By Dance Of Flame's request, I'll present the pairings… for now, since it will change through the process. Remember, this story is full of drama! (both literally and pun)
RoxasNamine (one-sided Roxas)
AxelRoxas (a bit one-sided Axel)
AxelNamine (one-sided Namine)
RikuSora
ZackCloud
ZexionDemyx
XemnasZexion (one-sided Xemnas)
That's for now! Enjoy the story~!
Story 3 ~ Playing the Rumbustious Drama
"Welcome to Kingdom Hearts stage, our dear audience! With great pleasure, we will present you our hard work for tonight!"
Hearing that loud voice that responded by excited cheering, Sora turned his head toward the source of the noisy. He found a big crowd on the center of the plaza, surrounding a rather large stage. Being a curious boy he was, Sora immediately walked toward the crowd as he chewed on his colorful sugary bread – Cloud shuddered the first Sora bought it from a kiosk that selling various kind of sweet foods while Zack bought a few cinnamon candies for himself.
"Sora, where are you going?" Zack called from the brunette's back, trying to follow his prince while avoiding the crowd around him at once. The bazaar was small in name alone; actually the bazaar was quite crowdy and took the whole plaza that night. Many people were there, enjoying the bazaar with their families, lovers, or friends. Zack liked merry circumstances, so this kind of event was no problem for him, but it was a whole different story for the blond guy beside him. Cloud was a loner, so it's normal he didn't like to be with many people like this, and he spent the whole time hiding behind his partner's back without touching the raven-haired man's body at all, much to Zack's dismay.
"That stage!" Sora, with his super hearing, answered Zack without looking at his guardian and kept walking toward the crowdy stage. Cloud paled when he saw where the young prince walked to.
"A crowdier place…?" he mumbled behind Zack, trying to hide his frightened tone but it was without avail.
"Looks like our little prince has lost from his prior intention once again," Zack grinned amusedly. It's kinda troublesome having a prince with attention span as long as a gold fish would have as master, but Sora often dragged him – and also Cloud, with big reluctance on the latter's part – into some interesting incidents. It made his life wasn't a boring one as well, at least. "Let's go. We can't let him straying for a whole night, right?"
"But−" Cloud shook his head. "I'll wait for both of you here."
"Aww, c'mon!" Zack frowned. "It could be turned out something interesting! Wouldn't want to pass an entertainment, would we?"
"You know I hate touching with other people," Cloud stared at the similar orbs like him but with more cheerful radiance there. "Going into such crowdy place means touching with people. And no, I'll be against that completely."
"Don't be such hard ass!" Zack reached Cloud's hand – earning a grimace from the blond – and pulled him into walking toward the same direction as their prince went before. "Believe me, your theories about people's germs−"
"I never say anything about germs!"
"−are not true, and no, I won't let anyone touch you, even just a bit."
Cloud was agaped a little from the spiky raven haired man's words, and a faint blush emanated on his cheeks. He was too busy cursing himself to blush over something meaningless (really?) like that when they arrived at the crowdy stage – with Zack leading him, of course. They approached a small brunette boy was trying to see the stage, but he couldn't see anything since a human wall was standing firmly before him.
"Got some difficulties, little prince?" Zack teased. Sora turned to him and pouted.
"Don't call me that!" Sora hissed. "And yes, I'm in difficulty to see the stage there, thank you!"
"What am I if I can't satisfy my master's wants?" Zack kneed on his place, then he pulled the small brunette's body onto his back, and with a small surprised yelp from Sora, he raised his body so now Sora, on his back right now, could see the stage clearly. Cloud sighed.
Not the prince, not the guardian, both are so childish, he thought, but he smiled when he saw the happy smile on Sora's face, bright and excited. Well, it's not so bad, actually…. His thought was cut short when a gentle melody of flute came into his ears. Sad, gentle, and beautiful melody.
"It's started!" Sora said excitedly, but immediately shutted his mouth with embarassment when people around him shushed him. Zack held his snicker while Cloud just shook his head with amusement. Unbeknown by the prince and his guardians, not so far from their place, there was a blond boy with black hoody coat covering it sitting on a wooden chair, a few rows before them, beside two other figures.
