-Chapter 4

-Cinnamon and Vanilla

A/N- Thanks for the reviews!

Special Thanks to: Author sama277 for quite possibly the longest review of my life. You gave me MANY ideas…which I think the readers will be all too happy to read about. You rock man!

-LovelessRitsuka

"Why do you exist?"

A tall silver haired boy was currently glaring at a purple bottle of hair gel, somehow hoping it would vanish into thin air and cease to exist for all eternity.

His hands on hips as he peered down at the bottle, silver hair loose and sprawled over his back.

Riku didn't like hair gel; it made his hair sticky and uncomfortable. It was simply beyond him why his father used so much damn hair gel all the time.

Oh yes, hair gel must die.

Knock

Knock

The teen looked up at the dark oak door standing several feet to his left, the hair gel situation forgotten as the bronze door knob began to rattle.

"Riku?"

A calm voice came from outside the bedroom; Ansem could be heard rattling the door knob once more.

The teen shook his head as he tried to comprehend the current situation, his father was knocking his bedroom door…when has this ever happened before?

Never.

This is weird.

"Riku, open the door."

This was not a suggestion, it was a command.

Why?

All Ansem expected of Riku was to clean, cook, and dress up whenever he hosted a party. To actually talk to his son was something that deserved to be written in the history books.

The silver haired boy quickly walked to the door, getting nervous as the door knob began to rattle rather violently yet again.

He opened the dark oak door, only to find a rather irritated looking Ansem standing outside.

The older man looked down at his son in amusement, his cold eyes looking him up and down as if searching for a weakness.

Riku kept his gaze to the ground, waiting for his father to speak.

"Riku…look at me," Ansem commanded, sounding as emotionless as his face now was.

The teen looked up, wide aquamarine eyes piercing his father's soul as he did.

Shizuma…

His father blinked, it had been awhile since he had seen those eyes.

The eyes he loved…the eyes he hated…

Ansem glared as memories flooded back into his head, making Riku look back down at the floor instantly, thinking the glare was meant for him.

He cleared his throat, trying his best to block them out, as he had for years now.

"Riku, who were you talking to on the phone?"

The silver haired teen kept his gaze to the floor as he replied to his father, "I was talking to a friend, they want to have me over for dinner tomorrow."

Ansem nodded, that seemed agreeable.

"That's fine; I came here to tell you I was going out to eat with the Kusunagi family so there will be no need for you to cook tomorrow."

Riku was shocked, was Ansem….being nice?

Something is wrong here.

"Enjoy yourself alright?"

Riku looked up despite himself, only to find his father looking down at him sternly, a twinkle in his eyes. One that would resemble fatherly love if it weren't masked by his father's cold eyes.

And….

Riku found himself smiling.

"Thanks…Father," He said to Ansem, his eyes shining as he replied to his father.

Ansem nodded curtly, then turned on his heel and walked away from his son, leaving Riku to gaze at his back with many questions and curiosities unanswered.

Oh well, all with good time I suppose.

"So….ready yet?"

Riku glared at his friend as he rummaged through his closet, trying to find something to wear as he decided all his clothes were worthless and ugly.

Leon rolled his eyes as he put a hand to his forehead while leaning against Riku's door, what was he a girl?

"Seriously man, what are you a girl?"

Leon decided to voice his opinion, only to have a sock thrown at his face.

Riku removed his head from inside the closet and came out with a white shirt and a black tank top.

He held them up to Leon, "The white or the black….or the red?"

He held up a red long sleeve to the brunette, while pouting slightly at it.

The brunette groaned, throwing the sock behind him. He pointed to the black, and picked up some baggy black pants as well.

Riku wrinkled his nose in thought, then nodded, "Yeah, that works…I guess…wow Leon, I never thought you'd be good at picking out clothes….," Riku trailed off, raising an eyebrow at his friend…whose eyes widened.

Leon frowned; crossing his arms as he stated blankly, "Just get dressed…."

Riku snorted, putting his hair up in a pony tail while letting a few loose strands fall over his face.

He began pulling his shirt off while Leon went off to sit on Riku's fluffy black couch, letting his feet rest on the wooden coffee table.

"Sooo….you excited?"

Riku pulled on the black tank top, "Yeah, I mean…how come you never told me you knew the president's son?"

Leon shrugged, his eyes staring at ceiling as his head rested on the couch, "You never asked, and you never seem interested in anything anyways."

Riku was now pulling on his black pants, having taken off all his other clothes and sprawled them over his bed.

"What do you mean?"

The silver haired boy had taken interest in his friend's last comment.

