A/N: Special shout out to my beta, Pure Red Cane! Without help from Pure Red Cane's edits, I probably would not have updated! Anyways, sorry for the long wait for the chapter but I was trying to plan my story out so it wouldn't seem half ass so the chapter is more descriptive and structured. As well as thank you to all that review and favorite this story!. Also, I want to make everyone know I am currently making a Yu Yu Hakusho story so I need you guys to vote on my poll, it's basically about who should be with Hiei in Yu Yu Hakusho, if you haven't heard of anime than please just vote, or go on google and look up what characters look up since I am currently in trouble deciding who should be with who so yeah with that here is the next chapter!

Were Meant To Stay Together

Chapter 22: The Truth Hurts

Normal POV

COCK-COCK-COCK-COCK-A-A-A-A-A-COCK-A-A DOODLE-DOODLE-DOO! A loud alarm clock blared through a blonde haired teenage boy with spikes all over his head. It was so early in morning that sun was barely out which made Ventus even angrier than he already was. It's a fact, waking up Ventus in morning wasn't the thing, it just wasn't unless you want to get scream out and get send to Disney Land. To make things worse Reno jumped on Ventus making the blonde groaned in response.

His grin faltered, his entire body surged with pain as he was knock off bed to floor sending him all way to The World That Never Was. Groggily, rubbing his eyes, he glare death daggers at his friend that look like it could, unless that is if looks could kill, which, couldn't. Reno on his part gone deathly pale by the look.

Rubbing back of his head sheepishly, he tried to make a gentle approach, whether it was good or bad. "Hey, Ven," He drawled, slowly. "D'ya get enough sleep?" Now that was a dumb question to even ask. Of course the blonde didn't have good night sleep instead he had worse night ever. He'd tossed and turned in his sleep through the night until midnight. Obvious there were bags under his eyes. He hasn't gotten any sleep, not at all. A little sad too, especially, when he supposed to be looking for his long lost brother. His day was going to be a living hell. And it only has begun.

"Do I look like I had enough sleep?" The tired Ventus could only growled at his friend's stupidity of even mentioning if he had good night rest. Lazily rising from his bed, he leaned against the headboard of his bed, squinting his eyes trying hard to avoid the sunlight that litter through blinds coming from nearby window.

"Don't worry Ven, I got everything planned in advance, promise." Much of bologna! When the turk says he has something planned, most likely, it isn't such a good idea. According to the blonde, bringing Reno along with him to find his brother was probably worse idea he has ever had. Then again, he didn't ask for his help. He just happened to help him, and just happened to be at same place as he was.

Someway, somehow they ended up going to a crappy motel for the night to get some rest so in morning, they could go search for Sora. As fate would put it, maybe they weren't supposed to go the trip to find the brunet because everywhere they go, there is trouble. If Ventus could recall, he suggested they go to Gainsborough Homestead for night considering the fact he knows the owner who lives there. However, Reno, on other hand, figured going to a familiar place would bring suspicion thus he thought they should go somewhere less well known and isolated. Not even bothering to argue, the blonde went along with his companion's idea. Besides he never thought that place they went would be that bad. Unfortunately for him, he has never been so wrong. Yet he was too tired to care. Part of him just wanted to lay down and go asleep. Lets just Ventus did that, except he never lay on bed that was hard before, almost felt like he was laying on rocks, or even worse a mountain. There was no reason to complain, it wasn't that expensive, and apart from that they needed as much money as possible to get back home when they find Sora.

Anywhere they went, the key to success is money. Look where they are at, it's Destiny Islands! It's second largest island of tourist attraction, or so that is what Ventus had thought. Anyways, resuming back to the conversation that Reno worked up. He barely even was listening though decided to listen to a few things the turk had said. It couldn't hurt to listen.

"Go on, shoot me, your plan." Ventus encouraged the older male to tell his plan of finding Sora. Better to have two brains then one. "I am all ears, just tell me, I won't judge you." Actually being open minded about giving Reno a chance is nice of him. Usually he wouldn't even consider listening to s turk, nonetheless, they are running out of time. He needs to find Sora as soon as possible. Roxas nor Vanitas or his father aren't doing anything. Might as way take matters into your own hands.

Reno sweat-dropped at this. Apparently, his companion was giving him a chance to prove himself. He chanced a look at Ventus as if he was crazy. Did he actually wanted him to tell him his plan out of the two of them? If so, the blonde must be sick. Yesterday Ventus insists they look for him, well they did, in the end, two found anything. Zip, zap! Nada!

"Well shit," sighed the Turk, woefully. He raised a hand on his forehead, pondering on if what he's about to say is a good idea. "Dude, I mean Ventus," He looked dubious but complied. Around same time they arrived here at Destiny Islands, Reno immediately realized two tourist, as in, him and Ventus won't be able to find Sora not like this, honestly, not ever. "It's a lost cause Ven, looking for Sora isn't worth the trouble. I think we should just let your brothers, or just maybe your dad find him."

"Whoa, whoa, wait a minute," An angry Ventus cautioned. "Are you saying you're giving up on helping me find my little brother?"

A sweating Reno made an "eep" noise in response. Whatever he says from now on has to be careful, any word could end his life. The turk knew Ventus might look fragile on outside however in the inside there is a monster lurking inside of him just waiting to come out. "No, no, no!" He shook his head frantically. "I am saying, I," the turk bit his lower lip for extra support. "I think we should take a break?"

"A break?!" Ventus echoed out, indignantly, which made everyone in the building, possibly outside hear as well. "There's absolutely no breaks, got that! You and me are going to find Sora whether or not if you like it or not, got that?" He pulled Reno by the collar of his shirt, glaring daggers at the redhead.

Instantly Reno blanched. "Y-Yes V-Ventus." He replied, nervously.

"Good," grinned a satisfied Ventus, crackling his knuckles. "Now let's get dress, operation find Sora has now commence!" He pumped his hand up enthusiastically, whereas his friend prayed that somehow he could escape from the blonde.

"Hooray, I am so happy!" muttered Reno, unenthusiastically.

"What did you say?!" In his own defense, the redhead tried to come up with something to say to ease Ventus anger. Any second by now he was going to blow a gasket. "Nothing, nothing, I swear!" He said, hurriedly.

Ventus eyed his so called "Search Buddy" suspiciously. "If you say so, but if you lie to me, say goodbye to your life Reno." The blonde warned.

"Heh heh heh." Nervous Turk laughed.

"Good, now I am going to take a bath, go call your Turk buds and ask them to search up Sora Harada that is his alias here." With this said Ventus grabbed a some spare clothes from his duffel bag including toothpaste and his toothbrush before heading towards the bathroom however he stopped soon as he was nearly at the door. "You can do that for me right?" He asked, not even bothering to look at Reno.

"Yeah, I can do that. Everything's good." His friend replied, reassuringly.

"You better not be lying." Ventus gritted between teeth.

"I would never lie to you, I am the honest person you would ever known." Reno voiced sincere.

Ignoring the last comment Reno had said Ventus went inside the bathroom where he stripped bare, walked over towards the bathtub where he turn on the nozzle before lifting it up causing spray holder from above to squirt out water. In addition he made sure the water was hot and there was a clean towel that he could wash off with. Luckily, the motel had came with a brand new bar of soap so he decided he would use that. Pushing shower curtain out the way, he hopped in the shower as well as pushed the shower curtain back. Although he'd put the water on hot, instead it was lukewarm water, even though he wanted the water to be hot, in the end everything went well. Water cascaded on his body, he used the bar of soap to wash every part of his body before getting out the shower. He wrapped a towel on his waist, look at himself in mirror, he no longer had bags under his eyes, well, not too noticeable at least. He grabbed his toothbrush that he'd gotten from his bag as well as toothbrush and placed the liquid from toothpaste on his toothbrush. After this he brushed his teeth several times before spitting out the minty substance from his mouth into toilet. Later Ventus put on some deodorant, his clothes that consisted of khaki shorts, a white sport jersey with logo Strife in bold on it, and All Star Converse. Eventually, he'd left the bathroom to see Reno already dressed and eager to tell him something.

"Ventus, Ventus, guess what!" Reno looked so excited, it must be good.

"What is it?' Ventus rather ask than guess. He's a horrible guesser.

"I think I found where Sora is!" the eager turk revealed.

"Really," squeaked Ventus, disbelievingly. "Your not pulling my leg, are you?"

"No, I am serious, honest truth!" the emblem green eyed man said, seriously.

"Thank God! Thank you Reno! Thank you so much! I will never forget this! I am so sorry for earlier, when you said looking for Sora was a lost cause but now since you've found him, man I could just hug you!" A surge of emotions flowed through Ventus. Love. Happiness. Nervousness. Determination. Relief. Added on tears started escaping from his cheeks. "I thought he was gone," the blonde sniffed. "But now he's here. I am so happy. I am going to see my little brother all because of you." He looked at Reno appreciatively.

"Ven, there's no need to cry, I did it for you." Reno could only smile at the blonde as he ruffled his hair.

Ventus laughed heartily, which, the Turk hasn't heard in a long time. "When I bring Sora, guess what I am gonna say to Roxas and Vanitas?"

"I told you so!" The blonde nodded his head briskly. He grabbed his sunglasses from the duffel bag and went towards the door alongside Reno following shortly behind him. The two males left the motel quickly before on search to look for Sora. All in all, Reno thought Ventus was perfect example of a brother, he knew that the blonde would do anything for his brother, even if it meant dying. Ventus would do anything for his younger brother. Now, after four years, he has finally found him. Well, in this case, Reno found him but you know he means. Ventus was one who gave the turk the motivation to look for Sora. His unshakeable determination to find his brother is incredible. They arrived at the beach where his house was close to and did everything they could to find him, even knock on the door, but in the end they came out with nothing. What they did not know, however, they were missing a piece of the puzzle.

Prancing around angrily, Ventus tried to maintain his cool composure. "Where the hell is he?" He growled, snappishly. "I thought Rude told you he would be hear but he isn't here!"

Or so they'd thought. Ventus wasn't just going to pace back and forth, no he sought out help to find Sora. Whoever is nearby, well, there really isn't any houses, only this beach house where Sora supposedly suppose to be. He figured it would be best to minor down the search on his brother and take a different approach.

"Say Reno, can you ask Rude to see where the Harada's would go if they were here or Sora more specifically." Most likely, with these key clues, just maybe, maybe Ventus would find out where his little brother is.

"Gotcha, I will call Rude right now," Reno said, pulling his phone out of his pocket. He paused for a moment then started up again. "For the meantime, take a lowdown, okay?" Ventus shook his head.

Despite their search for looking for Sora, he still was same person. Explain why others didn't shied away from him and how Ventus felt concern about this, perhaps he didn't want the brunet to have any friends except for himself. Sounds selfish. But Sora has changed. Recently, just before, they'd arrived, Jude had send him and Reno pictures of Sora. Between only himself, Ventus found Sora adorable as always. He hasn't changed, not a lot, at least. Well that's good news. Sora may not realize it yet, but he probably knows, someone has been watching him. Very, very closely.

Ventus can take a guess who it is. Only person he can even think of is Cloud, his god-brother. Lately, he has taken a long vacation from work. Obvious to Ventus that only ones that could hire him were his brothers. And yet he hasn't even brought Sora home. What the hell is he doing? Isn't he a professional at finding people? Sure he might not be a detective, more like bounty hunter and soldier specifically, though, he worked for secret service for missing people once, and so far he found twenty people. A small quantity is enough to suffice. While Reno called Jude, Ventus laid down on beach, staring up at the vast blue sky with white clouds, to him it felt as if it was a painting. Everything was so peaceful, he enjoyed the quietness that's until something disrupted him. His gaze shifts from the sky to a young girl and some guy on the boardwalk with her. He jumped upright from where was sitting, the blonde caught glimpse of brown hair, and immediately assumed that the guy with little girl was his long lost brother Sora.

"Reno! I think I found him!" Ventus hollered, startling Reno causing him to drop his phone in the sand.

"Really, where?!" The turk glanced around anxiously in search for Sora.

"He's right there," The blonde pointed towards a little girl and guy with brown hair. "That's him!"

"You sure?" There was no need to be sure that was his brother, Ventus just knows it.

"I know my brother that is him!" Okay, maybe it just a gut feeling but blonde knew that had to be his brother, it just had to.

Reno sighed a bit, "If you say so." He shrugged his shoulders. Without wasting any more time, the two males walked up the wooden stairs to boardwalk and watch the scene behold before them.

"I want icecreeeeeeammmmm Sor Sor!" a hyper-pitch voice coming from a five year old brunette whined.

"I'm really sorry, Marlene but I don't have any money remember." reminded what's seems to be her older brother.

"Uh! Liar, liar, liar pants on fire!" Marlene cheeks puffed out as she start hitting her clench fist out brunet frantically. "Sora you liar! Liar! Liar!"

Nearby bystanders start glancing at Marlene who's having a tantrum as Sora tries to calm his sister but all of his attempts are worthless not to mention brunette wouldn't listen to reason. Man, this sucks. Her older brother wants ice cream too, especially, considering it's a hot day. Only if his parents haven't left unannounced, they probably wouldn't be in this mess.

"Shh, it's alright, we can get something other than ice cream how about?" the brunet would coo his younger sister softly then suggested getting something other than ice cream.

"No, no, no, no! I want ice creeeeaaaaammmmm! You promise, you promise! Get me ice cream Sor Sor, I want ice cream!" She kept wailing and wailing.

This drove attention to mostly everyone. Sora tried, tried, and tried to make Marlene stop crying but she just wouldn't. Cautiously, Ventus eased forward in order to inspect brunet carefully to make sure who he thought he was, was the person he's looking for.

"Excuse me but do you know who I am?" The blonde approached, his head is spinning, and he felt like he's going to be sick.

Sora squinted his eyes slightly, and smirked. "Who are you?" He called, tilting his head and crossing his arms.

He may be cute, though, then again he has to remember that Sora is his brother. Darn it, Sora, why did you have to be so cute!

Marlene eyes widened, it glimmered in anticipation. A light-bulb moment came to her quickly. "Gimme ice cream mister, buy me ice cream, pwease!" She pleaded, almost going teary eyed.

