Chapter 7: Characterization

Part I: Perseverance

"You aren't right Kairi." I pretended not to know what he meant.

"What are you talking about Riku?" Sora had long since been gone. But there had been tenseness at dinner between the three of us. Sora acted like there wasn't a problem, Riku gave us accusing looks, and I tried to concentrate on the things Rikku was saying. I tried not to think about it at all. Now I was cleaning off the dinner plates and Riku was getting ready to leave, but not before confronting me about what had been bothering him all evening.

"Don't play dumb Kairi. I can't believe you call yourself Namine's sister! With family like you who needs enemies…" I felt a rage erupt inside me. Slamming a plate into the sink, shattering it, I turned to Riku and jabbed an accusing finger into his chest.

"You can't judge me Riku! Not when you did way more then kiss your best friend's girlfriend! How dare you!" Riku blushed with embarrassment before slapping my hand away.

"Yea, but me and Namine are over with. You and Sora need to stop before things get out of hand…"

"Stop acting like this is your concern!"

"It is! I'm not gonna sit back and let Sora cheat on Namine! I'm telling you right now, if you two don't stop I'm telling her." My heart stopped and I stared at him in disbelief. How could he betray me this way? He'd jeopardize the relationship I had with my sister (not that she hadn't ruined it enough already) and destroy her relationship with Sora, all so he could be some hero?? What did he think he'd get out of telling her? Her love? I grinned snidely and leaned up against the sink.

"You're pathetic. Namine doesn't want you Riku. She chose Sora, remember? Nothing you do will change her mind. She loves him. So, even if you did tell her, she wouldn't be yours." Riku winced and his hardened expression turned somber as the biting reality of my words killed his vigor. Suddenly, I remembered how hard it had been for him to let her go, how hard it had been to love someone he'd never have, and how bad I felt for him. Now I was filled with pity and guilt, sorry I had trespassed into such delicate territory.

"Even so… I won't let Sora hurt her… I won't…," he said firmly. I looked away from his condescending aqua eyes and focused my gaze at the shattered pieces of plate. I remembered the time I broke the vase and Sora had been there to heal my hand… my heart. Tears filled my eyes.

"I understand…," I mumbled, "… And…I… let him go Riku. There's nothing going on… nothing at all. It was just a kiss…" Riku cupped my cheek comfortingly.

"I know how you feel about him Kairi. But… for now… just be patient. If it's meant to be then it will be." I nodded my head slowly and cried.

I lay in my bed. Riku left, his threat still ringing loudly in my mind. I thought about Sora. How did he really feel? Why did he need to know what I felt? What had I done by choosing to remain with Demyx? Namine and my father came home late. I was alone in my room crying when Namine looked into the room and saw me. She sat on the bed next to me, laying a consoling hand on my shoulder. Despite all the hateful things we had been through recently, I couldn't help but welcome my sister's loving comfort and sat up to hug her. She returned the embrace and we stayed hugging like that for what seemed like an eternity. When I finally settled down, Namine and I lay together in the bed, facing one another. She smiled softly and stroked my hair.

"… I remember one time when we were little… there was a really bad thunderstorm outside and you were so scared of the lightning that you cried in your bed like now… I got up from my bed and came over to comfort you. Do you remember what I said to you Kai?" I sniffled a little and smiled as I recollected the same memory from the depths of my mind.

"You said… 'Don't cry Kairi. Nothing can hurt you as long as I'm here to protect you…'," I recalled. Namine nodded.

"I've noticed… how… lately… I haven't been your big sister… I feel really shitty about it too. I'm sorry Kairi. You've needed me and all I could think about is myself…"

"Wow… that counseling must be working…" I teased. Namine slapped my arm gently and laughed.

"I guess… But I wanna let you know, I never meant to drag you down with me but Larxene and Tifa had me frame you so that we wouldn't get punished but look how that plan worked out. Anyway, I don't know what I was thinking to put them before my little sister. I love you Kairi and I'm really sorry…"

"… I'm sorry too… I've actually blamed all my problems on you, can you imagine? I've hated you a lot lately… and that isn't right…"

"What happened to us? We used to be so close when we were younger…"

"… We've grown up… and it's a real shitty world to grow up in."

"Agreed." We giggled. Some time afterward, once we had shared with one another all the things that had been bothering us lately (I didn't tell her about the kiss with Sora though…), I was on the verge of falling asleep when I heard Namine whisper, "I'll protect you Kai…" I smiled and mumbled, "I'll protect you too Ne'…"

The next morning I felt as though a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I practically glided downstairs and pecked my mother on the cheek. She laughed.

