at all. He didn't want to bust through the rooms in search of the stupid male, or raise suspicion from his cousin, but he couldn't leave... not just yet...
But he had no choice. There was no evidence of there being another lifeform in this bloody house other than that of Kuja.
Making his way back to the door, cutting through to the den, he made his goodbye to his cousin. He didn't want to leave, not until he'd searched the house all over, but he couldn't... not yet... Hopefully, he could get a word later.
Kuja smiled as he walked his cousin out, locking up after him and acknowledging the pressence of Seifer who hid in the shadows. "He's a handful, huh?"
Seifer only inclined his head slightly. "You seem... frustrated."
Turning to the tall blond, Kuja sighed, shakking his head. "I am, Seifer my friend. I am... But hopefully, things will not go wrong. At least... not yet. We have barely started. We WILL finish this..."
The blond nodded, silent as he followed the older man.
Sephiroth looked up from the text book he was reading from when he caught sight of his younger brother making his way toward the day. With a snort, he closed the book, marking his page with his finger. "Well, the brat makes his way over."
Cloud, who was taking notes on what Sephiroth was telling to him, looked up as well, frowning a bit. Riku looked irritated and slightly angered. He wondered what could have happened that would make the boy appear so. But... no matter. It was none of his business. Turning to his tutorer, he smiled, taking his book from the man and slipping his papers in to mark the page instead of his finger.
"I suppose that it's time to go, then? And... since I have my things with me, could you take me home on the way back? I think it will make things easier for the both of us," he said as Riku climbed in the back seat and nearly slammed the door after him.
The silver-haired man nodded, putting his sunglasses on that he had taken off sometime during the lesson. "Right." And he started the car as he glared in the rear-view mirror at his brother who was handling his car roughly.
He would talk to him about his mood later... For now, he'd take Cloud home.
~*~*~*~*~
AN: If anyone must know, I'm adding this story on fandomination.net and continue it there as well. (That doesn't mean I'm discontinuing it here. Only that I'm ADDING it to another site.) And, if anyone has any other suggestions as to where I can post some of my stories, please do when you review.
Oh, and I'm sorry for the weird cliffie (since it seems like one). But hey, you got a chappie! And if anyone's confused about what the house looks like, well.... I modeled it after one of my friend's house because... it's cool, man! She has a neat house (though she'd never catch me saying that to her... or anyone else's house I've been to) and seemed PERFECT for what I was doing. The two couldn't be seen! Thus extending my story even more! Hah!
.... Don't get it? Sory. I guess it's ahrd to get in my weird language of mine...
But hey, let me create a visual for you... Hmm... How should I describe the house...? Or should I sketch it one of these days? ... Hmm... Lemme try now... (and as for the girl who's house I used, many thnaks cuz your house is cool [though i doubt you're reading this right now]!!)
Let me walk you through Kuja's (NOT my friend's) house as if you were actually looking at it....
One story house... where the windows are large and the covers on them are like that you see in a movie, folding like that of a closet door. once you step inside throught hte front door, you see a hallway to your right, a room in front of your, and just down the hall are a few more rooms and a bathroom. you head down that hall and immediately to your right you see the "den" that probably really is supposed to be the livign room since the fireplace is right there. but it is used as a den wtih only a few couches and a coffee table in the center. to your left, you see a wall that separates this "den" from the "living room". in the middle, you see two white sliding doors, easy access and way to get from one part oft he house to the other. but as you look around to your right, you see the dining room, no wall seperating it from the "den", but from the kitchen like the "Den" from the living room. So, you see this long wall that splits the house in two sections, beautifully decorated with antiques and more miscellaneous things to decorate the house. you head toward the dining room, seeing another of those wide windows with the folding covers, much unlike the usual window curtains you see in every other home. but as you look again to your left, you see the door that gives way to the kitchen. so, going there, you meet immediately with the garage door and some room that seems to look like a office or probably antoher room, a laundry room not far off int aht direction either. but ignoring that, you turn back to the kitchen, the fridge right at your left, a small section of the counter right there before the wall that separates the house pops up, cabinets just above it, much resembling a place for a mini bar. but in the kitchen you notice this platform where some chairs are set up around it, like a table. jsut beyond that is the sink and the rest of the counter and cabinets, a microwave off in the corner near the coffee maker. but you move on past that, seeing a last backyard with a giant tree toward the back and some plants behind a bbq pit. the backyard is paved with blocks, assorted in a decorative and fashionable way, adding elegance to the house that seems almost normal from the outside. but before you can go outside where large window pains salute you so that you may see all of the back, you meet with the "living room", the thing that probably was suposed to be on the other side of that wall behind you instead of the den and dining room. dual couches formed in an "L" mark off where the kitchen and "living room" meet and stop. but you walk past the living room, past the entertainment system with the large-screen tv with pictures and a set of large speakers ont eh shelves that flanked the television. you meet with the hall again, seeing a room to your right that appears bigger than the tohers--maybe the master bedroom. you avoid the room and walk back down that hall you saw earlier from the door. as you walk, you see nothing to your right but a few framed things here and there, but to your right are the rooms. first is the largest bathroom you've ever seen, perfectly clean and sparkling, a window about the size of an average computer screen on the opposite wall of the door that you're peering through. this can no doubt be the master bathroom, judging by it's size and fine condition. but as you move on, you see another room, like you saw before on the other side of the hall. this room was not the one that was right in front of you when coming through the front door, but the one right next to it. it is small then the other rooms--practically the smallest of them all--but still had good size. but there is still one room left. the one in front of the door. this one is large, the second largest room on the house, holding an ajoined bathroom. the bathroom of this room is not as large or quite as fancy at the master's but it still holds a cabinet on one wall, a sink and large mirror ont he other, and a toilet and shower appliance. good enough for THAT room. so let's get back outside... once out the door you meet wtih what would seem like a quarter circle popping out of the blocked floor (the same blocks as the backyard), holding a small circle of flowers and a single tree in that lone patch of grass. you sit on the raised blocks, getting that sense of romance in you jsut by sitting there, the small shade of the tree giving you feel of being in a romance movie where a character strolls in the park and sits on a classic bench, admiring the surroundings. but none of that. you get up and go to the garage that enough space for two large cars to come it. the driveway and big and long, good enough view inside the house though only the top part of the shutters are folded back and you can see nothing inside but the ceiling. but... you notice something on the other side of the garage. curious, you look as see a gate. hm... going through it, you follow the stone path beneath you to the backyard, plants flanking the path in that fantasy sort of way. with a sigh, you admire the calming environment; but also, you sigh because the tour is over. there is no more to see. the house was welcoming enough... and it was so beautiful...
^^ But you should notice that the house ALONE is comforting. What about the residents of the house?? LOL Fine out!
Please review for this story! And if you people still have trouble visualizing the house, well... Sorry, but that's as detailed as I get. Oh, and for suggesting any sites for me to put my stories on (your own personal sites are welcome as well), please add that as well in your review. (Please put in your email when you review so that I may contact you for whatever reasons I may have. And Besides, I'd like to know my readers. ^^ Why? My readers are cool because they put up with me! Yay readers and reviews! Reviews especially because they actaully TELL me they're reading my story and liking it!)