A/N: I finally finished chapter five! Yay! Thanks for reviewing, watching and faving on the last chapter! I had a bit of writer's block with this chapter, so sorry if it seems a little rushed
Someone- Thanks, sadly it will be a while before I'll include any VenXAqua.
sunshinemeg82- Okay, thanks! I agree, the characters need to be tortured a little...
Keyblade User- Thanks! :)
(Ven's POV)
"Hey idiot."
I glared at my stepbrother, golden eyes staring straight back at me in a mocking manner.
"What do you want Van?" I liked Sora well enough, but Vanitas? He was a total pain, sure once in a blue moon he would be nice or show some care for us, but that was as likely as Evelyn finally being able to tell me and Roxas apart or 'Dad' realizing that he is a total workaholic.
"Nothing, just spreading gossip." He grinned in a slightly psychotic manner. "Riku asked Xion out."
I spat my milk out, spraying chocolate milk all over the table. (Thankfully Aqua and Terra were still in the lunch line.)
"The word is, she said yes." He added in a singsong-y voice.
"You're kidding! I was going to get-" I clamped my jaw shut. Letting Vanitas know would equal a veerrry pissed Roxas. "You know how girly gossip sounds?" I managed to add.
"I also hear from the rumor mill that Aqua and Terra are more than just friends" He emphasized the word rumor.
My breathing hitched up and I swear I could feel myself turn paler.
"They're my best friends. They would tell me if they were. Not that you would know. You don't have any friends." I countered smoothly, even though my hands were starting to shake.
Vanitas looked a little miffed, but said nothing and disappeared into the students.
Terra and Aqua would tell me if they were dating... right? But if they were dating, they would leave me behind just like Dad did and then-
I mentally slapped myself. Your being paranoid. I told myself. They were my best friends. They would never do that to me!
"Aw Ven! That's gross!" Terra dropped his lunch on a chair. "You didn't spit this out again did you?"
Aqua just sighed. "What did Vanitas tell you?"
"That Riku asked Xion out, and that she said yes." I sighed, saying I was disappointed was a understatement.
"No way! She said yes?" Terra punched his fist into the air.
"You knew about this and you didn't tell us?" Aqua glared at Terra. "I was trying to get Roxas and Xion together!"
"You too?"
"See! Even Ven wanted the two of them together! You should have at least gave him a heads up or something!"
Ignoring Terra's "I'm sorry! I didn't know!"s, I looked over at Sora's table. Xion wasn't there, but the happy squeals and high fives from my twin's table tell me that what Vanitas said was true.
I got up to go get some napkins to mop my mess up when Aqua grabbed my wrist.
"Ven, you look a little pale. Are you feeling alright?" She brushed my bangs aside and put her hand on my forehead.
"I'm fine." I swatted her hand away, trying not to blush madly. "I was just going to get some napkins to clean this up," I pointed to the spray of chocolate milk. "You don't want to eat lunch like this do you?"
(Roxas' POV)
"Ven! Wait up!" I called. I ran up to my twin, Xion tailing me.
"Oh hey guys." He waved halfheartedly. "I heard Riku asked you out. Congrats Xion."
Xion blushed, saying it was not a big deal.
"Don't be so modest" He rolled his eyes. "Half of the girls in this school would die to go out with him."
I frowned. Ven was usually extremely cheerful and it was almost impossible to get him to shut up.
Xion seemed to notice this too and nodded at me.
"Oh! I forgot!" She exclaimed, stopping suddenly. "I have to meet up with Larxene and Namine after school!" She smacked her forehead, looking at us apologetically. "We were supposed to get the supplies for tonight! I'll see you later Roxas! Bye Ven!"
She mouthed the words 'good luck' to me before rushing off.
"You're going somewhere tonight?" Ven asked curiously.
"Yeah, we're celebrating the fact that Xion was asked out." I added. What Xion said was mostly true, except Demyx and Luxord were supposed to get snacks and drinks for tonight. "We get together at seven and just hang out at the park."
Ven nodded, his blonde bangs sweeping over his face.
"What's up?" I asked, poking his shoulder. "You're not usually like this."
