I do not own FFVII nor any of its characters,however the story idea is mine. I also do not own any Kingdom Heart Characters.
Life's Tough, Get over it
Aeris opened the front door to reveal Namine. She smiled at hfg and she smiled back.
" Kairi asked me to come over for some girl talk...can I come in? "
" Of course...she's up in her room " Aeris showed her in. Namine climbed the stairs and knocked on the door.
" Come in " Kairi said softly from the other side. Namine opened the door and slipped inside before closing the door. Her smile disappeared as she layed eyes on her best friend in such peril.
" Kairi...you ok? "
" Namine, your my best friend...I'm going to have to trust you with this information...and to not tell anyone...ok? "
"S...sure...you know you can trust me no matter what...what is it? "
" Well... " all information from the at home test had been proven right when she went to the doctor. He had told her exactly what she dreaded hearing.
-+-+
Roxas unlocked the front door and walked in, Axel and Demyx behind him.
" Hey Mrs. Strife " both boys greeted warmly. Tifa looked up from a cooking pot and smiled at them.
" Hey mom, we're just going to try out that chip you got us...you remember Axel and Demyx " Roxas indicated, pointing to the two of them. He had had them come over more than a few times, but just them. He had tried to befriend Zexion, but it was hard to maintain a conversation with someone who didn't speak much, though he was fun to play pranks with. He was a major trouble maker.
" Will you boys be staying for dinner? "
" May we? Shoot, I'd love to " Axel smiled.
" Thanks...sure we won't be interrupting any family time? " Demyx asked.
" Nonesense. Your friends, and friends are like family " Tifa reassured as she turned back to the pot. Roxas led his friends to the gym before setting his stuff down and closing the door after them.
" Ok...I managed to get my hands on Xemnas's plans...he's trying to do something big without our knowledge " Demyx spoke as he pulled out documents.
" He's always doing shit without us...he only wants this organization so he doesn't have to do anything " Axel leaned against the wall and sat down. Roxas sat on the trampoline, and the others followed.
" OOOOOO! TRAMPLOINE! " Demyx said excitedly. Roxas and Axel looked at him with confused looks. Demyx coughed and ran his fingers through his hair before coughing to hide his embaressment.
" Sorry...I always wanted a giant trampoline ever since I was five ".
" Well feel free to come over and use it " Roxas nodded.
" Well...now since Demyx's inner child has exposed itself, lets get on with the matter. Lets see the documents " Axel yawned. Demyx handed them over letting Roxas and Axel look over them. They both read Xemnas's writing of ramblings and such of a dark power. He had scribblings of what exactly to do and such. Roxas took the paper from Axel and looked over a few sentences nervously. What he read did not make him comfortable. ' In order to attain such power, Mako is required if I am to rule this world. But since it is extremely dangerous to fuse with, one must use the substance with one who can naturally control it. Luckily, my newest member can access one who controls mako. Fusing my blood with the holder's, then adding mako will result, to my research, the perfect human ' . Roxas blinked a few times, a grim feeling settling over him.
" Xemnas is after my dad...for his Mako ablities ".
" That may explain the reports then " Axel said quietly.
" Whoa whoa whoa, wait a sec...your dad has Mako ablities? How does that go ? "
" Well, Xemnas doesn't see the fact that, you can't control Mako...it controls you. And all it lets you do is destructive things...it'll destroy Xemnas entirely, making him a puppet ".
" Yeah? Well good riddence " Axel crossed his arms.
" No Axel, thats bad. Even though he'll be a puppet, he'll still be a major threat " Demyx pointed out.
" Alright alright...all we have to do is shut down the Organization, one member at a time so he doesn't have the things he needs to carry this out...how can that possibly be hard ? " Roxas stood and jumped hard onto the trampoline, making his two comrads bounce.
-+-+
Namine was silent, even five minutes after Kairi had told her. Kairi was afraid that Namine might now think of her as a whore, or someone not worthy to be her friend. Namine took a deep breath before looking at her.
" Does Sora know? "
" ...n...no...not yet...I called...but I think he's training ".
" So...what are you going to do? "
" What am I to do? "
" There's always ' that ' option ".
" I don't think I could ever bring myself to kill it...its a feeling you get when you are pregnant ".
" Kairi...your only eighteen...you wouldn't be able to handle it...you'd have to throw your life away...what if your father finds out? What if Cloud finds out? Their friendship will end as if it had never happened all those years ago. Your mom and Tifa will lose touch, and you'll never see Sora again...could you live with that? Tearing apart four peoples lives for the sake of a child who was a mistake? "
" Don't talk as though you know everything Namine " Kairi responded coldly.
