Chibified

Shizuka Usagi

Chapter 6

Yuffie squinted from the light coming in from the windows. She tried to shift her position away from the sun's rays only to find a cumbersome weight on her thighs. She groaned while looking at the contented Sora curled up in her lap.

Her back ached heavily from sleeping in a chair. This was by far one of the dumbest things she ever attempted. As much as she felt like pushing the boy off of her, she knew he was her responsibility.

Yuffie couldn't bring herself to wake Sora. He had such a calm, cherubic look on his face.

She grunted and lifted the boy with some difficulty, then stumbled towards her bed. She placed the boy gently on the bed and tucked the sheets around him. Once done, she yawned and stretched the kinks out of her back. She decided to take a nice, long bath to relieve her cramped muscles.

She opened the faucet and hot water gushed out of the spout. Then she turned on the waterproof shower radio (yes, there are such things) and turned on the volume as high as possible. She sang along to the dance music that blared from the boom box.

—

"What is that noise? Are their elephants stomping around up there?" Roxas watched as his mug vibrated to the beat of the music on the table. The cappuccino sloshed around in its container, threatening to spill. Riku and Roxas were eating breakfast (or something like it) downstairs.

"Why don't you check it out?" Riku suggested. Somehow he was unfazed by the unreasonably loud music upstairs.

"Me? B—but Yuffie's taking a shower. I can't just waltz right in." Roxas said as if it was the stupidest idea in the world.

Riku gave him a look. "I didn't say you have to go inside. Just knock."

"I doubt she'll even hear. I wouldn't be surprised if she goes deaf…" Roxas muttered under his breath.

Riku chuckled in agreement. "She's your girlfriend. Besides, it's not like it would be totally bad if you happened to accidentally catch a glimpse—"

"Hey, hey, hey! What are you talking about? She's just a friend. How could you even say something like that?" Roxas asked appalled.

Riku laughed again. "Chill out, Roxas. I was kidding. I just assumed since you've lived with her—"

"Well, don't!" Roxas said in a no joke tone. His face was flushed at the audacity of Riku's statement. Catching a glimpse of Yuffie…

No Roxas! Don't think perverted thoughts!

There was an uncomfortable silence between them. With the exception of the music that was literally rocking the house.

"I—I think I should check up on her." Roxas announced, getting up abruptly from his seat. He quickly jogged up the stairs without giving Riku a chance to wittily reply.

Riku watched Roxas as he left with a smirk on his lips. Heh, I wonder why he's so defensive. Reminds me of the times I teased Sora about Kairi. So in denial… Speaking of Sora what's he up to?

—

"Yo, Yuff, turn it down!" Roxas knocked on the door twice, three times. No reply. He sighed. If she wasn't going to answer, he might as well check up on Sora.

The brunette walked down the hall, rubbing his eyes. "Daddy," Guess there's no need to now. "Where's Mommy?" Sora tugged on Roxas' baggy pants.

"Mommy's taking a shower. Let's eat breakfast, kiddo." Sora squealed in delight as Roxas gave him a piggy back ride downstairs. Roxas couldn't help but laugh with him.

Riku raised a brow at the odd, but cute sight of 'Daddy' Roxas and 'Chibi' Sora coming into the kitchen. Sora gasped when he saw Riku. He slid down Roxas' back and leaped onto Riku. "Uncle Riku!" He greeted happily. Riku grinned and ruffled Sora's spiky, brown hair.

"Hey, Roxas Jr." Riku welcomed back. Roxas rolled his eyes.

"I'm hungry." Sora whined. His complaint was followed by his growling stomach.

Riku laughed. "Let's get you something to—" A ring from the doorbell interrupted him.

"I'll get it." Roxas went to answer the door. When he opened it, Leon stood there with an annoyed look on his face.

"Is something wrong?" Roxas asked cautiously. Riku and Sora watched curiously. Leon looked seriously ticked off.

"For the love of the Radiant Garden, can you ask Yuffie to turn down the music? The neighbors are starting to complain!"

"We're working on it. By the way, how did you know it was Yuffie?" Roxas asked.

"Who else in their right mind would play music that loud?" Leon asked obviously.

"Point taken. I'll try to get through to her. Sorry 'bout that." Roxas scratched his head sheepishly.

Leon sighed irritably. "Well, get to it. Or else I have to kick you all out. Rules are rules." With that, he turned around and left briskly.

"What's his pwoblem?" Sora asked, looking up to Riku.

"You heard the man." Riku said before leading Sora into the kitchen.

Roxas groaned. I don't have a choice. She's being a nuisance.

