A chakram at his throat.
"Axel…"
Once, this man in front of him was his best friend. But not anymore.
Enemies.
Axel gives a bitter smile.
"Let's meet again in the next life."
And somehow, just with that, he knows everything is going to be okay.
Roxas lowers his keyblades, accepting his defeat.
"Yeah, I'll be waiting."
He closes his eyes.
And waits.
Nothing.
No blow comes.
Roxas opens his eyes, only to see—
He's falling.
Falling into darkness.
Right before the portal closes up, Roxas swears that he can hear Axel speak.
"Silly. Just because you have a next life…"
And then…no more.
"What isspecial about you?"
Roxas rolls over, covering his ears. The voice was too loud, too clogged, he was too tired, he didn't want to wake up, he didn't want to—
Bed. He's in a bed.
His eyes flash open.
"Gawd, they're always keeping secrets from me."
Unfamiliar room. Unfamiliar voice.
And who was that girl…?
Oh crap, she's staring at him.
"You're awake!"
And before he can blink, she's tackling him to shreds. Or at least it seems like she is.
"Ha, I get to talk to you before Squall does. So tell me, are you really Cloud's brother?"
It was way too early. Sane people aren't supposed to be awake this early, much less talk.
(He conveniently ignores the dusk sky outside the window)
"…Me…what…?"
Smooth talking Roxas, courtesy of lack of sleep.
"Cloud's brother! Are you really Cloud's brother? You know, the big tall angsty guy with gravity-defying hair? Kinda like yours…"
Cloud. Person? Who? What?
He groans and rubs his eyes, clearing his vision.
"…Where am I? What happened?"
Suddenly, he's awake.
There's too many questions filling head.
He finds his gaze upon the girl. She reminded him of Olette somehow … vaguely … maybe not.
"Who are you?"
The girl lets out a frustrated groan.
"Oh don't tell me you're amnesiac or something. Just when I thought things were getting interesting…I might as well get Aerith."
The girl flops out her chair unceremoniously and strides towards the door.
"Hey wait…"
But she's already gone.
Not a minute passes and someone comes back into the room; a woman. She exudes a warm, motherly but childish aura, wrapping Roxas in a warm blanket of comfort. It almost reminded him of…
…Home.
He has no home.
"My, you're looking better. That's good. How are you feeling?"
Eloquent Roxas speaks the first word in his mind.
"Confused."
Immediately, he mentally slaps himself, realizing that that probably wasn't the answer she was looking for.
"I mean…a bit tired, but fine nonetheless."
She smiles.
"That's good. Do you mind if I give you a short check-up?"
Roxas straightens his back as he shakes his head. The woman immediately begins to work, a green glow surrounding her hands.
For a moment there is silence.
"Who are you?"
"Oh, that's right. I haven't introduced myself. I'm Aerith. And you?"
He almost said Sora.
"R-roxas."
Aerith stops for a moment before going on, chuckling to herself.
"Hmm, I guess I was expecting something like Storm or Star to go along with Cloud's name."
Cloud. That name again. Definitely a person.
Quiet.
Questions. He has too many questions and he wants answers. But he is silent.
Aerith pulls away.
"There, you seem to be alright. Do you think you're ready to get out of bed? The others have questions."
He wants to say no. He wants to yell, "No, I'm not ready! I'm tired and confused and I have no idea what's going on and I just want to get away and LEAVE ME ALONE."
But he doesn't.
He gives an awkward nod, and pushes himself out of bed.
Aerith leads the way, a smile on her face. The smile almost scares him. Like it's too genuine to be real, to be true.
She stops at a door and turns to face him, a teasing look on her face.
"Don't worry, I won't let them bully you too much."
And she opens the door to chaos.
…Or rather, chaos of silence.
That scary silence where everyone is staring at you.
Almost like a calm before the storm.
"Everyone," Aerith announces. "This is Roxas."
Silence. Dot dot dot. Roxas feels like shying away, or maybe even hiding behind Aerith. (Perhaps the pink dress will blind them all.)