" Best friends are to be brutally honest and to try and help...whoever said being a best friend meant no one was going to get hurt? " Namine replied with equal iceyness.
" What would you do? Hmm? Could bring yourself to kill your own child? "
" Frankly, right now, its not a child. And look around Kairi...I wasn't as foolish. But if you want my honest answer, I would rather get to see Roxas for another day, then to have his child and be alone for all eternity. Choice is yours. And if your going to be a bitch, then I don't want to be here " Namine got up from her spot on Kairi's bed and headed towards the door.
" Wait... " Kairi called in a quiet tone. Namine stopped and turned, a blank expression on her face.
" Namine...I'm sorry...I did ask you for advice, and you were giving it to me...I just...don't want to deal with this alone " Kairi cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. Namine walked back to her friend's side and placed her arms around her shoulders.
" Should we schedule you an appointment? "
-+-+
Cloud held his cell to his ear, listening to the ringing on the other side. Then it picked up.
" Hey sugar ".
" Hey babe...listen, Zack and I have a few things we need to get done. After we finish these ridiculous errands from the school board, I'm gonna drop by his place for a few minutes and swing home...alright? "
" Yeah...oh, Axel and Demyx are staying for dinner...you should scare them by handing them a pop quiz when you get home ".
" Your just as evil as I am " Cloud laughed.
" I did marry you, how one acts tends to rub off ".
" Yeah, with how much ' rubbing ' that actually went on, I'm surprised your hair isn't blonde yet ". Tifa laughed on the other end.
" Well...get home safely, alright? Tell Aeris I said hi ".
" Will do ". After completing stupid tasks Cloud did drop by Zack's place. He hugged Aeris hello and greeted her for Tifa's sake.
" Yo Cloud, something to drink? "
" Nah...I have to go soon anyway " Cloud waved him off as he looked around the place. The phone rang and Zack picked it up as Aeris asked how life was.
" Hello? "
" Yes, hello. This is Dr. Carta from Draconis Hospital. I'm just calling to make sure a miss...Kairi, got her pregnancy results back ". Zack choked on the very air he was breathing.
" Ugh...are you sure you have the right number? "
" This is the house hold of a miss...Kairi Gainsborough, yes? "
" Y...yes ".
" We're just calling to make sure she got her pregnancy results back ".
" Could you...preytell...me what they came to be? " Zack tried to keep calm.
" Positive ". Zack's fist clenched, causing the bicep to show.
" I'll make sure she gets the message ".
" Thank you sir ". Zack hung up the phone rather hard, slamming it back down onto the reciever.
" Hey ugh...Cloud buddy...can we talk...outside? " Cloud nodded as he waved goodbye to Aeris before walking outside, back towards his fenrir.
" Whats up? "
" Cloud...I'm going to kill your son ".
" Ha ha...heh...which one? " Cloud laughed but then stopped at seeing Zack's serious expression.
" Cloud...I'm going to be straight forward...get off my property...right now ".
" And might I ask, what the hell has gotten to you? " Cloud crossed his arms.
" The name Strife is what...I want you to leave...right now ".
" You know, I remember buying this house for you ".
" And I remember saving your life...get out, now ".
" Zack...your not making much sense " Cloud looked at him confused. Zack's hand shot up quick and closed around his windpipe, squeezing hard.
" Listen well and listen good...no Strife, is going to ever set foot on my lawn ever again...because thanks to your son, who could not control himself, my daughter is now having a Strife of her own. Children take after their parents...therefore...I don't ever want to see you again. You step foot near any of my family, I will have no choice but to take you down, SOLDIER style...have a good day Master Strife " Zack spoke harshly as he shoved Cloud off his feet. Cloud rubbed his throat, Zack had a very good grip. Cloud looked at who used to be his best friend since childhood, now all he saw was another who hated his name. Cloud got to his feet, his eyes never breaking contact as he crossed over to his fenrir. He fired up the engine and peeled out into the street, taking off in a flash. Zack walked back inside before calling his beloved daughter down. She came down and looked at him confused.
" Kairi...sweety...do you have anything you need to tell us? " Zack asked, earning a confused look from Aeris and a fearful one from Kairi.