Riku walked over to the dresser and studied himself, hell Leon sure knew what he was talking about when he'd said black clothes make a person look thinner then they really are.

"Well think about it, how many times have you gone out with a girl in you life?"

Riku stopped looking at himself to wonder this, he'd only been out with girls a couple of times, and all of them had been chaperoned by body guards and used for business purposes.

"Um…a few times…wait, what does this have to do with anything?"

Riku looked over at his brunette friend, who refused to face him as he stared down at his crossed arms, "Nothing, nothing at all. Are you done yet?"

"Yeah, let's go," he replied as he used his hands to smooth out the front of his tank top.

The brunette stood up, moving to the door and opening it as he waited for Riku to follow him.

The boys walked out of his bedroom, locking the door in the process of course.

Back at the Kasami House however….

"CLOUD! SORA!"

A pair of frightened boys hid in the kitchen cupboard, hoping their mother wouldn't find cowering in fear of being found.

Sora and Cloud Kasami sat at the far end of the cupboard; each could hear the other's beating hearts and shallow panting breaths as they heard footsteps coming closer to the door.

The cupboard was small and smelled of cinnamon and vanilla. Cans and boxes of cooking ingredients placed on lazily on the floor in stacks and piles.

The footsteps came closer and closer until they reached a stop outside the door.

Sora gasped as the doorknob began to turn whilst Cloud held in his breath awaiting their ultimate doom.

A nervous face stuck his head through the doorway, spiky blond hair managing to stay in place as he looked from one direction to the other inside the cupboard until locating his two pitiful sons huddled close together by the stack of cinnamon.

A sigh of relief spread emitted from his lips, "Boys there you are, your mom went grocery shopping, you can come out now."

Sora and Cloud sighed in relief, triumphant smiles on their faces as their Dad opened the door completely to reveal he was formally dressed as usual.

Cloud stood up first, exiting the cupboard followed by Sora who turned to his Dad with a puzzled expression.

"Wait…why's Mom at the store anyways?"

Cloud too looked at his Dad and awaited an answer, dusting off his clothes beforehand of course.

Satoshi stared at the both of them and sighed, "Today's Aerith's day off, your Mom wanted to cook something we can all eat as a family together…oh and we're having guests over that too!"

Cloud and Sora looked surprised at that one, "Wait! I promised to go with Tidus to that new arcade!"

The elder brother nodded, "And I have an informal engagement with Leon if you recall I mentioned earlier," Cloud stated, in a much rational demeanor compared to his younger brother's outburst.

Satoshi nodded, "I know, I know…but your Mom really wants us to have dinner and the guest aren't just anybody either."

He turned to Cloud, who stared back with a bored expression, "I had a chat with Leon last night, I'm surprised he didn't tell you anything, but he's bringing a friend of his over for dinner."

Cloud's cold blue eyes widened, "Why's he bringing his friend over to have dinner with us?"

The blond looked quite confused, which Sora would've found quite hilarious if he wasn't so damned confused as well.

"I spoke to Leon's friend last night, he wants to become a singer and from what I've heard from tapes Leon's been giving me, he has a really good shot."

The older blond turned to Sora, "He's about your age I think, maybe you'll make a friend."

Sora frowned, "But I already promised Tidus I'd meet him at the arcade in awhile!"

Cloud shrugged, "Well guess I'll stay then," he shrugged sounding defeated as he turned and walked out of the kitchen.

The brunette looked after his brother's back as if pleading him to return, but when that seemed pointless, he returned to his father, who wore a tired expression on his face.

"Dad...," Sora began once more, but stopped once his father gave him a smile.

The older man held his son by the shoulders and looked down at him, "Sora, all I'm asking you is stay long enough to at least meet him, plus your Mom would be very happy if you stayed too."

Sora pouted and turned his head to the side as his father removed his hands from his shoulders.

"Alright…I'll stay…," the young brunette mumbled pathetically, winning a grin from the elder Kasami.

"Good boy, now go off somewhere before your mother comes home and makes you help her cook!"

A smile broke out on Sora's face as he looked up at his father's own mirthful expression.

"Okay, thanks Dad."

The young brunette scurried out of the kitchen as his father stared after him fondly.

"Leon…where the hell are we?"

Riku was extremely perturbed at this moment as he watched a calm Leon pass by endless houses, paying absolutely no attention to the map Riku was holding up and frantically pointing at the map.

"Leeeeeoonnnnnnnnnnnn!"

Leon cringed at the sound of his name being stretched out in such an annoying manner by the younger silver haired teen who was looking rather irritated at now knowing where we were.

