Author's Notes:
The rest of the revised version of the original chapter one. Rather, an extended version of the ending to the original. Hope you enjoy!


Sephiroth's Guide to Marriage and Revenge
Chapter Two: Anxiety Pt. 2

"The baby is crowning!"

"Oh honey, your almost there! Just a little bit more sweetheart!"

"Push!"

"Breath!"

"Shut. The. FUCK. Up!" Rikku snarled at everyone in the room, aggravation written all over her face. "If you don't like what I'm doing, then you push the little monster out for me!"

"Oh sweetheart, we're only trying to help!" Her mother insisted, already gushing at the small head that was visible as DiZ padded Ri's head to get whip away all the sweat, refusing to go near the lower portion of her body.

"Your not helping!" Ri insisted. "Only pissing me the heck off! And this baby…it's got such a big head…I don't want to push anymore! Just cut out out!"

"Oh come on now," the doctor said calmly, making Ri glare daggers at him for the millionth time that day. She was really beginning to hate the guy: how the hell could he be so calm and borderline happy while she as in the worst pain of her life.

It felt like the baby was literally trying to split her in half down the middle from her vagina. It wasn't helping at all that the baby as practically gorging itself on blood as it was being delivered like a little big headed mosquito, though Vincent had warned her the baby would do that since it would blood to sustain it, as well as her mother's natural formula.

How'd they'd been able to keep everyone from finding out about the baby by this point was a pure miracle, as everyone seemed to have convinced themselves that she'd gone into some form of delusion induced by pain, as many times as she'd called her baby a 'monster', 'semi-vamp', and 'possible soul sucking ungrateful brat that's trying to kill mommy' during her delivery.

Though out the entire ordeal, the only thing that seemed to bring ease and comfort to the young lady was Vincent, who never let go of her hand or left her side once he'd been let back into the room after the attempted epidermal.

Since she couldn't get her mother and father to leave, only being rid of Mrs. London so she and her husband could go round everyone else up once she'd 'crowded' or they saw the baby's head, and the doctor and his nurses were happy go lucky assholes, Vincent was really the only thing she had to comfort her.

She knew Pain and Yuna had arrived not to long ago at the hospital but apparently, decided to wait until after she had the baby to come see her, considering how much and how loud she'd been yelling. Not that she cared. The less people the better.

The only thing she cared about now was Vincent, getting the baby out of her, and getting a very strong dose of whatever pain medication they had after this was all said and done since she'd been to much of chicken to get the epidural, which she not only later regretted, but thought pointless since the doctor ended up putting an needle in her hand to feed her liquids during the ordeal.

"Come on sweetheart, give one big push and it's all over!" her mother urged and she shook her head. "Can't. Head to big. Never fit. Just kill me. Or cut it out. Please. So painful," she pouted, ready to sob and she felt a light squeeze, wiling herself to focus on Vincent.

"Just once more Rikku, please," he asked gently, his crimson eyes watching her with concern, love and pride, making the girl feel a bit light headed. Or maybe it was the baby gorging itself. She really couldn't tell. "You can do this Rikku, we both know you can. Just one more good push and it will all be over."

"No…more…nagging mother?" she breathed in pain and he nodded gently, Mrs. Madison letting the comment slide and filing it under 'induced by labor pains'.

Squeezing Vincent's hand hard and bringing her legs up as much as she could, she gave one final, hug push, giving a loud, almost warrior like roar of a cry. Moment later, the room was filled with shrill screams from the small bundle the doctor was holding as the nurse urged Vincent to cut the umbilical cord.

"Congratulations! It's a healthy, seven and half pound baby girl!" the doctor announced happily and her mother squealed with excitement while Ri breathed grateful, tears stinging her eyes as she watched Vincent and he in turn, watched her, brushing her sweat matted hair out of her eyes.

"Oh my god…that had to have been like…five pounds of baby head right there," she joked breathlessly and Vincent couldn't to anything but smile wide, everyone in the room missing the obviously longer than usual length of his canines as they were too busy with the baby. "My poor…big headed baby…my poor vagina…don't think anything will ever…"

Vincent shook his head and kissed her forehead. "Everything will be fine. I'm sure it will…go back to normal. And even if our baby has the huge head, we'll love her al lthe same."

