A/N: Even though this is a Sora story, this chapter will be Riku-centric. Had to find a reason to make him stay in Radiant Garden, since so many want to kick his booty. If you read my profile, then you know I'm convinced Vincent was Sephiroth's daddy. Hint. Hint. Nudge. Nudge. I dedicate this chapter to Jediempress. If you haven't read her stuff, stop reading this and go do it! Her Zack is love. It was through her that I learned to even give Riku a chance, before I played KH Re:COM. Shows ya I wasn't too fond of the Riku before, even though he's hot. Reno, Vincent Valentine, and Zack Fair come from Final Fantasy 7. Originally updated 1/08/09. Revised 2/19/09. 2nd Revision 7/22/09.

Fandom: Kingdom Hearts

Summary: Riku finds his family. Wasn't quite what he had in mind.

Pairings: Sora in body(Roxas in mind)/Reno(Axel in mind), Cloud/Leon, Cid/Vincent, Past Sephiroth/Zack

Warnings: Shonen-Ai, OOC, Hint of MPreg, Vincent Valentine Style ANGST!, CID! And Cid Inspired-Cursing, Ref. to Attempted Sexual Assault, Ref. to Character Death

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this fan fiction. All characters in this story are eighteen and over.

Chapter 7 - Baby Bat Comes Home

XXX

On this sunny day in Radiant Garden, Riku found himself sulking in the Marketplace. He had no idea why he was still here.

Sora didn't want him.

Reno and Cloud wanted to kill him.

Kairi and Selphie were too busy helping Sora with his blasted wedding to even talk to him. The girls would just kiss his cheek, while they ran by.

Once again, he was no one, just a castaway from the Darkness.

Riku took that back. Even lost in the Darkness, slowly going mad, he hadn't felt so low. The Worlds would be better off without him.

"Excuse me. Are you Riku?"

Depressed, Riku looked up, from where he leaned, into a comforting gaze of apple green.

The woman's very presence calmed the Darkness still residing in Riku's heart.

After Sora dumped him, Riku stopped trying to bury the Darkness away. He resigned himself with getting used to it always being there.

Truth be told, Riku didn't want his Darkness to go away. He still had all his Darkness-fueled powers to keep him warm at night. With Sora gone from his life permanently, nothing else would."Yeah. Who's asking?"

The young woman smiled, in the face of Riku's rudeness. She continued to stare at him, like she saw a ghost. "I'm Aerith. You don't know me, but I would like you to come with me to the Committee's Headquarters. I know a couple, who have just returned from Traverse Town, whom I would like you to meet."

Riku tried to keep up a belligerent attitude, but found it hard against her soothing Light. He wanted to say no.

Something about the woman brooked no refusal.

With a shrug and a nod, Riku straightened up to follow her.

Feeling bad about his earlier rudeness, Riku motioned towards her groceries, so he could carry them back for her.

Beaming, the woman readily handed the bags over.

With a surprising smile back, Riku followed the lady back to the old Hollow Bastion Restoration Committee's house.

XXX

"Stop it! Stop it ah say! Ah know yer goin' to that gloomy house in yer head. Don't got time to wrassle ya back out again. Sewer pipes done broke. Gotta fix it befer the weddin'!"

For a minute, Riku felt sure the odd square of a man, furiously typing away at the computer, ranted at him.

Setting the groceries down, Riku caught a different scent. He realized the still-ranting man was talking to another man laying morosely on a cot. His long, leather-clad body somewhat hidden by the other man's huge computer system.

"I could have saved him, Cid. I know I could have. If I only had some more time…"

"Ya tried yer best, Vince. Said yerself Seph tried to gut ya last time ya met him in the Dark Depths."

"He apologized! He never had a chance! The Darkness wouldn't let him go! Even Chaos couldn't keep the Darkness at bay!"

"Well, what's done is done! Don't be all mad at Cloud neither. Sephiroth laid hands on mah boy. Had no right. Gods sent Leon to be Cloud's mate. Far's Ah can tell, only one can handle the nutball. Weddin' comin up. No time fer discord."