"Calm down Riku…we're in a different part of town is all, the Kasami family lives close by here," Leon grumbled at his friend, keeping his eyes on the road.

Riku relaxed at this, looking out the window, he began to notice the area was beginning to look like that of his own home.

Several minutes later, they arrived at a gated entrance.

Leon stopped just before the gate and looked into a small screen beside the car, some sort of security device Riku figured.

"It's Leon, I've got Riku with me too Mr. Kasami."

The gate opened shortly after he said these words, letting the car pass inside and through the gates.

They stopped at the front door and stepped out of the car. The brunette man handed his keys over to what looked like servant or valet parker.

Riku stared up at the home, it was quite surprising different then his own.

The Kasami House was tall and white, with stone columns surrounding the double French door meant to be the entrance.

A few steps were provided just before actually going near the entrance however, much like his own home actually.

Leon walked beside Riku and stared up aw well, "Nice place huh?"

The younger boy nodded, walking beside his friend as they approached the front door.

Leon pushed the doorbell beside the doors, and they anxiously stood, waiting for the doors to open.

Riku began to fidget with his hands; he couldn't believe what he'd actually gotten himself into.

What have I gotten myself into!

He stole a glace towards Leon, who seemed perfectly content with his arms as he gazed at the floor, waiting for the doors to open.

"Oh… I can't do this!"

Riku hurriedly began to walk down the steps, hoping he could somehow find the car and go home.

Leon took a moment to simply stare at Riku's panicking until he took a few steps and grabbed Riku's arm.

"Riku calm down, we're just having dinner…," Leon stated, staring at the silver haired boy with exasperation in his eyes.

"Leon I-," Riku began but was cut off as the opening of a door was heard from behind them.

They turned only to find a blond teen stare at them awkwardly; he raised an eyebrow at the brunette's hold on Riku, "Leon…why are you holding his arm?"

The silver haired boy wrenched his arm away from Leon's grasp as he frowned at the blonde, who frowned back.

Leon looked back and forth at the pair, sighing deeply, "Cloud, this is Riku. He's a friend of mine and has an appointment with your dad. Riku, this is Cloud. He's the son of the president of Invidia Records."

Riku nodded still frowning slightly at the blonde, who seemed quite content ignoring him and instead turned to Leon.

"So, he has children?"

Leon nodded, then turned to Cloud.

"Hey, where's your little brother?"

The blonde shrugged, looking disinterested at the very mention of his fellow family member, "probably getting ready to go to some arcade with one of his friends, he was arguing with Dad about it earlier anyway."

A silence fell between the three, which was then broken by a shrill scream.

"CLOUD!"

A look of fright overcame the blonde's blue eyes for a split second before he was pushed out of the way by an overexcited brunette woman.

Riku and Leon were AFRAID.

The pair backed away slowly as the woman looked up at them, making them stop in their tracks.

The woman smiled warmly at them, making them calm down. She had a beautiful smile, and a pale porcelain face which radiated youth and sugar.

The woman was dressed in a long elegant white dress; it was simple with no designs. She wore a simple gold chain around her neck with a diamond shaped sapphire blue jewel hanging from it.

"Hello! I'm sorry Cloud has been so rude as to not let our guests inside the house!"

She grinned eagerly at the two, while Cloud rolled his eyes as stood beside her.

The woman faced Leon, her grin widening, "Leon! So glad to see you again! And who might your friend be?"

He turned to find Riku looking quite amazed at how overly happy this person could be.

Leon grinned, "This is Riku, Riku Hails."

The woman clapped her hands to her cheeks, "Ansem Hail's son? Why, he looks just like his mother!"

The silver haired teen looked interested in this, did this woman know his parents?

"You….know my parents?"

The woman nodded happily, her exuberant blue eyes sparkling with joy, "Laintily and I were good friends back in high school! She was always so happy…especially with that Ansem by her side."

She giggled, and opened her mouth to talk more but was stopped by a tap on her shoulder.

The woman turned to find a blond man with spiky hair behind her, his face looking somewhat expectant as realization spread on her face.

She turned back to Leon and Riku, looking rather sheepish.

"I'm sorry dears! Please come in, it was so rude of me not to earlier."

The woman stepped out of the way as the pair walked in, staring around the large room.

The walls were a tan color while the tiles were a creamy antique white. The swirls in the tile made it look elegant as it gleamed under the golden light from the chandelier atop their heads.

The furniture consisted of a few couches and tables; there was a large mirror on the wall atop one of the couches.

The blonde man and brunette woman smiled warmly at them.