"But Vin," she whined half heartedly. "What will the other….vamps say…about our big headed…baby?"

"It doesn't matter what anyone would say about her. She's made from our blood-"

"--sweat…and tears…" Ri added and he nodded. "And that's all that will ever matter. Our love for her and the love of those truly close to her. Nothing more."

Ri smiled, forgetting briefly about her pain, exhaustion, hunger, annoyance and everyone in the room and just concentrated on the raven haired boy that gave a toothless but sincere smile as he stroked her forehead and cheek in a loving manner. The world seemed to fade into the background as the pair simply stared at one another in a loving manner, neither breaking eye contact or saying another word. Simply staring and feeling their deep emotion through a single stare.

"…Rikku honey?"

The girl blinked and both looked up to see her mother staring at her sweetly, beaming with so much pride that Ri couldn't help but feel proud of herself as well, if not a little sickened. "Honey, they've cleaned the baby and they're going to let everyone see her for a few minutes before putting her in the nursery and you in a private room, okay?"

Ri frowned. "I don't…want…the baby in…the nursery! My hard work…my baby…I get to…have her…with me!"

"Honey, it's just for the first night then I'm sure you can keep the baby with you," her mother reassured her as DiZ, holding the now clean baby in a beautiful red blanket Vincent had gotten for this very occasion, carefully brought the baby over to them and handed the small bundle to Vincent.

The crimson eyed beauty cradled his newborn baby girl lovingly, staring at her sobbing face and small moving form with a tenderness that made Rikku's heart melt as she watched him, not noticing the doctor was in fact, injecting her with medicine to help her with the pain.

Though it began to kick in immediately, she was still in pain--tremendous, unimaginable pain--but the arrival of her child and being rolled (at that very moment) into a more comfortable room and as Vincent walked beside her rolling bed with their precious bundle was helping to put her back in a better mood.

She felt exhausted and a little out of it, not to mention she knew her family and friends would start crowding in any moment now which annoyed her a bit since all she wanted to do was rest, hold her baby, and sleep. But she could at least, have this moment as she was finally placed into the room and her parents left her alone with Vincent so they could have a 'private' moment before everyone else arrived.

"Kinda funny," she murmured sleepily and Vincent only looked up for a moment to give her a quizzical look.

"I think she waited til night Vin," she continued, looking briefly out of the window to see the night was setting in, the stars glittering in the sky with a full moon bringing a odd glow into the room, barely visible by the florescent lights beaming down from the ceiling.

Vincent formed a barely noticeable smile on his lips before looking back down at the baby. "Perhaps. At this stage of infancy, she's very susceptible to sunlight.

"…Even half?"

"As she grows older, it will do less harm," he murmured gently, cooing the baby as she sobbed. "Though it will still bother her, it won't be as deadly to her as it is now."

"So she's like a normal vamp… only cuter and smaller," Ri replied, the medicine finally kicking in enough where she barely felt pain, just tired and could talk more normally. If sounding drugged was 'normal'. Vincent only stared at her before giving a light nod. "More or less. Though if we plan to have her around your parents and family, I believe it would be wise to tell them…the truth."

Ri laughed a lazy, almost drunk laugh.

"They barely liked the fact I was having a baby, let alone everything that came after it, why do you think me telling them my baby is half human, half vampy is going to go over well?" she asked and Vincent shook his head. "We can not take our chances Rikku."

She would have swooned over the way he said her name--she usually did--but she was just to darn tired. So settled for a mental swoon instead as he continued. "Your parents will want to take the baby out and spend time with her. We can't allow them to care for the baby not knowing the potential dangers that most people deem as normal."

"But if the baby doesn't go out in sun light, how will she get her tan?"

Vincent stared at her a moment before ignoring her joke and continuing. "We will have to tell them Rikku. We knew this day was coming. We should have never have put it off for so long."

"I know," she muttered. "Hell, I technically did tell them all through the labor. I say we did our job and if they just didn't catch on, it's not our fault."

"Rikku."

"We'll tell then Vin…when we get out of this place and I'm not high on pain killers or whatever this is they have me on. I can barely think of what two plus 4 is, let alone how to explain to my parents I've given birth to a dhampire."

He nodded gently as the door flew open and people began to pour in, a rush of excitement and chatter filling the air.