Roxas' eyes widened with excitement when he saw Aerith standing in the middle of the stage, in front of beautifully painted background. The background was a painting of a gorgeous garden with light green grassy ground and colorful flowers here and there. The bright blue sky was a contrast with the dark sky above the kiosks and tents there. Roxas was wondering who created such beautiful paintings before when a melodious tune of flute came into his ears. He was really amazed by the melody, and the amazement was growing when he saw a guy with red hair sitting on a chair beside the stage; didn't want to be visible but still earning attention. Roxas was flushed to see the usually loud redhead was so calm with tranquility in those emerald eyes, with straight posture on that lanky body on top of a small wooden chair. Long, thin fingers were dancing between the holes on that wooden flute gracefully. His red hair seemed flaming with orange lanterns illuminated it. And his expression… serious, calm, but so gentle and loving at once, just like the melody he was playing now. He admitted, Axel was so… captivating. Roxas' blush grew redder with that thought. He couldn't even realize the dirty blond haired man that sitting beside Axel, holding a big sitar until later when he started strumming his sitar gently.
"Once upon a time, there was a father with his only daughter, live together happily in a beautiful mansion," Aerith's gentle voice snapped Roxas from his thought about the attractive young man and returned his focus back to the play. "His wife had passed away and they indeed felt lonely without their beloved wife and mother, but they could get by in their life by supporting each other…."
As in cue, a small blond girl with white dress appeared on the corner of the stage, bringing a bucket of colorful flowers and humming a melody softly. Roxas couldn't take his eyes off that petite figure on the stage; so simple yet so captivating….
Naminé…, the blond boy thought with blush on his pale cheeks. She is so….
"One day, the daughter was walking in their beautiful garden by herself, collecting flowers for her beloved father," Aerith continued her monologue as Naminé walked toward the middle stage. "But, she never knew, that beautiful day would be the day her fate changed…." With that, Aerith went out from the stage, and Naminé turned toward the audiences.
"She is so pretty!" Sora whispered to his 'horse'. He couldn't take off his eyes from the delicate figure in front. His raven haired guardian snickered as the blond one shook his head.
"Sora, don't forget about the Lady," Cloud whispered back. He sighed when Sora's face turned sour. "I know you don't like her, but… she is your future wife, whether you like it or not."
"C'mon, Lady Kairi is a beautiful girl too," Zack teased. "You can't dump her because some pretty blonde commoner!"
"I didn't say I want to marry her!" Sora grumbled, pissed off that his guardians thought him as a player. He just commented! Was that forbidden too? "I just said she is pretty! There are many pretty girls around here, so that held nothing special!"
"Okay, okay," Zack shrugged. He turned his gaze back to the stage. "Oh, see. The blonde girl has a step mother now. And step sisters. Whoa, what a bunch of beauty!"
"Shut up, you disturb other people," Cloud hissed toward his comrade as a few people glared at them. Zack shrugged once again but he shut his mouth and they continued watching the play in silence.
Roxas was very amazed by the play. Everyone was so… great! They expressed the emotion with in all sincerity until it felt… so real. How Naminé was sad because her father left her… how Larxene was full of ambition to become a queen by making her daughters as the prince's wife… how Yuffie – that cheerful and too-friendly girl – acted as a cruel step sister… how Xion, who was very kind but actually backstabbing in the end… it was really great! And of course, without forgetting Axel and Demyx' wonderful musics….
"Thank you, Xion!" Naminé said with so much happiness on her face. She grabbed a pair of hands of the raven haired girl in front of her. She was wearing a beautiful dress right now – a light blue dress with simple design but looked very pretty – and glass shoes on her small foot. "I don't know what to do anymore if it weren't for you!"
"You're welcome, Naminé," Xion smiled gently and patted her step sister lightly on the head. "Just go, but remember – you have to go back from the party before the middle of night so Mother won't find you."
"I understand!" Naminé nodded excitedly. "I don't know how to thank you, Xion!"
"It's okay, really!" Xion pushed Naminé out from the stage. "Just go! You'll be late for the party and Mother will be wondering why I took so long in the bathroom!"
Naminé mouthed a last 'thank you' before she went out from the stage, left Xion alone on the stage with background picture a room with many clothes now. Xion turned toward the audiences in silence, her expression went from a sincere smile toward cruel smirk.
