A/N: Okay! This took me a while, but I got this done! I hope it is good!
I've been a little lazy about replying to comments, but I'll try hard to reply quicker!
Sunshinemeg82: Haha, thanks! Terra turns 18 juuust after the new school year starts, so he still fits in with the seniors. Thanks, I'm happy you think so!
Dormouse of Dreams: It does have significance to the plot, but no party (Yet...), so you're right about that!
YueShiyume:Really? Thanks! I don't have any siblings, so I'm just hoping it seems reasonable. Thank you!
(Roxas' POV)
"I still can't believe we managed to do this." I grinned, dropping my backpack on the sidewalk.
Ven yawned, nodding in agreement.
"I would have been sure that either no one would come, or that the whole plan would fall apart." He agreed. Geez. You're very encouraging.
"Why are we here at seven in the morning? It's too damn early to be up." Vanitas groaned.
"That way we can make sure everyone is here and that we don't miss the bus." I replied, pulling a slip of paper out of my pocket.
"So let's see… just to be sure, the people coming are Aqua, Terra, Kairi, Riku, Namine, Xion, Axel, Zexion, Larxene, and Demyx right? The only person who couldn't come was Luxord because he has some kind of bridge tournament…"
Sora nodded. "That's everyone! Dad also gave us some money to buy food with, so we should go get some food the moment we get to the house."
I grunted in agreement, stuffing the wad of paper back into my pocket.
"You guys are here early," Kairi grinned, hugging Sora, Namine trailing behind her. "We thought we would be here first!"
"Well Roxas wanted to make sure no one missed the bus. The next one to Destiny Islands isn't until twelve." Sora replied, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Aw GOD." Vanitas groaned, pushing Sora's shoulder roughly. "You two lovebirds save it for the beach will ya'?"
"Excited?" I grinned at Namine.
She rolled her eyes. "Of course. I haven't been back there since Kairi and I moved here."
"You used to live in Destiny Islands?" I knew Namine moved here a couple months before I did, but I never knew she lived at Destiny Islands.
"Why would I lie about that?"
"Perfect. Then you can show us around the island and give us the names of some good places to check out." I told her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
She giggled, a few strands of her pale blonde hair falling off her shoulder. "You don't know anything about Destiny Islands?"
"Well…" I scratched the back of my head sheepishly. "Vanitas and Sora used to go there on holidays, and since Sora and Riku were practically connected at the hip back then, that makes three people who have a rough idea of things on the islands… Five if we count you and Kairi…"
She nodded briskly. "I still remember some good places, though I'm not sure they are still there…" She trailed of, waving as Xion, Riku, Zexion, Terra and Aqua came into view.
"Morning Xion." I grinned, checking my watch. "I hope the others come soon, they're going to miss the bus…"
"Finally!" Vanitas huffed impatiently as Axel dropped down next to me.
"What took you so long?" I asked.
Axel shrugged, running a hand through his fiery red hair. "I overslept."
"I thought you set your alarm clock." I groaned, digging through my backpack in search of my IPod.
"I slept through it, got it memorized? It's not like you never did it before."
I just sighed, glancing at Ven, who was tossing his cell phone back into his bag while talking to Terra and Aqua.
(Xion's POV)
"Whoa! This place is huge!" Larxene exclaimed, green eyes wide with surprise.
The rest of us just nodded in agreement- even Roxas and Ven. For that matter, the only ones who weren't surprised were Sora and Vanitas.
'That's right, Roxas and Ven's mother divorced their father right before they were born.' I frowned. So they've never seen the house before?
"The place is really well designed, this place is gorgeous!" Kairi grinned, running a hand across the sofa.
The house was beautiful, all the (expensive) furniture was either a shade of blue, white, pale yellow or tan, various black and white beach themed pictures scattered across the tan walls.
"So, how should we split the rooms?" Ven asked, glancing around.
"Well," Vanitas sighed, reaching for a notepad and pencil. "there are fourteen of us here, and there are five rooms, so it will be three people per room, except the last one, there will be two people in that room"
"I can share with Larxene and Kairi." Namine volunteered.
Vanitas nodded, jotting down the names on the notepad.
"I guess I'm with Xion then." Aqua smiled, dark blue hair falling over her eyes.
"I'll share a room with Ven," Roxas volunteered. "So we just need one more person."
"Ven's been avoiding me lately… if anything, he seems more traumatized by Mom's death than he lets on."
I sighed, remembering what Roxas had told me and Axel on the bus. So he was really going to try and confront him tonight? If Ven was really that scarred by the event, wouldn't it be better to not confront him?