"Only a few minutes," Mrs. Madison warned. "The only reason we're able to all come in like this is because she's on the only woman to have a baby so far today and they're giving us a pass of sorts. But just a quick visit, then we can watch the baby from the nursery while Rikku rests."

Then she turned her attention to her daughter and ran right over, Mrs. London not too far behind her. "My little baby," Mrs. Madison cooed sympathetically as she hugging Ri gently.

"Mom, I just had one, not a baby anymore," Rikku replied lazily, leaning her head in and DiZ gave a bit of hearty laugh as he walked straight to over to the other side of the bed. "Don't bother, you'll always your mother's baby."

"Bah, parents," Ri muttered, rolling her eyes a bit and her mother beamed. "When she's your age, you'll understand it too dear."

Ri began to say something but paused as she watch just how many people were coming into her room, her best friends Paine and Yuna being one of the first, both waving and smiling at her (though Yuna more enthused then the usually playing it cool Paine), followed by both her brothers and cousin, with the respective boyfriends with everyone else bringing up the rear.

The medicated teen groaned annoyed. "Yeah, no, please. Crowd in this little cramped room. I'm not claustrophobic at all."

"But you aren't dear," her mother cooed gently, making those annoying 'baby' noises people make, not really paying much attention to Ri at all. Ri pouted loudly and turned to look at Vincent. "Make em leave!"

"Quite your whining," Sora laughed, coming to sit by his sister on the bed. "We're doing that 'support' thing you always complained about when we didn't stop what we were doing to get you ice cream."

"I would support you leaving," Ri joked and Cloud walked over and ruffled her hair, just to annoy her further (she hated that) as he spoke. "But we just got here."

"Fine," she replied, forcing herself to sit up (Sora helping her in the end) and crossing her arms over her chest and glaring directly at the blond. "Then you get to tell us exactly what your answer is to 'The Question'."

Cloud blinked, looking completely innocent and tilted his head to the side. "What ever could you be talking about?"

"Don't play dumb Cloud, you know what I'm talking about. Inquiring minds want to know," Ri smirked before yawning and Cloud shook his head as everyone turned their attention to the blond and got quiet, so they could hear everything he said.

Cloud only shook his head, looking a bit confused. "I couldn't possibly get you worked up Ri. I mean you just had a baby and all. You probably need to rest."

"No no, really Cloud I can handle it," she challenged lazily. "I'm fine, just medicated. Though I will say, the pink elephant dancing on your shoulder keeps giving me the stink eye."

"And that's what you deem as 'fine' Ri?" Cloud snorted. "Just how much medicine did you take?"

"Dunno," she teased. "I told them to put enough medicine in me to nearly kill me during labor. You have a baby and try not to ask for it. Is she big headed to you? Because it hurt like hell. Though I do admire your attempt of changing the subject."

"I try," Cloud shrugged and he felt a sharp pain to the back of his head as Zack slapped him over the head. "What the heck was--"

"Just tell us already Cloud, your mother is about to burst," he announced, motioning towards Mrs. Madison, who was trying her hardest to pretend that she was concentrating completely on the baby but was obviously casting side glancing and sharing squeals of excitement with Mrs. London as quietly as possible.

There was a pause of silence as everyone watched Cloud, the blond turning to look at Sephiroth, who was standing next to him, his Mako green eyes trained on the blond, a light smirk on his face. A light tint touched Cloud's cheeks before he simply held up his hand and pulled the motorcycle glove he'd been wearing on his left hand, revealing the same ring that had been around his diploma displayed proudly on his ring finger.

The noise that erupted in the room was enough to make a nurse look in concern and the baby to start wailing, immediately bringing the cheering and screaming of joy (the latter from each respective young man's mother) to a whisper as Ri finally took the baby in her arms and began to rock her to get her to calm down, Vincent watching protectively over both of them closely.

"Congratulations, all of you!" Aerith announced, giving both sets of couples a warm hug while Zack shook Sephiroth's hand and made a motion behind his girlfriend's back to Cloud that he'd be the one wearing the dress, to which the blond responded with his middle finger.

"I'm so happy for you! " she added. "A new baby to lavish and love for one couple and a new union to mature and grow for the other!"

"Yeah, cause I can't wait for our lovely mothers to completely plan out our life together." Cloud snorted and both Mrs. Madison and Mrs. London glared at him while he scuffed at the notion. "Right down to the front pouch swing with a nice big yard to the white picket fence and the dog."

