AN: FOOOORGIVE ME! I know I FAIL miserably! D8

Hey guys! It's been quite a while hasn't it? Orz;;

I'll try to post more frequently now, sorry for the delay of this chapter. Summer time is here! And what a start! Been gone on vacation but now I can sit down and type. Thanks so much for all the lovely comments! You're all too kind ._.

And again I deeply apologize for the 7 month wait! I know I fail! I would have had this chapter done sooner but… well I was sucked back into the world of Devil May Cry. Gaaahh… I dislike yet like the new DmC – Dante look… anywhoo, the graphics look beautiful! Super excited for FFXIII Versus. New Famitsu info came out this week along with a tad itty bitty hint at KHIII~ ;D I really wish Tetsuya adds some Pixar worlds as he said he would have liked to do quite some time ago in an interview – someday! Someday I say! Aaaand hmm.. oh yes, Uraboku… That is all.

Enough of this and onto the thing you really want! 8'D

Confessions & A Bonfire

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Vani's Pov:

"…itas"

"…ang"

"in"

"there"

"VANITAS!"

"lease"

"Don't"

"let"

"…im"

"die"

"SAVE MY CHILD, PLEASE!"

The darkness. The darkness felt warm, rough, and empty; just like how I felt most days. The pain was numb, though pulsing and still seeping crimson – I guess, I couldn't tell because I didn't want to open my eyes, or at least it was that I couldn't even as I tried.

I don't remember much, I just know that I kept closing and opening my eyes. Slow motion red lights and slow paced moving people rushing to get me, I think I even heard them yelling at me to stay awake. The darkness seemed more comforting. I guess this is what dying feels like, there's no white light, just the cord to your life's wire being unplugged from its tv monitor. You know, when the static streaks appear on an empty tv screen and you just click the remote to turn it off? Yeah, I guess I could describe it as that.

Funny how I never got to do much with myself. I wanted to be there for others, even if I couldn't be saved from myself, at least knowing someone needed me like my mom and kid brother – it would be of been enough for me. Guess Axel can now dance and sing merrily around my grave as all these years he's been trying to get with Xion. Xion… she deserved someone who wasn't such a pain in the ass twenty-four seven. I guess my snarky remarks could get annoying even if no one told me they were a bother.

So tell me Death, if I'm at the brink of my existence already, please do enlighten me for a moment and tell me why I feel such warmth holding my right hand? Wasn't all the body heat supposed to leave me already so I could just become a freaky life sized freeze pop? Hm, guess not.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, my trip to Kingdom Hearts better be a pleasant one. Although I deserve a hellish place just because I have murderous intentions towards my old man. I'm just a kid after all, I can get moody too.

Well I'm tired of feeling sorry for myself. I'm imperfect too, just a weirdo kid trying to make the best out of things. I think it's too early for me to start repenting and looking back at things when I barely did anything in life to begin with.

"Vanitas open your eyes, please!" A soft voice cried out.

"I can't lose you now, please, Vani, please! I know you're strong, just hang in there!" The voice continued pleading.

It made staying in this dark void harder, it felt nice to be able to rule a place. Dark, lonely, and cold with no one but me there. In some twisted realm of life and death, I felt like a King but then again I'm probably just over dosed on medications.

"S-S-Shut up" I slurred groggily as I managed to open my eyes in who knows how long. The light at first blinded me and everything was blurry, blank faces and bodies, just mixed bright colors. I opened and closed my eyes several times as I let my eyes adjust to my surroundings.

"Vani!" The voice again called out, excitedly they wrapped their arms around me. I groaned in pain from the impact. "Mom?" I said a little surprised as she let go and nodded. "You have no idea how worried I was!" She cried as she took her crumpled up tissue and wiped away her tears.

"How long was I asleep for?" I asked her as I cleared my throat, my own voice sounded weird to me seeing as I haven't spoke in… how long?

"You were in a coma for a week" She replied slowly as if she were about to burst into tears just by remembering the nightmare.

Ahh… a week… great.

That's a chunk of my life that I'll never get back .

I was about to lift myself slightly up from my uncomfortable position as I stopped when I felt a slight gentle squeeze at my right hand. I looked down and saw the small hand holding it as I trailed my eyes along the form of a sleeping Xion next to my side. Her head resting on her arm as her steady slow breathing brought a nostalgic comfort to me.

