A/N: I'm a Kairi Hater! Not too much bashing though.

Warning: So- you know the drill. This contains male on male pairings, child abuse, and really angst stuff. So if you're an angst fan keep reading. If you lean more toward humor, I've other stories in the works you might want to check out.

Disclaimer: Lawyers said 72 cents isn't enough to buy the Kingdom Hearts games, let alone get it from Disney. Damn you Walt…

Summary: This is the story of poor Cloud. He and his twin brothers live with their abusive father. After a while, his friend Leon becomes suspicious. What happens then?

Remember:

"Talking."

Thoughts.

Time Skip

Emphasis on words.

Self-explanatory.

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Chapter Six

"But why her?" Riku was on his knees, practically begging Sora to reconsider. Sora gave him a little Dubbed, "Roxas-Can-Not-Believe-You-Asked-Such-A-Question-Glare." Axel was chuckling behind his hand. Roxas was proud Sora got the look down so good. Riku, on the other hand, mourned over his poor Sora using dirty tricks.

"Listen," Sora sighed. "I'm only going to give her the invitation. I like her. I'm not going to force her to go if she doesn't want to." His blue eyes darkened a little. Riku saw and swore to get revenge if this chick hurt Sora by refusing. But he also didn't want the dumb girl to go either! Sora was his friend, dammit! But that would hurt Sora, and Riku didn't want him hurt. But Sora was his. But Sora could get hurt. But Riku doesn't share what's his!

"BRAIN FREEZE!" Riku exclaimed clutching his head. Roxas stopped the timer waiting for the moment to occur. Axel looked at the glowing blue numbers. He sighed and coughed up a dollar in Roxas open palm. "Damn, late by two seconds." He grumbled. Roxas chuckled and pocket the dollar. Now he could get some ice cream after school.

All the while Sora had walked up to the pretty, violently red haired girl. She was talking to her sister, her blonde hair slung over one shoulder. The blonde looked up once his shadow fell over her picture she was coloring. "Hello Sora." She smiled in her quiet way. "Hi Namine!" Sora chirped brightly. He caught the eye of Namine's sister. "Hi Kairi." He said a little softer.

Kairi sat chewing her pink bubble gum with her brow raised. "What's going on Sora?" she asked, somewhat polite, some what peeved he interrupted her story. Sora's hand tightened on the card he had behind his back. "W-Well, Roxas and I are having a party. It's our birthday on Saturday." He gulped nervously. "You know we're twins and all and I just wanted to invite you guys- err, girls." His voice squeaked as he presented their invitations.

Riku sat on the floor, still clutching his head, waiting for the girls to react. Roxas put up a dollar. Axel threw up another dollar he found at the bottom of his shoe. Sora could feel his heart beat hard against his ribs. Slowly, Kairi let out a smile. "Alright, we'll go." She answered. Sora face brightened as Kairi plucked the invitations from his hands. "Really? Cool! I'll see you then!" the brunet babbled excitedly.

Riku threw up his hands in dismay. "CAN I NOT WIN?!" he called up to the heavens. Axel sighed and handed Roxas another dollar. Roxas grinned as he thought of all the candy he could buy from the ice cream truck. "Hey Sora! Look! I got celebrating money!" Roxas yelled and ran to his twin. Axel and Riku practically sobbed at their losses.

Back to Cloud

Leon was munching on some Nerds, Cloud number crunching in his head. "So… the total cast is about one fifty…" Cloud looked at the list. Leon whistled. "Wow, that's cheap." He commented, popping another yellow candy in mouth. Cloud looked up. "That's in dollars." The blond dead-panned. Leon winced.

"The twins sure are going all out this year." The older threw up another piece of candy successfully landing it on his tongue. Cloud was erasing some figures unaware his snort escaped his mouth. "This is their first party. I think I can allow it." Cloud had tore out the paper and stuffed it in his pocket. Leon sat up a bit straighter, slightly uncomfortable.