"Now Cloud," his mother frowned, placing her hands on her hips as Mrs. London literally did the exact same action at the same time, making Cloud arch his brow at them and snort. "What are you, twins now mom?"

"Just because we want to aid you two with our experience with preparing for a wedding and marriage, doesn't mean we will completely take the event over," she scolded, completely ignoring the joke. "We simply want to help you two. It's not everyday that our eldest," the two mother's features softened at once and looked at their sons with admiration, making Mr. London arch his own eye at the unison the two women shared. "--decide to get married. And to each other no less!"

"And besides, perhaps now you and Sephy-bear--"

"Sephy-bear. Really mother…" Sephiroth frowned gently, making a few people snort loudly at the nick name.

"--will be considerate to your mothers and give us our first grandchildren!" Mrs. London beamed and Ri slowly looked up from her baby, looking insulted.

"Adorable new born granddaughter! Right over here!" she called.

"Mother, men can not and do not have children," Sephiroth announced smoothly and once again, both mothers put their hands on their hips and glared at him. "Well then you'd better figure out a way dear," Mrs. London snapped. "Because it's certainly doesn't look like Riku's going to give my a daughter-in-law!"

Riku simply nodded and shrugged. "I'm hopelessly flaming. Sorry dad."

"Don't apologize to me, I blame your mother," Mr. London stated in a matter of fact, almost bored tone which earning a smack on the shoulder from his wife.

"I'm not sure how you expect us to simply produce a grandchild simply because you want one mother." Sephiroth pressed softly, his eyes showing his growing annoyance but his features remaining calm and respectful to his mother. Cloud took this opportunity to help. "Unless we adopt. He's right: guys can't have kids."

"Hel-lllo! Beautiful baby girl grandchild, just resting over here! Ready to be spoiled rotten!" Ri called out again, looking bemused.

"Now just hold on a moment," DiZ began, seeming to go into heavy thought as he put his hand under his chin, stroking it a little, everyone once again ignoring Rikku's call. "If given the right conditions--such as a male having a fair amount of estrogen, whether it be naturally or implemented and the body was receptive to such a large intake…and of course, given the proper reproductive organs…"

"We'd all kindly appreciate if you'd stop trying to get every male in this room pregnant dad," Cloud announced with a groan and DiZ glanced at him slightly indignant. "I wasn't trying to get every man in the room pregnant, Cloud. Just you."

"And how do you just 'magically' assume I'd have to be the one to carry the baby!" Cloud snapped insulted which caused every London male in the room to grunt a little and arch their brow, looking amused and all knowing.

"It's obvious that…the more dominate partner in the relationship would not take the feminine role in the child birthing process," Mr. London announced matter of factly. If one didn't know better, there was a glint of pride in those golden eyes of his.

"I have a baby already!" Ri cried out. "This isn't an issue people!"

"Now now, we don't know if Cloud is the…submissive in the relation Xenohart," DiZ frowned, glaring at the platinum blond, who in turned, began to chuckle softly at the mere thought of Cloud being otherwise.

"Stop ignoring me!" Ri pouted and Axel took the moment to come over and pat her hand in mock sympathy, making her and Vincent glare at him.

"It doesn't matter who's doing what because I'm not having a baby," Cloud snapped, completely annoyed now (and blushing as Sephiroth stared at him intently) and Mrs. London simply put her nose in the air, looking annoyed. "Fine. I'm sure Riku and Sora would love to give their mothers a grandchild. Because they apparently care about our happiness more."

"Apparently," Sephiroth muttered low, but not enough for his mother not to hear him as she kindly pinched his shoulder, glaring at him annoyed. "Mother…"

"Don't sass me young man," she warned in a stern tone, glaring at him in a challenging manner and Sephiroth simply adverted his eyes to a wall, backing down.

"Well that's a new one," Zack joked, folding his arms over his chest and smirking at Sephiroth--until the latter began to glare maliciously at him and Zack found that looking at the beautiful Aerith was a far better and safer thing to do.

