Hey, guys! Sorry for taking such a long while on continuing the Kadaj story. If most of you don't know already, I do have other fan fictions, and sometimes real life calls for me. But after looking at all the positive reviews I've gotten so far, I felt bad and immediately set to work. I also want to apologize in advance if my drama Kadaj fan fiction turns a little cheesy with love. Romance is a plus, right? But I promise there will be lots of drama to come. I just have to go all cheesy since there are finally some female characters in play! I hope its not for long (-sighs-) Romance is so not my best field...but I'll let you judge. Happy reading!

Chapter 3

I felt so trapped. Everywhere I turned, metal bars of fear blocked me from advancing forward. I could only have such small space. At times I couldn't breathe and focusing on this obstacle only drained so much of my strength. How I wish to be free...

Keely was figuratively killing me. Now that she knows I'm alive and in her radar, she tracks me down like a hunter. Except she doesn't just kill her prey; she tortures them first. I'm no longer alone and all of a sudden I wish I was.

I can't walk to school without seeing her already waiting for me on the steps. I can't go to lunch without her already eating where I usually go. She stalks me and I can't do anything without that little warning in the back of my mind flashing, telling me that Keely is probably standing behind me or watching from afar. I've never felt so claustrophobic.

In other news, I think Father has caught on that Yazoo has girlfriends. Or, should I say, girl friend, seeing as how I haven't seen him hanging out with anyone except Yazmin. This was most unlike Yazoo.

Everywhere I saw him, she was right alongside him. She came over to our house more than any other girl has. The worst part was, she acted like she lived there, and she was my older sister or something. Hello? She wasn't married to Yazoo. I really disliked her. She felt like one of those annoying step moms that try to substitute your real mother.

All the time I talk to Yazoo about it, he waves it off like it's no big deal. I warn him so much to be careful, but he's becoming more and more careless. He used to be so concentrated; so masterful at his craft. He dated hundreds of women (and men) in the past year without Father knowing a thing. He used to never get caught. But he's seriously starting to let his guard down...and all because ofone girl.

There's not much on Loz. Father kicked him out of the house a few days ago for failing a calculus test. He hasn't been back since. I see him at school, but I'm afraid to talk to him. Yazoo won't tell me what's wrong with him. I hate not knowing things. I hate mysterious people like Loz. And Cloud, but he's never here.

Actually, I think Loz is with Cloud. I can see that now, but of course I'm not going to suggest anything and I'm done asking, because nobody will tell me or give me any answers.

♡♡

I began tearing a piece of paper into strips whilst sitting on the grass during lunch time. Keely sat beside me, chewing a sandwich and concentrating on a book. I was glad she wasn't talking. I balled the pieces of paper, crunching them in my hands, tossing them around. I couldn't stop thinking about Loz and Cloud. I was wondering if I had the guts to actually find out Cloud's address and see for myself if Loz was there.

"You seem to be having fun with the paper," Keely noted, smiling at me.

I didn't answer.

"So, you sure you don't want anything to eat?" Keely asked, rummaging around her brown paper bag.

I didn't answer.

"Hey, Kadaj. C'mon, eat this," Keely tossed something on my lap. I looked down and frowned. It was a brownie. I haven't had anything but prune cereal, and my punishment was officially over a few days ago, but I haven't eaten since.

"Yazoo told me about your prune cereal punishment thing. Seriously, how stupid is that? You must be dying to eat something else. I don't want that brownie, you can have it, really," Keely continued in that worried voice. It sickened me.

"I haven't eaten in days because of that prune cereal," I muttered, inspecting the brownie package.

"See? Go ahead and have it. I have to go to the library, I'll say hi to Yazmin for you," Keely got up, dusted off her skirt and walked away. I didn't want to say hi to Yazmin.

Speaking of the devil woman, as I was deciding whether I should eat the brownie or not (maybe it was poisoned) Yazoo came by and took a seat next to me, a smug smile on his face.

"I see you're hitting it off with Keely. You two dating?" He asked, looking at the sky.

"No. We're not even friends," I mumbled menacingly. I started to tear the brownie package.

"That's too bad. We could've doubled for dates," Yazoo lay all the way back on the grass, closing his eyes.