"I don't blame him. Sephiroth was just so lonely. He had lost his Sky so young. If I lost you, My Sky, Chaos's destruction would have no bounds."

"Ain't gonna happen, Vince. Death comes a callin' and he's gonna meet the Ol' Gospel. She ain't missed yet. Now buck up, Hunny. Gonna have vittles with Sora and Reno tonight. Wanna show my beauty off. So proud of bein' husbanded to ya."

"Oh, Cid."

"Tee hee."

Riku was about to walk back out, when Aerith gently shook the lying man's leg to get his attention.

"Vincent? There's someone I think you need to meet. He's been lost in the Darkness too. Sephiroth was too far gone, when you finally found him again, but this boy isn't. I'm sure of it."

When the thin man sat up, Riku took a step back. Blue eyes widened, when he got a good look at the man's face.

Riku had never seen anyone, man or woman, so beautiful.

The man's gaze flicked up to meet Riku's.

Red eyes. The man had glowing red eyes. Swirls of gold highlighted the irises.

Before Riku could blink, the man leaned into his face, while softly sniffing his scent.

To his consternation, Riku found himself sniffing back.

Spice, warmth, and home.

For some reason, Riku felt his eyes fill with tears. Home.

"Vince? Ah knew about Seph from the get-go. Somethin' else ya gotta tell the ol' Captain?"

Riku diverted his gaze over to the other man, still sitting at his computer.

Half-turned, the man squinted over at the still-sniffing pair.

Riku's eyebrows furrowed with confusion.

These two were married?

Riku could understand Cloud and Leon. He could even get Sora and Reno.

But these two?

Sure. The computer man was somewhat ruggedly handsome, in a coarse sort of way, but he was nowhere near the other man's league. That guy was right. He should be proud the other man even gave him the time of day.

Reading Riku's bewildered expression like a book, the tall man allowed himself a tilt of a cheek. "He is kin. Chaos confirms it. He is also howling with joy, by the way. They all are. Unbeknownst to me, they had been searching, while I napped. It seems the boy knows how to hide in the Darkness well. Not even Chaos could find him. However, he is not my son. Boy! Who is your father?"

Riku tried to back away, but firm hands on his shoulders halted him.

Shame-faced, Riku looked down. He never liked to tell anyone. The only people who knew were Sora and Kairi. He wanted to lie, but something warned him not to. "I don't know. Mom got artificially impregnated back where she came from. She wasn't told much either. The people who did it said he was a great man and she should have been grateful to even being considered worthy. She never blamed me. Never blamed me at all."

Cid clucked his tongue in sympathy."Where is she, Son?"

Riku felt unwanted hot tears slowly fall down his face. "She died while I was lost in the Darkness. She got sick with pneumonia. Kairi said she was never the same when I left. My fault. All my fault. She had only been fourteen, when they did it to her. She barely survived giving birth to me. She was a good Mom, in spite of me. I knew I was rotten. She called me her blessed angel. Her little blessed angel. She didn't deserve to be saddled with me."

Whining, the tall man leaned in, and licked the tears away. "This boy isn't mine, Cid. He's Sephiroth's. I'm sure of it. Sephiroth always said I had another. I never understood what he talked about. I now remember Cloud telling me he met a small boy, with Maleficent, who looked like Sephiroth reborn. It must have been him. Riku, isn't it?"

To his astonishment, instead of feeling disgust, Riku felt warmly comforted. "Yeah, my name's Riku."

"Hmph. Well, nice to finally meet you, Riku. I am your grandfather, Vincent Valentine. This is my husband and chosen mate, Cid Highwind. Aerith is right. You are not as far gone as my son was, not by a long shot. The Gods have given us a second chance. I shall not fail this time."

Taking a chance, Riku raised his eyes. He was shocked to see the fierce determination lighting up his newly found grandfather's gaze.

When Vincent pulled him into a tight embrace, Riku clung on with everything he had. "Promise?"

"I swear. Chaos will help you control your Darkness, teaching you powers anew. You will never be alone in the Darkness again. I promise you. My Sky shall guide us both."