"What's got you in such a good mood today? And you woke up on your own. Are you sick?"

"No mom… For once, I'm happy."

Demyx came to pick me and Rikku up and the both of us rushed outside only to see that along with Demyx, came Seifer, Fujin, and Riku. I glanced at Riku briefly before looking worriedly at Fujin.

"What's up?" I asked. Fujin shook her head and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

"I've got some… news to share…" With those six words, my happiness was damned.

"Get in Kairi," Demyx ordered gently. I nodded and followed Fujin, Seifer, and Demyx to the car. Then remembering Rikku, I turned around.

"Are you coming?"

"Riku said he'd give me a ride this morning. You have fun…," she said uncertainly. I nodded and shut the door behind me. Demyx pulled away from the driveway and the car was quiet except the sound of the wheels on the pavement and the wind against Seifer's slightly opened window. I was grateful for the silence though because I knew that with the end of the silence, was the end of my happiness.

"… Olette's the pregnant girl," Fujin said suddenly. I sucked in a quick breath and gasped.

"… Oh no…"

"Yea. I found out yesterday… She'd known for a while now. She says it's Hayner's baby. I can't even imagine how she's feeling right now…"

"She told you on her own?"

"No. I had to force it outta her. You remember when we were talking about the sick bitch that left all those pregnancy tests in the bathroom yesterday? Turns out Olette's the sick bitch."

"…So that's why she's been eating so much…"

"And throwing up." We were quiet as we processed this information.

"I feel bad… all those cracks… she must feel disgusting as it is with bearing that bastard's child… Is she going to abort it?" I said. Fujin shrugged and slumped in her seat.

"… Poor Olette…" I could hear from her tone that Fujin felt really bad for her friend and so did I. I patted her shoulder in a friendly way.

"She won't be at school today then? Has she told her mom?" Fujin shook her head.

"I think she could use her friends right now…" Fujin looked at me and I grinned.

"Demyx. Can you take us to Olette's place? We're skipping school today."

"But… what if your mother finds out?? I'll be held accountable and…"

"You worry too much. Just do this for me. Please?"

"… Okay."

When we got to the intersection in the direction of the school, Demyx turned around and headed towards Olette's estate. It was even more magnificent a second time. Fujin and I scrambled out the car and slammed the doors behind us. I looked at Demyx and smiled.

"Thanks hun. I owe you one…"

"You can thank me properly now," He said. I giggled and leaned forward into his lowered window. He met me half way and we kissed. I pulled away abruptly feeling a strange sensation in the bottom of my stomach. Was it guilt? He gave me a look and whispered, "Listen… I'm really sorry I wasn't there after school yesterday but Zexion got us a gig to play at and…"

"You don't owe me any explanation… I just…" I couldn't finish my sentence and so didn't try to. I smiled reassuringly and backed away from the car. Demyx watched me a little longer before pulling out the driveway, leaving me and Fujin alone to enter Olette's home.

Together, hesitantly, we traveled through the large gate that kept people off of the estate and through the yard until we reached the main entrance. Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door bell. After a rather long minute, we were still standing at the door looking dumb and unattended. I exchanged confused looks with Fujin, who shrugged uncertainly.

"Come on. There's a window over there…," I said. Fujin followed me eagerly and the both of us peered into the window. There was no one there.

"She isn't home then…," Fujin stated. I sighed.

"… I still feel like we should do something…"

"I know… Hey! Let's go shopping! We can get her something that says we're sorry but won't make her feel bad about what's going on."

"Yea. Good idea. Let's go."

Fujin and I spent the greater part of the day in the shopping district. All the stores were filling their shelves with Christmas decorations and had holiday jingles playing for the costumers as they shopped. I began to think about the baby. It was conceived at the end of November, so that would mean that it would be born in July right? As we shopped, I tried to steer clear of things that might seem summerish. Not that the stores were supplying warm weather things, but still it wouldn't look good if Olette had been putting that much thought into her future. Fujin was more practical about shopping. She wasn't looking at things that would hurt Olette's feelings. Instead, she was looking at Olette's favorite things. Unfortunately, Olette's favorite things were books and sports equipment. Would getting sports equipment remind Olette that she wouldn't be able to stay a track star? Would she even be able to participate in track since she'd be at least six months pregnant by then? Tears started to form in my eyes. It wasn't fair how Olette was made to pay for the actions of some sick bastard! Fujin stopped looking at jogging suits in favor of looking at me after hearing a sniffle.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Everything… Well… I don't think it's fair that Olette has to go through this… It's not right." Fujin watched me a little longer and her eyes softened.