"It's nothing."
"All right then," I paused "then can I ask you something?"
He shrugged.
"What happened the day Mom died?"
The reaction was almost instant. The uneven breathing, shaking, unnecessary grabbing of the sides of his arms- almost like he was trying to hug himself.
"Ven?"
He just kept walking in an unsteady pace, seeming to ignore my question.
I grabbed his arm. Ven always found some way to dodge the question for the past three years. I wasn't letting his get away this time too. "Ven. You have been avoiding anything surrounding Mom's death for the past three years. I was there too, and she's my mother too! Why can't you just tell me?" My voice escalated to a desperate shout.
"JUST DROP IT!" Ven shoved me away roughly, causing me to fall to the ground.
I just stared at him in complete shock. Ven was never mad at me before, much less to the point of yelling and pushing me.
"You don't understand," His balled up fists shook uncontrollably. "What happened that day too much for anyone to know! They will come back for us- and I can't let you get hurt!"
He broke into a run towards home.
"Ven wait-"
What happened that day is too much for anyone to know! They will come back for-
The pieces finally came together
Mom didn't just die- sure, it seemed strange that Ven got injured and someone was in the room, but it never crossed my mind that my mother was murdered-
And I could have lost my twin brother too.
"Hey, what's wrong with stupid here?" Vanitas said as soon as I opened the door. "He's been like this since he got home."
Ven was sitting on the couch shaking, arms wrapped around his legs, staring blankly into space.
Sora looked at Ven worriedly, offering him a cookie from his seemingly endless stash while Vanitas smacked Ven on the head, growling in disappointment at the lack of reaction from the blonde.
I shrugged, too confused from the events earlier. "I think he'll be fine in a bit."
My prediction was correct. By dinner, Ven was pretty much his usual self.
This time, 'Dad' and Evelyn were actually home- not that it mattered. All dad did was complain about some beach house (The size was like a small mansion though) in Destiny Islands we rented out being empty again. (Dad followed the whole 'time is money' thing like a religion).
That's when I had an idea.
"Hey Dad, since the vacation home in Destiny Islands is empty now, would it be okay if we," I gestured to my brother and stepbrothers "took a couple of friends there for a week or two during spring break?"
'Dad' looked at me, clearly in deep thought.
"We could take a bus over, plus Terra is a legal adult." I provided, ignoring Ven's look that said 'I didn't agree to this yet'
Finally, after what seemed like hours, he just shrugged. Clearly he couldn't care less if we went or not.
I couldn't help but grin. It would be the perfect time to make amends with Ven, hang out with my friends and maybe even ask Namine out.
I swallowed my soda, scanning the park. We gathered around, making small talk as we sat in a neat circle.
Axel handed Xion a soda, popping open the top and immaturely chanting "CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!"
I gave in eventually and started chanting too, causing Xion to burst into laughter and swallow the contents of the can.
We all cheered (except Zexion, who was a killjoy like usual) and gave Xion high fives or hugs, congratulating her on being asked out.
"I still don't see why it's such a big deal." She grinned.
"We," Axel gestured to us. "Are social rejects- or just weird," He added, throwing a sideways glance at Zexion. "So it's a really big thing when one of us gets asked out, especially by someone popular. Got it memorized?"
Xion nodded.
"But if he ends up being a jerk," Larxene cracked her knuckles. "You know who to call."
"Hey! We're the guys here! We can do the beating up." Demyx butted in, gesturing towards him, Axel and Zexion, the other two shaking their heads rapidly and shuffling as far away as possible
Larxene snorted, raising an eyebrow.
"I can fight too! I just prefer not to try!"
"Prove it."
The expression on Demyx's face could only be described as pure terror. Granted, Larxene basically challenged him to a fight.
He reached out a trembling fist and tapped Larxene on the side of the head.
Larxene mumbled "pathetic" Before elbowing him in the gut.
Namine got up, mumbling something about a first aid kit.
"Just leave him. He'll be fine" Luxord rolled his eyes.
"Um… guys, I have an announcement to make… guys?" I tried to yell over the jeering from Axel and Luxord, who were poking a writhing Demyx with their feet.
