Alright. I probably have a few hours to write this chapter. Let's see what I can cook up.
Anyway for those of you who didn't read my profile, I had some issues to deal with which was why I was gone for so long. Read my profile for more information.

I don't have much time to write. Although a few hours may seem like a lot, but it really isn't. So, I can't thank everyone properly. Well, thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter. You know who you are. I am very grateful to you all!!

Disclaimer: Don't own KH.

Chapter 11: Surprises

I couldn't believe my eyes. I didn't want to believe it. This man, who had left me, who had made my mother suffer, had the nerve to show his ugly face now? Of all the time in the world, he picked now to reappear? Why?

Cloud. My very own father.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell him he was a bastard. I wanted to tell him he caused my mother to suffer. He caused me to suffer. He caused Sora and his mother to suffer. I wanted to tell him to go away, to leave this town and to never come back. Instead, I asked him a simple question. "Why are you here?" I was surprised at the tone of my voice. It was calm and cold. I couldn't recognize it.

He didn't answer right away. He looked at me. I glared at him but stayed calm. He didn't flinch or even look away. He just kept staring into my eyes. Finally he sighed deeply and closed his eyes for a second. "I've been here for a while now. You just didn't notice me."

"Yeah, probably because you wore a black wig!" The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could think about them. I hadn't even thought of what Namine told me the other day until I said that. But then it all made sense. Namine's mother's boyfriend. He had black hair. His name was Cloud. It was too much of a coincidence. Or maybe I was just being paranoid.

I got my answer as I looked at Cloud for his reaction. He looked surprised and impressed, and slightly angry. He regained his cool quickly, though. "Sharper then I thought." He grunted. "However this is not the reason I have shown myself to you."

"Then why? Why appear now? Don't you know I detest you?" I snarled.

Cloud sighed. Was that a hint of sadness in his sigh? "Yes, I thought so. But, the reason I'm here is for another person." He talked softly and cooly.

"Namine's mother." I replied, just as cool as he was.

Cloud looked me over, an eyebrow raised. "Hmm.." He mused. "You are sharp. Just like your mother. And yes, that is the reason. Namine's mother is the woman who truly understands me."

"Yeah, just like my mom and Sora's mom!" I yelled back. I had forgotten about Selphie, Namine, and the dance completely. I could only focus on my father, whom I hated. I wanted him to know that I hated him so much and that he was a heartless bastard. "You're just going to abandon her like you did with my mom and Sora's!"

Cloud couldn't respond to that. He looked at me once again with his blue eyes. "No," He whispered, barely audible.

Then it was my turn to be at loss for words. 'No?' That's how he replied? Did he actually...care? No, that couldn't be true.

After a long uncomfortable silence, I had had enough. "Leave." I barked. "Leave now. I hate you. I hate everything about you. You caused everyone to suffer and now you're going to cause Namine and her mother to suffer the same thing. Just leave and don't come back!"

"I can't do that." Cloud replied simply. I thought I sensed some sadness in his voice just like there had been in his sigh before.

"Yes you can!" I argued, getting more upset by the second.

"Roxas." He paused. "Roxas, you need answers. If I leave now you'll never know anything."

I frowned, confused. "Answers? For what?"

"For everything." Cloud replied.

"And what does that mean?" I snapped.

"Later, Roxas. Later, you'll know."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Now I was confused. Was Cloud confusing me on purpose? Answers...was he going to tell me why he left?

Before I could probe him more, he asked, "Aren't you supposed to be in school?" He raised his eyebrow at me again.

He got me. I couldn't talk to him anymore. He could easily tell the school where I had been. He could contact my mother, too. So I said the only word I could say. "Yes." I grunted and turned away from. I took a few steps away from him before saying, "When we meet again, you'll tell me everything." I began to walk away, back toward my school.

"Yes," Cloud replied. "You'll know everything."

And I walked away from my father, a single tear running down my cheek.

-----------

I mulled over what had just happened. I had met my father. I realized I really did have a reason to hate him so. He was a jerk. A heartless one. And what did he mean? Answers for what? Was he going to tell me why he left my mother and never gave her any help for raising me? Was he going to apologize? I did sense sadness coming from him. Perhaps he felt guilty. No. He only cared for himself.

I reached the school in a matter of minutes. I walked around to the back of the school and snuck in. My History teacher never took attendance anyway. He would never know I was missing. I walked down the hall and glanced at a nearby clock. History had just ended. I went to my locker and grabbed my books for Science, my next class.

I didn't have Science with Namine.

As I walked up to Science I suddenly felt the need to tell Namine what happened. About meeting Cloud. After all, it was her mother who was now caught in his game. I could try, but she might be upset with me. Sora did say that she was upset before I left. I groaned as I walked in the science room.