I looked up and with questioning eyes; mom knew what I wanted to know. She warmly smiled as she looked down at Xion. "She was really worried about, you know? She's never left your side. Such a sweet girl" Mom went and gently kissed Xion's hair and then leaned over and pecked my cheek. "I need to get going, long day at work today" She sighed. I could see how tired she was, I felt bad. Part of it was due to the grief and worry I placed on her. I didn't mean to leave her fending for herself all alone. What if that bastard came back durning the past week I was out of it? If I find out he's been near him, I swear I'll kill him.

"Where's Sora?" I blurted out seeing as how my mind was going in a darker direction. Mom gathered her purse and coat, "With Xion's grandmother. She's been ever so kind to help out. Oh! Look at the time! I wish I could stay longer but I have to go. The doctor said he would come back later to check on things. Maybe he'll dispatch you earlier so then I can take care of you at home. Love you, sweetie. Bye!" Mom hurriedly dashed out the door before I could even have a say of my protest. I hated being taken care of, I was well capable of doing it all on my own. I'd rather be there for others than worry about a knife wound.

I sighed and squeezed Xion's hand that was in mine so she would know I was awake. It took her a while to flutter her eyes opened as she softly yawned and squeezed my hand back as a small yet reserved smile lingered at the edges of her lips. "You're awake" She whispered as I smirked and slowly shrugged my shoulders.

I didn't get to say anything else or bask in the warmth of knowing I was finally awake and alert enough to know that this damn mattress was uncomfortable; when Ven bust the door opened and yelled in the most dramatic way, "MY POOR DEAR COUSIN! WHAT AN UNFORTUNATE SOUL YOU ARE!" He mocked cried and threw his stupid skull on top of me. The thing had 'Get well soon blood brother' written on its forehead.

"Shut the hell up, Ven!" I growled narrowing my eyes at him as he laughed like a psychotic hyena.

Xion let go on my hand, standing up and pointing fingers back and forth. "Wait, Ven's your cousin?" She asked surprised.

I sighed and crossed my arms, "Yeah… Don't remind me, I'm still trying to drown out that fact myself"

She giggled and leaned over the bed placing a tender kiss on my forehead, "I'll be right back, just going to go talk to your doctor to see when you can get out" She whispered in my ear as she walked out the room.

Great now I'm stuck with this dumbass. "Where's your animal control tamer?" I asked him as he chuckled and pointed out the window, "He's outside having a rough discussion with security. Something about not letting him park in the handicap section and allowing my dear brother Roxas to bring up his drum set"

I rolled my eyes, of course Terra would be stubborn and want to park in handicap, probably forgot his grandmother's handicap pass. "Why the hell does Roxas want to bring up his drum set? Does he plan to perform in a hospital?" I asked as I threw back Neo at him.

He smirked, "Why to sing you back to health of course"

Oh right, of course! How could I have forgotten I had my own personal singing healing drummer… "Yeah well, all I want to do is go back to sleep. Tell those two idiots not to even bother coming at all!" I told him seriously as he shrugged, did some I Dream of Genie salute as he chuckled and said, "Your wish is my command" as he shut the door behind leaving me to knock out back into submission to the narcotics.

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Ven's Pov:

I closed the door behind me as I made my way down the hall with Neo resting behind in my blood red and black checkered hoodie. Mom still wouldn't give me back my cloak, she said not until after Thanksgiving, not wanting me to scare the long distance relatives I've haven't seen since I was well, the spitting image of Roxas.

Hmm… perhaps Vani would want to come this year to our house! His mom and Sora always do but he always seems to be reluctant to, always having some sort of excuse. I chuckled, not being oblivious to the fact he dreads our actual relation to one another.

As I turned the corner, heading to the elevators, I passed the nurses' station – I saw Xion talking to a tall man. Once I got closer I noticed it was Eraqus. Terra's dad was a surgeon and quite honestly one of the best in all of Destiny Island and Twilight Town.

"Fair winds, set my sail to the humble direction of Sir Eraqus of The Knights of the Sharp Scalpels! " I announced my presence as I crept up towards the counter next to Xion. Eraqus laughed and bowed, "Ah, why today seems to be such a lively day, here I am greeted by Sir Ventus, fair winds set my course to Knight of the Round Stethoscope!" He joked whole heartily as I chuckled. Yes, I did have quite the fondness for his stethoscope. Who knew you could hear a bleeding heart? Awesome!