"You owe me for this." Larxene growled next to my ear before clapping her hands together. "OI! PIPSQUEAK HAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE! SHUT THE HELL UP!"
Everyone turned to me.
Clearing my throat nervously, I looked around. "So, as you all know, Spring break is coming up really soon. So- I was wondering if any of you guys wanted to tag along. Me, Ven and the other two are taking a bus to a vacation home in Destiny Islands for a week."
I looked at the thoughtful faces expectantly. "You have until next week to let me know," I added. "but if you want I'll send you guys whatever information I have tomorrow."
Everyone nodded, breaking into small groups and chatting again
I checked my watch. Wow, nine already?
"Um, guys, I've got to go, I'll see you guys tomorrow!" I waved, grinning as Xion and Axel ran up to join me.
"You left your own party before everyone else?" I raised an eyebrow at Xion.
"It was getting boring anyway." She shrugged. "So what's your excuse?" She asked.
"Well, Lea wanted some snacks and I lost a bet with him, so I have to do his homework for tonight. How about you Roxas?"
I shrugged. "I'm kind of worried about Ven. He's really out of it today…" I sighed.
"Oh yeah, he seemed really sad compared to usual." Xion supplied.
"So did you figure out what's eating at him?"
I thought for a second.
"Did I ever tell you guys what happened to my mom?"
"What does that have to do with my question? Besides, I thought Evelyn was your mom!" Axel asked, puzzled.
"That's his stepmom." Xion corrected. "Sora and Vanitas' biological mother."
"My mom was… killed, three years ago. Someone broke into our house, and killed Mom. Ven went upstairs and came down a couple minutes later to lock me in a closet."
"A closet?" Axel snorted
"The killer was still there and he was trying to… protect me. I think whoever that was… tried to kill him too."
"That would explain why when I asked about…" Xion gestured to her neck, tracing diagonal line from the middle of her neck to the tip of her collarbone.
I nodded. "He thinks that whoever it is will come back for us."
"How come you never…?"
"Hey, I just figured it out myself today." I raised my hands defensively. "Ven never told anyone, not even Terra and Aqua."
"Roxas… I'm so sorry…"
"But remember, if you think anyone is out to get you, just let us know and we'll protect you. Got it memorized?"
I rolled my eyes. "Axel, not even you are any good against a psycho murderer."
"You've got a point there…"
Date: Saturday, April 24th (The next day)
From: .com
To: Axel [Pyromaniac8], Xion [Xionspuppets14], Larxene [SavageKiller12], Zexion [Zexion], Demyx [NocturneWave9], Luxord [Pokerface10], Namine [Naminelikesdrawing093], Ven [SwiftWinds3369], Sora [HappypuppySora], Vanitas [gotpain?]
Subject: Spring trip
Hey guys,
So here's the information on that trip coming up. We will be staying at a vacation home in Destiny Islands for a week, so on the 2nd of May, we will meet at the bus stop at 7:00 A.M. and take the first bus to Destiny Islands. The bus fee (No, I'm NOT paying for it.) is 100 munny, and it is an hour long, so bring an IPod or something.
Let me know if you are coming or not by next week. Failure to respond will result in being force- fed whatever Sora ends up making in cooking this week and a good whack in the head with one of Zexion's textbook.
Roxas
P.S- Ven and Sora, please forward this to whoever you want to come. Vanitas- I know you don't have any friends anyway, ha-ha.
P.P.S- Zexion, you might want to check your profile pic. That picture of you sleeping with your stuffed moogle has been there since the 1st. (You can thank Axel for that one. :P)
A/N: Ven's just paranoid (and probably in need of some therapy). He depends a lot on Terra and Aqua, so he thinks that if they are actually dating, then they would have less time for him and the killer would try and kill him. (like I said, he needs therapy)
Yes, Terra is a legal adult who is still in high school.
And I realize the usernames fail. I was sort of braindead on that.
So on the, next chapter I'll stop stalling and get the plot moving a bit and finally get back to the whole reason Ven and Roxas' mom was killed! just a little.
Reviews, opinions and pointing out any errors I make is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
CBC