With a sniffle, Riku slightly turned his head to look past Vincent's shoulder, over to a now grinning Cid. "What do I call you?"

"Fuck, Kid. Call me Cid or Captain. Everyone else does. Long as ya show respect to the Missus, I got no beef with ya."

Reassured by the Captain's Light, Riku rested his head on his Kin's strong shoulder. Silver-blue eyes widened, when he felt comforting waves of Darkness wash over him. "Grandfather?"

"Yes?"

"What's that?"

"The four demons inside me welcome you home. You will meet them soon enough. Chaos cannot wait. He already calls you his little Prince of Darkness."

"Isn't that bad?"

Vincent snorted. Such an uneducated child, he had much to learn."No, my Childe. The Darkness is simply other. Do not worry. Your education will start soon enough."

"Not a child! I'm nineteen, dammit!"

"A good age, indeed, but still very young."

Riku harrumphed at that. To Cid, he sounded just like Vincent. "Grandfather?"

"Yes, Riku?"

"Don't let go."

"Never, my Childe. Never again."

Seeing all was well with his Kin for now, Cid turned back around to work on the damned sewer line.

Aerith gently directed a sniffling Riku to the tea table for some warm tea.

Vincent followed.

When Aerith turned away, to retrieve the teakettle from the stove, Riku grabbed her arm. He stared up at her with big blue eyes. He didn't know what to say. Thank you seemed too little.

Smiling her healing smile, Aerith softly patted Riku's hand."You're welcome, Riku."

Nodding back, Riku smiled a little.

When Vincent took his seat, Riku scootched his chair right next to him. He wasn't sure if he wanted to be hugged again, but he liked feeling his Grandfather's warmth.

To his surprise, while looking down, Riku's whole body was suddenly enveloped by a huge leathery wing.

Looking up, Riku gasped, seeing a transformed Vincent, with fangs and golden eyes. He should have been scared, but for some reason, he felt he belonged even more than before.

Raising a clawed hand, Chaos palmed his newly found Prince's beautiful face. "We shall teach you well, my Little Prince of Darkness. The Firstborn is gone, but he did not leave us bereft. Our clan shall thrive."

Leaning into the caress, Riku found himself purring.

"So fer once yer happy? Serves ya right, Chaos. Been a right catty bitch to the ol' Captain this whole week. Got me scratched up like a kitty post!"

Chaos purred over to his Sky. "Oh, Captain. Shut up and drink your tea. My Prince needs comfort. I shall scratch you more later."

With a leering grin, Cid winked right back. "Heh, gonna hold ya to that, Chaos. Tee Hee."

Already somewhat grossed out by his Grandparents' coarse love life, Riku listened to Chaos's advice to his mate, and concentrated his full attention on his tea.

Sitting next to the warm stove, Aerith surveyed her surroundings with satisfaction. All was well in her world again. Just like it should be. Now if the Puppy would hurry up, and wrestle his way out of the Lifestream, everything would be perfect.

Aerith sighed.

Well, way back when, Zack had been known for his lateness. But when he showed up, he always made a grand entrance.

XXX

The dinner at the Strifes' house proved to be a tense one.

Riku didn't want to go, but Cid insisted.

Kin was kin to the Captain.

Cid now called Riku grandson, and he meant it. He had sworn the oath on his cigarettes.

If he had sworn the pledge on his tea, Vincent would have cried at his Captain's loyalty.

To Riku's confusion, a misty-eyed Vincent said Cid only did that once.

When the couple had gotten married, Cid had written it into his wedding vows to Vincent.

Riku's family life seemed to just get stranger and stranger.

Then again, Riku felt glad to even have a family now. He'd learn to get used to it.

When they arrived, Riku refused to come into the house until he was invited in.

Cid grumbled Riku took the vampire part of his genetics too seriously.

Vincent smacked Cid on the head for that.

Also wishing no discord, within his collective family, Leon ushered a leery Riku in. He virtually had to drag Riku to a seat at the dinner table.

To Riku's relief, he sat between Kairi and Selphie. To his chagrin, it also meant he faced Sora and Reno.