"Of course I would buy you ice cream, but first, can I ask you your brother something first?" A smile gentle smile appeared as he put out his hand for the brunet to grasp.

"Anything, mister!" The young girl didn't care if this guy was a stranger or not as long as he gets her ice cream, everything is good.

"Pardon you," Sora murmured, sardonically, shoulders hunched; eyes searing. "My sister and I must go." He turned around before beginning to walk away with Marlene bound hand to hand.

Nothing really could go as planned, anymore could it? Ventus had no choice, he wasn't just going to let Sora slipped away now. Hell, no, he'd just found him. "You aren't going anywhere!" He shouted, frustratedly. Roughly pulling the brunet by his freehand, the islander jerked around, glaring daggers at unknown male.

"Who the hell are you?" the captive Sora growled, narrowing his eyes into slits.

"Look," Another unknown male said, unnecessarily loud. "If you can't shut your trap were gonna use brute force, got that? Now shut your trap and listen to what Ventus have to say."

"That's pwetty name, heehee!" Marlene chirped, clapping her hands cheerfully.

"Thank you. I am Ventus and this is Reno." The blonde introduced.

"Whaddaya want?" Sora asked, irritatedly.

"I am your brother Sora, your real brother." Ventus conceded.

"Uwahhh!" The brunet instantly freaked out. One moment he was walking along the boardwalk with his sister now two unknown strangers came up to him, one telling him that he is brother, and another one looking awfully like Axel. "Axel, whatever joke your playing, it isn't funny!" He fumed at the redhead. Part of him wanted to run away with his sister and find someway out of Destiny Islands, in order for him to leave and never come back, but he knew running away wouldn't solve anything. His parents would easily find him. They wouldn't really want to look for him, most likely, they would want Marlene. And so, he has no choice but to stay.

Ventus takes a deep breath. Finally, Sora's here, right in front of him, too. Now, they can make a new start together. "Come on, Sor-Sor," He said, "You know you know me."

'Let it go. Embrace me.' This is what Ventus madly wanted. To feel his brother in his arms once more.

"You're safe now, big bro is here now." Declared "brother" of Sora Harada reassured his younger brother by stroking his cheek ever-so-softly.

Sora blinked. A surge of pain hit his chest, he squinted his eyes at the blonde. "Who are you? Why does my head hurt?" He asked, putting his hand on his head.

A large smile adorned Ventus's face as he suddenly jumps in joy, and gives Sora an adorning look then pulled him into a tight embrace, never ever wanting to let go. He can't hold it anymore. In flesh here and now is his little brother. There's no denying it. Forgetting the past and moving on is what they must to do to form a good relationship.

"Hey," Reno greeted, coughing louder than necessary. "You know my brother, Axel? Say, your friends?" He looked puzzled.

"I hate that bastard! I would never be friends with a lowlife like him!" The brunet seethed.

"Okay," the turk said, awkwardly. "Um, not to ruin the brotherly moment but we have to go."

"Ice cream!" Marlene quipped. Her face showed a carefree expression, like everything else in the world didn't matter except for ice cream.

Just then, Reno could only smirk. "I will buy you some ice kiddo, you coming guys, daylight is a wastin'." He noticed that sun was almost rising.

"I'm coming, uh, can you please let go of me?" Sora asked, uncomfortably.

"Heh, Sorry, bout' that." Ventus apologized, rubbing back of his head sheepishly as he broke the embrace.

The three males and young toddler walked towards an ice cream truck that's when Reno paid for the ice cream for four of them. Vanilla ice cream in a sugar cone was Marlene's favorite summer snack. She loved ice cream so much that she began licking vanilla off cone. Reno brought extra Sea Salt popsicles just in case, it was a bag worth and they were freshly cold.

"Let's go sit on the bench and eat are ice cream." the blonde haired tourist figured that if they sit on a bench nearby, it might trigger a flashback for Sora.

"Okay, I am tired anyways." Of course Sora didn't think none of it, he's tired. Taking care of Marlene was a hassle yet it's worth the trouble he supposed. Walking over towards the bench the four plopped now and began busied themselves of eating their ice cream. Many years ago Ventus remembered his brothers would sit on the exact bench their on today and eat ice cream. Ah, sweet memories. He wish he could go back in time if only it was possible.

And speak of the devil. As usual Sora is making a mess like always. Ventus tongue brushed against Sora's cheek as he felt his cheek immediately flared with heat. His lips pressed to brunet's earlobe, a soft smile ghostly fall upon his face. "You were always a messy eater Sora even when you were little, it's quite funny you haven't change in these past few years at all." He whispe

"H-H-How... hah... d-do y-you know that?" Sora asked, stuttering between his words. His face red as a tomato, his body drench with sweat, thoughts running through his head, and a painful feeling shot at his chest. This guy - this Ventus guy was so familiar. Who... who is he? "D'ya you look awfully like the famous singer Roxas Strife?" Now that the islander took a good look at his "declared brother" he surely does look like him.

"Oh... oh yeah, bout' that. I... I... I... forgot you don't remember me it's okay.." The blonde haired stranger gave a small laugh, making brunet to raise his eyebrow. "All you need to know I'm someone very important to you."

Sora ran his tongue around the Popsicle, tasting the sweet and salty liquid, the remnants of the famous Sea Salt ice cream. He was done with the Popsicle less than five minutes. Surely enough this proves to Ventus that his poor brother hasn't eaten anything the entire day. Or worse not at all.

"You guys must've been starved." The blonde observed, looking at Marlene who was attacking the popsicle with her mouth and Sora who just finish his.

"Yeah we haven't been eating much lately there isn't much food at home." The brunette mentioned.

"You're kidding, right?" Ventus gawked.

"Unfortunately, no." the brunet deadpanned.

"Where's your parents?" Doppelgänger of Roxas Strife asked.

"They went on some trip." Sora answered.

"Did they at least tell you how long they will be gone?" inquired the tourist.

Sora along with Marlene shrugged their shoulders.

"So you don't know God knows when they are back?" guessed the older teen.

"Mhmm," hummed the islander. "Yup, that's about right."

"If you like you can stay at my pace until then." Offered Ventus.

"We would love to but we don't want to intrude." Sora replied, looking distress as he averted his eyes away from Ventus who peered through his mask.

"I don't wanna stay at home it's at night, there's nothing to eat and nooo air condition." The pigtailed five year old toddler complained, punctuating the word 'no.'

"I will note bite, please just come home with me, I would take good care of you and your sister I swear!" Ventus promised, taking hold of Sora's hand.

Though only met Ventus today, Sora felt as if Ven was safest person to turn to at his time of need.

"Soraaaaa," cried Marlene, clinging onto brunet's shoulder.

"What is it, Marley?" Sora asked, looking at brunette.

"Can I pretty please with sugar on top pwease go to the beach it's boring here!" Marlene pleaded, giving him the famous The Puppy Dog Eyes look. She nail it! Not to mention at such a good move at the time too! Too cute to resist, Sora couldn't help but say yes. His Mar Mar was just too fucking cute!

"Aww thanks big bro I love you forever and ever until I die!" the pigtailed brunette exaggerated, pecking him on cheek.

Sora touched his cheek with his hand and beamed down at his sister. "I love you too."

Marlene trotted from boardwalk to the stairs where eventually to beach where she played with her friends that were there. Sora and Ventus followed shortly after her and walked alongside the beach where water attacked their legs. Eventually they got tried of walking so instead sat down where an umbrella was placed in sand to protect them from sun.

"So would you go home with me?" the blonde asked, starting up conversation again.

"I would love to go home with you." A softest smile a person would ever got was what Sora gave Ventus.

"I would take good care of you I feel it in my heart." Ventus guaranteed.

Sora looked up at his older brother puzzled, "What does that mean?"

Ventus ruffled his younger brother's hair and smiled at him charmingly as he said, "It means I would always take care of you, silly."

"Oh," the islander deadpanned. "That's what it means."

Obvious to Ventus that Sora's naivete would make people take advantage from him so as long as he's here for his younger brother there is nothing stopping him from protecting him.

"Sora, I want to go to the park!" Marlene proclaimed, stomping her foot on the guard. "C'monnnnn," She whined, unnecessary loud. "Let's go! I want to go to the park, now! Pretty please with cherries on top!" Already too late to even consider saying no because with all her might, the brunette was impossible to say no to. Her eyes were teary eye, lip was wiggling, hands were behind her back all innocent-like, and she was irresistible cute.

"Alright, let's go to the park." Sora figured it was only for Marlene to stop her whining.

"I love, I love, I love, I love!" She uttered out happily as she gave her brother a smooch on the cheek. Marlene skipped happily across the boardwalk, one foot padding on wooden bridge as another foot did the same in repeated pattern nonstop. Meanwhile Reno, Sora, and Ventus shortly behind. More they walk, eventually came to end of boardwalk where Marlene decided to take lead of directing them to their destination. They were in town now where some shops were like for bathing suits, seafood, and etc. It was only in a matter of minutes that they arrived at park. Located just in front of a community center, laid the park standing before them.

Ah, park was a sight to behold. Surprisingly, it had greenery all over, palm trees were side scattered about on sandy substance of the park. The actual park didn't have wood-chips like normal would instead it had turf, rubber bouncy time of flooring you found on a trap. Though since safety was important here in Destiny Islands, a non wood-chip park is for the best. There was a swing set for four, there were baby swings as well, not mention a tire swing too. Let's just say the Destiny Island Community park had everything a kid could dream of. Well according to Marlene at least that's what she'd thought. Slides, teeter totter, and monkey bars were all part of the playground which was combined into a perfect structure for kids. In addition there was a sandbox and separate water park too.

"Okay, kiddo, where do you want to go first?" Marlene's older brother asked, looking down at her.

"I want to go on the swing, push me, push me!" the toddler insisted on Sora pushing her on swing.

To Ventus it simply adorable how Sora did as his younger sister asked without even complaining, this shows how much the older sibling loved her. Reno on his part thought Marlene was a brat but adorable one at that. She reminded him of his siblings Kairi and Axel when they were younger, such a handful, but, bearable to deal with. Across the field was where swings were, Sora lifted Marlene from with ease and place her on the swing where she hold the chains that were holding her up.

"Push me, push me!" She persisted.

Sora pushed Marlene slowly first then increase pace by pushing her faster than last time making her reach towards sky, or that's what it look like when she was above the ground. A smile adorned her face as she giggle happily in delight, this was best day ever for her. Even Sora looked like he's happy. Well, that's good enough for her. Eventually, she got off the swing and played tag with some kids while Reno, Ventus, and Sora talked.. Afterwards they left, heading towards the beach again.

Clear blue skies, nice weather, girls in bikinis, hunky guys, and light breeze now being at beach was a good day. Hand-holding is most embarrassing thing ever definitely, though, Sora thought otherwise. Sure it might be hot outside, sweltering, even, except it is nice. So far, so good, nothing's going wrong, absolutely nothing. It's Ventus day with Sora, and visa versa for Sora.

"Hey, Soraaaaa! Over here!" A familiar voice shouted, loudly drawing the brunet's attention. He turned around to see Selphie along with Tidus, Riku, Axel, Cloud, and Kairi with their parents. Great, just his luck.

"Ignore them Sora, ignore them." Sora chanted to himself loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Uh, Sora, were right here." Riku said, obviously as he approached his childhood firend.

"Hello," The brunet greeted, dryly. "Well goodbye, let's go Marlene, Ven, Reno." There's times when Sora did want to hang out with his "so called friends" except it turn all upside down when Axel arrived. He'd stole Kairi, Selphie, Tidus, even, Riku and Cloud. He hated the guy. Mostly, he despised him.

"Reno!" Kairi gasped.

"What hell are you doing here?" Axel growled, infuriatingly.

Reno eye's eyes looked off in an exaggerated thought. "Well, first I took a trip to Wonderland and saw Alice than I just so happen to ponder on Ventus here and we found Sora now were buddies! You should be ecstatic Kai and Ax! Big bro is here!" He pulled the brunet into a tender hug.

"Ventus, you aren't supposed to be here!" Cloud blurted out, unexpectedly. Few curious glances looked at the muscular blonde confused.

"I found Sora, unlike you, what hell were you doing?" Ventus seethed at his godbrother.

"I did find him," His god-brother exasperated. "I was just finding time to tell him but he ran away from me."

"No wonder, why he ran." Doppelganger of Roxas Strife shook his head side to side.

"Hey, what does that mean?" The supposedly good "detective" asked, raising an eyebrow. "I-"

"Anyways," interjected assume younger siblings of Reno in unison.

"What the hell are you doing here Reno, specifically?" The detective punctuated their question with the nasty eye, or other words a glare, and Reno felt pang of hurt.

The Turk strikes his chest in mock hurt. "Can't I go on vacation to go see my siblings for a change?"

"No," retorted his look alike however a younger version of himself. "You can go home."

"Whoa, whoa," Sora cautioned. "Wait a minute, so you guys are just siblings?!"

"What the heck Sor-Sor," His childhood friend stopped in her tracks and paused. "You thought we were more than just siblings?"

"Ugh, eewww! Never ever would I ever go out with Kairi of all people, she's my sister better yet I would never go out with someone like her! Are you mad?" Beyond disgusted with the shortstack, Reno could only shiver at thought of him and Kairi being together. Altogether, in the end, it made him sick, even Kairi, others too possibly.

"Well my bad, I just thought-" The happy-go-lucky teen started up again.

"Just forget, okay, let it die down, kay?" Kairi left it at that.

Anything else said was it. In the meantime Sora along with his friends that are his now went towards the water.

"Sign up, sign up, couple's game, ya win a free coupon the Sea shack and $100 dollar gift car at Destiny Mall, don't quibble, just join!" A boisterous emcee enthused, excitedly.

"Guys, we got to join!" Selphie announced, bouncing up in down.

"No, thanks I rather not, besides it's for couples and none of us are dating." Tidus mutter, unenthusiastically.

Selphie pouted, "Oh poopie!" She drooped her shoulders.

"But," argued Sora. "We don't actually have to be couples." He wiggled his eyebrows his emblem green eyed friend.

"Oh," the other brunette, in this case, Sora's friend, Selphie played along, winking at him. "I see what your saying."

Pinching the roof of his nose Tidus sighed in defeat. "Fine," He said, hotly. "But, I want coupon to the Seashack."