Eraqus ruffled my hair and bowed to Xion, "I need to get back to work. I'll go check up on Vanitas in a bit but for now I think his medicine just ko'd him for a good three hours" He waved goodbye to us as he walked off with his old school beeper in his hands. Quite the antique!

I turned to Xion, coughed brushing my hand against my jacket, cleaning it off from imaginary dirt, as I bowed down and offered my hand to her as any gentleman would. "Shall we, my dear?" I smiled as she giggled gently brushing her cold soft hand upon the palm of my hand as I gently squeezed it and walked straight with her into the direction of the elevators.

I heard the little ting of the elevator's doors closing us in as it descended rather slowly down. "So how's Olette?" Xion asks, breaking the comfortable sweet silence. I grinned, "Quite alright, I hope at least. Since the tragedy that happened to our dear Vanitas, she just asked me to please pass on her condolences"

She stared at me for a brief second before laughing, "He's not dead, Ven!" She lightly punched my arm as I shrugged cracking a normal chuckle, "Yeah well, role-playing is good for the soul, just like chicken noodle soup!"

She smiled shaking off the bit of laughter left as she wrapped her arm around my own as she leaned in her head and rested it on my shoulder. I never noticed how much shorter she was than I. Hm.

Outside we saw something so comical that it had me howling like a sadistically cheery banshee!

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Xion's Pov:

I quickly let go of Ven as I ran closer to Terra who had a poor security guard all tied down and ready for the pit fire at a hoedown. "Terra!" I yelled, as he took his leather boot footed top heel off the guard's rib as he coughed and inhaled a fresh breath of air. "Oh! Hey Xion!" He greeted waving as he skipped and lunged himself at me.

I quickly bent down in a turtle-in-shell position as he rolled over my back and hit heavily into the pavement of the hospital entrance. "Are we going to have to leave you here too?" I asked him sternly as I sighed and apologized to the security guard as he angrily shoved his sausage like finger on top Terra's forehead with a violation ticket. Ven stopped laughing as he bent down and took the sticky note from the twinkling paopu seeing goof.

"Is… Terra… My… Girlfriend?" Terra asked in a daze as Ven took off his jacket and made it into a makeshift pillow for his head.

"No, that's Aqua" I tried to hide my urge to laugh as we helped him inside his new glossy black range rover that he only used for emergencies. Terra's always trying to be eco-friendly! "Maybe I should drive and take him home? I have a copy of his house key" Ven offered as he jingled the house keys in his hand. I nodded and took the car keys from inside Terra's jean pocket. After I made sure to buckle him securely knowing how wild Ven could be driving. Sophomore year when we decided to ditch and trust Ven with the car… well… let's just say Vani or Terra only have permission to now.

"Hey where's Roxas?" I asked noticing he wasn't there. Ven shrugged and guessed he just ditched after the guard started chasing them around the parking lot.

Ven got into the driver's seat, turning on the rover, and saluting as he drove off with Terra. I waved back as the car faded slowly away, blending into the background. I quickly called my grandmother to check up on the kids real quick as I headed back upstairs to be with Vanitas.

Entering the cold temperature room, I shivered as I leaned over his sleeping form. Smiling as I caressed his cheek, I bit my lip debating whether or not snap a picture of him. He just looked so peaceful there but then again I frowned just knowing how exactly he ended being here.

Sweet caring, loving brother, wonderful boyfriend Vanitas. Sure he was rough around the edges with a bit of a temper and blunt sarcasm but that was him. He wouldn't be the Vanitas I know if he suddenly started acting freely goofy or naïve and uncanny; I wouldn't know who he was, he couldn't just put a façade of false pretentious emotions around me when I knew that there was nothing but kindness in his heart no matter how dark and damned he sought his soul to be.

"I'll never be the same without you by my side, Vani" I whispered as I leaned in closer and pressed my warm lips against his cold cracked ones. My heart skipped a beat as I backed away slowly and pressed my fingertips against my lips. We never had to utter words of affection just to know we were a 'thing' never had to say the cheesy and corny 'I love yous' or 'I less than three yous' …Just never.