"Is that all you think about?" I wondered disgusted.

Yazoo chuckled. "I'm only man."

"You're only stupid."

"Hey, you having all of that brownie?" Yazoo wondered. I tore it in half, and gave one piece to him. "Hmm. This is good," Yazoo said with his mouth full.

"Hey. I'm going to look for Loz," I announced.

Yazoo sat up. "Really?" He asked. "That's a good idea. I miss him."

"He's at school."

"I meant that in a different way. Loz changed. I want the old Loz back," Yazoo replied sadly. It never occurred to me that Yazoo might've loved Loz. They were brothers too. To me, it has always been Loz as my brother, and Yazoo as my other one. I didn't like Loz much, and now was even scared of him, but maybe that's because he changed. If that was the case, I wanted Loz back too. I remembered when I actually liked him. He used to let me play football with him and his friends. But now, he didn't even want to be seen with me. And his friends were real jerks.

"You know what?" I said to Yazoo, "I miss Loz too. Father should've never kicked him out."

"Father is cruel. But if you can find Loz and convince him to come back home, maybe he will come back the way he used to be," Yazoo explained.

I hoped so.

♡♡

After school, I was doing homework in the school library. Keely was there too. But you already knew that.

For the most part I was silent, as always. Keely was too, surprisingly. But soon I saw her wander off from her homework, and look up to where "Yazoo and Yazmin" noises were coming from behind the far back shelves. I had learned to tune it out.

"Yazoo and Yazmin are so cute together," Keely piped up.

"Not particularly," I replied bluntly.

"Of course they are. You jealous?" Keely wondered.

"No."

I was sometimes jealous of Yazoo, but not about that. And I didn't find making out in the library very cute either.

"I'm afraid Yazmin is going to ditch me for him. I'm jealous myself sometimes," Keely explained.

"You have your other sister," I replied, thinking about Loz. If I lost Yazoo to Yazmin I wouldn't have anyone.

"Lucy? She's always out working. And she mostly stays at her boyfriend's house anyway. She's probably moving out soon."

"Well then, tough luck," I replied and concentrated on my homework again. Usually my conversations with Keely involved her talking and I didn't respond. I didn't want to ruin the tradition so I didn't talk anymore.

After we left the library Keely invited me to watch a movie at her house. I was about to say no when Yazoo cut in, and said I'd gladly love too. Either he still wanted Keely and I to get together, or he wanted the house for himself and Yazmin, I couldn't tell. Still, I was angry at him for making me go.

I've never been to Keely's new house. Back in our old town I sadly regret to admit that I used to come over all the time, when we were friends and in elementary school. However, three years later, she moved here too but I haven't even bothered to visit her. It never crossed my mind.

When we came in there was no one home.

"Go ahead and make yourself at home. I'll go make some popcorn," Keely said and walked into the kitchen, on her way pressing a button on her answering machine. It played all the messages that people left as I looked over her living room and chose a spot on the sofa. She had a nice wide screen tv. Her sofas were comfortable and modern too.

Keely flung her shoes off and hummed as she turned off the answering machine and handed me a glass of soda.

"Nice living room," I mumbled.

"Thanks," She replied, jumping on the sofa, and settling down next to me. She picked up her remote control and began surfing through movies in the tv, and I watched the toes of her socks wiggle around impatiently as she tried to choose. She was wearing knee high, grey and light grey striped socks. She usually wore black.

"Hey, Van Helsing is playing. Wanna watch that?" Keely asked looking over at me.

I shrugged.

"Ok then," Keely pressed PLAY and crawled off the sofa, checking the popcorn which called for her attention with a ding from the microwave.

I watched the previews that came before the movie silently. What was I doing here? I was watching a movie with Keely. With popcorn. How did I end up here? I was confused. It was like my memory got erased.

Keely strutted in, holding the popcorn bowl. Smiling. Why did she smile so much? She smiled more then I scowled.

She set the popcorn between us and already began to dig in. I watched her in disbelief. Why was she acting so normal?

The movie started and out of curiosity I began to watch. I never watch movies. I had no idea what this one was about, and wasn't accustomed to knowing different types of movies. Suddenly a hand full of popcorn made its way infront of my face.