I was the first to enter the room and my teacher wasn't there. On the chalkboard, there was a message. It read: 'Class, I will be in the library for a meeting. I would like you to read pages 234-238 from your textbook and take notes. Anything you don't finish is NOT homework. Thank you.'

I sighed with relief. At least now I could think over what happened and what to do without having to listen to my teacher drone on about molecules.

The other students in my class started to spill in the room. They all began to chat as they opened their textbooks. Hayner rushed in and I felt my heart drop. I was going to have to explain everything to Hayner. That would be hard.

"Sorry I'm late, I-" Before Hayner could make an excuse, he looked at the board and smirked. "Yes!" He cheered then looked at me, his smirk fading. Now his face was creased with worry and he took a seat next to me.

"Hey man. What the hell happened? Where were you during History?" Hayner asked.

"Look, Hayner it's a long story. To make it short, I met with my father and realized how much of a bastard he is in person."

"Huh? How did you meet him?" Hayner asked, confused.

"I...left. I left the school because..." I trailed off, hoping Hayner would get it.

"Yeah, I understand. Namine. You've got to talk to her, man. She's really upset." Hayner said.

"I know. But how?" I asked.

Hayner shrugged. "Sorry, man. I don't know. I hate to sound like Olette, but this is your problem and you've got to solve it."

I sighed. "I know." Just like what Sora said. I've got to face this problem before it's too late. Or maybe it really is too late. I shook that thought away.

"Hey, study hall is next period. Maybe you could talk to her then. Or after school." Hayner suggested.

"Yeah. Thanks." At that moment, I was really glad Hayner was one of my understanding friends.

"No big deal. I just want this to end. I hate seeing everyone so upset."

"Yeah, same."

We both didn't know what to say after that, so I decided to start my class work and opened up my textbook. I couldn't focus on anything so by the end of the period I had done nothing. My teacher was going to be upset with me, but I didn't care anymore. I had more things to worry about then a nagging teacher.

-----------

As I walked to the room the study hall was taking place in, my heart pounded louder and faster. With Cloud still lingering my mind, it would be hard to deal with Namine. I really did like her. And she's been my friend since elementary school. I at least wanted her friendship back and apologize.

But would she listen?

I opened the door and took a step inside. I wanted someone to shoot me the instant I did so. For the sight I saw was horrible. I quickly hid behind a group of friends who were talking loudly. I felt like yelling or screaming or even crying. I felt like I was going to be sick.

I saw Riku. His silver-grey hair looked silky as he ran his fingers through it. He smiled. He seemed at ease with life, exactly the opposite of me. A pang of jealously went through my chest. Why does he get to be so carefree when I have to deal with so much? Another pang went through my chest as he wrapped his arm around a girl.

A girl with blonde hair. A girl with pale skin. A girl with blue eyes. The very same girl I loved.

Namine.

My heart lurched and I breathed heavily. I felt broken. As if Cloud hadn't been enough.

Namine looked my way and I could instantly tell that she was distressed. Her look pained me. I wanted to run over to her and hug her. I wanted to hold her in my arms. I wanted to tell her that it was okay. I wanted to make things better, just like that. But I knew I couldn't. It was impossible.

Riku noticed me too and he smiled wider. Not in a mocking way, but in a friendly way. He is my friend, after all. But I couldn't stop an anger from growing within me. I forced a smile and made my toward them.

"Hey," I greeted, trying not to show him my anger or frustration.

"Hey man. What's up?" Riku asked, grinning like he was the happiest boy in the world. I felt slightly guilty as the desire to punch him entered my brain.

"Nothing..." I trailed off, and glanced at Namine. She was looking at me, frowning. I bit my lip and was about to ask Namine if I could talk to her alone when she interrupted me.

"Roxas, Riku's taking me to the dance. I heard you're going with Selphie." She stated coldly. She was incredibly upset. I could tell by the tone of her voice. A million ways to respond ran through my head like a tornado. I wanted to tell her I was sorry and that I wanted to go with her. Or tell her I wasn't going with Selphie. Or tell her she was making a mistake by going with Riku. Or tell her about Cloud.

Instead, a single sentence formed out of my mouth. "I'm not going to the dance." I said as I turned my back on them and walked out of the class room.

End of Chapter 11

Wow. More angst in this chapter then intended. Sorry about that. Guess I'll have to change the category. I hope you don't mind the angst. I guess everything going on in my head just poured out onto the word processor. Heh.

So yeah. Sorry about making so many delays and all that crap. I felt really bad. However, I am glad that I managed to find time to write this. I wrote it in 4 hours. I usually take 2 days to write and edit so if this seems rushed, that is why. If it's too rushed, just tell me and I'll change it.

And I've also realized the changes that happened to during my absense. Small ones, but they are good. Like the image/icon thing. I think I might not put a picture up but it's pretty neat.

Well, thanks for reading, sorry for the wait and please review!