-+-+
Cloud opened his front door and walked in, letting it slam behind him, causing his family and friends to jump at the table. He leaned against the door, his eyes drifting to the ground and staring at his boots. He stayed there for only a few seconds before picking his head up and storming upstairs and into his room, slamming the door again. Roxas, Axel, Demyx, Sora, and Tifa all watched him in silence, afraid to even begin to wonder what was wrong. Tifa put down her silverwear and pushed her chair out before walking upstairs.
" Has your father ever been so mad that he'd hit your mother? " Demyx asked quietly.
" No. Besides, mom can defend herself " both Sora and Roxas said in unison.
-+-+
" C...Cloud? " Tifa opened the door to her bedroom. He was sitting on the foot of their bed, his chin in his palm as he stared angrily at the floor. She could see the waves of anger radiating from him, the darkness of his heart feeding the demonic mako side, making him visable. Tifa knew when and when not to press her luck with her husband. She sat next to him, the mattress beneath her sinking from her weight. She put up a soft hand onto his shoulder, but he would not turn to look at her.
" C...Cloud? Something...something wrong? "
" No...everything's just fucking dandy...why do you ask? " he replied sardonicly. Tifa kept her mouth shut, his anger was making her head spin. She could feel his wing moving beneath the surface of his skin. Cloud took a deep breath before placing his face in his hands. He stayed like that for but a few moments before moving his hand over her's, squeezing gently.
" Sorry...didn't mean to be so... "
" Just tell me what happened " Tifa pressed lightly. Cloud's face twisted into an angry expression again, then calmed.
" I think it'd be best if I didn't have to talk about it right now ".
" Cloud...don't shut me out...not now. Years ago I would've understood...but not now...what is it? "
" ...think you could handle being a grandparent at this young of age? "
" ...Wh...wh...wh...WHAT! " Tifa removed her hand from his shoulder and brought it up to her lips.
" My thoughts exactly...and because of that...Zack no longer wants to be my best friend ".
" Then Kairi is...? "
" Apparently...and because he's ' our ' son...we are no longer welcomed into Zack's family ".
" But Aerith is ' my ' best friend ".
" But will she look at you and treat you the same as she used to? When our son has ruined the purity of her daughter? "
" I...I don't know ".
" Zack already threatend to kill Sora, in my presence no less...and I don't think he was kidding ".
-+-+
" You think their argueing? " Sora asked as Roxas speared a fried tomato on his plate using his fork. The boy simpley shrugged as he looked at Axel and Demyx. The house had seemed to be eerily quiet. There was no muffled yelling and no sounds of hitting flesh and bone. Roxas stayed quiet, they didn't find out that he was secretly studying his father's past did they? Or the way he cheated on Gremlin's test. What if they found out he was in the Organization! Roxas began to grow very nervous at these thoughts. He took a deep breath to calm himself, chances were they didn't know. And if they did...well then...so much for making it to his twentyth birthday. Roxas suddenly pushed his chair back with as much strength as he could focus, and began to march his way to the stairwell and towards his parents' room. Sure, he had been warned not to ever enter again, but he needed to see if either of his parents had been knocked out cold. He knocked quietly before opening the door and poking his head through.
" Mom? Dad? " he called out softly. He looked straight forward to see blue orbs looking straight back at him. The sudden closeness of his father made him jump backwards, letting his body collide with the floor. Cloud opened the door completely and bent down before picking up his son and dragging him back into the master bedroom.
" I DIDN'T DO IT! " Roxas screamed frantically, but Cloud's hand clamped over his mouth.
" I know you didn't do it, but I'm going to need you to shut up and listen ". Roxas made no noise, his mother was leaning against a far wall. Cloud motioned for Roxas to sit on the foot of their bed, to which he did not argue.
" You and your brother are better friends than Sephiroth and I were...tell me what he tells you " Cloud crossed his arms as he leaned against the door.
" I don't follow you... "
" We're having a bit of a family fued right now...things are not well...and you may have to tell Sora this news, because if your mother or I do...we like having two children ".
-+-+
" Umm...shouldn't Roxas have come back by now? " Demyx asked in the midst of their silence. The door opened and closed, footsteps came from the hallway before walking to the stairs and going down. Roxas had a sort of shocked expression on his face.
" Sora...you idiot...now I feel as though I hate you " Roxas motioned for him to come closer. Sora's eyebrows furrowed together as he walked up to his elder brother.
" Call Kairi ".
" What? "
" Just do it ". Sora took out his cell and went to the speed dial of Kairi's cell. He placed the speaker next to his ear and wasn't prepared for the machine he heard next.
" We're sorry. This number has been disconnected to who you have called " the computerized voice spoke then hung up the phone.