A cough.
"I'm Leon."
With a rather off-beat start, he realizes that a hand is being held out to him. He shakes it, saying nothing as he gives a subdued acknowledging nod.
The calm is broken, and suddenly everyone starts introducing themselves.
"Cid."
"I am Merlin."
Everyone, save for one.
"And that," Aerith points to the girl from earlier, currently sulking in a corner. "Is Yuffie."
From the corner, Yuffie can heard mumbling, "…GREAT Ninja Yuffie to you…"
Aerith pays her no attention and claps her hands together.
"Great, now that we are all introduced...First, Roxas is there anything you—Oh, Cloud. Come on in."
Roxas follows her gaze and turns around to see what she is looking to. A man leans in the doorframe, silent. Roxas wonders when he entered.
So this is Cloud.
He can honestly say that Cloud looks like he can be his older brother.
He had the same blue eyes, the same feminine face shape, the same gravity-defying hair…
"Cloud, you're back. Are you going to stay this time…?" Leon asks.
Cloud shakes his head.
"No…Just visiting."
And before he knows it, Cloud has crossed the room and has placed a hand on Roxas' shoulder.
"Are you okay?"
Roxas blinks. For some reason, around this man he feels…
…feels like he has a kindred spirit near him.
"Y-yeah. What happened?"
Cloud gives Roxas a long look.
"…We'll talk later."
And suddenly, the moment is broken as Cloud takes his hand off Roxas' shoulder. Cloud turns to Aerith.
"Do you mind if I stay the night?"
Aerith gives a delighted smile.
"No, not at all."
Leon gets up with a sigh.
"I guess we'll save the questions for later. …Is something burning?"
Roxas sniffs the air, and finds that there is a faint smell of burnt food lingering. Aerith slaps her face gently in reprimand.
"Oh dear, I forgot! My food!"
"Dinner is served,. Bon appetit!"
With a satisfied look, Aerith ushers everyone to the table.
"Food!" The girl—Yuffie?—squeals, rushing to the table. And then stops. "Oh crap. Aerith…did you cook this?"
Aerith nods proudly.
"Yup! I did it without Leon's help too!" She says, beaming happily. Everyone, save for Cloud and Roxas, gives a little cringe.
The food…looked…funny. Nearly completely burnt…almost alive…did that vegetable just move?
Roxas takes a hesitant step forward.
"Wow…this looks…great."
He tries to smile.
Aerith doesn't notice his discomfort.
"Oh, you're too sweet. Now all of you, don't be shy! Dig in!"
No one moves.
Cricket cricket.
"OH YEAH, Aerith! Gawd, I forgot I have something to show you!" Yuffie exclaims loudly, suddenly very much trying to move Aerith. "C'mon! C'mon!"
"Yuffie, wha—Mmm!"
Aerith is shushed as Yuffie puts a finger to her mouth.
"It's girl stuff." Yuffie stage whispers.
For a split second, it looks like Aerith isn't going to move, when she gives in.
"Oh, alright." She says good-naturedly, letting Yuffie lead her out.
Roxas lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding.
Leon goes to pick up the phone
"Does pizza sound alright?"
"…Oh my. Did you eat it all?"
"Yes, we did. And it was so good, that we ordered for more food. Want some pizza? We have some left." Cid drawls, his back facing Aerith so she wouldn't detect his lie.
Yuffie makes a victory pose.
"Alright! You rock old man!"
"It wasn't me, it was Leon."
"Alright! You rock, Squall!"
"It's Leon."
Yuffie waves him off.
"Whatever. So, kid, I've been meaning to ask, are you really Cloud's brother?"
"Of course, he's not." Leon cuts in. "Cloud doesn't have a brother."
"And how would you know that?"
"I grew up with him. So did you."
"Really? I don't remember him. Hmph. Don't think you can trick me."
"Obviously you don't. Of course, you were always too busy thinking of…what was his name? Vincent?"
"Hey, Vincent was so much hotter and cooler than you'll ever be…"
Roxas shuffles to Aerith.