"Their first?" he questioned. Cloud's hands stilled for a moment as he patted down his pants. "Yeah… My dad's kind of strict. He allowed it this year to see their new friends." Cloud answered carefully. Leon nodded as if he understood, but not really. He just decided not to push Cloud into further explanation. There would be time later.

Saturday

The party took place in the backyard. Little kids were hoping around everywhere. The table was set up, so was the piñata. A small trampoline was being played upon; some of the parents were talking with Cloud's father. It never ceased to amaze him how completely different the man was around other people. Perhaps it was a gift that he passed to his children.

Cloud was setting up the goody bags with Leon. Leon offered to help- and keep Riku out of trouble. Not that Riku would be much of his prankster self tonight. From what Cloud could asses, he wasn't happy he had to share his friends with others. Cloud chuckled to himself as Leon complained about people like that. To which Cloud cockily responded with, "Would that make you the kettle or the pot?"

Needless to explain in further detail, Leon sulked and went quiet. Sora meanwhile was practically glowing with his hyper and happy day. He was rushing around making sure everything was as fun as possible. Smiles were to be seen on every guest, and the boy was quite proud of it. Well, almost everyone.

Axel was not having a good day. Not at all. He couldn't find Roxas ANYWHERE! Where, oh where, had the little blond gone? Axel chuckled when he realized that rhymed pretty well. I'm a poet, and I never knew it. The red head stopped his frantic searching. Now that didn't sound right… How did that saying go? Axel ended up shrugging.

He had strolled into the kitchen, noticing his sulking friend he quickly darted to hide before the boy ended up complaining about Kairi again. It was then Axel happened to glance out the window. He blinked his green eyes when he saw Roxas' form sitting in a neatly tucked away corner. With a furrowed brow Axel made to Roxas' hiding place.

Roxas was quiet kid. The blond didn't like parties. Heck, he barely tolerated any one but his brothers. Oh, and of course Axel and Leon. But not Riku. That jerk had successfully stolen Sora away. Roxas ended up sighed and bringing his knees up to his chest. He winced when the movement caused his bruises to stretch for a moment. The twin was grateful that the cuts had healed. The bruises would be gone in a couple days though.

Roxas eyes glazed as they took in the festive spectacle. This party was more for Sora than both of them. Most of these kids Roxas only knew through his brother. His brother was very outgoing. More so than Cloud and Roxas. They were more twins than Sora and him were. Roxas found his eyes downcast to his shoes. But Sora was still Sora. Almost like another part of Roxas. Even if they barely looked similar.

The only reason Roxas could stand Riku was the fact that Sora liked Riku. They were friends. Despite Riku being a complete and total jerk… He did care for Sora. What Roxas loathed about the silver haired kid was that maybe, just maybe, he cared more than Roxas did. The blond should not be thinking it, but he was. How horrible of a twin was he? The most despicable thing about his situation? Roxas was jealous… jealous of his brother.

"Is it so much to ask for what my brothers have?" Roxas asked eyes focused on the grass in between his sneakers. "No." some one answered cheerily. The blond jumped and looked wildly around to find a red haired pyro sitting next to him. He stared as Axel smiled at him. "What are you doing here?" Roxas blurted out.

Axel tilted his head back. "Um…" he answered thinking. "I don't know. I thought I was trying to hang out with my friend on his birthday." The guy scratched his head uncertainly. "Did I mess this up or something?" he asked. Roxas felt his eyes give an automatic withering glare. Axel was being sarcastic and stupid again.

"Seriously, what are you doing?" Roxas questioned. "You should be out and having fun." Axel snorted and crossed his arms. "That is what I'm doing." He answered. He brought out a small box and held it out to Roxas. "I always have fun with you. Plus, it's your birthday." Axel said with a slight blush, but he was defiantly serious this time.