"Now, Naminé…," she said in such low voice that really out of her character and surprised Roxas. "You can thank me by giving the prince to me and get out of my life forever!"
The red curtain was set down within the raven girl's malicious laugh, sending shiver to Roxas' spine. Without his knowing, it did the same to Sora.
"Whoa, they're really good in acting, huh?" Zack commented, amazed. "Wonder how they are in daily life. They must be great in lying."
Somehow, Zack's statement coincidentally stabbed Sora right in the heart. Zack didn't know… how the young prince was greater in lying than these actors, probably…. But at least they lied with some good purpose – entertain others – but he? So no one mad at him and not being grounded like Roxas? How egoistical…. Sora fully understood this, but… he had no other choice.
"But, if they are really good in making personas like this," Cloud spoke up. "Do they have their own personalities? Their true one?"
"Of course they have," Sora answered, bitterness in his tone made his guardians turned to him. "Even if they have so many personas, there must be something that remind them about their trueselves, behind all the falsity they create… or they will lose their sanity if not, right…?"
The tone made his words more like to himself than to his guardians.
"Sora…?" Zack said softly, making his prince realized what he had said.
"Uh, I mean," Sora forced a grin. "It would be scary to see a person all friendly one time and suddenly snap to everyone around him or her, right? So, err, I think of course they have stable personalities!"
The two older males weren't convinced by this, but much to Sora's relief, they didn't ask further. That's why Sora was really comfortable with Zack and Cloud; they were flexible and knew the right time to talk or be silent. It was as if they understood Sora's wants without Sora said it aloud. That's really great, to have someone understood him well like that.
But all of those thoughts were vanished when the brunette prince saw something behind the slowly raised red curtain. The background was an elegant room right now – with gorgeous carved table, large window with white golden curtain, large and comfy-look bed – reminded Sora of his own room. But that's not what kept Sora's gaze. It was the human figure on front of the background, walking back and forth with anxious expression on his handsome face.
Ocean…, was the first thing came into Sora's mind when he caught the glimpse of aquamarine color behind that silver bangs. No, Sora had never gone to a beach, let alone ocean, but he often read about it from books with his twin brother. Sora always loved the beach – with its clear blue sky, wide aquamarine ocean, gold-like sands… he always wanted to go there, feeling the sandy ground and salt water by his own body, but he couldn't. He didn't hope for it as well, since the Destiny Capital was far away from the beach and obviously his father wouldn't let him go too far with unimportant reason. Afterall, having fun wasn't important for the King.
"I don't know anything about this party!" the silver-haired man snapped toward the man beside him. Sora didn't know what draw his attention to this male, but he couldn't take his eyes from said man. "I don't want to attend it!"
"But, Your Highness," the man standing beside the silverette said. So the silver-haired actor was playing as a prince… like Sora. "This party's intention is to find you a wife. If Your Highness didn't attend it then the party would be a futile."
"I don't care!" the 'Prince' snapped harshly. "I−"
Aquamarine orbs met cerulean ones, and went wide with surprise. Sora was surprised, no different with the 'Prince'. His mouth opened a bit, from unfinishing his sentences. Sora wouldn't lie if he said time was stopped when their eyes met for the first time.
"−won't attend it, whatever happens!" Much to Sora's dismay, the silverette broke their eye contact and continued his dialogue. That was very brief, went unnoticed for most people, but a few people realized the stuttered dialogue from the 'Prince'; including Zack.
"Hey, what's up with him?" the Soldier commented. "That Prince; he was like… frozen for a second! Did he forget his line?"
But Sora didn't respond to his guardian's question. He was very sure that the silverette was stopped because his eye contact with Sora; but the prince didn't know why those –beautiful – aquamarine eyes were holding so much surprise, though. Did he realize Sora's status? No, it's impossible. Even Sora often went to the city, but mere commoners wouldn't recognize him. Actually, no commoner could see him, just the nobles that were allowed to see and associate with the prince. The line between royalties and civilians was very strict; civilians weren't allowed to go to royalties' territory while royalties themselves were too… good to associate with mere commoners. Sora hated it.