"Fair enough." Sora and Selphie nodded their heads in agreement.

"Who's going to be with who?" Marlene asked.

"I call dibs on Riku!" Kairi called out, tugging at the silver haired teen's hand.

"Darn it," mumbled a sad Sora, averting his eyes from the others. "I wanted Kairi!" He slumped his shoulders.

"I call Selphie!" The blitzball player yelled.

"No fair," cried the brunet. "Selphie was my other choice!"

"Stop whinin', you still got Reno, Cloud, Axeland Ventus." Riku reminded.

"But they all guys!" whined Sora.

"Um, I can't I got to do something." A lame, a very lame excuse. Thanks Cloud!

The song, "We Were Meant To Live" by Switchfoot rang out from Axel's cellphone, he immediately pulled it out, reading the phone it read Roxas. "I gotta go guys, I got to take this." He said, walking away.

"Me too, I got to do this thing I forgot too do." Even worse, a lie too, everyone could see Reno was lying, he's sweating for goodness sake.

"That just leaves Ventus." Marlene noticed he was only one left.

"You can't be serious," screeched a horrified Sora. "He's a guy so am I!"

"So?" Kairi didn't quite understand why her childhood friend was making a big deal out of it. Besides, isn't he gay? "Don't worry, Sora, your gay, no need to be shy, show your pride." She strike a thumbs up at him. "I know all about it-"

"I am not gay!" Sora chimed in. Denial!

"Mhmm," hummed an unconvinced Kairi. "Sure, your not. I see the way you look at Cloud."

"Cloud? Wait what! Kairi, no, no you got it all wrong, I-" Leading up to this, it was his time to shine, to finally admit his feelings for Kairi however he got interrupted before he could even tell her.

Kairi patted her friend's shoulder comfortingly, it made Sora sickening in stomach, she'd thought he was gay, better yet like Cloud of all people. Be for real though! Cloud is gorgeous, nice, and smart but other than that the brunet doesn't like him like that. They are just friends! "I understand you might be afraid to others viewing yourself as gay, but Sor-Sor were all here for you." She said, pulling the brunet into a hug.

"Kairi, come on, we have to sign in!" Riku called towards his teammate.

"Well, Riku's calling, gotta go." Kairi smiled at Sora before walking away.

Sora just stared as his two childhood friends alongside Tidus and Selphie walked away, he gaped like a fish desperate for water. What is this world coming to?

"Sora, c'mon you have to sign in as well." Thankfully his younger sister snapped him back to reality.

"Oh, coming," He replied back, absentmindedly.

A smile graced on Ventus's lips as he followed his younger brother shortly. He was too cute as expected. Once they arrived, all six of them sign in, Sora sort of nervous thought emcee would judged him, however, he didn't since there unlikely would be any couples that were homosexual that would join them. Appreciatively, everyone seem nice. After changing into swimsuits that they brought, Sora and Ventus learned the objective of the game. Quite simple if you ask Sora. Basically teammate 1 piggybacks teammate 2 the entire time while playing volleyball, only teammate 2 is allowed to touched the ball. If teammate 1 touches the ball, both teammates would be disqualified immediately. Anyways, soon as the rules were discussion, the game soon commence.

So far, so good. Tidus supposedly thought he was in the lead, or at least that's what he'd in his head that is. He's an athlete, been good at sports since as long as he known. Although he wasn't smacking the ball, his feet did must of talking, he made sure Selphie smack every ball she could get. After all he was facing Riku and Kairi. From what he has heard, Riku is a good runner, far better than Sora ever was. Tidus thought Sora was fast. Boy, has he ever been wrong. Don't get Tidus's wrong, he's not saying Riku is better than Sora, well, maybe he is, but, the silver haired teen is fast. Unlike, Riku, Kairi, isn't much of an athlete herself, though, she can carry her own weight. She might be most athletic but she's trying and that is all that matters. Then again, you have to me reminded that Selphie was athlete, too. She once was a SEED cadet and worked alongside Squall Leonheart himself, well, here his name is Leon. They were good friends.

In the middle of game it's tie to 9 to 9, only one point left and the victor is the winner.

"C'mon, Selphie smack the fuckin' ball already, I can't keep running like this, I'm tried!" Tidus complained, miserably.

"Well, excuse me, my hand hurts you know!" His teammate retorted.

"Wow, really," gasped her teammate in a false falsetto. "Boo hoo, I am Selphie Tilmitt, I am so tired! Well, too damn bad, I am tired too!"

"Really, mature Tidus!" The brunette fumed at her teammate.

"Game! Over!" The referee concluded.

"What," Both Tidus and Selphie shrieked. "We barely even started.

"Actually, we did started, remember." Kairi reminded.

"Oh yeah, I remember," Selphie looked back on when they first began game. "Me and Tidus were arguing and it's all..."

"It's all your fault!" The blitzball player stuck out his finger at the former SEED cadet accusingly.

"Me?" The former SEED gawked.

"Yes, you," Tidus pressed on. "If you didn't start complaining about freaking hand, maybe we could have one!"

"Really, we lost because of me? Well, I think the reason we lost was because of you! If you didn't start complaining like a big baby, maybe I wouldn't got distract and missed the ball, so there it's your fault!" It was quite hilarious seeing to argue back and forth. Sounded like an old married couple if you ask Riku and Kairi.

"You could've smacked the ball regardless!" Regarding on game, the blitzball player, still maintain an argument that one at fault happen to be his teammate, the one and only, Selphie.

"Don't you dare say it is my fault, I am performer have you know! I tried my absolute best besides I am not going to smack a ball knowing full on well that it would injure my already injured hand already. You must be crazy!" She snarled, snappishly.

"An ACROBAT! Seriously, that is your argument, guess what am I, an athlete! A blitzball player, at that too. I have worse injuries than you would ever imagined." Tidus retorted, violently as he pushed his forehead against brunette's, glaring at her squarely in the eye.

"Wow, really, I am so sorry, truly sorry, yes I am, more than you could ever imagine." Speaking of actress, there's Selphie Tilmitt for you, she may not look like it but actually, she quite the actress, if you ask her friends.

Well knowing she really wasn't sorry, Tidus curse something under his breath than walked over to take a seat for next game to begin. Admitting her defeat, Selphie shook her opponents hand, then sat next to her unappreciated teammate. Both glanced at each other before making an "hmmph" sound after that watched game. If two were correct next game was Sora and Ventus versus Kairi and Riku.

"There's no way they could win, Riku's too good." the dirty blonde doubted brunet and blonde before even started playing.

"Wow, thanks for support Tidus, and I thought you were my friend." Sora acknowledged, thoughtlessly. "And there, I was," He pointed in back of the stands where everyone was cheering. "I cheered for you and this thanks I get, I am surprise."

Utterly flabbergasted, the "so called friend" of the brunet's, portrayed a puffer fish gasping for water, when in fact, he knew whenever he'd a game, one he can always count on to support him was Sora. Devastated by his action, prior to what he had said previously, sometimes, there would be a way he could apologize to brunet. Although he didn't seem faze by words, beneath that raw exterior of his, Sora was hurt. The guy's sensitive, and that's true. He hides his sadness and pain from everyone but when he's hurt, Tidus knows.

"Idiot!" Selphie yelled at her friend before whacking him aside the head.

"Oww, that hurt!" Tidus retorted, rubbing back of his head gingerly.

"It was supposed to hurt, smart one that's what you get for hurting Sor Sor!" The brunet snorted, rolling her eyes.

"But I said-" He started.

"Be quiet, I don't want to hear it!" She interjected.

After their little bicker dismissed itself, the announcer commence the game. Soon, too soon, if you ask Tidus, somehow and someway, Sora and that guy name Ventus were actually ahead of Riku and Kairi by two points. A little sad too, the blitzball player knew better to second guess Riku and Kairi, however, by looks of it, neither one of them even got a point yet. This, of course, bothered Riku. Whenever he plays a sport against, odds are with him, Sora wasn't much of an athlete, despite that, it didn't seem to matter. Largely surprised by outcome, towards beginning, Riku decided there isn't a point of even trying, considering fact no matter how hard he hit the ball back, that Ventus guy always seems to hit it back, twice as hard than last time.

"Whew," panted Kairi, putting her hands on her knees. "They are tough, Riku, too tough. I don't think we can beat them."

"Excuse me," Her teammate snapped, hotly. "What do you mean by we can't beat them?" Sorry for obvious annoyed attitude but he couldn't believe his best friend doubted their ability, his ability, more specifically. She's got to be kidding him! There's no way their going to lose definitely not to Sora Harada! Occasionally, he gets competitive, especially when's the squirt's winning. This is absurd! Embarrassing too. How are two pipsqueaks winning against someone as Riku Kazami?

Multitudes of islanders there, had asked the same question. They knew kid since he was little, it seem like Riku has been a prodigy since he was little however that didn't mean anything. Even if he's talent at a young age doesn't give him right to think that Sora would never surpass him.

Fortunately for Sora, he necessarily doesn't really understand how he is winning. Perhaps his brother is here. The memory he'd inside him wasn't very visible but it showed him with Ventus and others who resembled him greatly. He didn't quite understand, or bother to even ask besides look at Riku's face, it's hilarious, for once, in his life, Mr. Popular can finally feel what it is like to be a loser. Now he finally knows he feels.

Learning things didn't come easy for Sora, nothing never did. It wasn't fair to say brunet didn't think things through, sometimes, it's true because he doesn't most the time. He was impulsive, yes, laugh if you want, he actually just pulls things out of his ass thank you very much. But he did thought things through— he's much ra smarter than he looks.

"Hey Sor-Sor," Ventus called out to his brother, noticing he was distracted. "Pay attention, we can't get ahead of ourselves just yet, there's a chance that friends can win some points if we aren't paying attention, stay focus, okay?" Nodding his head furiously, Sora took a defensive position, now fully his head in the game.

As noted earlier, it's anyone's game, so far, it's twelve to ten, either team could win, yet, the brothers have to win, losing wasn't optional. Long as Sora has know, he always been second best, always in Riku's shadow. He's tired of it. Given such an opportunity, as this, he needs to prove everyone wrong that he, too, not only Riku Kazami can shine.

The cheers! The chanting! The clapping! Sora loathed that about Riku. He'd it all. Yet he took it all for granted. The fans, the fangirls, everything. He talked about how much he hated when he should've enjoyed it. Riku didn't understand Sora very well. He thought he did. But God has he never been so wrong. Half a year ago, Sora would've still be in Riku's shadow that's until he heard that speech Roxas Strife given him. He told a story about him leaving in shadows of despair, of a band, he and his friends had created that is when he finally broke out of that shadow. It's Sora's turn to break under that shadow he has with Riku. This dream of his is probably same as Kairi, and it's a broken record, she as well been in Riku's shadow, deny it all she like, although it's likewise that it is true.

Riku, like everything else, thought there's no way Sora and Ventus could win against him or Kairi. The brunet and blonde don't have a chance. Even if the scores were close. Twelve to ten. Neither are going to win anyways, there's no way, they are at odds with each other. Besides the silver haired isn't a rookie nor Kairi, they were athlete's. Pair has known the happy-go-lucky for years now, he never has been one good at sports, well sometimes he has, however when it came to versing Riku, Sora never stood a chance. Until now that is, for once, in his entire life, he defeated Riku.

Clearly flabbergasted, Kairi could only stared blankly at her partner. She couldn't believe this, Riku, her Riku who she always admired, has lost to Sora! He never lost, not to anyone, he always ended up victorious. Riku hardly ever lost to anyone. "I got this, don't sweat." Her admirer would say to her with the utmost reassurance in his voice. If anyone would asked who won, she said it was Sora. She was happy for Sora but at the same time disappointed in herself. Recent years, she swore to herself, she would never lose to anyone, and in addition, she has not for the exception of now. A failure that is how auburn haired girl felt now. It wasn't fair! She should have one! It was probably for the best she didn't get spotlight. But in reality, she still wished, and hoped, that one day, she'd be a star and her name would be printed on large banners around the island saying she has beaten Riku Kazami, too. Of course she versus Riku multiple times before, despite her attempts in doing so, she always been defeated.

But Sora has won! He has done the unbelievable! Over excited, Kairi sprinted towards the burnet that is where she tackle her childhood friend to the ground with her on top of him. Unable to do much but stare into her cerculean eyes, the winner started to breath heavily, at long last he's finally close to his crush, it's nerve wracking but being near her is enough for him. Seeing those light pink, pump lips of hers look so kissable, he had to do something so why not act now, and so he acted on an impulse. Dubiously, Sora leaned forward to kiss Kairi on the lips which she allowed him to do, this was bit surprising for spectator, including their friends ams and family that were looking at them in awe. The kiss was simple and sweet as he had dreamed of.

"Kairi..." Sora said, longingly. "Let's kiss so more!" She nodded, vigorously. Inexperienced brunet never kiss anyone before so there is a perchance his kisses were bit sloppy and clumsy however it appears to be Kairi didn't care. Soon as she leaned to kiss Sora once more, Riku grabbed lips with his two fingers.

"Alright, that's enough!" The silver haired male grumbled. Sora pouted. Riku sure knew how to interrupt his fun. He really wanted to kiss Kairi so more as much as possible.

Kairi merely giggled. "Aw does Riku want a kiss from Sor Sor too?" She teased, whimsically. Her teammate didn't dare to say anything, as always he stared at Sora domineeringly.

"Hey Riku, why are you giving that dirty look? Did I do something to upset you?" Sora asked, afraid he had might have kiss his best friend's girlfriend. He grew deathly pale. "Hey," He forewarned, precautiously. "Look about Kairi." Gulping nervously, he licked his chapped lips, hoping this may help him to think about something to say. "You know what Ven and I have plans so we have to go, right Ventus?" Figure best way to get himself out of the situation was vhanging the subject, glancing at his teammate, this was going to be a diversion to get away from Riku.

"Yeah that's right." Ventus amicably play the game, after all, he did want to be with his brother to tell him about the past and their brothers — and dad.

"Well we better get the move on, see ya!" Quickly the islander wrapped his hand around blonde's shoulder casually afterwards he walked away.

"Hey we are going too!" Kairi invited herself, including Riku, alongside her.

"Actually I have to go—" It wasn't like Riku not to come, but he told his auburn companion, he had other things to attend to.

