Chapter 11: A Painful Memory

Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah, I don't own kingdom hearts. Yada yada yada.

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I slowly woke up to be greeted by the oh so lovely sunshine again. Squinting, I reached for a pillow and plopped my face into it, in attempt to go back to sleep. It didn't work.

I rolled back over to my side, glaring at the window. Who's bright idea was it to put a window there?

Slowly I sat up, feeling the wonderful throbbing on the side of my head.

I gripped my head and looked around. The bed I was sleeping in is huge. A king size I think. God, I never thought I would say this but I miss my little twin bed back at home.

Home.

The hot sun, the cool breeze, the warm sand. You know, I took a lot of things for granted. I never thought I would miss that place.

Sigh. I looked over to the grandfather clock in the corner of the room. 11 am. I guess that means I should get up...damnit.

I swung my legs over and slowly stood up, acknowledging my head injury. I headed over to the door, but a glimmer got my attention. I turned around and saw a huge, golden rimmed mirror. Walking up to it, I looked at my reflection.

Pretty. Torn, dirty, blood-stained clothes. I frowned. Looking up, I saw that my long, auburn hair was in knots, going in all different directions. I also took notice to some lovely looking bags under my eyes. So pretty.

I shrugged and headed out the door, entering a hallway. There was a door at the other end, which I assumed was Cloud's room. There was a door in the middle of the hallway, and a stair case across from it.

I headed for the stairs and stopped and turned around. I walked up to the door opposite it and cracked it open. Tiles...a bathroom! YES!

I smiled and darted in. Checking that there was a towel for me, I took off my clothes and hopped into the shower, cranking up the hot water.

I sighed in comfort as the hot water rolled down my back. Now this is what I needed.

After washing my hair, and scrubbing all of the dirt and blood off of me, I took an extra few minutes to just sit there and relax.

I looked down at the scars on the insides of my arms. It seemed like it was a lifetime ago. So much can happen in such little time.

I wondered where Sora was. You know, it's just my luck that after three long years, I get to see the one I love for a glimpse, and we are separated again.

I missed his cerulean blue eyes, his funny brown hair, his corny smile. I just needed him to hold me and tell me everything would be alright.

I sighed, coming back to reality. I stood up and turned off the faucet before stepping out.

I snatched one of the white towels hanging on a rack next to me. Wrapping it around my body, I walked up to the cabinets in front of the sink.

Curiously, I opened the right one and peaked in. Cologne, hair gel (God only knows how much Cloud uses to keep his hair spiked up like that), a comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, condoms...wait a minute. I raised my eyebrows. So he has a partner. Interesting...

I closed the door and opened the left one. I gasped. Tampons?! What the hell?!

I gazed over the other contents: perfume, make up...I'm totally confused.

Closing the cabinet, I quickly rushed back to my room and shut the door. Well that was disturbing. Lesson learned: Do not go snooping in other peoples stuff! Bad Kairi, Bad!

I spotted a pile of folded clothes on my bed. Cloud must of heard the shower and brought me a change of clothes.

I walked over to the pile and laid out the clothes on the bed. A pair of gray sweats and a dark blue, zip-up hoodie.

I put the clothes on, noticing how long the sweats were. I couldn't see my feet! Heh.

I tied my hair back and headed downstairs.

I randomly turned to my right and headed into the room. It was carpeted, with green leather sofas against a wall. In front of them was a huge-ass flat screen television...It was as tall as me!

"Whoa..." I muttered.

"Pretty cool huh?" A voice came from behind me. I squeaked in surprise and spun around to be greeted by Cloud.

"Sorry," Cloud laughed, "Didn't mean to scare you."

I smiled.

While looking into his eyes, I realized something. I've only talked to Cloud for a few minutes and yet I feel like I can trust him. There's something about him that reflects goodness.

"Hey, you hungry?" Cloud asked, "I was just heading into the kitchen to make some lunch."

I nodded eagerly, "Please!"

"Follow me!" Cloud said happily.

He turned back towards the stairs and crossed over to the room on the other side.

"Have a seat," Cloud offered, as he pulled out a chair.

"Thanks," I replied, taking a seat.

I took a look around the room. The kitchen table was pretty small, sits two comfortably. There were the basic appliances: fridge, stove, dishwasher, etc. It was really cozy.

"Is the good ol' mac and cheese okay with you?" Cloud asked, while he was searching through one of the cabinets.

I smiled, "Who doesn't like it?"

"Good point," Cloud said.

After a minute, Cloud came over and sat down across from me. "It's on the stove, should be ready in a few."

"Cool," I said, rubbing my stomach. Jeeze I was really hungry.

"So I see you found the bathroom, how was the shower?" Cloud asked.

"Very...reviving. Thanks for the clothes and stuff."