"You saw things," Cloud said impatiently. "Zack, if you don't stop your nonsense−"
But he stopped his own threat when he saw a pair of pale grey eyes stared at him intensely not so far from him. Cloud widened his eyes, surprise mixed with amazement. It was a man – a handsome man – with messy dark brown hair and lightly tanned skin. There was an old scar between his frowned eyebrows, adding mysterious aura of the man. His clothes were black from up to bottom, didn't help at all in decreasing that mysteriousness. He was so… mesmerizing.
"What, Cloud?" Zack's voice broke Cloud's gaze toward the attractive stranger. "Why did you stop?"
"Eh? Uh, nothing…," Cloud wasn't dare to look toward that stranger again. He felt like drowning into that squall-like eyes; deep, strong, dangerous, deadly…. Even though he could feel that sharp eyes still staring to him. Why does he keep staring at me like that…?
"What's wrong with Riku?"
Zexion turned to his side, his eyes catching a glimpse of blonde hair behind dull black cloth. That sky blue eyes still fixed on the stage, taking in every single movement occurred there.
"Pardon?" he said, wasn't sure what was Roxas talking about.
"Riku is distracted," Roxas answered without looking at that indigo eye. He stared intently at how Riku bowed and asked Naminé to dance with him. "His performance is changed…. Still good, but less good than before."
"You realize?" Vexen joined their conversation. The blond boy nodded, then turned toward Vexen with questioning eyes.
"Don't everyone realize it too?"
"I don't think so," Zexion glanced to his surroundings. "For amateurs he is still the same; just trained eyes like soldiers can realize his brief change. We could realize his change in acting because we have seen him acts many times, but you… how could you realize it?"
"Uhh…," Roxas bowed his head sheepishly, didn't know how to explain that to them. How could he say that he also got military training since he was a child because it was compulsory to a prince? Yes, he wasn't weak; despite his innocent looking and small body size. "…coincidence?"
Roxas knew neither Zexion nor Vexen would buy his lie – they worked in acting field, how could they buy some bad lie from an innocent boy like him? – but Zexion just nodded and didn't say anything else. Roxas sighed in relief and continued watching the drama.
"…so he has trained eyes," Vexen whispered on Zexion's ears. "He was lying; I could see from his body language. He isn't used to lie, it seems."
"I know," Zexion answered in whispers as well. He took a glance to the amazed boy beside him because of the romantic scene on the stage and looked at Vexen again. "Maybe he isn't a normal orphan kid. Never judge from appearance; we know it very well."
"True," Vexen nodded. "Well, we have much time to make him revealing everything. How does Xemnas know about this kid?"
"Who knows?" Zexion replied with another question. His expression changed into sad, pained one. "Xemnas does have something we don't have…. That makes him as our leader."
"Maybe," Vexen shrugged, knowing he better not continuing this conversation. They resumed watching the play in silence, but not so long when a hand tapped Vexen's shoulder, earned attention from the pale blond man. Icy green eyes squinted to the man behind him. "What, Lexaeus? Shouldn't you take care of the background and curtain?"
"Xaldin has taken over it," came the deep whisper. Zexion stared at the big man as well, his sharp glare showed what Lexaeus wanted. Fortunately Roxas still fixed his eyes intently on the play, didn't realize at all the small discussion. "More important, this is the time. Saïx has been waiting for you."
"Already?" Vexen raised his eyebrow, making his right eyes wider than his left. Talk about creepy. He turned to the younger man beside him. "Well then, I'll leave him to you."
"Fine," Zexion nodded a little, waiting for the pale blond man stood up and left him with Roxas, vanishing in the crowds and getting cursed to bother them watching the play.
"Where are they going?"
Zexion turned his head toward the younger male, a bit surprised that Roxas diverted his attention from the play. But he understood why when he took a glimpse of red curtain on the front. "Just… taking care of something."
"Oh," Roxas nodded, not pushing Zexion to explain further. Good, Zexion hated overbearing people – except Demyx for some reasons – and Roxas just added a good point about him.
"Why are you blushing, Sora?"
Sora startled when he indeed felt heat on his face. He didn't realize it before, though. He was too focused on beautiful words coming out from the handsome prince on the front. He knew it was just a scripted words, but still… Sora couldn't help but feel warm at the romantic scene, imagining it wasn't that blonde girl that dancing with the silverette, but….