"Soooo Tidus, Selphie, Reno, Cloud, are you in?" The auburn haired teenage girl adrawler, extending vowel on her tongue.

"I can't I have to go back to Spiral." The blitzball player blurted out, abruptly.

"But, but, but, you promised!" With a moue of discontent, native inhibitor collapsed to his knees, he rubbed his hands through his spiky brown hair, mussing the tresses so that it would probably be horribly tangled when he tried to brush it later. His hair really didn't mattered, besides no matter what he done to the hair, it always appeared to be an unkempt mess.

"C'mon man, you act as if you will never see me again!" The athlete liked sentiments and all but the native inhibitor going too far. Perhaps this must be reason why he liked Sora so much, there wasn't any like brunet, not even in Spira, there absolutely nobody, Tidius had such a brotherly bond with — for the exceptional of Wakka but Sora was one and a million. "You will always be my bro, okay, remember that, and try not to cry will ya!" Tidus beamed at his friend, happily.

"Hey I am not crying!" Regardless how much native denied he wasn't crying, completely obvious that he was crying due to fact snot dripped from his nose, plus, an extra bonus is tears were streaming down his sun kissed skin.

Ventus couldn't help but stare at Sora. This really was his brother. His brother always cry so easily. Sora may not know it yet but he hasn't change at all, only thing change as likely as not is his height.

"You're such a crybaby, Sora, and for a second here, I thought you were a man but I guess I was wrong!" Riku inadvertently goaded. Sora was slightly miffed by his best friend's jest however he knew it would be wise if he let the problem slide for now. He just angry that he list to him! Yeah that's it, that must he it! Unless he's angry that he kissed Kairi

"Riku, that's too harsh!" His teammate yelled, furiously. Kairi knew Riku had a temper but he shouldn't take it out on poor Sora!

"Well it is the the truth!" He snapped, irritatedly.

Sora was hurt by Riku's words, all through entire event, there was no Riku storming towards him, apologizing for hurting him, there wasn't any of that.

"Riku..." Sora started to say it, too afraid of looking into his childhood friend's eyes, and then he bit his lip, feelining his stomach twinge. "I..." What could he say? To make things right again. Was he mad about little lip action that is only possibility. "I am sorry that I kissed Kairi, I didn't know what gotten into myself... I...!" He licked his dry lips, signing and lowering his eyes.

"You're dumber than I had thought." Riku sounded like he was apologizing for sparring his childhood friend.

"I am not dumb!" The brunet protested.

Riku nodded, smirked a little, and backed up a few steps. "Well see you around!"

"R-Riku wait!" The islander ululated, urgently. Chasing after his friend, put his hand out, expecting to grasp the silver haired male's shirt or hand, basically anything at that. Surprising enough, Sora's attempt went to naught.

"Would you just go away," retorted an irritated Riku, hands clenched at his sides. Sora flinched. Unaware what he should do, the happy-go-lucky averted his eyes towards ground, ashamed at himself for not knowing how much pain his friend has been going through. "Please, leave me alone." And with being said, the silver haired male began walking off into an unknown direction.

"Riku, are you mad at me? How many times do I have to say it? I am sorry, please Riku forgive me, please!" Clasping his hands, pursing his lips together, those ocean blue orbs glimmered from sunlight made Riku give into temptation. God, Sora was so adorable. Damn it, there's no way he could be at Sora forever!

"I am just frustrated Sora! I want to keep you for myself and locked you up into a closest because I don't want to share you!" Obviously long haired male had no intention of sharing his childhood friend ever — to anyone. Sora is his! "Sora... I..." Much more popular teenage boy blushed at a sudden lost for words.

"I like you too Riku, I mean you're like best guy I know! I don't know what I would do I if I didn't have you Riku!" Undoubtedly, the brunet would be lost, Riku means everything to him. Despite they fight a lot, the two would be friends no matter what happens.

Clear as day that Sora misinterpreted what he had said. "No, Sora, I like you as in I like you more than a friend," Riku clarified, more precise. "I am in love with you."

"Are you talking about me?" The native pointed to himself, dumbly.

"Who else am I talking to, who also has name Sora?" The other native inhibitor barked, brusquely.

"You know the sky means Sora too so you could have been talking to the sky." Unlike Sora to be a smart Aleck but only reason he bothered stating this because avoiding what his childhood recently as much as possible is only reasonable resolution he had at the moment.

"Don't avoid the question, Sora. You can't hide from me." True, there wasn't anywhere the smaller teen could hide or run away to, he indeed, was cornered.

Sora was uncertain what to say, so he suck with his old offhand lines: "Hey Riku, let's go to the secret place!" Stretching his hands, he maintain a relaxed outlook, as per usual. Whenever complications occur, he also subsided the problem by suggesting going to secret place.

In an instant, the taller male pushed Sora towards a nearest wall in an alleyway, moving his face further to the brunet's. "Answer me!" Now seething, eyes seared, Riku had Sora right where he had wanted him to be.

"Aw Riku, you want a hug, if so you just should have asked!" Sora fake-pouted, eyes twinkling.

"Who said I wanted a hug, I want more than just that I...!" More mascular teen sibilated, accentuating he had more plans than just a hug. If so, what are they? "Don't you like me too?" He would be hurt to say least if the brunet didn't say yes however pressuring Sora was only way, Riku could get answers.

"I don't know what I should say, I don't know what you expect me to say?" Running his hands over his knees, Sora took a deep breath. "I like you too Riku but I don't understand, why me? I am flattered, someone actually likes me romantically." He looked at his best friend, shaking his head. "But it has to be total bullshit, right, you don't actually me, because apparently you have Kairi." With a scoff he lowered his head. He had see how Riku and Kairi look at one another, thy must've been a couple, they had to be. He liked Kairi, and as for Riku, he doesn't really know how he should feel.

"I don't like Kairi, Sora. I never have or will." Riku said, bluntly.

"Then if you didn't like her, why bothered going out with her?" Sora unable to understand why Riku went out with someone he never even liked.

"I went out with her because I didn't want her to take you away because you're mine." Yeah now that makes sense now.

"Yours?" Sora repeated, shell shocked. Speaking of property, the islander never belonged to anyone. Is he a mere piece property to his childhood playmates? "That isn't fair Riku, you making it harder than it seems, besides I am not yours or Kairi, I belonged to myself. You guys can't be deciding me own your own it isn't fair or right." Less likely the athlete could give damn fair or right, all that matters is knowing what his childhood friend answer would be to his confession.

"I am tired of playing fair. I am playing my way." Riku really didn't want to play fair anymore. Kairi is playing fair. She never played fair according to the silver haired teen at least. "Go out with me instead Sora, I will be a much better boyfriend than her being girlfriend. She isn't that great." He whispered into the other's ear. Anything to get Sora to go out with him, he is willing to do, that even means destroying the friendship the three had together.

Sora froze. Ideally, going out with Riku would be a great idea. They knew each other so well. Ultimately Riku understood him so well when nobody else. Riku was always there. "I can't go out with you or Kairi it would destroy our friendship." He didn't want to lose his friends too.

"Leave Sora alone, he already gave you his answer, so leave him alone." Wow, here comes captain savior hoe again! Riku narrowed his eyes at Ventus in irritation.

"Ven, what are you doing here?" Sora asked, mildly shock.

"What else? I am here because I want to help you, Sor Sor." His brother answered, smiling at him warmly.

Making an effort to be nice, that is, if possible, Riku gave an affable smile. "You know you can't always protect Sora, don't you think you being overly protective over no apparent reason. Unlike you, I have been with Sora ever since the accident so don't come barging in here, acting like you know what's best for Sora because only person who knows what's best for him is him!" He opined with a sneer.

As elder brother seeing your younger brother metamorphosing into a man had to be a dream. Sora was his little brother, this can't be true. He won't believe this - he just couldn't. "No, it isn't true. I know what best for Sora! I always know what's good and not good for him!" He shook his head, forbidding himself to believe the brunet was growing and maybe didn't need him anymore.

Sad to see how heartbreaking Ven was when he realize Sora is in fact growing up.

"Hey Ven," The brunet approach his brother with caution as he placed to hands on the blonde's shoulder. "I will always need you." Otherwise, I would be alone again. Call Sora a baby, milksop, or whatever you want, he doesn't care anymore!

"You really need me?" Shaken up, Ventus gawked at his sibling in disbelieve.

"I wouldn't have said it, otherwise if I didn't need you Ven, come here," Younger sibling stood with his hands open, ready to embrace his brother into tight hug. On cue, Ventus ran towards Sora, pulling his brother close to him, drawing in the fruity aroma wafted through his nostrils. "God Sor Sor, you smell so good better than that intoxicating perfume your girlfriend Kairi was wearing, you smell way better than her." He confided, breathlessly. To the best of his ability he tried to sniffed the sweet-smelling aroma his sibling gave off.

"Excuse me," A voice like a foghorn blared out, shrilly.

"Uh oh," Sora paled. Now they surely were going to hear it now! "Kairi, baby, Ventus didn't mean that, your perfume smells great, baby!" He wooed her with honeyed words.

"Really," The native auburn haired inhibitor gasped, her eyes glittering. Sora actually call her baby, therefore... therefore that means he sees her as more than just a friend, perchance a girlfriend even. "I knew it, I just knew it!" Clasping her hands together, she swoon over Sora. Attacking her childhood friend to ground, Sora was strewn. subconsciously with Kairi straddling him. "So, Sora, I just thinking, maybe we should, you know go out sometime. you know, just you and me," She leaned down, due to her wearing a sports bra, you could see her cleavage very easily. Paralyzed, Sora had an urge to look at Kairi's breast yet he forestall his eyes from looking in her direction. "What's wrong, Sor Sor, don't you want to go out with me, I thought you like me but I guess..." Tricking Sora would be simple as making a pie, besides Kairi knew he already liked her, she just have to use some persaussion in doing so. A coquettish grin played across her face as she continue with her advances, pursuing Sora would be a simple task, indeed, if only if the other native just look at her.

"'Course I like you but I don't want you in this time of way!" Sora yelled, he refused to let himself stoop so low. He didn't like her because her body, he liked her personality and how much fun they had together as friends. Hardly ever thought anything else aside from that.

"I don't get you." Kairi didn't understand him not one bit. "But if you want to play hard to get then I don't mind playing," She fixed her hair, pursed her lips together, ready to flirt some more.

"Get off him, Kairi, he's mine!" Riku had enough watching this play out. He gently pull Kairi off Sora.

"Yours?" She gawked, indigiantly. "If you haven't get it in that thick head of yours already, Sora likes me, he has always like me, me and me only." True, Sora wouldn't deny it, he has always liked Kairi, even now he still does.

"Pardon my interruption but," Ventus interposed himself between Kairi and Riku. "Since when did you like my brother, I didn't see any affection display earlier, why sudden change of heart?" He knew better than to snoop in other people's personal affairs however this matter involved his brother so he was going to be involved regardless.

"I don't have to explain myself to you or anyone to that matter!" The teenage girl stood with arms akimbo, glowering at the blonde. Why did he have to put his nose in other people's business? Very unattractive, if Kairi says so herself.

"Have you ever been in love before?" Ventus never felt need to ask someone such a personal question, however, what else could he do, nothing really, and when it comes to Sora, he doesn't want to be the type of brother that in his brother's business, as of yet, he can't help himself but to be. "Someone that isn't Riku."

Kairi frets mutely for a moment. Has she ever love anyone except Riku? Recent past, she like tons of guys. But is that true though? "I-I have," She admits, suddenly but knew this was just a fib.

"And that person is Sora, am I correct or...?" The fair haired male presumed. Presumable the redhead girl would tell another fib because she already did since very moment when she had spoken.

"I...I...I...I..." Kairi swallowed hard, she couldn't find right words to say. What could she say? How could she be truthful? "I...I am truly sorry." Shamefully, she lowered her head, her fringe shadowing over her face.

"Sorry for what, exactly?" Sora didn't quite understand what his childhood friend was getting out.

"Sora," She found herself coughing and spluttering, tears coursing down her cheeks.

"Shh," A finger belonged to the brunet's was placed on her lips. "You don't gave to say anything else." With his free hand, he cupped the red haired male's cheek.

"Sora!" Unbearable for Kairi to even look her best friend in eyes, she merely buried her hands in her face.

"I know you so well Kai, I can read you aloud like a book. I know what you feel towards Riku and I know your feeling towards him would never change so what you're lying to yourself about your feelings for me is a lie. You don't love me." The islander hardly even realize what he said before already too late. Yet he didn't regret his words. Assume, also, nobody had any objections to his statement.

"To be honest..." Speaking honestly, there's no way in hell Ventus wants here Kairi talk about me honest! She has done unthinkable! Is she wishing for a death wish?

"Listen up, girlie," He glared at her dangerously. "Whatever you might have to say isn't up for discussion so if you don't mind, wait what am I saying?" Ventus shook his head and chuckled. "Leave! I want you to leave!"

"Excuse me?" Kairi backtracked. Why hell should she leave, she barely even finish talking to Sora. She was truly sorry, and only want to apologize. It wasn't too much to ask. Hence why she wanted to continue conversing.

"You're excused." The tourist replied, scoffing. Glancing at Sora, he could tell his brother obviously hurt by Kairi's words. He had that sad look in his eyes, almost look as if he was on brink of shedding tears. "Look at me, Sora." Although he told him to, the brunet look other way, refusing to look into his brother's cerulean eyes.

"I am leaving." Sora mumbled as he walk away.

"Sora, wait I am not done talking!" Kairi called out.

"I am done talking to you Kairi, entirely!" The brunet was done.

"Well I am not! Were friends for Pete's sake, we, you know, Riku, you and I are friends. Friends are supposed to talk when we find ourselves in a sticky situations." Actually for once the female athlete, apparently reasoning with Sora.

"Well, shit, guess were not friends anymore." The happy-go-lucky male officializes then and there. His friendship with kairi was no more.

"B-B-But y-y-you can't!" From Riku and Ventus perspective, seem as if Kairi look like a dangling goldfish gasping because it wasn't in the water.

"I can do what hell I want." Sora apparently swore in front of Kairi, in her face, too, which he usually didn't do.