Meanwhile, Riku and Sora quickly glared at one another, the brunette blushing several different shades or crimson before they both looked at Mrs. London. "Mother, Sora and I--we're not--and how did--"

"If we do, Riku is having the baby," Sora announced quickly and Riku rounded on him with a look that clearly stated he was delusion. "Sora, you're the--"

"You have the longer hair and girly face," Sora challenged, not even letting the youth finish his sentence as Riku glared at him, opening his mouth to retort but Mrs. Madison cut him.

"It doesn't matter to us which one of you have our grandbaby, as long as one of you do it," she beamed, taking both boys into her arms and hugging them, Riku taking the opportunity to pull a stand of Sora's mane roughly, eliciting a small growl of pain in protest.

"So Vincent," Ri announced as loudly as she possibly could to grab everyone's attention. "I love how everyone was coming in here, you know, to see the baby and fawn over the baby and shower the baby with gifts, love and admiration? Yet somehow, it's just become a room of overcrowded people talking about my loser brothers getting married and having their own babies."

"No need to get your panties in a twist sis," Cloud joked, coming over to his sister's side and carefully, took the baby into his arms, holding her protectively as Sephiroth came to his side and stared down at the adorable, sleeping face.

"She's pale," he announced matter of factly.

"She's suppose to be," Vincent responded smoothly, watching the pair with his precious bundle closely.

"Fair enough," Cloud shrugged slightly, smiling down at his niece before looking at his sister. "What did you two decided to name her?"

Ri smiled proudly, making a great display in puffing her chest out while Vincent answered, never taking his eyes off of his child.

"Sora," he announced simply as Cloud brought the baby back over to him, gently handing the small bundle over. The relief on his face was quite evident, even if it was flashed for only a moment and Ri almost snorted as she watched him. "Daddy's girl."

"I have no qualm with that," he muttered softly, staring lovingly at the small bundle as Ri rolled her eyes and continued. "Her full name is Sora Veronica Valentine."

"You gave her my name?" Sora asked curiously and Ri gave him a thumbs up. "I wanted to name her after you since you helped me so much when I was pregnant and match the Cloud's. Get it?" Then she looked thoughtful for a moment, thumping her index finger on her temple.

"Plus, since Riku is named Riku and I am too, I thought it would be funny to have two 'Soras' as well. And just like her mom, she'll be totally hotter and the most awesome of the pair."

"Your jealously astounds me Ri," Riku smirked and she just rolled her eyes.

"It's alright that you've never seen a baby this beautiful before. I'm astounded too." she stated proudly, beaming at Vincent who gave a light chuckle before he gently passed the baby to her mother, the crimson eyed beauty staring at both of his girls with a love that a man could only hold for his child and lover. "I must agree, I don't believe anyone else could make such a wondrous life form."

"Then feast your eyes on the sexiness that is myself and Roxy," Axel smirked and Roxas slowly turned his head toward him and gave him a glare that seemed to ask 'Why do you talk?'.

Ri looked unimpressed, giving him a quick up and down then looked back her baby, immediately beaming. "Like I said: I'm astounded by my baby's beauty too."

"Oh my dearest Ri," Axel began in a gentleman like tone. "Fu--"

He flinched as Mrs. London smacked him hard on the back of his head, the red head grabbing the spot in pain and muttering a curse in protest anyway, earning him a harder smack in the back of the head from Mrs. Madison and another smack from Mrs. London.

Roxas snorted, amused. The red head had been warned not to curse around the baby or pay the consequences. He wasn't surprised Axel didn't heed the warning. Roxas tilted his head to the side, crossing his arms over his chest and teased. "Axel, your mouth is filthy."

"Then maybe you can clean it up for me?" he asked suggestively, giving the boy a rather hungry glance. Everyone simply stared at the red head before Mrs. Madison gave a nod to Mrs. London, who slapped Axel over the head for her. He looked up with question and the two women simply nodded as Mrs. Madison answered, "It may not have been a cuss word per say, but it amounted to the same thing."

"Give me a break," Axel sighed defeated, tossing his hands in the air, and going to sulk in a corner, dragging Roxas with him, who was still laughing at him.

Sora turned his attention back to his sister, beaming with pride and happiness. "Thanks Rikku. You didn't have to."

"Aw shucks, it's fine!" she laughed. "Why not name the baby after the guy that's going to be her permanent babysitter?"

"That makes sen--wait. What?" Sora snapped bewildered. "When did that happen?"

