Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.

Chapter Three: Strong Determination

"I'll come and meet you here after I'm finished with class, alright? I have culinary arts next, but it's only right across the way. See you later" Roxas waved to Sora, leaving him to fend for himself. Sora walked through an arch leading into a circular garden. This class was held in a small gazebo to one side of the campus. Sora sat down in one of a dozen some lawn chairs, and waited. As student began to fill in around him, the professor introduced himself.

"I am Professor Vexen. Besides this class, I teach science to the upperclassmen. And this," he gestured toward an older student, "is Marluxia. Although only a junior, he has extensive experience with plants." Sora recognized Marluxia as one of Riku's friends, the one who offered to show him his garden. He had no idea a student could, or would be so involved with something like plants. It seemed pretty boring to Sora, who preferred sports.

The class crawled along, going slower than Sora would have liked. It was so boring… and he was so tired… Sora didn't even notice himself drifting to sleep. Nor did he attempt to stay awake. Had he known the consequences, he would never have done so.

When the bell rang, Sora awoke, his vision muddled as much as his brain. Until a large hand slammed down on the desk in front of him.

"Who do you think you are, coming in here and falling asleep on the first day? DBA will not stand slackers like you. I will not stand people like you. If this ever happens again, I assure you, Asato. You will no longer receive the honor of attending this prestigious school. And more than that, you will be shamed." Professor Vexen glared down onto Sora, eyes burning holes into the younger one's. Only after the professor walked away did Sora begin to shudder. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he sat for a few minutes after the other students had left, attempting to regain his composure. No one had ever been so rude and condescending to him before.

When he was ready, Sora rose and walked out of the gazebo, unaware that Marluxia had watched the whole scene. Stopping outside the arch, Sora looked for Roxas, and found him across the courtyard. Talking to Axel. For a minute, Roxas didn't even notice anything besides the fiery boy. When he finally did notice Sora, he gave him an anxious look. Sora got the hint. He would go on to Gym without Roxas.

Sora made his way to the lockers and changed into his gym clothes. He waited with Hayner, who was also in that class. With only three minutes till class was going to start, Roxas was very close to being late.

"Do you know where Roxas is? He's not usually late like this…"

"I saw him talking to Axel"

"Oh, you mean that junior? I hope he knows what hes getting himself into." suddenly Roxas rushed into the locker room, his face flushed from running.

"So, back from chatting with you boyfriend, huh?" Roxas blushed furiously at Hayner's teasing.

"No way. We're just friends." Hayner and Sora laughed. But Sora wondered if Roxas would actually do that. They were both guys after all. That kind of thing would never happen where he had lived before.

Suddenly a tall man walked into the locker room. Sora could feel his presence before he had even said anything; a hush fell over the boys. He wide shoulders and long silver hair. He looked uncannily similar to how Riku would look if he were older. In truth, they looked like brothers.

"Hello everyone. I am Sephiroth, your gym teacher. Please come out to the gym." The man had a silky-smooth voice that resonated deep in his throat. Despite the masculinity that practically radiated from him, he had grace in his step, giving him a foreign gorgeousness. Sephiroth could only be described as magnificent.

The group followed him out the door, where they watched older student spar with swords.

"Some of you will reach their level by the end of the semester. Most of you will never make it that far. But to start, I want all of you to watch me first, and then copy each of the positions as I move through them." With that, Sephiroth moved into the first position, and all the boys watched his body attentively.

By the end of that period, Sora was sweating even though he was just holding simple poses. Sephiroth had not broken a sweat, yet another thing to admire him for. Supreme physical strength. When the bell rang, Sora hung around with his new friends before they went their separate ways.

The dorm was nearly empty when Sora walked in, as many of the older students had to attend clubs and other after school activities. Sora dragged himself up the stairs and took a shower; he hated feeling dirty after exercising. He was walking down the stairs just as Marluxia was walking up,

"Hey, Sora. You gonna take me up on my offer to look at my garden? Its really pretty, especially in the evening." Marluxia smiled.

"Sure! Is now okay? I don't have anything else to do" and with that, Sora followed his elder out the door and to the side of the cliff. Marluxia had tamed a honeysuckle vine which grew now up the side of the cliff. A multitude of poppies, daffodils, violets, and other flowers grew on a huge plot. A small bird bath sat in the middle under a birch sapling. Sora walked along the path, amazed.

"These are all flowers from home!" he exclaimed. He didn't realize how he had missed his home until now; all the foliage on Destiny Island was tropical.

"I love it"

"You can come here anytime you'd like. Usually it's off limits, because," and here his voice got louder, "certain people I know trample on my flowers!" Marluxia turned around to face a sheepish Demyx waiting outside the garden.

"Marluxia, it's our turn to cook dinner. You better hurry up!" With that, the short blond ran back to the dorm.

"I better go, Sora. But one more thing. Don't let Vexen scare you. He's just not used to a student not giving him full attention and respect. He's all bark and no bite. You'll have no problem, kiddo." Marluxia ruffled Sora's hair in a brotherly manner. It felt nice to have someone watching over him. He felt lucky to have so many friends here. But something still felt missing… he couldn't tell if it was the absence of his girlfriend, or his rejection by Riku. He tried to be friends, but it wasn't working… both pains melded together, an acid that was slowly burning a hole in his heart.

Sora walked back to the dorm before he could sink any lower in his depression. It was already 6:00, and he had to study for the SAT prep vocabulary list from English class. Up in his room, he swung his legs over one of the chair arms, and leaned back on the other. Sighing, he began to study the vocabulary. Just then, Riku walked in the door. He was sweaty, and his hair slightly damp. Sora gave him a funny look on account of his appearance, but Riku took no notice.

"Where did you go to get all sweaty like that?"

"Didn't you see me? I was there the whole time you were working on fighting stances."
"what?" Sora didn't know Riku had been there. "Ok, but why are you sweaty?"

"…"

"oh." Sora finally realized Riku had been part of the small group that had been sparing.

"I learn under my half brother, Sephiroth. He graduated from this school when he should have just been entering high school, and has always done well at everything he chooses to do. And now he's back from collage, as a teacher. He's actually only a year older than I." There was a trace of bitterness in his voice. Sora tried to think of something comforting to say, but Riku had already turned and gone into the bathroom.

Sora was able to study in peace until Riku came out of the bathroom. Riku's hair was dripping wet, a sheet of silver. He only had a towel around his wait, showing off his tall, slender form. Sora couldn't take his eyes off him.

Half an hour later, Riku came out of the bedroom.

"Come on, its time for dinner." And this time, he waited while the younger boy put his papers away.

Sitting in the dining room, Sora looked at the food in front of him. He wasn't sure what it was, and was a little nervous about eating it. Soon, however, the conversation took his mind off the unappetizing food.

"The weathers been horrible lately. Raining all day like this. I want to go to the beach" complained Demyx.

"It is winter. Stupid." Zexion stated.

"It's still not normal, with the thunder and everything. I could hardly sleep last night." The conversation continued on. Sora felt right at home, for that moment, surrounded by interesting people, whom he liked. He noticed Riku had been silent the whole time. Ever since he talked about his brother. Sora could understand how Riku must feel about it. He wondered how deep it had hurt Riku. Sora decided determinedly that he would show Riku just how great he thought he was, even compared to his elder brother.

Sephiroth will be showing up again soon 3 hehehe