"No, I'm not!" Sora hurriedly denied both of his guardian's question and his imagination to go further. "Just shut up and watch the play, will you?"
"Hey, no need to be mad," Zack teased the prince. "I just−"
"AAAAHHHH!"
The painful scream stopped every activities immediately; even the actors on the stage. No one knew what was happened that time; every pairs of eyes looking everywhere to seek the source of that scream, and drew other screams when they found the source.
"THE HEARTLESS!"
It was the cue to everyone to start screaming and running for their lifes. The bazaar was ruined completely; panic people were running away in disarray lines, kiosks and goods were scattered on the ground after being hit by people, everything went chaotic.
"Heartless!" Sora exclaimed, getting down from Zack's back, mentally cursing the jet black creatures running around toward people near them with bizzare motion like drunken men. He quickly readied himself, and in a second a blade with key-shape was appeared on his right hand. It was silver, with golden handle, sparkling with divine and pure light around it. A Keyblade. "They ruin my enjoyment in watching the play!"
"They are getting more and more," Zack sighed as he drew his own precious sword, Buster Sword, from his back, as well as Cloud who steadied himself with a huge metal sword on his hands. "Better protect the civilians at once!"
"What is that old man thinking?"
Riku grumbled angrily seeing the madness in front of him. Naminé eyed the scene with furrowed eyes. She didn't like this chaotic scene; despite her true job. It made her head aching. Axel and Demyx, who was sitting on the chairs besides the stage before, approached the two calmly.
"Doing this in the middle of our performance…," Riku crossed his hands in angry manner. "Does he know how hard our practice was?"
"No, he won't know, since he doesn't care anyway," Axel answered for Riku. "And he did this on purpose, so we won't be suspected. Besides, it will draw attention away from them…." He turned to Naminé as Riku snorted. "…I think we need to go away. Don't want to get any suspicion why we don't get attacked by those cute creatures, do we?"
"Whatever," Riku shrugged, but his eyes widened when he saw distinct movements on the stony ground among the unruly mob. Swift and strong movements, slashing every approaching Heartless with such chaste light… and Riku narrowed his aquamarine eyes once again when he saw the owner of such movements; spiky dark brown hair, cerulean eyes, light tanned skin…. So it is him. Make sense. A smirk adorned his pale face. "Let's hope Vexen could finish his mission before our prince slayed all the Heartless."
"That's the true prince?" Demyx strained his head so he could see Sora's face better. "Wow, he is just a… kid!"
"He looks a lot like Roxas," Axel commented, his sharp eyes caught many similarities on the Prince's feature and his new comrade. Demyx grinned at him.
"C'mon, he is always in your head!" he teased as he elbowed the taller man on the rib. "You love Roxas that much?"
"Demyx, keep your mouth!" Axel growled. He glanced at the petite blonde girl, and went a bit panicky when he saw the hurt on those pale blue eyes. "What's wrong with you, keep forcing me with Roxas?"
"Nothing~" Demyx said with sing-song voice. He quickly ran into backstage before Axel could hit him. "Let's run, run away~!"
But….
"Roxas!"
"What happens here?"
Roxas looked around him, surprised. Well, he knew about Heartless; Ansem often forced him to read all about that black thingy, and Ansem had the most complete collection about the creatures. Roxas knew his teacher just wanted him to be safe and know how to handle them, but sometimes it just too… overwhelming, remembering those black body structures, outside and inside. And the reason why Ansem forced it to him… it was pitiful.
"Roxas, we have to go away from here!" Zexion grabbed Roxas' arm. "We have to go to the caravan quickly!"
"But−" Roxas saw through Zexion's shoulder and paled. A brunette boy fought Heartless with a Keyblade was there, not too far away from them. Zexion followed Roxas' gaze, finding what made the blond boy froze, and caught himself froze as well.
'The Prince?' Zexion thought. 'Why is he here? Isn't the royalty dislike to be here, the proletarians area?'
"Le-let's go, Zexion…," Roxas pulled Zexion's shirt; a hint of fear in his voice. "W-we have to hide…."
'He must be afraid by these Heartless,' Zexion thought as he nodded and dragged Roxas toward the tents behind the stage. He glanced toward Roxas as they walked through the frenzy people, and found the boy cowering inside his black hoody coat. Zexion snorted. 'Typical. What does Xemnas see in this kid?'