"You're my brother, you have to." she insisted. "But if you like, think of it more like a job rather than a responsibility that everyone will judge you on how well you perform said responsibility. Naturally though, everyone will understandingly despise you if you fail at it," she added with a great big smile and Sora instantly pointed over at Cloud. "He's your brother, he can do it too!"

Cloud looked over at his brother and snorted. "I have a wedding and an imaginary baby to plan for. Your on your own."

As the siblings began to argue, much to the disapproval of their mother and Vincent, Riku tuned his attention to a figure that had appeared in the doorway.

He cast a secretive side glance to the entrance, noticing the stormy eyed Leon glancing around the room, still looking rather upset. His eyes fell first on Cloud as the blond placed Sora in a head lock and began to ruffle his hair as the brunette protested and Ri cheered him on, their mother trying to defuse the situation.

His face seemed to soften lightly as he continued to watch the blond in an almost longing way before they shifted to look to the blond's immediate right. His expression hardened immediately as Mako green eyes watched him closely, casting a rather possessive look at Cloud before glaring back at Leon, giving him an almost mocking smirk.

Leon narrowed his eyes at him in a rather challenging manner before he removed himself from the doorway, storming down the hall.

At this point, Sephiroth politely excused himself, Cloud looking a little confused but simply nodding as the taller male left the room.

Riku frowned a little as he too, quietly made his way out of the room and excused himself.

It didn't take him long to find the pair a few hallways down, facing each other, Leon glaring at the platinum blond with a stoned face expression of defiance while Sephiroth simply watched Leon as if his turmoil greatly amused him.

Riku clung to the wall, keeping out of sight and keeping himself quiet as not to be noticed.

There was a long silence that continued between the pair before finally, Leon spoke.

"I won't let you marry him."

Riku could here a faint chuckle of laughter from his brother. "Do you honestly believe that you have any say over the matter? That you carry any weight over anything pertaining to Cloud?"

There was a small pause before he continued. "If you did, dear Leon, then do you believe he would not be with you as we speak? Would I even have this opportunity to mark him as my own if you were ever a factor?"

"Maybe Cloud can't see it, but whether he was with me or not, you certainly don't deserve him," Leon snapped coldly, his tone even and calm though his anger was apparent. "Your nothing more to Cloud then intrigue. Your interesting to him maybe, but it's nothing long term."

"I see. Then his intrigue must be at such great lengths as to accept a wedding proposal," Sephiroth challenged.

"Your cockiness astounds me Sephiroth," Leon replied dryly. "To the point that you honestly believe that by simply having a wedding proposal means everything will go according to your plans."

Silence.

"There is something there between Cloud and I," he pushed calmly. "And there always will be. No amount of you proposing or even marrying--if it ever gets to that point--Cloud will change what we will always have."

"What you have does not matter," Sephiroth stated and finally it was Leon's turn to chuckle. "Then explain today in the hospital garden Sephiroth."

There was a long silence and Riku frowned lightly as he imagined what that something could have been. Something rather significant if it had managed to make Sephiroth shut up for a moment. Riku almost snorted at the thought. His brother was probably taking the time to carefully choose his words and keeping his anger in check.

"A mistake, Squall." The name had been spit out rather nastily. "A mistake that I do not concern myself with. It most certainly won't happen again."

"Are you so certain that it was a mistake, Sephy," Leon replied, saying the nickname in a mocking manner. "Because the way his lips felt against mine certain didn't seem to say--"

There was a loud sound and grunting as Riku heard someone hit the wall. Not being able to stop himself, he immediately looked around the corner to see Sephiroth had the brunette pinned to the wall, though Leon didn't look intimidated in the least. He carried a defiant, almost amused air about him, knowing he'd gotten under Sephiroth's skin.

Sephiroth leaned in rather close and Riku couldn't make out a word that he said to Leon but once he was finished, Leon only glared at him, still defiant and simply said in a quiet, cold tone. "We'll seen then, won't we? Because this is far from over."

Sephiroth simply released him and Leon landed on his feet, Riku not even realizing his brother had picked the brunette up off the ground. The pair only glared at one another for a moment before Leon smoothly walked away, heading toward one of the exits of the hospital.

Sephiroth watched him leave, a cold expression on his face before without facing him, he stated. "Come out Riku, I know your there."