"You don't want any?" Keely asked, pouting. "There's too much popcorn here just for me."

I took one or two pieces from her hand and held them. I looked down and felt their heat in my hands. The butter greased off onto my fingers.

"Don't hold them like that. The butter will melt off onto you." I noticed Keely was watching me.

The movie was still playing. Why didn't she just watch that?

I ate the pieces of popcorn and tasted how delicious they were. Popcorn, huh? It's been quite awhile. Actually, they had a hint of prune cereal, but that's probably because I haven't eaten anything else for awhile.

I looked at Keely. She was watching the movie. She had her side bangs pinned to the side today, and I could see her eyes. I watched the movie from their reflection. I noticed she had light freckles across her small nose and pale cheeks.

"This is a good part," She muttered suddenly. I turned to the tv and watched. Some creatures were attacking these people. It was sort of entertaining but I didn't understand why the creatures were doing what they were doing. I assumed they were the villains.

"Have you seen this movie before?" I asked her.

"A couple of times. It's been awhile though, and I like it," Keely replied, taking the bowl of popcorn onto her lap since I wasn't eating any of it.

I nodded and whisked my hair away from my face so I could see better. I settled back onto the sofa and actually thought of sleeping. However I didn't want to wake up with marker all over my face. I wondered if Keely would still do such a thing, pranks like that. She loved them when we were younger.

Half way through the movie the front door opened, then slammed shut. Keely looked up to see who had come in.

"Oh, hey Lucy," She greeted. Lucy was her oldest sister. I also looked up to see her. I haven't seen her in three years.

Lucy was very attractive, just like Yazmin. She was tall and slim, had short silver hair, and a smirk was always on her face. She was always wearing elegant, short black dresses with high heels or boots. I remembered that she always had designer jewelry or purses for nailing rich boyfriends.

"Well, well, well. Is this who I think it is?" Lucy's honey sweet voice said, walking over and smiling at me. My eyes widened and I didn't reply.

"Yeah, it's Kadaj. We were just watching a movie," Keely replied for me, obviously annoyed that she had to pause it because Lucy was now in the way. Yazmin was the smart one, and very cunning. That was her weapon. However Lucy was the most deceiving woman I knew. Keely once told me she went through just as many boyfriends as Yazoo did with girlfriends combined.

I was scared of her too.

"Alright, well I'll leave you kids alone," Lucy said and walked away to her room. She had sounded disappointed and I wondered if she wanted anything from me.

"You remember Lucy, right?" Keely asked me.

"Y-Yeah."

"Ok, just checking, 'cause you didn't say anything," Keely replied, and continued the movie.

I tried to focus on the movie again. It's hard to describe why but before I was actually at peace. Now that I had caughta glimpse of Lucy, I was very nervous and restless. That's usually how I felt when I knew Father was going to lecture me on something or ground me for something again. Unlike Yazmin, Lucy has always scared me.

"I think I'm going to go," I suddenly said. I didn't even plan on saying anything, the words just came out of my mouth.

"What?" Keely asked, pausing the movie again. "Is it because of Lucy? She won't do anything. She's just in the other room, she won't bug us."

"It's not Lucy. I just have to be home at a reasonable hour," I replied, getting up.

"Kadaj, it's 5:30," Keely pointed out bluntly.

"It's almost dinner time," I said quickly and made for the door. I heard Keely sigh and get up from the sofa to follow me out.

I started down her steps but stopped when Keely called my name. "What?" I asked, turning around.

She looked at me for awhile, then looked away shaking her head. "Never mind." She closed the door and I began going down her front steps again, puzzled. I was glad yet disappointed at the same time. I was glad to be out of that house. But I wanted to watch the rest of the movie.

♡♡

When I came back home I found Yazoo kicking a roll of socks up and down while talking on the phone. He saw me come in and motioned for me to wait for him.

"Yeah, yeah. Alright, bye," He hung up and smiled at me. "So? How did it go? Details," He demanded, plopping on our couch.

"Nothing happened. We watched half of a movie. I got bored so I came home. The end," I replied and began heading towards my room.

Yazoo groaned. "Are you serious? You've gotta be kidding me."

"Yes, I'm kidding. Nice joke, huh?" I replied sarcastically.