"I know… I don't even know what to get her now. What could possibly make this situation any better? I mean. If we get her the jogging suit, she'll just outgrow it right? Then, she'll be reminded of the stuff she'll have to give up…" I sighed again and inhaled a deep breath. I felt my anger rise the more I thought about it.

"Dammit!" An old lady looked our way, and I blushed.

"Uh… Pardon me…" She shook her head and walked away mumbling under her breath.

"… Maybe… We should put some more thought into this…"

"I agree. It's no good. Not until we know how she's doing," Fujin said. We left and decided to go to school once we agreed that we would make ourselves productive some kind of way today.

Once we arrived it was free period, the extra fifty-five minutes between our sixth hour and the end of the day. We had to go to our first hours since they were designated as our homerooms for the year. Being so distracted with Olette's pregnancy, I forgot to be aware of Sora, Riku, Yuffie, and even Garnet. Mr. Vexen had split us into pairs again and I was working with Garnet. She seemed uninterested in my being present, however. It almost seemed to me like she was pissed about something.

"Uh… so. Did you look over the draft I made of the argument?" I asked, trying to break the silence between us. Garnet didn't even look at me when she answered, "I missed you this morning. I was hoping to have this finished today." I didn't miss the contempt in her words.

"Uh… sorry… I uh… had some things to check on."

"Hm. More important than school I am guessing." Was she mocking me?

"What?" I asked in genuine confusion.

"I told you that if you were not going to take this seriously, then do not bother to waste my time."

"What are you talking about? I did help out like I said I would. Geez, I had some things that needed to be worked out! … You know that school isn't everything right? Maybe that's why you haven't got any friends. You're just a nerdy bookworm." Garnet paused in her writing. I watched her intently, glad that I hurt her feelings. I had enough of her second guessing me and judging me. Even if I did do my best, what good would it be? You're only in school once and half the stuff you learn didn't even apply in the real world.

"… You are a person of poor character. I was not trying to insult you or anything. Was it not you who had said you would work on this project, yet failed to show up? It is due at the end of the week and it is already Wednesday. Do not get mad at me because you are poor in completing your obligations."

"Whatever. I've priorities and so sorry if this is at the bottom of the list. Damn, you know what? If you think this is so damn important, then work on it by yourself! I don't need this crap! If I wanted to be chastised I'd go talk to my damn mother. I mean, no one wants to be around a fucking nag all the frickin' time!" After blowing the casket, I stood up angrily and so did Garnet. She glared at me and gathered her things then went to another end of the room. I went to the other end. The class watched us in perplexity before continuing their own projects. I was still blowing steam from my ears when Sora came up to me. He laid a hand on my shoulder to get my attention and was successful as I looked at him expectantly.

"What the hell are you doing Kairi?"

"What? Don't come over here trying to rag on me too. I've had enough of that for one day," I glared at Garnet as I spoke. She had her face buried in a book. Sora sighed and sat down beside me.

"I'm not gonna rag on you. Just tell me why you two had this little falling out."

"Does it really matter Sora? I mean, I just said what everyone thinks of her and is too embarrassed to say," I said the last part of my sentence loud enough for her to hear.

"Kairi. Stop being a bitch." His words cut through me like a sword. I winced a little and folded my arms.

"Whatever. I'm not sorry I said it."

"Listen to me Kai. There was no reason to say the things you said to her. She's just doing the assignment like the rest of us and wants it done on time so she'll have a decent grade for the midterm. It's not her fault that you aren't taking yourself seriously enough." He was actually taking her side in this??

"What does taking myself seriously have to do with the assignment? I do take myself seriously! She's the one who doesn't take me seriously! I mean, I worked my ass off on that draft! And you said you weren't gonna rag on me!!" Sora sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Sorry. I'm just trying to tell you that no one else can take you seriously if you only dilly dally. You wrote a draft. Okay. And Garnet's been working her ass off too, finding the information you needed to do the damn thing. She's been working for these last five class periods to your two. You want a damn medal or something?" I coulda killed him. Or worse. I coulda told everybody he made out with me twice, and both times he past second base. But I couldn't, not without drowning myself in more hot water than I was already in. Besides, I suppose I was only angry because he was making sense. But still. Why did I have to be attacked every time I screwed up? I mean… I was doing the best I could. I got so frustrated that tears brimmed my eyes and I got even more frustrated because I was about to cry. Sora comfortingly touched my hand and smiled warmly at me.