"I have to. I'm supposed to be his twin brother. How could he not tell me if something like this is happening? I have to know what's making him think someone is out to kill us."
Ven seemed unnerved by the request, but made no move to object.
Noticing Ven's discomfort, Terra put a hand on the younger boy's shoulder.
"I'll bunk with you guys then."
"Riku! You'll share a room with me and Vanitas right?" Sora asked happily, grabbing Riku's arm.
I barely heard Zexion's groan when he figured out he was rooming with Axel and Demyx. I managed to pick up the words 'annoying' and 'loud' from him.
"Do we need sleeping bags?" Namine asked. "I mean, it seems unlikely that anyone would have that many beds in one house."
"The last people living here were a group of rich businessmen. They often had people they were doing business with just stay for the night, and they threw quite a few parties." Ven told her.
"We're going to go buy some food later, so if you have anything you want to get, write it down over here." Vanitas gestured to the notepad that was now resting on the counter.
I picked up my bags, falling into step behind Aqua while Sora told us where our room was.
Bzzt.
I glanced up from my DS, shifting in the living room couch (Which by the way, was quite comfortable). Was someone's phone ringing?
Bzzt.
There it was again. Someone's cell phone was definitely ringing.
"Axel, your phone." Namine timidly pointed out.
No reply.
"Axel."
I turned around to see Axel and Larxene making out next to me. When did Larxene even walk into the room?
I just sighed, focusing my attention back to my 'The World Ends With You' video game, trying to ignore how uncomfortable it was sitting next to my best friend and my other friend while they made out.
"AXEL!"
"Whoa!" Axel jumped up from the couch. "What?" He spat out.
"Your phone is ringing."
"Oh." He grinned, picking up his phone. "Axel's phone, how may I help you?"
"Axel!" Roxas shouted, causing Axel to hold the phone as far away from himself as possible. "Why the hell did you ask us to buy all this shit? 8 extra large bags of marshmallows, chocolate, crackers, we're buying food to keep us fed for the next seven days, not snacks!"
"Geez Roxas, cool your jets. It's for making s'mores!"
Roxas make some varying sounds of anger and frustration before speaking again
"Fine! But you're paying me back for this!"
The dull beep beep of the dial tone filled the air.
"Huh. He hung up on me. What's with him?"
"We were up by six thirty this morning. Sleeping beauty needs his sleep." Vanitas snorted as he walked into the house, swinging the front door into Sora's face as it closed.
"Owwww! Vani, that hurt you meanie!" Sora whined, rubbing his nose.
"What were you two doing outside anyway?"
"I was checking to see if all my old friends still lived here..." He frowned.
"No luck then?" Riku sighed.
"No, Tidus and Wakka moved. Even Selphie!" Sora looked close to tears, lower lip quivering as he spoke.
"Looks like they're back!" Kairi smiled, breaking the awkward air that had filled the room. "Looks like we can eat now!" she exclaimed as Ven, Roxas, Terra and Aqua walked into the house, arms full of plastic bags
"YES! FOOD!" Axel pumped his fist in the air. "I'm starving!"
"I'll see if I can make anything for dinner tonight!" Kairi volunteered.
"I'll help too!" Sora cheered.
As clichéd as it sounds, all of us screamed "NO!" at him at the exact same time.
(Ven's POV)
I sighed, running a hand through my hair as my marshmallow burned over the campfire we made.
I blinked as a bag of chocolates dangled in front of my eyes, looking up to see Aqua smiling at me.
"Want one?"
"Yeah, sure."
Aqua looked confused by the lack of response, but gave me a piece of chocolate anyway.
"Ven..." She whispered. "Is something wrong?"
I shook my head, biting into the s'more. "Everything's fine. Why do you ask?"
"..." She glanced at Terra, then Roxas. "Are you sure...?"
"Yes Aqua." I snapped. "Everything is just fine. Stop asking."
(Roxas' POV)
I dropped onto my bed, mattress bouncing slightly as I landed. Ven was already curled up in bed, one hand hanging off.
Now's my chance to ask Ven, while Terra is still in the bathroom.
"Hey, Ven."
No response. Listening closely, I heard a faint snore.
'What are you hiding from me? I'm your twin brother; I deserve to know don't I?'
(Ven's POV)
I woke up with a start; cold sweat pouring down my face like it has many nights before. But this was different. It was no longer just a distant memory.
I looked out the window over Roxas' bed. Maybe a walk on the beach would help relax me.
As I walked across the beach, I couldn't help but notice the papou trees hanging overhead. It was an old legend that the star shaped fruit would entwine the destinies of the people who ate it, making the rare fruit extremely popular.