Cloud had a long talk with his Light, since Riku had last knocked on their door. He promised Squall, as long as Riku didn't start anything, he wouldn't maim him. He found it harder now, finding out Riku was actually Sephiroth's son. Although, to tell the truth, the revelation really didn't surprise him.

When he first saw Riku, Cloud felt certain he was related to Sephiroth in some way. He just didn't know how.

Back then, out of his old love for Zack, and steadfast devotion to Cid and Vincent, Cloud had tried not to eliminate Sephiroth.

However, all bets were off when Cloud discovered Leon, crying in the computer room, after Sephiroth had tried to rape him.

Cloud hadn't stopped then until Sephiroth was dead.

Cloud had married and marked Leon right afterwards. No one would hurt his Light ever again. No one.

Sora had locked up Roxas for the night, once he heard Riku would come. He missed his best friend and was glad Riku had finally found his family.

Riku had been so lost, since he found out his mom died.

Roxas swore vengeance, but Sora didn't care.

Sora loved Riku like a brother and wanted only the best for him. He hoped Riku would find the same soul-mated love that he had.

After all the pain he had gone through, with the false Ansem, Riku deserved it.

Reno only stayed for Sora's sake. He still couldn't stand Riku.

Axel seconded the motion. If he didn't respect Mrs. Strife and Sora so much, he would have told Riku to fuck off outside with his fist.

Of course, it didn't help now that Reno knew Vincent Valentine was Riku's Grandfather.

With the Turks, Vincent had been a walking legend. His heroics, during the Deepground War, had only heightened Reno's awe towards the man.

Stealing a glance over to a silent Riku, Reno spied the eerie resemblance now. It was like looking at a midget Sephiroth.

Riku wasn't short. It was just everyone had looked short, standing next to Sephiroth. Of course, being seven feet tall had helped.

In spite of himself, Reno found himself grinning. He remembered how Sephiroth used to swing Zack around.

Zack would laugh and laugh. It was the only time Reno would hear Sephiroth's deep chuckle.

When Zack died, and Sephiroth found out later, he was gone. Just gone.

Having known Zack Fair, Reno didn't blame the General for going insane.

If Reno lost Sora, he would go bonkers too.

Remembering when he lost Roxas, Axel nodded his head in agreement. Crazy City. If he didn't discover his Baby Doll, Sora right afterwards, he would have set the Worlds on fire. Burn baby, indeed.

Although his visage remained blank and unreadable, inside, Vincent was still overcome with joy. He had been almost suicidal with the loss of his son, Sephiroth. Only Cid's constant love and devotion had kept him going.

After Sephiroth's death, the Demons had to remind Vincent every day, that his Sky couldn't live without him.

If anything else, Vincent had stayed alive for his Captain.

With Riku, Vincent now had a second chance.

Riku would vehemently state he was a grown man.

But to Vincent and his Demons, Riku was his Grandbaby.

Actually, to Vincent, Sephiroth had been his baby, even though he really had been a grown man, when Vincent finally caught up to him.

By the time he had attacked his father, Sephiroth just wanted death. He swore Zack was long gone. Without Zack, his Light, to guide him, he had nothing left to hope for.

Before he died, Sephiroth had told Vincent he would to do something so drastic; Cloud would finally have to kill him.

Vincent didn't find out, until later, of Leon being attacked. He never wanted that.

Leon embodied the very essence of goodness and Light, just like his Captain.

Vincent knew Sephiroth had finally given up, when he had molested the Lion. His son was dead when he set foot in that computer room.

Wherever it was, Vincent hoped Sephiroth's soul finally found peace. He only had Aerith's reassurances to go by.

For Vincent, this was enough. If anyone knew, it would be Aerith.

Contenting himself, with getting the food ready, Leon tried not to think about Sephiroth's attack. Now he knew Riku was Sephiroth's son, it was all he could think about.

Leon would tell Cloud daily, that he was okay, and the attack was forgotten. He always lied for his loved ones' sake.

Cloud had already killed Sephiroth.