"Zexion!"
His grip on that smaller hand was loose, and a second later the blond boy in his grasp was dragged away by a Heartless. Zexion was surprised; his visible eye widened and he tried to catch that protruding hands, but much to his avail. More Heartless hindered Zexion from helping the smaller boy, surrounded him until Roxas couldn't be seen anymore.
"Roxas!"
Zexion couldn't do anything as he watched Heartless swarmed the poor blond with horror. Even the Heartless wouldn't attack him, but he couldn't control them and make them release Roxas.
"Oh my…."
"Zexion! What happened?"
"Axel!" Zexion turned to his side and found his redheaded comrade stood beside him. "Why are you here?"
"I heard you shouted Roxas' name," Axel answered with frown on his face. "What happened?"
"Ro… Roxas… he…," Zexion pointed at the mob of Heartless in front of them with trembling finger. Axel widened his green eyes.
"No…," he whispered, not believing his eyes. "He can't be…."
"Too late…," Zexion said. He shook his head and drooped his head sadly.
"No!" Axel spreaded his arms and suddenly the temperature around him increased aloft. "I won't let him die!"
"No, Axel! You can't summon your weapon here!" Zexion tried to calm Axel by holding his hand, but he immediately pulled his hand back when Axel's skin burnt his fingers. "Axel!"
"ROXAS!"
AUTHOR NOTES
Finally, the long awaited chapter 3!
God, finally I finished this chapter! Sorry for the long, long update! I kinda got some writerblock… right on the drama part. Ridiculous isn't it? 8p
Oh well. I just realized that my story is too slow in developing the plot… I tried to be realistic, but actually it just make the story so… boring. So maybe I'll remove some unimportant details and go with the story more. And about the very undescriptive drama… I think I might bore you to death if I give the full description about the drama, so I just give the important points here and there (Roxas' exactness, Sora saw Riku, Cloud saw… do you know who? X3, etc), and actually a plot started to form~ XD I promise the next chapter won't be so boring… well this is just a starter, afterall. I myself not so fond with this chapter…. Oh well. I'll try to develop!
Oh, right. The drama is about Cinderella. Surprising, isn't it? 8p Kingdom Hearts is Disney's, it won't be hurt to add a little bit Disney touch, right? Xp
Aaaanndd! I thank Zeni S. Master for the adorable fanart~~! XD XD XD
See it! The link is in my profile! This is a command!
And, as promised, the little gratitudes for three people whose reviews are making me wanted to cry and laugh at the same time:
IHeartGirlyGuys :http: /xtwoheartsx. deviantart. com/#/ d2tvfe2
LifesLover : http: /xtwoheartsx. deviantart. com/#/ d2tvfsl
Dance Of Flame : http: /xtwoheartsx. deviantart. com/#/ d2tvg38
(please remove the space and you got it!)
Thanks for the reviews for you all, my readers! I really, really love you~
Stay tuned for the next update! Maybe I'm slow in updating, but I will never abandon my story!
\ (^o^) /
Reviews:
Dance Of Flame : *blushing* Thank you~! I still don't understand how to send this to you…? I tried to connect to you but I can't…. but thanks for the points! I'll keep in mind! XD
Wow, you play a drama too? What drama? How is the result? *curious*
About the pairings, you can see it above! ^^
And don't forget to check the little gift I gave you! 8D Hope you like it!
Thanks for the review and keep reading (and review)!
HeartlessNobodyNamine : Creepy…? ^^; It's great if you like it, though! ~^^~
Thanks! Please keep reading and review! 8DD
Zeni S. Master : After 16 years without some fun, it would be great to give Roxas some, right~?
Well, Sora had his own reason why he did that… really. You won't hate him if you know why! 8D *trying to defend Sora 8p*
Wow! Second person that gave Roxas a congratulation!
Roxas : Thank you! *happy-sad smile with blush*
Thanks! I really tried hard to continue this story (really, I get difficulties in language…), and your review (AND FANART) really boosted my energy! Thank you very much!
Just for information, right now your one-shot has reached 16 pages Microsoft Word! Still in progress, though.
Keep reading and review! ^^