"I don't mean to be mean or anything. It's just, you're acting really bitchy and I don't think it suits you too much," he said softly, "And I don't think you should take your frustrations out on Garnet. Afterall, she's basically the only way you're gonna get an 'A' on the assignment." I looked at him. He leaned in close to my ear and whispered, "You can tell me what's wrong Kai. Whenever you're ready. I'll listen." His breath was warm and smelled good. I felt myself blush a little. He lingered for a moment, seemingly soaking in as much of the closeness as possible before he moved away. My heart was racing. Sora grinned again and patted my head before going back to work with Yuffie, who was watching us closely with narrowed eyes. She wasn't the only one. Riku saw our exchange and seemed miffed. I just tried to calm myself and breathed. The bell rang, signaling our freedom… or should I say my freedom.

I waited until Garnet came out of the class and said, "Hey… Garnet!" She didn't acknowledge me and continued to walk through the crowd to get to her locker. I followed her determined to get her to listen to me. I wouldn't appear a bitch because that was not who I wanted to be, so it was time to correct this.

"Garnet please listen to me… Or not. Fine. Just know that I'm sorry about those things I said. I didn't mean to direct my frustrations out on you or anything, but it just seemed to me like you were attacking me and everything and… I'm sorry." Garnet continued to stuff her backpack with books and things. I couldn't be sure if she\ heard anything I said. Sighing with defeat, I hung my head and started to walk away.

"You know, I guess you are not of poor character after all… If you really are apologetic then you can make it up to me by coming to my house to work on the project then." I stopped and looked back at her. She offered a small friendly smile, though it seemed strained, and I grinned back.

"Sure. We'll definitely get it done today… Or would you rather I come over tomorrow?"

"Whatever works best for you is fine." As she said this, she shouldered her colossal backpack and began to walk to the bus. What? Was she gonna sit around and wait for me to come over and then if I didn't come over, would she just assume I'd be over some other time and then wait all over again??

"I'll be over tonight!" I called after her. She gave a thumbs up as a way of letting me know that she heard me. What a strange chick. Her parents must have her secluded all the time.

I walked out into the parking lot and saw that, once again, Demyx wasn't there. I couldn't be angry though. He didn't know I had decided to go to school after all. Sora was there and so was Riku and Rikku. Riku looked at me meaningfully and I hung my head.

"Hey Kai! Hurry up so we can get outta here already!" I heard Sora say, "You know that we have a game tonight don't you?? It's all the way on the other side of the island and we can't be late!" I cringed. I had totally forgotten about it. Mostly because I didn't care about the Blitz team anyway, I mean the sport not so much the individual players… Then I remembered Garnet. I said I'd be at her house tonight. If I didn't show, she'd get angry at me again and I might never live it down.

"Oh shit…," I whined.

"Hurry up! Shit we've got warm up to go through and everything," Riku said.

"I said I would go to Garnet's place to finish our project for first hour," I explained as I walked over to them hesitantly. Sora seemed disappointed.

"That sucks. I wanted you to see us win so you could eat your words from earlier. Why can't you just reschedule? Demyx is playing. Come on Kai!" The whining was not becoming. I merely shrugged and said, "But I told her that I was gonna be there so I gotta be there. Maybe if you guys win and get to play another game I'll go to that one. Sorry guys…"

"Fine then. I'll take you home. But who's gonna drive you over there?" I shrugged.

"I'll think of something…" Riku watched the both of us and decided to jump in.

"I'll take her home. You're captain Sora. It'll look bad if you're late." Sora looked at his friend and then put a thumb to his chin in a thoughtful manner. His eyes drifted back to me and I smiled with a tinge of embarrassment on my cheeks. We both knew what Riku was doing. Now I wondered how Sora would respond.

"I guess you're right Riku. But if I don't make it on time you're second in command right? It'll be alright. I won't be late. Now we better get going." I felt somewhat flattered that Sora would choose me over doing what was right, but then I felt guilty because he'd rather choose me then do what was right… if that made any sense.

"No. Riku can take me home. Hurry and go win a game… for once." Sora looked disappointed but he nodded and sighing, entered his car.

"Hurry up Riku!" He shouted from his window before pulling out and driving off. Rikku and Riku entered Riku's car and I followed, slightly bewildered with my own perseverance. I wanted to be with Sora, but not if it meant going against what I believed was right. He was Namine's boyfriend, and for now I wouldn't go against that.