Leon was safe forevermore. Cloud's very presence made sure of it.

Whenever Cloud woke a screaming Leon up from his nightmares, Leon would say they were of his torture in prison. Of course, he lied.

Every time Sephiroth attacked him again. Every time.

In his whole life, Leon had never felt so small and helpless. He still had no idea why Sephiroth had stopped.

Right before he would have entered Leon, Sephiroth clutched his head, mumbling something about Zack. He then disappeared.

Not a moment later, Cloud ran in, to a hysterical, naked Leon laying on the floor.

Sephiroth died two days after.

When Cloud returned, Leon had accepted his softly stuttered marriage proposal.

In spite of Cloud's odd quirks, Leon never regretted his decision.

Leon couldn't wait to tell Cloud about the baby. It had been so hard to keep it a secret.

Cloud had noticed the difference in Leon's smell right away.

Leon would tell Cloud tonight, once everyone left.

Kairi gently took Riku's hand and kissed his cheek. She murmured she was happy for him.

Riku murmured his thanks, but refused to look up.

Hoping to reassure him, Kairi squeezed his hand.

Besides Selphie, Riku had been the only one to see Namine.

Namine and Riku knew each other well, from when Sora had slept for a year in the pod in Twilight Town.

Namine helped Riku with the Darkness, which had eaten away at him. She even accepted Riku, when he returned looking like Ansem. She could always see Riku clearly, when others couldn't.

Namine, inside Kairi's mind, felt glad Riku finally had someone to teach him the right way to use the Darkness. Glancing over to Riku's Grandfather, she saw the great King of Darkness, residing inside Vincent.

Riku would be taught well.

Giggling with joy, Selphie nudged Riku. She was so happy Riku found his grandpa. He was such a big emo. When he got depressed, he was worse than Squallie, and that was saying a lot.

Riku found himself smiling and laughing a little himself.

You couldn't help it, with Selphie around. Her Light shined almost as strong as Sora's. Her giggle proved infectious.

Kairi started giggling too.

The two girls preoccupied themselves, by batting Riku between them with their shoulders.

Riku half-heartedly whispered to the girls to knock it off.

This just made the giggling worse.

Riku frowned. How was he supposed to stay depressed, between these two?

Their combined Light made his Darkness retreat almost to nothing.

Looking around the room, Captain Cid grunted with satisfaction. He grinned, when Aerith, Tifa, and Yuffie walked in.

Before Tifa had temporarily closed for dinner, Aerith and Yuffie had helped her set up the bar for tonight.

Once dinner was over, Tifa would to turn the lights back on, and Seventh Heaven would be open for business.

With his adopted children, and his new grandkid, all of Cid's Kin now surrounded him, just like he liked it.

After escaping their World's destruction, Cid and Vincent had worked long and hard to make a life for themselves. The road proved arduous, especially with the death of Vincent's son, but the Captain and his Missus had persevered.

Leon already told Cid he would be having another Grandbaby soon to treasure. He couldn't wait.

Cid caught Vincent's loving eye. Yep. Marrying Vincent Valentine and his four Demons was the best thing this old Captain ever did.

Cid never wanted to think of how his life would have ended up, if he hadn't opened that old coffin in Shinra Manor. He was just happy Yuffie had goaded him into it.

At his wedding to Vincent, Cid had ushered Yuffie to the side. He had thanked her with his Mastered Odin Materia.

When their Planet was destroyed by the Heartless, Yuffie had tearfully given the orb back to Cid. All she asked, in return, was for him to be there for her, since Godo and Wutai were gone.

Swallowing back tears, which choked his throat, Cid warned Yuffie he'd be one son-of-a-bitch of a Daddy.

Hugging Cid tight, Yuffie declared she never expected less from her Old Man.

While Leon, with Aerith and Tifa's help, set the feast on the table, Cid's grin got wider."What the fuck y'all waitin' for? This old man's gonna die of starvation. EAT!"

Laughter filled the warm house.

With family, old and newly found, the group hunkered down for their evening meal.

Each person grateful, in their own way, for being there.