"I thought we were the three musketeers!" Kairi was hurt, tears sprang from her eyes, escaping down her cheeks.

"I can't be your friend because you never will ever see me more than just a friend and it hurts me to say this but I don't want to be your friend because I love you, you and Riku. But I love you more than just a friend Kairi, I am in love with you. Guess it was love at first sight. That's why I can't be friends with you." Sora had told Kairi this multiple times before yet she brush it aside.

So off Sora headed, he may just go to beach or something, didn't honestly know where to go, but he needed to get Kairi out his mind.

"Hey, wait up Sora, I am coming too!" Riku invited himself along.

"Take care of yourself." Ventus said to Kairi.

Kairi simply nodded in response. She thought Riku would stay but he didn't. He really must have fallen for Sora. Which is why she didn't understand. What did Sora have that she doesn't?

From: Roxas

Message: How is everything going so far?

Cloud didn't reply to his god brother so for in meantime he simply ignored his message. He needed to get Sora alone, away from Ventus. Yet everywhere the brunet goes, here comes Ventus! There's no way in hell Ven would purposely leave Sora unintended, unless that is, if the blonde is distracted.

This is only way Cloud is going to get a chance to talk with Sora. He plans on doing so for Roxas's sake. After everything Roxas has done for him in past, he owns singer this at least.

Typing frantically on his cellphone, he decided to reply back to Roxas message.

"Whatcha doin' Cloud?" Namine asked, she already knew however asked anyways.

"Texting Roxy, why?" Whenever fair haired teenage girl asks something, she must have a plan devised. "So you find a way, we can talk to Sora?" Hopefully, alone. The detective has no intentions on scaring brunet, all he wants to do is talk.

"Mmhmm." Was her only response.

"What is it?" He asked, curious.

"You know how Reno loves partying." Namine gave the blonde a hint.

"So, we use Reno to get Ventus and Sora to go to the party, right?" Cloud understand petite girl's plan perfectly.

"Then that is when you come in, you lure Sora in my asking him to dance or take him to get a drink then tell him about Roxas and Vanitas." The female detective told his companion.

"And how am I exactly supposed to do that? Ventus will be watching me like a hawk." There's no way he could go pass Ventus's defenses. They would be needing a diversion.

"Don't worry that is taken care of." Oddly, pretty strange to see how confident Namine was.

"Are you going to tell me?" She shook her head no.

"May I ask why?" Little too eager, the former SOLDIER must know, he has to know.

"Just keep your eyes on Sora. You will have to use your charm to seduce him." The ex soldier practically spit at Namine when hearing this.

"Seducing? Are you mad? If Leon or his brothers find out, my ass is grass!" Is she trying to get him kill at an early age? Maybe, she just clinically insane. It has been proven, he vouch for this too! He can remember times she has went loco for coco puffs!

"Your ass won't be grass if you just keep your cool." She had to reasoned with Cloud, this is a good plan, they cannot failed. Besides, Roxas didn't tell them specific way to bring Sora back. "Don't think, just do, okay?" Cloud merely nodded.

Peace and quiet now I love every minute of it. Leaning in my chair, gazing up at the ceiling aimlessly, I doze off into a deep a slumber, my mind drifted into the dreamworld. I dream of my brother Sora, smiling at me, this was too good to be true yet cherish every moment I had with him.

"Sora..." I mumbled, reaching my hand out towards my twin. Closer I got towards him, the further and further he was away from me. "Sora, don't go, don't leave!" I couldn't control myself, I must have my brother, he has to be by side. If I don't have my brother then I have no choice but to fight in order to get him. He's my responsibility. I, personally, will be held responsible, if he doesn't come back to me. "SORA!" I continued to yell his name, running to catch up however Sora abnormally fast.

"Roxas, wake up! Roxas!" Opening my eyes, I see Hayner shaking me frantically. I could see the concern look in the dirty blonde's eyes. "Roxas, are you okay?" Hayner asked, placing his hands on my shoulders.

I smile weakly up at him, although he perceive through the fib I dared foretold, a grimace upturned his face. Habitually, I can't myself, whenever I lie, always seem to spill unannounced. I am not type guy to lie but somehow it happens randomly.

"I know you're hiding something, dude! Don't lie to me! I thought... I thought were friends but I guess that must be a lie too!" Unmistakable that my companion downright bitter at the fabrication I had spoken. He glared at me one last time then started walking away.

"No, wait." I yelped, grabbing his hand. Lies had to stopped. I have to tell Hayner the truth. "I...I...I will tell you the truth." I forced myself to say.

"You will?" Hayner looked at me a bit shocked.

"Yes." I affirmed. Beckoning other to sit beside me, I sat down, began to tell story about my family, including everything up till now.

"You have a twin!" He gasped, barely able to keep quiet about this.

"Yes," I exasperated.

"So you're going to Guadosalam to meet him?" I nodded.

"Does Axel, Xion, Demyx, or Zexion or anyone else know about this?" I shook my head no.

"Are you going to tell them?" Truthfully I haven't even thought if I should tell the band. I didn't want them to worry.

"I don't know." I had to be honest with myself and Hayner. After all Hay always been honest with me.

"Well, shit," Hayner couldn't believe this, he told hi!, but didn't even told band yet. "You know they going to be mad, right?"

"I know yet it isn't none of their business." Selfish for me to say such a thing however he couldn't help himself.

"Roxas, thank you." Hayner pulled me into a bro hug.

"Thank you for what?" I asked, honestly didn't understand why he was showing his gratitude to MW.

"For trusting me with your secret." He smiled brightly at me, one which, I would always cherished and remembered.

My cheeks felt awfully warm. "Gosh, dude, you are so weird!" I retorted, not unkindly, rather shyly.

"W-Weird! Y-You're weird!" My companion spluttered. His cheeks too were flushed.

"You guys are a queers, " Vanitas kidded, mockingly. "Considering you are both gay for each other."

"Ewww! Gross! Me and Roxas, are you mad?!" Thinking the blonde in this way made Hayner's face compressed in disgust.

"If Hayner and I start going out that means that Ansem Wise recently got married to Xehanort." I joked, jocularly.

At an auditory range, Hayner heard me too well, so good that he look sick as a dog. He clenched his stomach, dropping his head, imagining his gramps and Xehanort made him nausea. "What hell, man, are you trying to kill me!" He spat, angrily as he looked squarely into my eyes menacingly.

"If I planned on killing you, I would already done it." I mentioned, chortling.

"That's not funny!" Hayner huffed, irritated.

"Anyways," Vanitas was changing subject. "What did the chocobo say about Sora?"

"Oh yeah," I totally forgotten about message Cloud send me. "I will check " Rummaging through my pocket, pull out my cellphone, browsing through old messages that is where I found message the blonde send me. Carefully reading message, I replied back to the detective, telling him how grateful I was for spending his time in Destiny Islands to look for Sora.

"So, what did Cloud say?" My older brother very impatient. Hardly ever had patience for anyone. "Hello?" He waved his hand in my face which was irritating.

"Geez, can you wait a minute!" I barked, noisily.

"I have to know what did Cloud say!" He demanded to know as he took hold of my shirt pulling me towards him, glaring threateningly.

"Why do you care? I thought you didn't want to see Sora!" I don't understand Vanitas at all. We were polar opposites, no wonder we didn't get along.

"I don't!" He ground out. By way he clenched his fists together, I could tell he wanted to see Sora as much as I did.

"Hey, hey, guys, calm down." Hayner made an attempt to coo the brothers.

"Excuse me, I have to go, see ya." Here he goes again, avoiding problem, so all he can do is run! Vanitas started walking away but I knew exactly how to get his attention.

"Cloud says he's bringing Sora home." I said to Vanitas at last.

Vanitas stood there, he didn't dare turn to look at me, however, deep down I knew he was happy. For once in his life, my big brother is actually happy.

Which is very unlikely of him to be happy.

"Roxas," Vanitas said.

"Yeah?" I waited for him to curse at me. Most likely was going to be mad yet instead what he had something else in stored for me.

"Thanks and I wanted to say I love you." Is this for real or not? Was my big and stoic brother expressing his affection and gratitude to me. He must be sick!

Unlike most brothers we were dissimilar and didn't talk to each other often because we didn't have an established relationship. Way back when we were children, Vanitas and I never liked each other. On the contrary, we disliked each other greatly.

"You do!" I blurted out. Vanitas love me?

Gosh, I didn't know what to think.

"Yes, I always have, just had a bad way of showing it." Vanitas found it necessary to express his feelings to Roxas. After all, he owns him one.

Vanitas didn't say anything else, he left, returning to his seat.

A day at beach always sounds to Sora! There is always plenty activities to do there, such as swimming, playing volleyball, surfing, and sand castles. Furthermore to toppled it all off is, hanging out with friends and family. Sora, recently left alleyway where he confessed to by his friend Riku. He even got a confession from Kairi, if that is a confession. Yet he knew she had feelings for Riku, which will never disappear. Kairi has fallen hard for the silver haired male. Most likely, she wouldn't get over him so easily.

Well Sora wasn't crying! He will find a girlfriend soon! It was as if he needed Kairi! There are tons of woman waiting for him to meet and go out with. Kairi is just one of many, he could choose from.

"Sor Sor, Sor Sor, come in water with me!" Marlene exclaimed, tugging at the brunet's arm.

"I am coming Marley." Sora stood up from where he sat, walking over to play with his sister on requested.

Sora, beforehand, stripped from his shirt, showing his tanned chest. May not look as masculine like Cloud, Riku, Axel, or Leon nonetheless the islander didn't have to be a meathead to attract girls, or anyone to that one, everyone pretty much liked the island dweller. Tossing off his shoes aside, he went in the water not to far, alongside shore, splashing water at his sister. She giggled happily, splashed water back at her brother. They continue to splash water on each other that is when Riku came into view, Marlene saw her brother's friend, Sora, on the other, didn't see him entirely. Caught up in his childish antic, he hardly even spotted him coming towards them.

Not until, the silver haired islander picked the lanky male up flawlessly by his hands, hoisting smaller teen on his back without permission. Startled, Sora immediate response was to hold his friend's neck securely with his hands.

"R-Riku, w-w-w-wh-what are you doing?!" Smaller male stammered.

"What does it look like I am carrying you." Riku stated as he walked towards beach. While this occurred, Marlene began playing with some other children her age that was along shoreline, not too far out in the water.

Undeniable Sora was flustered. He didn't suspect the silver haired male to pick him up, in front of everyone. "Let me go, I can walk!" He insisted his friend let him go.

"But I don't wanna." His childhood friend was acting like petulant child yet he simply ignored other's behavior.

"Riku, please?" Sora was pleading. No matter if he let go or not, Riku will hold him bridal style in front of everybody to see, he could less if the beach dwellers were watching. Plus, he had Sora all alone, Ventus went to bathroom so he can do what hell he wants when he wanted.

"Hey, gimme me a kiss, and consider on letting you go." Riku bargained with Sora.

This was lowest of low! Did Riku think he will give other his first kiss in an exchange for him to let him go?

"Y-You pervert, well I... okay!" Ashamed for even complying to do so, but what other choice did he had? "But you have to let me go, first." This was his only condition.

"You won't run, will you?" The masculine teen wasn't so sure if he should let brunet lose or not.

"I won't." Besides even if he run, Riku will catch him anyways.

Riku let Sora down, from there, he leaned down, about to kiss his childhood friend on lips, unsurprisingly not shocking to see how excited the long haired male was to take his friend's first kiss.

"Hey guys, whatcha doin'?" Sora completely push Riku with all his might. He knew who was here! It was that freakishly tall bastard Axel.

"What hell you want?" The brunet growled.

"Well, how rude! Not even going to say hello, you little shrimp?" Geez, he just got here, all the shortstack is already being rude. Axel doesn't understand why Kairi even friends with this midget.

"Axel, can you please leave." Riku requested.

"Why?" Axel gawked.

"I am trying to get some alone time with Sora." Riku stated.

Sora flushed furiously upon hearing what Riku said.

"You like this midget?" Man, Riku has horrible taste. The musician didn't want to be rude so he didn't say anything else.

"And if he does, who cares! A lot of people like me!" The midget yelled, venomously.

"They do, huh? Like who? Don't say Riku because he is only. Who else likes you! Tell me! I dare you!" Axel was just messing around, he needed his fun too.

"Roxas Strife likes me!" Oops, now he wasn't suppose to say that. He barely knew man. However he knew he met man once yet he doesn't exactly remember when and how.

"Roxas Strife, please! He doesn't have time for some lowlife as yourself!" When someone involves Roxas, his boyfriend, then that means Axel is involved.

"Lowlife? If anyone is a lowlife it's you! Unlike you, Roxas actually likes me a lot, he message me, he loves me so much he wants me, he can't help but want to be around me! I met him, he told me this himself!" Damn, Sora found himself caught up in a web of lies.

Axel knew this was nothing except fabrication yet he knew Roxas actually did talk to his fans through a fan site he created, also, knew the shortstack was a major fanboy of his boyfriend. "If Roxas does like you then prove it." There's no way his Roxas knows this midget.

"How?" It wasn't if they exchange numbers or anything. Sora hardly was able to talk with Roxas on phone even if he wanted to.

"Axel, will you please let this go!" Riku didn't understand why Axel despised Sora so much. Sora was very likable guy.

"I will just as I settle this matter." The musician knew athlete was in a hurry to get his way with happy-go-lucky male yet he had other plans to him. He has to make sure pipsqueak isn't trying to his hands on his Roxy. "You know I have his number, if you call him and prove to me, he does like you then I will apologize for everything I said, swear." Was Axel pulling Sora's legs, or what?

"I am not going to me fooled by you!" What heck does the bastard take him for an idiot? There's no way in hell Sora believes he has Roxas Strife's number.

"If I can't make you believe me then I will call him." Axel knows Roxas doesn't want to be bothered unless there is an emergency yet this is urgent. Going through his contacts, he called his boyfriend, waiting for him to answer, after a couple of seconds of waiting, the singer finally picked up.

"Hello, Axel. What is it?"

"I have some guy claiming he knows plus he says you like him. Crazy huh?"

"Yeah. Who is this guy."

"Just some squirt name Sora."

"S-Sora! Put him on now!"

"Huh? Why?"

"Don't question me, just so it!"

"Okay."