"Are they always like this?"
She nods.
"Pretty much. Don't worry, it's their way of showing their love for each other."
She stops talking, and puts on a knowing smile.
"Of course, in a brotherly-sisterly sense, if you know what I mean."
Roxas nods.
"Yeah…I know exactly what you mean."
Haynar. Pence. Olette.
Aerith suddenly claps her hands together.
"Ah! It's late! Everyone you should start getting ready to go to sleep." She turns toward Roxas. "We'll talk about your situation in the morning, okay?"
He nods. She then turns to Cloud.
"Cloud, you're staying right? Why don't you share a room with Roxas then? Here I'll show you."
Roxas turns. And turns.
He can't sleep.
He turns to the body at the opposing bed.
"Hey…Cloud…you still awake?"
Quiet. Then, a response:
"Mmm."
A moment passes.
"What happened? How did I get here?"
Another moment passes.
"…I found you by the postern, unconscious. I brought you to Aerith so she could heal you. I told them you were my younger brother, so they wouldn't get suspicious of you."
"…Why?"
Cloud shrugs.
"I don't know. I guess you remind me of myself."
Roxas furrows his brow, trying to understand.
"Remind you…How?"
Cloud turns to face him.
"You're searching too, aren't you? For your light…"
Sora suddenly flashes in his mind.
Roxas smiles.
"Yeah…I guess I am."
They are quiet for a while.
"By the way, where am I?"
Aerith is the first one to greet him as he comes down to breakfast.
"Good morning Roxas. Here, let me get some breakfast. Leon for some reason, insisted on cooking this time…"
Roxas nods a good morning in return.
"Ah, thank you."
Aerith smiles (of course, as she's always smiling) in response.
"Sleep well?"
"…Yeah."
First time in days that he had a dreamless sleep. No memories of Sora, nothing. He was almost grateful for it.
He begins to eat, silently thanking that Leon's cooking tasted quite decent. Slowly, he gets lost in thought.
He wonders what he's going to do today…tomorrow…what's going to happen now…
—Aerith is staring at him.
Roxas suddenly notices curious emerald eyes looking at him.
"I-Is something wrong?"
Aerith blinks before grinning wider.
"You really do act like Cloud. Always spacing out…it's quite cute. Oh, that reminds me, I should wake up him up."
"No need."
Roxas turns to see a…frazzled looking Cloud. The man slugs to a seat, his back slouched. His hair is messier than usual (apparently it's possible), and his eyes are half-lidded, like he's drugged.
Roxas hides a grin. It somehow was reassuring to see the seemingly intimidating man have another side.
"Cloud, good morning!"
Roxas wonders if she purposely made her voice bright and chirpy just to annoy Cloud.
"I'll go get you some breakfast."
"No need." Cloud cuts in again.
(Somewhere distantly in his mind, Roxas explores the possibility of Cloud being a broken robot or android.)
Cloud gets up.
"I should be going."
Then why did you sit down in the first place?
Aerith frowns. Roxas suddenly has the urge to jump up and shout: "The smile is gone!"
"Alright…"
And the smile is back. Roxas feels oddly defeated.
"But you'll come back right?"
Cloud is facing the other direction, his back suddenly straight.
"Yeah…Always."
And he walks out of the door, closing it behind him softly.
As if he was never there…
Roxas hears Aerith sigh.
"…that guy…"
Roxas too finds himself oddly enough wishing that Cloud didn't go. He almost seemed like a—
"Cloud Strife! I finally found you!"
And suddenly, the door is slamming open to reveal an unfamiliar (scary) woman, Cloud in tow.
"Tifa…"
AN: First KH fic, so I'm kinda scared. Plus, I never played the first game (though I did beat the second, finally). Yeah, I'm a bit afraid to post this cause I know there's going to be a zillion plotholes (I bet there already are some) and then there's the fact that I have no idea where I'm going with this. Also, I think I might have made some of the characters (Roxas especially) OOC. Oh dear.
But this is just so fun to write. Please give me feedback.