"Yuffie, open—" Roxas halted as Yuffie opened the door, wearing nothing but a towel.

"Whaddaya want, Roxas?" Yuffie questioned.

He blushed and turned his head away. "First off, don't play the music so loud. Leon says you're causing public disturbance.

Second off, y—you shouldn't be standing there h—half naked."

"Well, whaddayya expect? I just came from the shower. So, c—could you move aside?"

Roxas complied hastily. What he didn't notice was that Yuffie was blushing as well. And his hormones couldn't get the image of her… out of his mind.

He cursed mentally and went downstairs. Riku had a knowing smirk on his face while Sora just stared at him blankly.

—

Sora and Yuffie were finishing up breakfast in the kitchen. Riku was reading the Radiant Garden Post and Roxas was washing the dishes. They ate in companionable silence with the exception of the childish comments made by Sora to which Yuffie or Riku would enthusiastically remark.

Roxas remained unusually quiet for reasons only known to himself and Yuffie. Riku didn't point this out for he had a good idea what may have happened.

"I'm booowed. Let's go somewhewe." Sora griped. He stuck out his lower lip and his puppy-like eyes shimmered.

Yuffie gave in. He's just too cute. "Alright, Sora-kins, if it makes you happy. First, we gotta clean up." Sora beamed and squeezed Yuffie tightly.

The kunoichi got up from her seat to take her plate and Sora's. She felt her cheeks redden as she neared Roxas. "H—here you go."

He merely nodded as he reached over to take the plates from Yuffie. Accidentally, their hands brushed lightly in the process. At the touch, Roxas flinched and reflexively pulled back, dropping the plates. Sora yelped and Riku winced from the crash. Roxas took a deep intake of breath, awaiting Yuffie's recrimination.

But it never came. Instead, he noticed she was looking dazed at a long cut on her lower leg caused from the shattering glass.

Instinctively, Roxas replied, "Gosh, Yuffie, I'm so sorry! Let me—"

Riku cut him off. "I'll take care of Yuffie. You clean up the mess." He took Yuffie by the hand and led her to the bathroom.

Roxas regretfully took out a dustpan from the closet and began clearing the china and glass. Way to go, Roxas.

—

Yuffie gingerly took her leg and placed it over the sink. Riku turned on the faucet and calmed her as she hissed from the contact of hot water on her throbbing wound. "We need to wash it out and apply antibiotics. We don't want it to become infected."

"I know." Yuffie grumbled as she sat on the lavatory. Riku kneeled in front of her and began smearing an antibiotic cream on the gash. Afterwards, he delicately wrapped gauze with a paopu fruit design—courtesy of Sora—around her leg.

Yuffie couldn't help but think how strong, yet gentle his hands could be. The calluses he obtained from previous battles were beginning to heal, revealing his soft, pale skin. Bad, Yuffie, bad. Don't give in to those your rotten teenage hormones.

"Thanks." Yuffie stretched her leg muscles to make sure the bandages weren't too tight.

"No problem." Riku smiled.

This was the first time Yuffie saw Riku smile without smirking. He looked nicer this way in her opinion. His expression appeared more… genuine.

—

When they returned to the kitchen, Roxas and Sora were gone. The glass shards from earlier were also cleaned up. What was left was a handwritten note on the table:

Yuffie,

Sora and I went to the park. Apparently, he couldn't wait anymore. Ha ha…

P.S. I'm sorry Yuffie for what happened. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little. Still—if there's anything I can do to repent, let me know.

Sincerely, Roxas

Yuffie sighed. It was an accident. He was forgiven. However, she was more worried about him than her injury. His behavior had been unusual since their accident in the morning. Nevertheless, it wasn't on purpose. Though, she couldn't help but wonder why they had so many coincidental incidents. Further down the note, she noticed a kindergartner's scrawl.

P.S.S. GeT BeTtUh SoOn MoMmIe

LoVe, SoRa

Yuffie thought Sora was too cute. Even though there was a spelling mistake or two. His concern for others didn't change even if he was a third of his original age.

She made up her mind to walk to the park—not considering her injury—to check up on the two. "I'm going to see them." Yuffie said, putting on her jacket and knee high boots.

"You sure?" Riku asked. Yuffie knew what he meant by that.

Yuffie gave an assuring grin. "Don't worry 'bout it. The park is close by. Wanna join me?"

"Sure." Riku couldn't help but feel like he was intruding for some reason. Was it because of Roxas? Or the fact the threesome seemed so much like a nuclear family. He was just the uncle…