I closed my eyes, inhaling the sweet smell of medicine, disinfectants, and plastic. Opening them I stepped even further back as those golden amber eyes stared back at me with a huge ego crushing smirk plastered on his face.

"So in other words, you love me?" He asked mocking me as I felt the heat go to my cheeks.

Turning my head to the right to face the window, I ignored him and mumbled, "Shuddup" Too embarrassed form confessing in such a crappy environment. Way to go Xion…

He yawned stretching out his muscles as he still had that cocky smirk on his face. Grr! Stupid, stupid, stupid me! He noticed me, staring at him as I turned again to ignore him. He laughed and got up slightly as he encaged his arms around my waist, pulling me down to sit on the small space of his bed beside his half sitting positioned torso. "Ignoring me after I've been practically unresponsive for nearly half a month? Why I feel offended, Xion" He whispered in my ear as his cool breath trickled down my neck sending shivers down my back.

"Yeah well, at least sleeping Vani wasn't such a jerk!" I narrowed my eyes at him lightly as he shook his head chanting his ever so famous, "Stupid" at me.

"Yeah well don't expect me to give you a half-assed reply. Just know that," He paused as he gently placed my head against his chest. I feared that I was hurting him as I fought to get my weight off him as he pushed me back down. Placing my ear against his heart, I felt it beat slowly at first until it quickened, "That you have that there. My heart" He whispered as his head fell back and knocked out again.

I quickly got off of him as I smiled, "Gee, You tell a girl something so sweet and melt worthy, then go to sleep. Men…" I shook my head quietly laughing as I stepped out of his room to go find Eraqus again.

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Vani's Pov:

"That you have that there. My heart" I remember ushering those words as my mind hazed and the bleak darkness was beckoning for me to return as I let it take me once again. Damn medicine, I've never coming back to a hospital. If that wasn't bad enough, having your best friend's dad be the one taking care of you as they nurse you back to health is even weirder – I don't think I could even show my face around him for a good half year.

I felt a major headache forming as my strained neck and head kept bouncing back and forth as I felt a slight breeze go through… my clothes? Slowly opening one eye, I felt the rush of light and the UV rays hit me as I reclosed my eye seeing as the bright hurt too much as I was becoming accustomed to the darkness.

I opened my eyes and felt my legs being lifted, I heard a zip and buckle noise and a roaring horse, maybe an engine but the world was too bright and blurry so I closed then again.

Again I opened my blinded eyes and saw Xion's face as she spoke but her words were slowed down and hard to comprehend as I think I heard her say, "We're h-h-here. S-sleepy… hea-"Again closed them,

I inhaled a long deep breath of air as I moved my head as I felt how grainy and warm it felt as the sun's bright rays hit my closed eye lids making them a bright reddish color as I opened them again and this time forcing myself to adjust. I was getting tired of being so out of it and feeling sluggish.

The salty ocean breeze hit me as I heard the seagulls flying around. Grasping the earth beneath me I realized it was the white sand of the small Destiny Island beach. The place where our secret place was located.

Slowly lifting up my body with my elbows propped up, I looked around closing my eyes as this environment made me relax. I looked down and saw that I was lying on top of a green and white hibiscus floral patterned beach towel as I was wearing a black and red checked swimming trunks with a white wife beater. I lifted it up to see the purple and greenish yellow, bruised up flesh underneath, and the ten stitches forcing it closed to heal,

"Oh! You're awake!" I heard Xion say surprised as she ran up the small sand hill. She was wearing a navy blue sundress, the slight breeze lifting up the hem, swaying back and forth.

"How are you feeling?" She asked as she bend down, pushing my fingers away from the wound as she applied peroxide on it and put the gauze on top, "Good as new!" She lightly patted the wound as she giggled.

I quickly looked up at her smiling face and then at her hand touching me. I don't know what came over me as I grabbed her wrist forcing her to fall back and roll onto her back as I switched our positions as I was on top of her.

I hastily and needingly crushed my lips against hers as she squeaked in surprised. I was never so forward and forceful with her but as I pulled back, I rested my head at the nook of her neck as I held her in my arms. For once, I shook, uncertain of the future. For once my defenses were down. I… I… I was scared.

I was grateful that Xion understood, not questioning me, or asking me what was wrong; she just knew. She wrapped her arms around my back as she shushed me and tried to stop my shaking. I wasn't the type to cry easily so my shudders were the best I could do to control myself. I haven't felt this down since I broke Xion's wrist on accident.