Cloud shrugged. "Not a problem."

Silence. Scratch that: Awkward silence. drums fingers

I looked over at Cloud and he seemed lost in his own thoughts. Okay, I gotta ask it. It's gunna bug me forever if I don't... Deep breath "Hey Cloud?"

"Yesum?"

"Who's room was I staying in?" I asked, looking up at him.

He was silent for a moment. "...Oh, don't worry about it. It's just a guest room now."

Huh? Okay...that room is pretty huge to be a guest room. And what about the tampons and crap?

I piped up. "Now? Well what was it before?"

Cloud looked at me oddly, "Sorry, what do you mean? It's always been a guest room."

Huh. Okay...he is definitely hiding something. Ugh this is my last resort: "So...why were there, um...women's accessories in the bathroom?"

Cloud looked nervous for a second and then forced a cocky grin, "I'm a cross-dresser!"

Now that would be funny. "Hah, yeah right," I said giggling, "Come on, seriously."

Cloud looked down at the table. "It used to be...my room." He brought his hand up and started biting his thumb. Nervous habit?

"I guess you have a right to know," Cloud said softly.

Oh shit I think I hit a soft spot.

Cloud seemed to be fascinated by the table, not taking his eyes off of it. "A few years ago, I moved into this house with my fiancée. Her name was Kagome." He sighed and looked out the window. "It was only two days before our wedding when it happened."

I looked at him carefully. I could sense a lot of pain in his aura. His eyes were shimmering with tears.

"We were going to the wedding rehearsal, and we heard something behind us. We turned around and saw dozens of heartless...I heard of them before, and how dangerous they were. I knew they were here to destroy Twilight Town. I told Kagome to stay back, and I fought the heartless. But there were so many...they were so strong. I was too careless, and when I looked back, I saw one attacking my Kagome."

He paused and cleared his throat. "I ran to her as fast as I could, but I wasn't fast enough...by the time I killed that damned heartless, she had no chance. I held her in my arms that night, and watched her die."

I gaped at him. This could be from a soap opera or something. It took me a few seconds to process all that he just said. His fiancée? I thought about Sora and what I would do if he died...I don't want to even think about it.

"I'm so sorry." I said meaningfully.

"Thanks," Cloud said, "I know, I should have told you sooner. It's just really hard...That's why I fought Sora by the way."

I cocked my head to the side, "Eh?"

Cloud sadly smiled and explained. "You see, after Kigome was killed, I fell into darkness. I wasn't completely myself, and I was so confused. I was angry at the world, and I needed revenge."

I nodded in understanding. That sounds like what happened to Riku.

Cloud finally looked at me, seemingly regaining his confidence. "Don't worry about me though, Sora actually helped me through the darkness. He's a great guy."

I smiled, "I know," I whispered.

There was a comforting silence through the air that didn't seem to bother me. I think we were both thinking about different things. I had my mind on Sora. God, I can't stop thinking about him. I must find him as soon as possible.

"Shit," Cloud muttered. He jumped out of his chair and leapt over to the stove, where the macaroni was boiling over.

I giggled as I watched Cloud try to fix the mess. "Need any help?" I asked amused.

"Nope! I'm good!" He called back.

After a few minutes he brought back two bowls of mac and cheese and two glasses of lemonade.

"Mmmm thanks!" I said. I grabbed a fork and began to inhale the lunch.

"So," Cloud said. "Kigome was a bit taller than you, I see that her clothes don't really fit."

I smiled sheepishly. I'm 5 foot 6...from the looks of the pants, she had to be atleast 5'9". Jeesh.

"Don't worry about it," I said in between bites, "I can live." (sarcasm)

Cloud grinned, "I know you can live, but why not live on the luxurious side...after lunch I'll give you some money to go get yourself an outfit or two."

Yes! Shopping time!

I quickly finished my lunch and hopped out of my seat, grabbing Cloud's plate, and mine.

"Thank you very much!" Cloud smiled.

"Hey, it's the least I can do," I replied as I began washing the pot.

After I finished, Cloud came up and gave me a couple bills, "This should be enough," He said warmly.

I looked down and gaped. 300 munny? Wow this guy is cool.

"Whoa..." I said, "Are you sure you want to give me this much?" Please say yes, please say yes!

"Of course I am!" Cloud said enthusiastically. Yes!

I grinned, "Thank you sooo much!"

"No problem," He said. "Now the shops are all together in a district. Just take a right, and head straight to the end of the road and you'll find them."

"Okay, I'll be back in an hour or so!" I said, walking out the door.

(A/N: hi peeps. So..how was it? Sorry I haven't updated in a while, been pretty busy. The next chapter should be up soon tho with some RIKU action! dies sorry lol. Btw check out the author: silentchill13, shes my beta reader and she has a hott story! Woot!)