" Do you know why that is? " Roxas asked in a low tone. Sora looked at his elder brother still confused.
" Kairi's pregnant, with your baby " he whispered, to quiet for either guest to hear. Sora's eyes widend as his phone dropped from his hand. The technology shattered into tiny plastic pieces.
" Now you know why dad is pissed...because he was there when Zack found out " Roxas spoke softly as he walked back to his guests. He put on a fake smile and chatted with his two friends before escorting them to the door. Both Axel and Demyx looked at Roxas nervously, but he waved them off, telling them he'd see them in class tomorrow.
-+-+
Zack looked over the attendence, he usually helped the office in the morning. This day it would be no different. A hand suddenly placed itself over the lists that Zack had currently been looking at. His eyes narrowed as he expected to find a certain person doing the act, but it turned to be Vincent. His red cloak hiding most of his face, but his deep crimson eyes could be read. He took a seat next to the raven haired SOLDIER.
" I am unsure if you have heard the news " Vincent spoke deeply, no emotion in any of the words he spoke.
" About what ? " Zack asked, a bit angrily.
" It involves your best friend ".
" Joy " he answered sarcasticly, what best friend was he when he couldn't even control his own children!
" He gave his two week notice ".
" What? " Zack stopped reading off the list and looked at Vincent.
" You seem to care now " Vincent's eyes held mockery, making Zack scowl at the vampire.
" Cloud's...? "
" He's quitting...think you might shine a little more light on the subject? "
" What make you think I know why he's leaving? " Zack leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.
" Two words. Best. Friend " Vincent said knowingly as he stood up and walked out of the room. Zack watched him go before standing himself and taking a little walk around campus. He looked at the time on his watch, already knowing that this was one of Cloud's free periods. He took our his giant ring of keys and unlocked the door. No one was in there, but things were indeed packed in boxes. Zack walked around the desk and saw a check list written in Cloud's handwriting. He picked up the list and read down the already accomplished. ' Give two weeks notice, Get things together, Make sure to have end of time quiz ready for 7th period for tomorrow, enroll Sora/ Roxas in Mercenary Academy, apologize... ' the list wasn't to long, but each new thing made Zack's stomach churn with guilt. Cloud was not only quitting, but taking both Sora and Roxas out of SOLDIER to go to the next stage. The boys would never survive Mercenary Academy, thats where SOLDIER graduates went. He scrolled down the list to the bottom, making his heart drop. ' Put house up for sale '. It was checked out and the words ' sold ' were next to it. Cloud was making sure to leave completely. Sure, Zack was mad for Sora getting Kairi pregnant...but now it was making them all suffer. He and Aeris had just losted their best friends, Namine and Roxas were being split, both boys would have to make new friends. Zack dropped the list as the door opened once again with a pair of keys, its teacher had returned. Cloud stopped in the doorway once he saw who was sitting in his chair. The two stared at one another for a few moments, in an uncomfortable silence. Cloud breathed in deeply before walking in and past Zack to the teacher's closet where textbooks were held.
" You don't have to take it this far " Zack said as he got up from the chair and walked to the closet. Cloud was shifting a few boxes around.
" I'm only doing what I think is best for the both of us. Your family wants nothing to do with mine, and it hurts mine that you want nothing to do with them " Cloud spoke as he tried to grab a box he couldn't quite reach. He kicked the side of the shelf and it tumbled down into his arms.
" But moving? That's hurting more than just you guys...thats hurting everyone you and your family have ever become friends with " Zack argued.
" May I ask why you would care? " Cloud turned and looked right into Zack's deep blue eyes. Zack was silent, he did care, but he was still to effected by yesterday's going on's to admit it. Cloud turned back to the work he was doing, seeing as how he wasn't going to get an answer out of him. Zack stayed silent for a few more seconds before asking quietly...
" When will you be coming back? "
" ...When my sons are twenty...think you could wallow in your anger for that long? Or will two years of allowing you to calm down allow us to be friends again? "
" ...Cloud... "
" Just answer my question Zack ". But he stayed silent, he didn't know if he could do this again, not speak to his best friend in years. Cloud took his silence as ' we'll just have to see now won't we? '
" Give my reguards to Aerith and Kairi ".
-+-+
" BUT I DON'T WANT TO MOVE! " Roxas shouted angrily after his mother had explained to both Sora and him.
" We'll be coming back " Tifa smiled sadly at her sons. Roxas crossed his arms.
" Yeah, but not for another two years ".
" Your father is doing what he thinks is best ".
