In case ya'll haven't noticed, I suck at deadlines.

So second chappy!

Yay!

Disclaimer: Don't own. Don't even fully understand KH1 or CoM.

The kitchen was painted in a non-descriptive blue with hanging pictures of our mom placed wherever Alisia could fit them in. Theresa had died in a freak car accident, and since then Sephiroth had beaten himself (and their children) up about it. Between the drunken rages and the phases of annoyingly ignoring us, Sephiroth would scare the shit out of us with poisonous, icy glares.

Like he was doing now.

The gathering table in the adjoining dining room had an obviously homemade birthday cake in the center of it. And there sat our father with a glass of scotch in front of him. I eyed the cake then looked expectantly at my sister, who nodded to tell me that she made it. I sat on my father's right side while Alisia took the seat across from him.

Sephiroth reached over to pat me on the shoulder, making me flinch back in surprise, before he launched into his speech about the responsibility the new year in my life brought. It lasted what seemed like hours, but I did my best to show no sign of discomfort. Finally, it was over, and Alisia began to cut the cake.

She baked my favorite: Theresa's homemade recipe for red velvet, complete with handmade icing. She cut Sephiroth and me massive slices but only a sliver for herself. I raised an eyebrow speculatively. Alisia was only skin and bones.

"I'm not that hungry," she whispered taking a tiny bite.

We continued eating in silence, waiting for Sephiroth to speak first. Then came the dreaded question. I still regret answering it truthfully. Sephiroth had placed his scotch bottle down, careful to make it line up with his plate. Then, it cut through the silence like a knife.

"Son, are you and Kairi still going out?"

It echoed in my head at least sixteen times before I could form the right words.

"Uh… No dad…"

"You dating anyone?"

"Yeah."

"What's her name?"

I swallowed nervously. It was now or never.

"Actually, do you remember Sora Honda?"

Sephiroth nodded slowly, trying to remember if Sora had any sisters. Alisia adjusted her position to the edge of her seat, waiting for the perfect moment to run from the room.

With sudden intuition, he stood up, furious.

"WHAT!?" he screamed as he realized what I meant. I, stone faced and silent, stared at him in silence. Alisia hopped down from her perch and gathered hers and my own plate, careful not to walk too close to our father.

If anyone never saw Sephiroth mad, here is the best description: Imagine a mountain lion attacking an innocent fawn. Scary as shit, huh?

I stood up slowly and silently and faced my fuming father. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain across my face. Alisia gasped as she heard the crack of his hand against my cheek. Then, she dropped the ceramic plate, causing it to shatter.

The half-drunk, angry madman snapped his head towards the sound. The sight of the broken plate enraged him even more. Alisia bent down to pick up the sharp shards of ceramic, but was thrown against the wall before she could pick up the first piece.

"YOU DID THAT ONE PURPOSE, LAZY WENCH!" he yelled, grabbing the tiny girl by the throat and holding her against the wall. I ran at him to get him off her, but his free hand caught me in the gut. The initial purpose was fulfilled, though. He dropped my baby sister, but turned to me, swinging another punch. I caught this one on my nose, breaking it.

A musical ringtone silenced the three of us. Let's Get It On. Sora's ringtone, of course. Alisia looked like she didn't know if she should cry or laugh. My father just glare with a look that seemed to ask, "You going to answer that?"

I took the tiny flip-phone out of my back pocket and opened it.

"Uh… Hey, Sora."

My family stared at me as Sora jumped into his super-fast talking mode. We all had wonderful hearing.

"Hey, sorry to bother you Riku but can you tell me where you put the scissors?"

I rolled my eyes before answering, "Top drawer in my dresser right beside the-uh-" I stopped hoping Sora wouldn't say anything.

"Say no more!" he replied to my delight. "When are you going to be home? I've got a-"

I cut him off, "Soon, Sora. Soon. See you when I get there, okay?"

"Alright, Riku. You win. I love you."

"I love you, too. Bye."

I flipped the phone close and returned it to my pocket before looking at my family.

"Explain. Now!" hissed my dad.

I sighed. This was going to take a while.

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