Roxas carefully picked up the little box. "For me…?" he was stunned to say the least. No one ever really gave him a present before. Axel nodded his head. "I've been trying to find you all day. This is specially for you." He explained a wide smile on his face, obviously proud he managed to reduce the blond to speechlessness.

Roxas looked up into Axel's eyes, realizing that there seemed to be an emerald fire there… His face heated and broke the stare to the box. With shaking hands he untied the sloppy bow to open the top of it. Roxas blinked when his eyes fell on to the present. He picked it up, unable to speak. Axel watched with a nervous grin.

"I know it's kind of girly…" he said rubbing the back of his neck. Roxas shook his head vehemently. "No! I like it!" he exclaimed. Axel almost jumped when Roxas turned to him suddenly. The boy squeaked realizing his out burst. "What I mean is…" Roxas began with a real smile eyeing focused on the gift, a tiny hair clip, red with a little golden key, "This means a lot to me."

Axel found his face light on fire. He gulped when his fingers brushed against Roxas'. With awkward, yet fluent moves, Axel delicately placed it in the blond hair. Roxas thought for a fleeting second that he might cower, but when the digits threaded through silky locks, the boy was warm inside. For the first time, Roxas closed his eyes in contentment. "Thank you Axel…" he whispered. Axel merely smiled.

Back in the kitchen Cloud was watching in disbelief. Roxas just let some body touch his hair? What the…? "CLOUD!" Said boy squeaked in surprise. Leon stood impatiently and Cloud winced. "You've been staring at those two for at least ten minutes now! What's up?" Leon inquired a bit softer than before.

Cloud sighed and sat down stiffly. "It's just kind of scary. Some body touched Roxas' hair! Roxas hates people touching his hair!" Cloud explained. Leon cocked his head to the side. "Why is that?" Leon questions Cloud felt his brows scrunch trying to think of an answer.

"Well…" he said. "There was an accident of sorts. Part of Roxas' hair was badly burnt." Cloud felt his face fall when he thought back to that day. He had gotten home from school when he heard his baby brother crying. He should have known it was nothing good when he saw his father's car in the drive way…

Leon watched the blank look in Cloud's eyes swirl around in guilt. Leon's hand acted on its own. He grabbed Cloud's hand, thumb tracing over the back of the blondes. "You know you can tell me anything…" Leon mumbled. Cloud bit his lip, wanting to pour it all out.

"Cloud!" a deep voice called. Cloud's hand was ripped away from Leon's. Leon turned to see the dark haired man his friend called 'father.' The eyes darted from Leon's hand to Cloud's worried state. "You haven't introduced me to your friend." The voice was not friendly, but not commanding either. The under tone, however, sent a chilling feeling spread over Leon's gut.

Leon stood and introduced himself. His eyes would sweep over from Cloud to the older man continuously. They seemed two different people. The father was assertive while Cloud seemed meek. How in the world could they be related? It almost seemed like the man was a good father. But just the sudden movements sent a chill down Leon. Especially when he noticed his blond companion's tense reaction.

Things were not right in this house…

TBC

A/N: There was supposed to be more to this chapter. I decided against it though. It was just a cute, quick little Sora-and-Riku-Make-Up-Over-Stupid-Fight. In the end it wouldn't do anything for this chapter. They didn't really fight anyways.

So I finally slipped in the Akuroku urges I've been having for WEEKS! I just love them! I don't know why! Their story is so sad- BUT I LOVE IT!

Anyways, I'm ticked because Leon and Cloud action won't happen for a bit longer! DAMN! Oh well. Any who, people seemed to be confused about their ages, I apologize! I allude to things more than flat out tell you what's going on.

So:

Leon and Cloud- 13 years of age and part way through 7th grade.

Roxas and Sora- Now 7 years of age and in 1st grade.

Riku- Is 7 and one half years of age and is in 2nd grade.

Axel- Turned 8 over the summer and is in 3rd grade.

Better? Good. Love to you who review!

-SAI-