Axel handed the phone to Sora and said, "He what's to talk with you."

Licking his lips nervously, he gulped nervously, took hold of phone, placing the device close to his ear. "Hello, uh Roxas?" He meekly said.

"Sora, is that you?"

"It me."

"How are you?"

"Good. You?"

"I am so happy I got to talk with you."

"Why?"

"Because you're someone very important to me?"

"Is it because I am your fan?"

"No, because you someone I lost but I found you."

"I am?"

"Sora, you are special."

"Really?"

"Yes I love you."

Unbelievable! Roxas Strife said he loved him? He loves me? He loves me! Yippee!

"Roxas, I love you too!"

"Good because I—"

Undoubtedly, Riku and Axel wasn't mistaken. Apparently, they heard everything. Neither weren't type to be jealous, or were they, regardlessly Riku took action, he pull Sora by hand, toss redhead his phone then proceeded on walking away.

Unable to control his anger, Axel couldn't help but want to yell at his boyfriend. Why did he say "I love you" to Sora, he knew the guy is his fan but Roxas may get have started something that may not turn out well.

He began talking on the phone again.

"Roxas, what hell, why did you say that?"

"Say what?"

"You know that "I love you" shit!"

"It didn't mean anything."

"Even if it didn't you shouldn't say that to anyone unless it is me or your family members. You don't say that to strangers!"

"He isn't a strange! He's my...!"

"I know he's your fan but I know this guy he's a fanboy. And you know how fans get!"

"Don't worry Axel. I have this under control. Bye."

"Roxas wait I—!"

BEEP!

Axel fumed at Sora, stormed off elsewhere with his hands stuffed in his pockets. In the meantime. . .

Already late to say anything further because Roxas hanged up on him.

Shoved against a wall defenselessly, near the beach, Sora gaped at Riku who was hovering above him belligerently, eying him like he was a pie of meat. "What hell were you thinking saying, "I love to you" to that stranger on phone?" He berated his childhood playmate for his insolence.

"Roxas Strife isn't any stranger, he's my idol!" The fanboy eyes shaped into hearts, he glorified the singer, he venerate him as a saint.

"You can't admired him anymore, Sora," An overly protective and jealous Riku snapped, malevolently. "You're mine! I know you for a very long time, I have waited for you and I am tired of being your friend, I want to be together with you forever!"

"Riku, I can't be with you! I don't like you like that, I only like you as a friend that is all." The shorter teenage boy said, nicely.

Nice as it may have sound, Riku didn't want to hear this, honestly didn't want Sora near anyone, not near any man or woman. "Be mine, Sora, please," He was being persistent. "Only mine." Cupping the brunet's cherubic face, unhurriedly he pressed his lips against other's.

Alarmed, Sora struggled grudgingly, putting an effort to push the athletic teen away from him. Along the way, he could feel Riku's tongue, slithering in his mouth like a snake. Be as it may, Sora wasn't prepared at all, why wasn't silver haired male letting him go, hasn't he gotten through his head already that he only like him as friend, nothing more or less. Less likely Riku barely even gave a damn. He didn't care for anything at moment.

A gentle, but captivating it was, mixture off the side happened to be a sea salt ice cream which Sora had eaten prior to this occurrence. An irresistible desire undertook the two teens, mesmerized, they pressed their lips together time after time, transporting them to another world. Preferably, Wonderland, perhaps.

Ragged breaths and dancing tongues brought a fiery heat within their bodies. With just two of them there, the rest of world has been forgotten.

"I leave you with my brother for one moment and you decided to take advantage of him, when I am not even here! I just knew it, I shouldn't have left you with him!" An overly protective Ventus gnashed his teeth in rage.

Riku regarded Ventus nonchalantly, understandably infuriating to the blonde yet he didn't have time for this cocky punk. He broke kiss between him and Sora, much to his dismay, he had plan to give other a French kiss however it seem as if their little lip action won't be happening anytime soon. "Well you did, you should've known I would put the moves on your cute brother, I have been wanting do that for years and finally got my chance." The silver haired male simpered, looking pleased with himself.

"You better be glad your Sora's friend, pretty boy because you don't know who the hell you're messing because I will destroy you!" Ventus didn't miss a beat. Certainly, he will kill Riku for this!

"I didn't even do anything wrong all I gave Sor-Sor was a little kiss. Plus, I didn't even done what I really wanted to do. I wanted to touch his body and you know rest." Shameless as ever Riku implied sexual innuendo in front of Sora's big brother.

Flat out embarrassed, Sora's face said it all, he red as a tomato. "R-R-Riku, y-y-you p-pppp-perv-pervert!" A red face Sora stammered.

"Were you planning on letting him do this to you!" His brother demanded an answer from his brother. Nobody, Ventus means — absolutely nobody will lay their dirty mitts on his brother ever again, not as long as he is around. He miffed by how that damn pretty boy dared say such an inappropriate remarks to him in an indecent manner. For all it may be worth, he must've want a death wish, or an early death wish, thusly, his wish is granted. Suffice to say, Ventus will do honor.

Remarkably astounding though to see how gutsy a man Riku is. Ventus will give him that he sure has guts. If only they didn't got off to a bad start, maybe, just maybe they could have been friends. Nonetheless ifs and maybes were very unlikely. Once a bad impression, always stays.

"No, I didn't even think Riku would so such things to me. He is really a good guy! He must've gotten into moment and it just sort of happen." Ironically ridiculous brunet actually defended his friend after he purposely told his real intentions, he only wanted to get in other's plans. In other words, he only want to fuck, if want to be vulgar about the situation.

"Open your eyes, he only wants to have sex!" If he has to knock some sense into his younger sibling to make him understand, he will do so.

"Sora, your brother is over exaggerating. I would never want you just for sex." By way Riku look at brunet sincerely, there wasn't any doubt in his mind the long haired male was lying.

"I believe you, Riku." Sora said, smiling. He averted his eyes off to side where his brother was. "As for you Ventus, I understand you are trying to be my brother to make up for times when you weren't here yet that isn't necessary." He knew his brother wanted to protect him, yet there is no need for protection. Besides, Sora trusts Riku fully.

"You're not listening to me! Were leaving!" Taking his brother his arm, he dragged him along, leaving Riku by himself, staring at two brothers as they left.

Riku simply chuckled, went off into another direction.

Whereas for Ventus and Sora they return back to the beach where Marlene was playing at. As usual, she smiling, laughing, and playing with the children her age without having no worries in the world. She was in truly happy.

"Hey, lemme go, I don't need you to hold my hand, you know, I am at the age when I don't need to hold my hand anymore!" The captive protested, searing at his captor.

"I know that but you're my younger brother, you mean so much to be, if anyone hurts or touches without you wanting them to do then you should fight back or tell me so I can you!" The captor pull his brother into a tender hug, his eyes close shut tightly as a teardrop escape from his face. God, he didn't want Sora to see him like this yet it is already too late. "I just want to protect you because you always protected me when I whenever I needed you." Almost too many times he had remembered when the brunet helped him. "As for me when you needed my help, I cower in fear and hide." Ventus hold himself, started shaking.

When their mother died, their father started drinking, eventually became an alcoholic and abused Ventus, including, Sora as children. Sora may not remember however Ventus remember every single detail. Even when their mother was alive, their father still found opportunities to verbally and physically abuse them every moment they have gotten.

"Ven, it is okay to be afraid sometimes. I was afraid when you told me you were my brother, I didn't want it to be true but I am not afraid anymore because I have you, big brother." Gosh, Sora sure knew how to make someone's heart swell. Ventus felt all warm and fuzzy inside for an odd reason.

"Ah I am so move by your brotherly love for each other, Venny! If only Zidane show me that much affection!" A melodious voice chirped, tunefully.

"G-Garnet, is that you?" Almost choking on his words, Ventus slightly turned around to see a young woman appearing from behind him. Dressed in a ruffled neckline chambray tank dress, she looked absolutely stunning in the white tank top, tucked in with dark green skirt, and white tennis shoes. Black tresses bounce off her shoulder on her back, her doe brown eyes softened as she look in the blonde's direction

"Yes, it's me! Give me a hug, it's been so long since last time I saw you!" Running into her arms, Ventus grabbed her closer to him in a tight embrace. "I miss so much Venny!" She wailed. It has been so long since she last saw him. She doesn't even know when exactly.

"Where's Zidane?" Ventus asked, searching around to see if he was around.

"Yeah he's here." The black haired teenage girl answered. Looking past Ven, she saw an unfamiliar face. "By the way, who's is that behind you?" She peered over the other's shoulder, gazing at the brunet curiously.

"Some that's Sora, you kept talking about! I finally get to see him in person! Hey my name's Zidane Tribal! Nice to meet ya!" A male with layered blonde haired tied back into a small ponytail, along with a prehensile monkey-like tail beamed at the brunet triumphantly.

"Ah, I am Sora Harada, Ventus's younger brother! It is a pleasure to meet you, Zidane and Garnet, I hope we be good friends." Sora introduced himself then shook both his new acquaintances hands.

"Sooo, Ven, what have you been up to?" Zidane asked, starting up a conversation.

"Yeah we haven't seen you for a long time. So how is Roxy and Van doing?" Garnet questioned.

"Roxy and Van, who are they?" Sora inquired, looking at the three friends. Both Zidane and Garnet gave the younger teen a strange look.

"Their your bro—" Monkey-like male started but mumbled gibberish when Ventus clamp his hand over his mouth.

"Nobody they just strangers! Sora, If you don't mind, uh, Garnet and Zidane and I have some catching up to do so can you please go with Reno and take Marlene there as well. I will catch up with you later." Ventus excused himself and his friends from Sora then went elsewhere. He scribbled Reno's number hurriedly and handed it to Sora afterwards left with his friends.

I knew Ventus wanted to talk with his friends but he could at least drop me off instead leaving me here by myself, wondering why I couldn't go along with him. To me, my brother was hiding something from me, and whatever it may be, I wasn't very comfortable knowing he, too, had to lie.

Walking across the beach barefooted, I ignored the hot sensation my feet received from the sand below. Man, today was very hot than usual.

Accursed sun out and about, beaming down it's radiation from above. I, actually love the sunshine yet today not so much. I am not in a good mood as I should be but hey I shouldn't let fact Ventus didn't want me to me around because it wasn't any of my business what they were talking however I couldn't help myself but want to know who these Roxy and Van characters were.

Unusually, they seem awfully familiar to me. Yet their just names. How do I know someone even though their are mere names said to me?

"Roxy and Van, who are they?" I asked myself.

"You know Roxy and Van too!" An unfamiliar yet soft, feminine voice squealed in delight.

Prior to me swirling to face this unknown woman, unbeknownst to myself, I found myself enraptured by her beauty. Boy, she was gorgeous! She was prettier than Kairi. Dressed in a white sundress and sandals, one word to describe was device. Her blonde locks flutter in the breeze causing her light tresses to cover her eyes, she pushed her hair from her face to the side.

"I am Namine." She introduced.

"I am—" Already too late for me to introduced myself because Namine placed her finger on lips.

"You're Sora." The blonde smiled incredibly bright once this was said.

"How did you know my name?" I inquired. Strange to know such a pretty girl as Namine knew my name.

"We used to play together as kids." Nostalgia nearly submerged by entire body. I used to play with this girl during my childhood however I didn't have any clear memory of her, or anyone to that matter besides Riku and Kairi.

"Are you sure, could it be you might be mistaken me for someone else?" Mistakes happen all the time, she may have thought I was someone else. Yeah, that's it! She must be confuse with someone who looks like me.

"I am not mistaken, you're Sora, you're the boy who saved me from drowning!" She refused to believe I wasn't her "Sora", to her, I ought to be the young boy that save her. "And you have brothers," Here she goes again, confusing me with someone else again. "There were four of you. You stayed at Gainsborough Inn."

"Huh?" I could only gape at the teen girl who had an assumption she knew me.

"I will prove it to you! Come to this party with me and a couple of friends! Everyone is going to be there!" She invited to be a party when we just met each other.

"I don't know." I was unaware what I should say, of course I wasn't good at declining an invitation to cute girls, but I had no he`lp but to do so.

"Didja just day PAR-TAY?!" For Pete's sake, seriously speak of devil, it's Reno!

"Reno, why are you here?" I asked, letting out a dejected sigh.

"You don't look so happy to see me!" Reno was hurt by what I've said earlier.

Of course not! I am here with a cute girl and you just ruin the mood! So why wouldn't I be unhappy to see you!

"So, will you come for me?" Damn, she was cute. The way she pursed her lips together, pleaded me to come made me not want to say no, if I did, she would perhaps have a fit, which was cute or she would be sad. I didn't like when I made girls angry or sad.

"We will come, right Reno?" I looked towards the red head for a confirmation.

"Yeah Ventus won't mind!" Reno exclaimed, carelessly.

"Ventus is here," She searched around, hoping to see my brother yet he was nowhere in sight. "Where's Ven?" This question was for me because she looked directly into my eyes when she asked this particular question.

"Why do you want to know?" I didn't felt obligated to tell her, besides she extremely weird to me. There weren't any exact words how to describe how I am feeling right now but Namine makes me uneasy.

"Just curious is all." She had no need to lie to the blonde, after all, he is, indeed her savior.

"Well I guess I can tell you. He's with Garnet and Zidane somewhere, he didn't want me to come along. I guess I am pest or something or maybe he's mad at me from earlier." I was practically pouring my heart to an unknown girl, I rarely even know.

"I don't think that's the reason." Only levelheaded explanation, the fair haired teenage girl could conclude is Ventus lying. "You know what I think?" Before Namine even tells anyone the truth, she gives whoever she is conversing with a forewarn. Often in this case, it was a good idea to do so.

"What do you think?" I asked her.

"I think Ven is lying." This was a point blank answer, otherwise known as getting right to point, rather easily.

"I don't think Ven would lie." His brother would never deliberately lie to him, would? Would he even go to such lengths to tell such a fib?

"And how would you know? You just met Ventus. He may lie to you and you may not even realize it." True, I didn't know my "so called" brother as much as I thought I did. Namine, unlike me, knew Ven far more than I would ever get to know in a lifetime. Unless if I do something about it.

"Would Ven do that to me?" Unthinkable for me to admit I may not know Ven as I hope yet there wasn't anything else for me to say.