"Your love life's a joke," Yazoo fired back, dialing on the phone.

I sighed and tossed my backpack into a corner of my room. I came backin the living room to pick up the socks Yazoo was kicking around. They were actually mine.

"I also saw her oldest sister there," I added to Yazoo.

"Lucy? How is she? She still hot?" He asked, waiting for the person on the other line to pick up.

"Yes, but why would you care? You have Yazmin."

"Loz could use a girlfriend."

"Please." I returned to my room, Loz now in my mind. I planned to find him tomorrow, since it was the last school day before the weekend. I could follow him after school, and find out where he lives. Hopefully even convince him to come back. But the only thing was...would he really listen to me?

♡♡

Loz was talking to his football buddies outside of the front entrance. I hid behind a car and waited for him to get on his motorcycle. He shared one last joint with his friends before waving good bye and walking towards his bike. All he carried was his varsity jacket in one hand, and his helmet under his arm.

Loz got on his motorcycle and strapped his helmet on. I've never seen anyone look so cool while doing that. He throttled the engine, and took off down the street. I began running down another way, but ending up on the same street he was on. He was waiting for the street light so I caught a breath while I waited in the corner. After taking off again, I followed him, running down through short cuts and alleys so he wouldn't see me.

Finally, he slowed down to a stop in some bar. Loz drinks? I thought. He took off his helmet, shook out his hair, and proceeded to go in. I followed him inside after waiting a few minutes. I had snuck in quickly, and was already seated at a table before he even got to the counter. I didn't want the owner or Loz to see me.

He was laughing and talking to a woman up front. Wait. I knew that woman! It was Cloud's slut of a girlfriend, or whatever Father calls her. She nodded upstairs to Loz and he climbed up the steps. Cloud must be here too.

Since already knowing where Loz was, and chickening out on trying to convince him, I began to get up and leave. However Cloud's girlfriend noticed me and before I left she called out.

"Hey! Can I help you?" She asked. I turned around slowly, and watched the recognition come to her face. "Wait a minute, I know you. Are you Cloud and Loz's younger brother?" She asked kindly.

I nodded and walked up to the counter.

"I'm Tifa. If you're looking for Loz he's upstairs. Cloud's gone off though," Tifa explained, wiping the counter. She had a nice smile.

"Thanks," I managed and headed upstairs.

Loz was just chucking his helmet onto a bed when I came in to his room. His door was the only one opened and upon coming to the second floor I spotted him immediately.

"Loz," I called. He turned around.

"Why, if it isn't little bro. How'd you find me?" He asked, giving me a smug smile.

"I followed you, you meathead. Yazoo and I are worried. We miss you and want you home," I explained, getting to the point.

"Sorry. Father kicked me out. Besides, Cloud said I could stay here just fine," Loz replied.

"You can't stay here. Father barely comes home anyway, and even when he does, he's bound to have cooled off by now. Just, of course, don't mention you've been staying with Cloud," I said.

"I'm sick of Father. He always gets mad, he never accepts me. He's always pushing me until I'm about to explode. I'm done. I'm staying here, and doing what I want," Loz replied angrily.

"Doing what you want? You mean getting stoned everyday?" I growled.

"You don't understand," Loz mumbled.

"Maybe not, but don't think I have it any easier. We need you home Loz. You've been gone long enough. Don't end up like Cloud," I pleaded.

Loz looked at me and sighed. "I'll tell you what. I'll think about it, ok? Don't cry on me. Go on, go home," He ordered and I left, leaving it at that.

I wiped at my watery eyes and descended the stairs. When I came down I saw Cloud, briefly talking to that Tifa lady. He looked at me with is cold blue eyes.

I passed by him, on my way out, when he called to me. I froze and turned around to face him. I wasn't really accustomed to Cloud calling my name.

When I turned around Cloud just stared at me, so I decided to say something. "I just came by to see if Loz wanted to come back home. He's not sure if he's coming back though," I said.

Cloud lowered his eyes to the floor, and they darted as if he was looking for something. "You want him home?" He finally spoke up, barely audible.

I nodded.

Cloud looked at me and nodded back. He turned around and I took that as the end of our brief conversation, really the only conversation I've ever had with him.