"I see you've met my wife…,"The blonde man began, glancing at his wife who was looking towards the staircase for reasons beyond him.

He turned to Riku, "My name is Satoshi Kasami, I'm the president of Invidia Records. Beside me is my wife, Seiya Kasami."

Seiya turned to wave at them excitedly, "And over here is our son Cloud, whom I suppose you've already met," she said, looking over at Cloud who stood beside her with his usual frown.

"Hello Mr. and Mrs. Kasami, it's nice to meet you," Riku began, stopping once he saw the woman's eyes widening.

"Please don't call me that! It's just Seiya darling, I really don't like it when people act all formal with me," Seiya exclaimed, making hand gestures to emphasize her point as Mr.Kasami chuckled and Cloud rolled his eyes.

Satoshi nodded, "Same goes for me, Seiya's influenced me into being this way as well."

Seiya grinned wickedly, while Cloud began to back away slowly from his mother.

"Why is everyone congregating by the door?"

Riku looked up to see a boy standing on the staircase, one hand on the banister as he spoke.

The boy appeared to be scrawny and small; he had tanned skin and brown hair just like Seiya did.

Actually, he was pretty much a reflection of Seiya with hints of Satoshi thrown in.

The brunette boy ran down the steps and beside Satoshi, a questioning look on his visage.

Satoshi grinned, "Oh yes, this is our youngest son, Sora."

Sora smiled politely at them, "Hey Leon," he said to his brother's friend.

Then his eyes found their way over to the boy beside Leon, the silver haired boy with deep aquamarine eyes.

Their eyes met momentarily until Seiya spoke up, "Sora, this is Riku. He's gonna have dinner with us!"

Sora nodded dumbly, "Yeah…"

Riku grinned, "Hey Sora, nice to meet you too."

The small brunette nodded once more, "Yeah…"

Seiya grinned evilly as she noticed the communication between her son and the Hails boy.

She turned to her husband, "Sweetie, let's get dinner out then. Okay?"

She then turned to face Sora and Riku, "You two get know each other…Oh wait! Sora, are you still going to the arcade with Tidus?"

Sora, who was busying himself by staring at Riku, shook his head.

Seiya grinned, "Good, you boys talk while we get dinner out then!"

She enthusiastically took her husband's hand and dragged him off to the kitchen, leaving the four boys alone.

Cloud and Leon looked at each other, "She really scares me sometimes…," Leon began quietly.

Cloud nodded, "Tell me about it, you can hear her squealing on the different sides of the house whenever she watches 'Gravitation' whatever that is," the blonde finished, looking exhausted.

The pair turned to Sora and Riku, who were now engaged in a conversation…about lasagna.

"Yeah, I made lasagna a couple of days ago," Riku explained to Sora, who looked rather interested.

"You know how to cook?"

The silver haired boy nodded, "Yeah, it's really easy actually, I could show later if you want?"

The younger brunette nodded eagerly, "Sure!"

Cloud turned to Leon, "Hey wanna go up to my room or something until the food's ready?"

Leon nodded and followed the blonde as he beckoned him up the stairs.

While they were off doing that, Riku stopped talking as he wrinkled his nose curiously.

Sora raised an eyebrow, "What's wrong?"

Riku inhaled deeply, looking rather satisfied, "You smell like cinnamon, Sora."

The brunette looked surprised, "I do?"

He grabbed some of his shirt and sniffed it, and just as well, it smelled of cinnamon.

Riku chuckled at the brunette's pout once he was done whiffing his shirt, "Don't worry about it, cinnamon's my favorite scent besides vanilla.

Sora nodded, blushing slightly for reasons he couldn't comprehend.

Looking up at the taller boy, he found himself being smiled at, it seemed like they'd known each other for years even if they just met.

And just as this thought occurred, he caught the faintest smell pass through his nose.

It was the scent of vanilla.

Sora: Wow, after four chapters I finally meet Riku. That took awhile!

Riku: Blame Ritsuka, it's her fault!

LovelessRitsuka: ………..

Sora: Well aren't you gonna say something?

Riku?

LovelessRitsuka: You know this is the part where you're supposed to be encouraging people to review and talking about the chapter?

Sora: O.O Oh…..

Riku: We're new at this ok! Jeeez this is so stressful….WHERE'S MY LATTE DAMMIT!

LovelessRitsuka: ………..

Sora: Ummm…..yeah…..Please review and make this easier on us! Maybe then Ritsuka-chan will give Riku a latte so he can stop whining!

Riku: ………-glare-

Sora: Well it's true………