"I wonder..." I mumbled, looking at the branches that hung above me, managing to find a yellow fruit easily within reach.
"Score!" I cheered under my breath, climbing up the tree with ease. Huh, I guess all those gym classes really did pay off.
I tossed the fruit up and down in my hand, inspecting the fruit. What can I do with it? I can share it with Aqua, but we're 'just friends', Maybe I could use it to set Xion and Roxas up, but he would never forgive me if he found out... That left Sora and Kairi. I wanted them to be happy right?
"I'll figure it out later." I told myself, heading towards the doorway.
I almost opened the door when I felt a hand on my back, smashing m head against the wall, the papou fruit dropping to the ground with a loud splat.
"Hello Ventus. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
(Terra's POV)
I groaned, rubbing my head. Sure, this was a fancy house, but these pillows are rock hard. I glanced over at the twins. They were out cold. How do they sleep on these things?
I blinked, letting out a jaw-splitting yawn. Where was Ven? I opened my mouth to say something when I heard a faint sob echo down the hallway. I forced myself up, trying to pinpoint the noise.
The vacation home was like a giant maze, the various twisting beach colored hallways could lead someone is circles for hours. I followed the sobs down the halls until I was led to the kitchen. There was no sign of Ven anywhere, but the sobs were definitely coming from this room
"Ven...?" I asked tentatively. "Is that you?"
The whimpers came to a. abrupt halt, before a shaky and unsteady voice replied.
"T-terra?"
Peeking over the counter, I was surprised at how Ven appeared.
Even in the darkness, with the moon as the only source of light, Ven looked terrible. There was a gash on the side of his forehead, with a trail of blood running down his face, dyed silver by the moonlight. He was curled in a corner formed by the cabinets, shaking wildly.
"Oh my god. Ven! Are you alright?" I whispered. Kneeling down next to him. "What happened?"
Swallowing roughly, he shook his head rapidly, a clump of blood soaked hair drawing horizontal lines across his face.
"Terra?" Aqua poked her head over the counter, a confused look on her face. "I saw you leave your room, what are you doing in this corner this late at night?"
"Aqua." I gestured for her to come over, shifting slightly so that she could see Ven.
"Ven?" Within seconds, Aqua was kneeling beside him, hand on his shoulder. "What happened?" She asked softly.
He shook his head, shaking even harder. "No!" He finally snapped. "I- I can't drag you guys into this too! J-just leave me alone!"
"Ven, please. Just tell us what happened. Did someone do this to you?" Aqua brushed her hand across the hair covering the wound, causing the blond to visibly flinch.
"No... everything's fine... They're gone now..." He hugged his legs even tighter.
"Who's gone now?" I asked, reaching out hesitantly to touch his arm. I've never seen him so... broken.
"Ven, please!" Aqua begged desperately. "Stop trying to push us away! We're your best friends, just let us help!"
"Aqua, just shut up!" More tears were forming in his eyes. "Everyone else I care about has already been dragged into this, I can't let you guys get killed!"
Killed? Like what happened to their Mom? I remembered how Ven had looked when we went to get him, forcefully happy and nonchalant, almost like an act. How long has he been pretending that everything was alright...?
"Ven. Listen to us." I grabbed his shoulders firmly. "We're your best friends. We don't care what you drag us into. We'll always be there for you, okay? You're not alone, so please, stop pushing us away and just tell us what happened."
Ven looked away for a second, but sighed in defeat. "Fine. I'll answer your questions."
I glanced at Aqua, who's face seemed to reflect my confusion and worry. He wasn't willing, but at least he was talking now.
"Okay, so what happened?"
"I couldn't sleep, I had a nightmare, so I went outside for a walk. I was about to come back when... they came..." He shuddered again, managing to choke back a couple sobs.
"He... the guy who killed... y' know... he grabbed me by the neck and smashed me against the wall. He... told me to that... I was the heir to dad's company... so if that stupid bastard ever died... I'd be the heir, since I'm... older. Then they that if I don't cooperate with them... when they come next time... they'll k-kill Roxas, Sora and Vani too." Ven swiped at his tears furiously. "I promised I'd protect him dammit!" He smashed his fist at the nearest cabinet.
"Ven..."
"If you guys get too close, they'll try and kill you too." He mumbled hollowly.
"Ven. No matter what happens, we'll always be there for you, okay? Next time they come, just let us know. We'll make sure you're safe."
He nodded stiffly, more tears threatening to spill over.