The platinum blond blinked before rolling his eyes a bit and coming out. "What was that about."

"None of your concern," Sephiroth stated in a calm, cold manner, staring at his younger brother with an unreadable expression before he added. "Do you not have your own things to concern yourself with? With the naïve one?"

Riku frowned. "He's not that bad Sephiroth."

Sephiroth gave a soft chuckle. " I heard your little commotion in the waiting room Riku. The boy is just as fool heartedly as he was then. He will never change."

"Your wrong. Sora isn't as trusting as he was before thanks to her," Riku frowned, defending him and Sephiroth only stared with his cold eyes but said nothing. He didn't have to. Riku knew Sephiroth didn't believe a word he'd said.

"And what are your thoughts, young brother?"

Riku simply shrugged. "Kairi's locked up and is getting put under the jail. What else is there?"

Sephiroth gave another soft chuckle, though this one in ridicule, before he pivoted on his heels and headed back into the room, pausing only when he was reaching for the door knob.

"Always expect the unexpected or you are doomed to be prey for the predators traps. A lesson you must know and a lesson he must learn or misery is sure to follow." was all he said before he disappeared back into the room, shutting the door behind him. Riku frowned, glaring at the spot his brother once stood.

Sephiroth had to be joking. There was no way in hell Kairi was going to do anything to him or Sora anymore…

"…Doesn't think very highly of me, does he," the brunette in question asked quietly and Riku turned around to see Sora standing behind him, a fresh cup of cocoa in each hand, offering one up to him immediately with a smile.

Riku looked guilty. "Sora…"

"Your brother is a harsh critic Ku, I'm not surprised really," Sora insisted then he shook his head. "I can't really say that I blame him either. I've made some questionable choices in the past when it came to Kairi."

"Everyone makes mistakes Sora," he replied lightly as he finally took the cup and Sora nodded a little before looking directly in Riku's eyes. "I won't let her hurt us again Riku."

Silence.

"You got hurt so badly because of my those mistakes." Sora looked guilty and little sheepish. "I never realized how much you'd meant to me until then, Riku. When I thought about not having you in my life anymore--when I thought I'd honestly lost you--I couldn't bare it. Nothing else mattered--or would matter--if you weren't here with me."

Riku smirked, touched and Sora rolled his eyes, giving a sheepish laugh. "I know I sound like a girl, but erm, all I mean is, no matter what happens anymore at this point Riku, I won't let her or anyone hurt us like that ever again. I know better this time. It's my turn to protect you this time."

Riku snorted and careful not hit Sora's arms and waste his or Sora's drink, took the boy in his arms. "Then we've got a problem because I've already vowed to protect you better this time Sora."

"Then we'll just have to protect each other and see what happens," the brunette laughed, resting his head on his shoulder.

There was a pause between the two of them before Riku added in a joking manner "Your still having the baby if our moms try to experiment on us."

"You're the one that looks better in the dress, Riku," Sora sighed contently and laughed as he pulled away quickly and dodged the pinch that was aimed at his side, spilling their cocoa and slipping right into the wall as he tried to run, both teens laughing at his fall.

Neither noticed the pair of eyes watching them through a sliver of a crack in the doorway.

"They'll be fine."

"Perhaps. But I will always be watching them. For Riku's sake."

She sat Indian style on the large red couch, slightly leaning from side to side as if she were nervous, nipping at her index finger.

They both knew she wasn't nervous.

It was more like a habit really.

They said her love--or rather obsession--was a habit too. One that she needed to break in order to get well.

Ocean blue eyes watched as her 'doctor' finally took a seat across from her, not acknowledging her existence as he began to make his header and small notes before their daily session began.

He didn't understand none of the people that were suppose to be helping her did.

But then again, the person she was trying to protect, that she was so very deeply in love with--he didn't understand it either. Not that he was trying…that bastard had clouded his judgment too much. But it didn't matter. Everything would be fine…because she hadn't given up on him. She never would.

She was going to save him from that bastard even if she had to kill him to do it.

Author's Notes:
Nothing really, other then I'm happy I've finished revising the chapters I wanted to. Now I can focus on newer chapters for the story after the Kairi one. That chapter won't be revised at all, as I like it the way it is. Not really much more to say, other then as always: Happy Reading!

~Kamirine