"Ven would never purposely tell you a lie, he may lie to protect you thought. " Reno actually defending Ventus which made me relief in a weird way.

"Pardon me, look at time, it is time for me to go," — Taking a glimpse at cellphone, it read 4:30 p.m. She had so much to do in little time to so. Waving goodbye to Sora and Reno, she began walking away but stopped on way. "See you soon Sora." She shifted to face the islander to say say this them proceeded to walk away again.

"She's beautiful." I husked out.

"Come on lover boy, we better get a move on!" I nodded, we better leave before it gets cold. It may be hot now how her later on it really gets cold.

"Let me go get Marlene!" I told Reno, he simply nodded.

I ran along the shore where she was playing with a couple kids, man she surely is energetic.

"Mar Mar, big bro is here!" Holding my hands expectantly for her to embrace, I spotted Marlene running towards me, into my arms. I love Marlene so much, she was my everything.

"Ready to go?" I asked my sister.

"Mmm-hmm!" She hummed in agreement.

"Piggy back, piggy back ride!" The brunette wailed.

Her high pitched voice was music to my ears. I picked her up, allowing her to ride on mu back to our destination wherever that may be.

Elsewhere Ventus, Garnet, and Zidane were sitting around a a table near the local Starbucks. All three teens were enjoying their double chocolaty chip creme frappuccinos'.

"So, why did you take us out here?" Garnet asked, getting straight to the point.

"Yeah, why, I really wanted to surf when I got here! Now I won't get an opportunity to do so!" Zidane apparently complaining about surfing, rather not getting able to see girls in a bikinis. Garnet surely must have put monkey-like teen in check because if Ventus can recall, Last time he saw Zidane, he was nothing but a flirt. He jeered at anyone and anything that was a girl.

"There's no point on lying so I will tell you. Sora doesn't know about Roxas, Vanitas, our mom, or what happen to her or what he did." Ventus said.

"What's wrong with the kid?" A now irritated Zidane growled.

"Sora forced himself to forget about the day our mom died at the beach. He has gone into hysterics and couldn't control himself so he may himself forget." That day, especially was unforgettable, plus saddest day he has ever witnessed.

"Well, shit, make him remember!" Zidane slammed table with his hands.

"I don't think that is such a good idea, what if something bad happens." Perhaps if they make him remember, this made triggered an emotional breakdown. Ventus, rather allow Sora to forget him then suffer. Both Roxas and Vanitas would gladly agree with him.

"Ven, you have to make him remembered." Garnet argued, thinking this best thing for everyone.

"But—" Here is Ven again with his doubts.

"Tell him, you have to." And if he doesn't tell Sora, Zidane would have to tell the brunet himself.

"Okay I will do it." Ventus reluctant at first, forced himself to say this.

"Good! Now we can finally got back to see Mister Porcupine!" The black haired girl squealed in delight.

"Porcupine?" Her boyfriend tilted his head.

"That's my nick name for Sora, isn't it cute!" Ugh, rather better if nobody said anything, and it just so happen nobody said anything else.

"I guess." Ventus merely shrugged.

Ventus waited and waited, still Reno or Sora nor Marlene showed up. Damn, he knew better than to rely on the filthy turk! He gave Reno the simplest of instructions? Is following a rule is that complicated? If so then the blonde advises the redhead to go back to head start.

Gee, what the hell was he thinking? He must've not been thinking straight when he allowed the turk to aid him on his search but he didn't expect the weasel to be fucking absentee.

About to lose his patience, the fair haired male decided to take a deep breath in hopes of calming himself if that is possible. Seconds later, he figured it might be a good idea to call Reno to see where the hell he is with his brother and Marlene.

Luckily, he had Reno on speed rail so now Ventus waited for other to pick up. Waiting momemetarily, the turk finally answered in a happy tone: "Hey Ven, what's up!"

"Don't what's up me! Where hell are you!" An impatient Ven snapped.

"At my parents beach house villa with Sor-Sor and Mar-Mar." 'Villa? What hell is he talking about?' Seriously if this asshole had freaking villa, why hell did they sleep in a cramped motel? 'Ah yeah I am one who was tired and acting like a grouch but that doesn't matter!' Gee, if Reno had a villa in first, he should have suggest they go to the villa rather that crammy motel! It seem as if the turk barely slept last night, if he was that uncomfortable, he should have said something.

Hasn't he heard of the phrase: "Close mouths don't get fed?"

"Hey I will come to you." Ven figured Reno must be exhausted after all if the blonde could remember the turl was still awoke at 3 am, he may have been trying to look for Sora while Ventus was fast asleep. "Just text me the address." Reno needs a break, he is one who found Sora Ven could at least give him a break.

"Are you sure because if you want I can always come pick you up at the motel, it's not a problem." When your friend says it isn't a problem that really isn't necessarily true. On the contrary, quite the opposite.

"It's fine Reno, I will come to you some other way, I don't need you to pick me up. Thanks for the offer though I appreciate your offer." Damn the Turk sure is persistent! Doesn't he know how to take a break? He sure is a hard worker.

"But Ven—" 'Blah, blah, BLAH!' The tourist had enough of listening to Reno's bullshit. Instantly hanged up phone, texted the red haired male, telling him to send him the address where the villa is located at.

For now he sat on the bed, hands draping over his eyes, wondering if finding Sora was a good idea. He knew Cloud was here and chances of him taking were 100℅ so he has to be on his guard at all times.

Often in the case he necessarily couldn't trust anyone, perhaps Reno us remarkably an exceptional.

Seconds passed fairly quickly, eventually Ventus's mobile hone vibrated. From there, he looked at the text, hurriedly responded back, headed to the location where the villa was.

"I don't want to lie to you Sora.." Ventus mused aloud, guilt evident in his voice and he hope no one heard actually heard him as he continue trudged along to Reno's family villa.

Unmindful about his surroundings, too busy in his web full of thoughts, he was caught unaware someone had been following him closely. At the time, Ventus could care less if someone was lurking about behind him in the dark. He has to think about Sora. What was he going to do? It is wrong of him to take him away from his home if he doesn't want to come along thus tonight he's going to make his younger sibling the happiness person alive. They were going to have fun like when they play volleyball together today. Sora was going to laugh and have fun! Like the old days.

"Please, God, let me spend one last time with Sora if I can, please. Don't take him away from me. I wouldn't know what to do with myself If he isn't beside me..." Closing his eyes tight, the older brother only want to be close to his brother and make amends for his faults in the past. He wasn't one to pray but this was temporary. "Sora is my everything... I..I.." Ventus groveled on the ground, tears streaming his face.

Certain someone lurking about in dark was Cloud Strife. He finally came out from hiding. Seeing Ventus break down was shocking, however that didn't matter at the momemt. "You're crying now?" He noted, placing his hand on his chin. Ventus fumed at the former SOLDIER. "You know I am taking Sora away right? He doesn't belong with you Ven. Ven, you're sick, you should go back to the hospital before your health gets worse. Staying by Sora's side only make you sick." Vanitas growled angrily.

"I don't care as I spend last time with Sora that's only thing I care about." A different part of Ventus was talking, probably it was his heart this time that spoke.

"So you really are going to die just like her aren't you without even considering what your brothers or friends might feel?" Cloud had enough of this bullshit Ventus was sprouting about. If he wants to die then let him, allow him to let his life go to waste! "Fine, go ahead and die all I care!" With a huff, he stuffed his hands in his jeans and shook his head. Man, Ven surely does remind him of her, too much, at that. "By the way, where your heading?" He asked, wondering why Sora wasn't here with him.

"Why would I tell you where Sor-Sor is? D'ya think I actually told you something like that?" Yet Cloud assume Ventus would because he had no other choice but to tell where Sora was located. And if he doesn't he would get it out of him by all means necessary.

"Go do something with yourself for once and stop doing Roxas's bidding like some servant!" Ventus snorted, ending the discusion.

"Shut up, you don't know anything," Former elite warrior should have known better than to get mad at younger male however he couldn't help himself. Containing his anger from less spikier haired blonde was downright impossible. Believe Cloud when he say this but Ventus could be such an asshole sometimes. Unbelievable to some, that someone like Ventus, a fragile, sickly child could be... could be a pain in the ass. "Listen up, kiddo," He placed his hand on the blonde's shoulder. "if you know what's good for you, you will return back to Land Of Departure, you hear?" He was threatening the fair haired male, barely even gave a damn for consequences either.

Ventus opened his mouth to speak but thought otherwise, had more important matters to attend to then quibbling with Cloud. For instances, Sora, he has to see Sora. Ignoring the older male's petty threat, he simply walked away, resume walking again in the direction where Reno's family villa was located.

Following behind Ventus, Cloud would lead him to Sora then their plan would commence. It was only a matter of minutes before he has Sora in his hands.

"Sor-Sor, let's play!" Marlene insisted, tugging at her brother's shirt.

"Okay," Standing up from the chair, the brunet allowed the todder to dragged him from kitchen into vast living room where there was expensive furniture all around. "Are you sure we should be playing in here?" Glancing around, he could tell if they wreck anything, neither of two siblings could pay for anything.

"Who cares!" Like always his sister didn't seem to care. She never cared if she broke anything because in her opinion it wasn't her fault.

"Marlene Elaine Harada," Her brother reprimanded, sternly. "This isn't the playground, do you understand me?" Speaking of understanding him, clear that Marlene hardly gave a damn about if they were at someone house other than their own. To her, she could do what she wanted, when she wanted. And if they didn't like it, well they could leave!

"No, I don't care! Let's hurry and play already, big bro!" The little spoiled Marlene didn't understand why her big brother was spatting gibberish to her, they were wasting time. If anything they should be playing as much as possible before their mom and dad return from their trip. "Soraaaaaaaaaa, c'monnnnnn," She wailed, tugging on her brother's shirt persistently. "Playyyyyyy with meeeeeee!"

"Okay, let's play now." Sora eventually gave in, sighing exasperatedly. Allowing himself to be dragged about around the room, the islander actually found himself having fun. Marlene sure knew how to make him feel alive. They began running around, laughing together in endless glee, if their parents has seen them now they would surely scold them for being to loud. At home there were specific rules they had to follow, some were extremely dumb and unfair, but Sora didn't have a say so in the rules he never did, only exception to these rules were Leon.

Now Leon could get away with anything, perhaps because he is an intellectual person, or just sly. Sora doesn't know how Leon actually does it but whatever he does, their parents never get angry with no matter what he does. Leon was their favorite child, they idolized him. Sora wasn't jealous or anything, just curious how Leon makes everyone around him like him a lot.

He may seem like a lone wolf, but if he wanted friends, he could befriended anyone even if he didn't want to without even trying that's how easy it was for him. Same goes for Marlene. She naturally good at making friends with anyone. Sora was too, yet there was always someone who wanted something from him, either a chance to meet his older brother, his parents, or Riku or Kairi, it was either those four options. Especially went into effect when Cloud Strife show up.

According to the brunet, everyone wanted something from him. Overtime he got sick and tired of it. But through it all, one person who could help him through was Marlene. She always made him smile no matter where they were, when in doubt, or in pain, someway, somehow, Marlene always made him feel complete again either with her smile or her childish behavior.

"Sor-Sor, Sor-Sor catch me, catch me!" She shouted excitedly, throwing her hands up in a cheer, running around in a circle.

"I am going to get you Marly!" Sora, had a childlike soul like a child, whenever he play with the brunette, he always found himself becoming his inner child. Which is why he had so much fun, unlike any other teenager or adult who had played with Marlene because she demanded them to.

"You are a slowpoke, you can't catch me!" The little rascal taunted, teasingly.

"Oh yeah, I will show you!" The older brother yelled, excitedly.

Further two siblings chased each other around in the living room, Reno in the background couldn't help but be amuse, he sometimes wish his relationship between his own siblings were like Sora and Marlene's, yet, that was just downright idiotic for him to think Kairi and Axel would forgive for everything he has done, and expect them to be a happy family again.

"Hey Reno, help me catch Mar Mar!" Sora called out to the turk.

Mildly surprised, Reno was dumbfounded and pointed to himself then gawked, "Me?"

Marlene giggled. "Who else, silly?" Good point there. There wasn't any besides the three of them.

"Are you sure, I don't want to be a pest." Seriously, least he want to be is a pest.

"Reno, if I am asking you to help me catch Marlene, why would I think you're a best? You want to know what I think?" The islander asked the tourist.

"What do you think?" Curious, Reno couldn't but to ask.

"I think you are regretting not being there for Axel and Kairi and that's why you try so hard to amend for what you have done in the past." The happy-go-lucky teen supposed.

"How did he know that?" Reno wondered aloud but didn't expect himself to blurt it aloud so Marlene and Sora could hear.

"I knew because you are Kairi's brother and I know you so well because you may be surprise but Kairi talks about you that all she ever talks about." The brunet revealed.

Awestruck, the turk stood there, a sad smile swept across her face. Kairi actually talked about him! He could have assume she hated him for not being there when she needed him the most. "I thought she had hated me but I was so wrong, so very wrong." Very was an excellent word to put it.

"For Christ's sake, she loves you! That beanstalk loves you too!" Sora thought why hell not tell Reno, Axel also love him, besides the beanstalk did love him. He talked about him a lot too, which, almost drove him insane.

"Beanstalk?" Who hell is beanstalk? Reno thought for a moment then let out a crackling laughter.

"What's so funny, huh? What is it!" Rather than ask politely why the older male was laughing, Marlene petulantly demanded to know why Reno was laughing.

"It's about Axel, your big bro calls by bro a beanstalk!" Reno couldn't stop laughing. Damn it was too funny. He must tell Roxas and other about this.

"I think Ax is more of a sasquatch!" Marlene declared, grinning triumphantly.

Both Sora and Reno let out an uproar of laughter. Now that was hilarious.

"What's so funny, guys?" Axel asked as a cross popping veins appeared on his forehead.

"Nothing, bro, nothing, right Sora!" His older brother laughed, uneasily.

"Yeah, it's nothing!" Sora parroted.

"Nothing, huh?" An unconvinced Axel didn't seem to believe the islander or his brother not entirely.

"Wow, you really are a sasquatch but less hairy!" The brunette exclaimed.