Aqua got up, dusting her t-shirt off. "I'll go find a first aid kit or something. Your loosing quite a bit of blood." I got up to follow her when Ven let out a terrified whimper.
"No!" Ven shouted, rearing up to reach for her. "Please... I'm..." He didn't need to finish his sentence, the wild look in his blue eyes said it all. Scared.
"Oh Ven..." Aqua sighed pulling the younger boy in for a hug, while he clung to her shirt crying again. It struck me how Aqua seemed almost like a mother to Ven, always taking care of him and looking out for him.
Ven had fallen asleep after a couple minutes mumbling and letting out fearful cries, so after cleaning up the blood and patching his head up, I gave him a piggy-back ride back to our room.
"Rox...as.." Trapped in a seemingly fitful nightmare, Ven's arm jerked as I put him down in his bed. He let out a scared whimper when he felt me let go, but immediately relaxed again as Aqua brushed his bangs out of his eyes.
Aqua looked at my sadly the moment we left the room.
"How many nights do you think it's been since he's had a nightmare free sleep?"
"I don't know Aqua," I sighed. "I don't know."
"Do you think something is up?"
"How could anyone fake something like that? I'm worried Terra... I've never seen him so... scared before." She let out a frustrated sigh. "I was hoping... we could tell him this year, stop putting it off. Then he's have some time to think about it, and try and forgive us for it when we go to college. But... I can't do it Terra. Not when he's like... this."
"Do you think he ever told the police about any of this?"
"It's been a cold case... Maybe they think it was just a robbery gone wrong."
We stood there, not sure what to say, ironic, seeing as we usually had no shortage of things to talk about.
"Well, good night Terra. We have a big day tomorrow." Aqua smiled, giving me a quick kiss before hurrying back to her own room.
My brief moment of dazed bliss faded as I walked back into the room and saw Ven.
'Why are you pushing everyone away? Just let us help you, you don't have to do this alone…'
(Roxas' POV)
"Hey Namine,"
"... Yeah Roxas?" Namine looked up from her sketchbook, cerulean blue eyes piqued with curiosity. "What's up?"
"I was wondering if..." I scratched my head sheepishly. Behind Namine, Xion and Axel were smiling and giving me thumbs ups, was it just me, or was Xion's smile looking slightly forced?
"You would... like some ice cream?" I finished weakly.
Xion did a facepalm while Axel let out a loud groan.
Namine whipped around, slightly confused.
"Geez Xion! Gimmie a break! Go easy on me!" Axel snapped, waving his DS in frustration.
"Hey, you're the one who wanted a bet. Now cough up the cash." Xion replied smoothly.
"Um... Sure!"
"Uhhh... What?" I asked dumbly, looking back at Namine.
"You asked if I wanted some ice cream." She looked at me, even more bewildered.
Oh. Right.
On the way back to the house, I noticed Ven sitting alone on the beach, which was strange seeing as he was clinging to Terra and Aqua like his life depended on it for the whole morning.
"Hey," I reached for Ven's shoulder. "you want some ice cream?"
Ven jumped a little, knocked out of his daydream. "No, I'm fine. Terra and Aqua just went to buy some."
I unconsciously stiffened. Was that layer of gauze on his forehead yesterday?
"Ven, what happened to your head?" I asked, unable to keep the concern from my voice.
He shrugged. "Nothing, I was sleepwalking and somehow made my way outside. It was really dark and I hit my head on the wall trying to find the door."
I was trying to choose between Sea Salt ice cream and Papou Fruit ice cream (Entwined destinies sold separately.). Sea Salt ice cream was something I always ate, nothing special. I was leaning towards Papou Fruit, but would that seem too romantic?
Then I had an idea. Maybe I should show her my sketchbook. Originally I had planned to use it to impress her, but I have to admit, I've started to enjoy drawing a lot.
Grabbing myself a bar of ice blue Sea Salt ice cream, I rushed to my room, I didn't realize I missed the hall until I hit a dead end. After I backtracked and made a couple more wrong turns, I finally managed to find the right room.
"Holy cow, this place is a maze!" I muttered under my breath.
A loud gasp cut through the air.
I looked up to see Aqua yanking herself away from a bewildered Terra, who turned around in astonishment.
My Sea Salt ice cream dropped to the floor with a loud thunk.
"V- Roxas!" Aqua stuttered, her face bright red.
Terra laughed nervously. "This… isn't what it looks like…?"
A/N: Oooooh cliffhanger! What do you guys think?
Poor Ven, I feel kind of bad for putting him through this...
I hope it looks alright...
All reviews, opinions and corrections of my mistakes are appreciated!
Thanks for reading!
CBC