" Then why do I have to be punished for something I didn't do? " Roxas slammed a fist into the wall. Tifa placed a gentle hand on her son's shoulder. Roxas couldn't help feeling like a little kid, couldn't help wanting to flop on the floor and scream until they weren't moving. But it would do no good, and now he was going to an elite school where those who went there became the most feircem warriors who ever lived. His uncle had gone to it, and Cloud had surpassed all teachings in one year, instead of the taking of five years. He promised Namine he wouldn't dare lay an eye on any other girl while he was there, he'd wait until they came back to be with her. Sora was staring at the floor, a depressed look on his features. Roxas walked up to his brother and punched him hard in the shoulder, making the boy fall backwards into his door and slid down it. Roxas crouched low to the ground to be eye level with his brother, before helping him up and pulling him into a hug. This confused Sora even more, they hadn't hugged since they were but twelve years old.
" No matter how I may act or what I might say...I do NOT hate you for this " Roxas pulled back and gave Sora a weak and sad smile.
-+-+
Cloud's two week notice had gone by fast. His students were taken aback that he was leaving, some of them actually crying that he was going. Of course it was the senior women who cried to have lost such a good looking teacher. The Organization was not happy to have to lose their newest member by force. But when Roxas was to return, they would be in their last Senior year, while he would be starting his. Axel and Demyx were just as upset to have lost a new and true friend that was in the Organization. Namine gave Roxas a ' man-ring ' that was a silver shape with a key in the center. On the sides were ' RxN ' . He vowed he wouldn't ever take it off and put it on his own ring finger to match her. Sora had snuck to see Kairi for one last time, giving her a goodbye kiss before departing. Where they were moving to was kept secret from both boys. They had already been gone a week, and so soon it felt as though it had been years. The people who bought their house were real assholes, thinking they were the coolest because they could afford such a house. It made Zack angry, he remembered watching Cloud build that house from scratch. Now Zack sat in his livingroom, in the dark no less. He was absently sipping a glass of rum mixed with coke to give it a better taste, more rum than coke made it better. He pondered about quitting as well, after all, Cloud was the reason he took the job. He wanted to see if his kids could surpass their father, but found they couldn't, but were keeping in his footsteps. When Kairi had heard the news of them leaving a rage had consumed her.
/ ' How dare you punish me! Yes, I made a mistake, and I've learned from it. But tell me this, did you two wait until your wedding before you hopped into bed with one another! ' Kairi had screamed at both her parents. They couldn't answer that question, not truthfully anyway, which was what made her erupt even further. /. The phone rang but Zack didn't want to answer it. Aerith picked it up.
" Hello? "
" Yes, Hi. This is Dr. Carta...listen...it seems we have made a terrible mistake. We had gotten the names mixed up. We read to you a Miss Keira Gonesthrough...not Miss Kairi Gainsborough...so sorry for the mix up ".
" Then... "
" She is not pregnant. She came to us because she thought she was, her period was just delayed for the changing of her body. If you could give her this information we would greatly appreciate it ".
" Yes...of course " Aerith hung up the phone, a sickly feeling churning in her stomach. She chewed her bottom lip as she walked up the stairs and knocked on her daughter's door.
" Go away " came the sobbish reply from the other side. Aerith opened the door instead and ran her fingers through her daughter's hair.
" False alarm " was all she said as she got up and left. Kairi sat up in a heartbeat as Aerith went back down the stairs to tell Zack. Kairi picked up her cell and speed dialed Sora's number, they needed to know...so they could come back!
" This number has been changed " the machine said. Kairi hung it up and tried Roxas's. It said the same. She even tried Cloud's, but to no avail. The Strife's were really making sure to get away from everyone, weren't they? Kairi had no choice now, but to wait the two years until their return.
A/N: I wanted to make the boys older in less time and not have to go through each birthday and class. This makes it easier, yes, they do come back. This is after all a Cloti story with KH romance. Anyway, next chapter will be 2 years into the future, its not like I'm going to write 4 chapters without them. Anyway, I'll get started on that as soon as I post this. I have an editor! Though I haven't asked for his help yet, I will need it later. Everyone give a cookie to GeneralDragon, he's my editor! But I haven't put him to work yet. But I will make sure to give him credit once he gives me ideas. I thought about Kairi getting an abortion, but I wanted Zack to feel uber bad, and now since he can't even contact Cloud. I had at least three ideas of how it was going to go down. If you would like to know, have MSN then add me, its in my profile. Just tell me who you are, because I don't trust this site enough to give my screen name to AOL, to many pranksters.