Back then I treated her more of, like one of the guys like I did with Aqua but Xion was more fragile and I didn't even know my own strength. We were joking , having a good time at her place, when her dad got mad, like a raging bull. He was furious that I was dating her as he tried to separate us but I was stupid and tried to make him let go of her as I threw a vase at him to make him back off. I didn't really care who I pissed off back then, still don't, but now I have a more level-headed thinking towards it. I heard Xion cry in pain for a moment seeing as her arm and wrist were bleeding.

I paled and stood there wide eyed not sure what I just did. Her dad yelled at me to get out as he slammed the door in my face. I pounded on the front door yelling for her to open up, I kept apologizing but her dad was yelling for me to get off his property.

I even tried to ram myself against the door to try and bust it open but it didn't do anything. Next thing I know, the cops came for me and arrested me. I remember being enraged and pissed off beyond belief.

The old hags were gossiping in the corner nodding and agreeing after they heard all the noise going on, I remembered their heartless cold stares as if they were watching me step to the gallows to be, beheaded for abuse and public disturbance when it was an honest mistake.

I saw the fear on Xion's face but not the type to be angry with me but rather worried for me. I must of looked like a wild beast as I snarled and bared my teeth at the cops ready to bite them. My head was forcefully pushed down as they slammed the cop's car door closed as I sat in the back handcuffed feeling uncomfortable.

I was only locked up for about twenty-four hours with no fee to pay bail out or anything. I remember Xion telling me after that she threaten her dad by telling him she would run away if he ever pressed charges against me. Besides my mom wouldn't have been able to pay it, with the little bit of munny she makes working two jobs – it was just enough to get by with a decent life.

Even though it was quite the uproar and main subject of gossips for weeks, to the point it seemed like they wouldn't just shut up about it making even more rumors and spreading them around. They just didn't know how to mind their own business.

Well at least Ven was happy with my short imprisonment as I managed to find a few bones and skulls underneath my bench. The big burly biker next to me who had a secret soft spot for crocheting told me not to question what happened fifteen years ago. Whatever the hell that meant…

I shrugged my shoulders and told him I didn't even care what happened as long as I was able to keep some of the 'evidence'

So a long winded story for something that made me feel lower than anything else. I was scum but Xion apparently ranked me to be the soap that cleans the scum. It made me chuckle, she was pretty lame but the fact was – her dad was bad but it wasn't anyone's fault – just his damn, over protective daughter complex.

"You okay?" Xion whispered as I snapped out of my thoughts and got off her as I kissed her forehead. "Yeah… thanks" I coughed as I sat there next to her. She rubbed my shoulder as she got up and ran off to go greet someone.

Who? But then I knew who as I saw the small ridiculous boat at the small dock. "Who called the circus?" I asked myself as Xion greeted Ven, Roxas, Namine, Aqua, Terra, Sora, and Kairi all to come hang with us.

Well at least I can say that's the longest time we've been together alone for quite some time now. The wondering question as to how the hell Terra managed to fit everyone into one small boat was still lingering but it was way beyond me.

"Yo Vani!"

"Hey!"

"Great to see you!"

"It's the Frankendork!"

They all yelled, waving and running towards me.

I flipped off Roxas who called be the 'Frankendork' as he stuck out his tongue.

"Who's ready to party?" Terra asked as he turned on his mini boombox.

I rolled my eyes, there goes the relaxing silence…

"Vani! Vani!" I heard that little voice that I hated to admit, I missed a lot. "Hey twerp" I picked up Sora in my arms, it hurt as I cringed in pain but ignored it as he hugged my face.

I chuckled and joined to help the others set up our annual bonfire. Seeing as 'annual' to them meant whenever the hell they felt like it. Yep, I'm surrounded by idiots.

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Done! To be continued! ;D

So yeah hope that met expectations… or well what reviewers wanted~ more fluff and more well whatever you wanna call it xD

Yeah so I'm fried for now. See ya! Until next time! 8D

So tell me what ya think!

Remember to R&R! Alert! Plz & Thankies! :]

Random Playlist:

Shut Me Up by Mindless Self Indulgence (MSI)

Ocean Breathes Salty by Modest Mouse

Never Be The Same by Red