Then I left.

I'm not the luckiest person in the world. In fact, I have more bad luck then good. I was just thinking this as I walked back home, drenched. It had started to rain. By the time I did get home, the rain was pounding so hard it hurt, and I was soaked through and through. However, when I got home, I found something I didn't expect.

Keely doesn't really follow me everywhere. Just around school sometimes. I don't know if I should have been surprised or not, but I was surprised anyway, as I saw her standing outside my house, drenched just like me. She never went as far as coming all the way to my house, but something told me she was here for a different reason.

"What are you doing?" I cried over the rain, standing in front of her. She was wearing black sneakers with jeans, and over a shirt all she had was a small black jacket. Her long hair was soaked onto her back, and her side bangs were plastered over her face. Her eye makeup had run down her face, and it looked like she had been crying tears of black.

"Kadaj!" She replied, "I was waiting!"

"Waiting for what?" I asked, puzzled.

She shook her head, which trembled like the rest of her from the cold. She had her hands in her pockets, but took one out to remove her hair from her face and wipe away her stained cheeks.

"Keely! Why didn't you go in?" I insisted.

"It's l-locked," She stammered, and I ran over to our door. It was locked. I pounded on it but after a few moments nobody came.

"I don't think anyone's home," I replied to her, but she shook her head.

"Yazmin has to be here. That's why I came," Keely explained.

"Tell me later. We have to get out of this rain," I replied and looked around. The rain was in sheets, and I could barely make out anything. However, I remembered just in time something very useful. "C'mon!" I called out and took her hand.

We ran and slipped over the wet grass as we hurried to the side of my house. There, I spotted the big hole in my room and I ushered Keely inside before going in myself.

Out of the rain I could hear much better, and waited for Keely to tell me why she was here. However she was looking around my horrid room.

"I'll look for some blankets," I said to break the silence.

"Ok," She replied, still trembling and dripping wet from head to toe.

I was about to open my door when I heard yells from inside the rest of the house. I placed my ear to my door, and heard more shouts. Somebody was having a fight. It could only be Yazoo and Father, but they almost never fight. Could it be...?

"You said your sister was here, right?" I asked Keely, turning to her.

Keely nodded.

Father must have found out. I wonder where Yazmin was now, and what was happening. It was most advisable not to intrude, so I backed away from my door and hoped they didn't even notice I was here, much less with a girl.

"Well? How about some blankets?" Keely asked.

"S-Sorry...I can't. My father is fighting with my brother, I can hear them. It's best if I don't intrude. Also, you can't be found out," I explained.

"How come?" Keely wondered.

"Long story. If you value your life, you better stay put here," I merely replied, heading towards my dresser, wondering if maybe there was anything in there we could use.

Keely went silent after what I said, and sat down on my mattress. I took out two shirts and two pants of mine, which I never wore and was even surprised to find. "Here, put these on," I ordered, tossing a shirt and pants to her.

"B-But these are yours, and...they're big," Keely noted feebly.

"But they're dry," I pointed out. "If you don't want it then set it aside."

Keely gave me a wry smile, and headed towards my bathroom to change. While she was there I changed myself and sighed as I flopped onto my mattress, very tired.

When my bathroom door opened, Keely came out, wearing my shirt and pants. She looked very funny and I couldn't help pursing my lips. I was about to laugh.

"Don't you say anything," Keely threatened, setting her wet clothes in a pile on the floor. She picked up one of her sneakers and tilted it back, water coming out in a stream.

"How long were you waiting outside in the rain for?" I asked sarcastically, watching her dump her other shoe too.

Keely laughed and shrugged. She tossed her shoes aside and sat against a wall, drenching out her hair. "What now?" She wondered.

"We wait," I replied.

Keely sighed. "I hate waiting," She complained.

"So do I," I replied, leaning against the wall beside her. I didn't want to get my mattress wet.

"I should use your phone," Keely said. "It looks like it's going to rain all night."

"You can later," I replied, still hearing an argument outside my room. I can't even imagine what would happen if I got caught too.

Keely sighed again and leaned her head on my shoulder. I didn't protest. I was too tired.

However, after a few moments, I grew bored of sitting there.

"Let's play cards," I suggested.