"And you are a dwarf, little girl!" Axel chuckled, patting her on head playfully.

"Dwarf?" She tilted her head. Looking at her brother then at Reno, she moved her head back and forth.

"Why are you here, Axel?" Sora questioned, groaning.

"Why," retorted Axel, unkindly, but not rudely. "I should be asking, but why are you here? Why are you and your sister in my family's villa? Who let you in here anyways?"

"I did. Sora and Marlene needed a place to stay while we wait for Ven and that motel we stay is a bit cramp for four people so we came here." Reno said.

"Would please escort yourself and your guests out please?" The beanstalk requested.

"Why so bitchy, sasquatch? Are ya jealous Roxas Strife confessed his love for me!" Sora reminded the tall male, goading him even more than necessary.

"I had enough of your shit, short stack, if you don't shut your mouth, I will get you a world of hurt!" Axel apparently made a threat at Sora.

"Axel, stop! Sora didn't mean that! Leave him out of this!" Reno walked in front of Sora to defend him.

"Reno, you better get out of my way, or else I will take you down as well." His younger brother ground out.

"Look, I am sorry, okay! I said it I am sorry I provoke you and I am sorry if I may you mad someway when I talk to Roxas Strife, okay! Just don't hurt Reno! He isn't involved in this, alright!" Is this a plea? If so it wasn't a good one. But at least he'd apologize. He could have been a downright ass and provoke Axel some more but decided not to for his sake.

"How do you know Roxas Strife, huh!" Preferably, the smaller male wish Axel would've ask like a normal person than scream in his face like some lunatic. But hey he isn't complaining.

"I don't know him like in real life but I been to his concert." Sora informed him.

"Concert, huh?" Axel pondered for awhile. Then it hit him. "Wait, wait, wait a damn sec." He cautioned. That night, the night Roxas took a drunk kid from getting capture was Sora! "Your that drunk kid from that concert that night!" Sora's eyes widened. He knew he was drinking but damn he didn't actually think he met Roxas Strife but he wasn't self conscious to properly speak to him. Damn, just his luck.

"Really, is that true, what did I say, huh?" The native inhibitor had to know, he just had to, no matter what.

"Nothing really but Roxas seem to know you! So how do you know my boyfriend, huh?" The boyfriend of Roxas Strife sneered, looking at the brunet suspiciously.

"Look, it was a coincidence, actually." Sora actually telling truth here but red haired male wasn't so convince.

"Is that so?" Axel eyed Sora carefully.

"Grrah! I had enough of this! I don't know Roxas Strife okay! I am a fan of his, I don't know the guy and whatever happen that night, I don't remember shit!" Sora grumbled, clearly annoyed by how he was the victim in the situation.

Axel rolled his eyes the entire time as Sora spoke. He was surprised they hadn't popped out of his head. "You're lying." He accused, slouching on the sofa.

"I am not!" An annoyed Sora has no idea what has gotten into the beanstalk head however whatever is freaking annoying as hell.

"Seriously, Axel, what is the purpose discussing this anyhow?" Reno sighed to his brother.

"You know Roxy you just ought to." Axel need to know how a loser like Sora Harada knew his Roxy.

"For love of Ansem the wise, I don't know Roxas Strife!" A frustrated Sora bellowed out.

"Are you sure because if you know Ventus than you must , you must know Roxas." Sora shrugged, downright clueless what Axel was trying to hint to him.

"What does Ventus have to do with this?" Sora gawked at Axel.

"What do you mean?" Was the brunet playing stupid or something? If so he really is getting on Axel's last nerves.

"Do you suffer from mental retardation or something, or are you just stupid?" Axel asked, rudely.

"Hey!" Sora was offended. Why did Axel had to be an asshole? Which is clearly why the brunet didn't like him!

Seemingly unaware of the pipsqueak's irritation, Axel didn't care if if the islander was hurt by his words. Shit, he has to get hurt once and while.

"Why are so friggin' mad, is your relationship with Roxie crumbling?" The islander assume this must be reason why the beanstalk is making such a big deal out of Roxas.

"That isn't any of your business, shortsack!" Axel hissed.

"You're right but you don't think so because you think I know Roxas Strife. Maybe I do, and maybe I don't." Sora, beforehand would left slide however just because he wanted to peeve Axel, he contradicted himself so the redhead would think he was lying from earlier.

"You lie to me, do you want to die?" A pissed off Axel actually got hoodwinked by Sora Harada, just where native inhibitor wanted.

Sora simpered, looking pleased with himself. "And how would you know if I lying or not?" To be honest, Axel hardly knew anything about him so how does he know if he's lying or not.

Who knows and who cares, regardless if islander was telling fib, he still would kill him! "I don't care, really." The beanstalk remarked, carelessly as he advanced towards the brunet.

"Can we just talk about this?" Sora asked, wanting Axel to speak more more, so he could understand him. At one time, the brunet rarely even wanted to talk with his best friend's brother nevertheless to say, perhaps this time was a good opportunity for both of them to have one on one conversation together. "Let's go outside and talk." He suggested, inviting the taller male to outside.

Well, this rather unexpected but he had no desire to refuse the brunet's suggestion. "Fine with me." Axel figured he might as well handle their affair outside rather in front of his brother and Marlene.

"That's horrible idea, Sora," Reno was stating his own opinion at the moment. "Axel is going to kill you. He's a cold blood killer and will kill you with cold blood." Sweating profusely, the turk licked his lips, trying to reason with the brunet somehow. If anything happens to Sora, he's dead. "What will Ven say, what will your other brothers do after your gone, huh? What about your real father huh?" The turk knew better to give confidential information however he didn't want the brunet to leave just yet.

"Other brothers, what other brothers?" Sora gawked at turk. Only brothers he has is Ven and Leon. And real father? Heck, what nonsense is Reno sprouting! "Real father?" If he can recall, he only has one father. "What are you blathering about, Reno?" The islander needed to know what the hell the turk was blabbing about.

"Ventus... I couldn't keep your secret... I am sorry." There was a presence of guilt in Reno's heart. "Sora, listen," Reno hesitated. Sora had to know about his real family and what happen ten years ago, the poor kid never asked this to happen, he has to know therefore Reno will tell him. "You know Roxas Strife." With that said, a throbbing pain coincidentally coincides towards his head.

Sora winces as he placed his hand on his forehead. "What the heck? Why is my head hurting!" He demanded an explanation from Reno. Subsequent to what the turk mentioned previously, an unanticapted pain hit the brunet directly.

"Reno, what hell did you do to the squirt!" His younger brother growled. Whatever the turk has done to the islander, he surely was in intense pain.

"I didn't do anything!" The accused turk defended himself.

Abruptly, the happy-go-lucky teen scream hysterically, which scared the bejesus out of of Marlene. Seeing her brother scream so agonizingly made the young tod feel bad for him therefore she confidently walked over, kneeling at his side.

" Sor-Sor, it's me Mar Mar, don't me afraid, just calm down, okay?" The brunette cooed, gently to the brunet. Soon afterwards he calmed down, completely silent.

"Oh my head, what happen?" Sora groaned, squintimg his eyes as he glance at his sister, Reno, and Axel.

"Well, shit , I don't know! You went crazy!" Fuck, whatever fuck happen recently now that's some fuck up shit. Axel doesn't want touch a hand on him now, the poor kid is already traumatized from something as it is. Beating up poor kid would be stupid and besides he needs to stop getting jealous. Roxas choose him, not any other guy, but him.

"So are we still going to right?" Even after he has been through the brunet still wanted to fight Noe that takes guys.

"Nah I wouldn' won't want to fight a beansprout, maybe next time, aye?" Axel made up an excuse why he didn't want to fight the brunet, actually Sora apparently fall for it.

"Fine when I get taller then we fight, how about that!" Eager to fight taller male, Sora suggested they fight when he gets taller.

"Sure." A dubious Axel regarded his suggestion yet he didn't think the midget would have anytime soon.

"Oh nooo Ven is going to kill me!" Reno wailed, miserably.

"Ven as in Ventus, why is Roxy's brother here?" Oops! The turk wasn't suppose to say anything about Ventus in front of Axel!

"Ven is my brother." Sora revealed, or so that is what Ventus told him at the least.

"That can't be..." Axel paused to think and looked at brunet carefully, seeing if he held any resemblance to his boyfriend, there is those cerculesn orbs and spikey hair. "You can't be... You can't..!" He shook his head. Sora can't be related to Roxas, he just can't!

"What's your deal, so who cares if I am related to Ven, it doesn't mean anything." To the native inhibitor it didn't matter if he is related to Ven it didn't change much however Axel knew a something Sora may not even know.

"Okay, if you related to Ven that means... Roxy... Is... and Van are your..." Come to think of it, the brunet sort of did look like Ventus and Vanitas not to mention Roxas very much, but, then again, Axel may just being overthinking the situation. Perhaps Sora was Ventus's brother, Roxas never actually said they were full siblings, they could be half. Couldn't they?

"I wish you quit muttering under your breath! I am related to Ventus as you can see by the same eyes and hairstyle we share." The islander noted, his cerculean eyes shifted to Reno. "Tell him, Reno about how you and Ven found me." Instead explaining to his brother how him and Ven met Sora, Reno simply ignored the brunet, acting as if he heard nothing whatsoever.

"So how have you been, brother?" Reno piped in curiously. He didn't even bother to tel Axel about their journey here to search for Sora.

"I have been better. So is it true, is Sora related to Ventus?" Axel needs an answer, he needs to know because he has to, for his own sake. Also, must know why Ventus and Roxas never told him about having another brother besides Vanitas. What else were they hiding?

"Shut up!" Came a peremptory rebuttal.

"Ventus!" Axel gasped.

"Ven, you're finally here! I wanted to talk to you about something!" Sora chirruped out of blue.

"First things first, why are you here Ven? Aren't you sick or have you forgotten?" Bottom line is the blonde shouldn't be here, not when his health is so low. "If you want, I can always get you a boat ticket or even a plane ticket if you want to return to Land of Departure." Axel offered.

"No, thank you." Declining the redhead's invitation had nothing to do with his brother's boyfriend personally, he just didn't want to leave as of yet. Besides he wanted to spend remainer of his time with his little brother. "I want to stay here with my little brother." Grateful to Reno, he least he could do is spend little time he has with Sora. "I mean this could be last time I get to see him. Can you see that I just want to be with Sora! Is that so bad?" Please, leave him be! Give him an opportunity to play big brother again, it's been ten years since he last seem Sora, all he wants is to take care of his brother one last time. It isn't as if he's asking for much.

"I don't think that is up for me to decide, I think that is Soda's decision." The redhead chanced a glimpse at Sora.

"My decision?" Not fully understanding what's going on, the brunet looks at Ventus then Axel. What was his decision? And so what if Ven is sick, that isn't his right to decide what's good fo Ven and what's not! "Ven is his own person! If Ven wants to say here then he can stay, nobody's forcing him." Sora had no intention on forcing anything on his brother.

"But he is dying, Sora." A familiar voice stated.

"Cloud..." Sora looked downwards, his gaze drifting to the floor. "Well if he wants to say here then..." It is unreasonable for him to force Ven to go back home thus he had no intention on letting his brother go if he doesn't want to, even if he is sick. "Ven doesn't want to so if he doesn't want to leave then he can stay here with me and everyone else on the island, they would love to have him here." Selfishly, the islander couldn't bring himself to say it, he didn't care about if Ven was sick. For once in his life he actually felt like some cared for him, someone he was connected to. Sure Leon, Marlene, and his parents were connected however it was different when it was with Ven.

"You're selfish just like your mom!" Cloud sneered, disgruntled.

"Huh?" Sora uttered, confused. His mom? What does she have to o with Ventus? His mind asked himself. "But you don't even know my mom." He stated. How would he know what his mother was like? He has never met her.

"I am talking about your actual mom, as in biological mom." The ex soldier clearly see no reason to hide around the bush any longer.

Nobody spoke a word, apparently nobody would have thought Cloud would reveal the truth to the brunet.

"What are you trying to say?" A befuddled Sora was starting to get irritated.

"What I am trying to say the parents you think are your biological aren't your parents! They were just hired to raised you after the accident!" Cloud shouted. There he had said it, there was no need to say anything else. "With that being said, I must be taking my leave, excuse me." Pardoning himself, he glanced at Sora then Ventus before walking towards the door.

"Uh..." Reno was trying to think of something could break the silence.

"I should be taking my leave." Axel said, breaking silence at last. Had no idea what he should say to Sora, he placed his hands on either side on the brunet's shoulders. "Keep your chin up, it isn't end the world!" He encouraged, hoping he would see that goofy silly smile of the islander's face. As it so happened, a smile worked itself on the brunet's face.

"You're right Axel, see you later." The happy-go-lucky teen replied, thankful that Axel cheered him up a bit.

Axel nodded and left. Unaware what he should say or do, Ventus averted his gaze from his brother, stared at his shoes. He was relief someone had told Sora the truth but then again he wasn't so sure if Sora could handle the truth.

"Why so glum, bro? Cheer up, man!" Playfully, Sora wrapped his hand around Ventus's shoulder and smiled at him, hoping he could inspirit his brother's mood.

"I am sorry, Sora, I am truly am." Ventus said, sorrowfully.

"What for? Ven, if anything I should say to you, I should be thanking you. Thank you for being here for me and finding me." Sora responded, his smile never seem to be faltering. He knew there was something about his parents that never seem to fit. He didn't look like his parents at all. "Do you mind leaving me alone for awhile? I want some time alone." To think all of this over of course and process everything.

"Sure thing," His brother said as he looked at Marlene and Reno. "Let's go."

"I am not going anywhere, I still want to play!" Marlene huffed.

"But Marlene, your brother needs some time-" There wasn't any use explaining any further information to the brunette. Ventus merely left the room alongside Reno following shortly after him.

"Big bro, let's play!" The brunette chirruped.

"Marlene..." Tears formed in the brunet's eyes, he lowered himself down to her height, gazing into her warm, doe brown eyes which glimmered brightly. "We aren't siblings. Y...Y-You d-don't mind... if... if I still call you sissy, sis, or Mar Mar right? I can right even though we aren't siblings?" God, he can't even believe he is asking Marlene this, she may not even know what the heck he is blabbering about.

"Sor Sor, you are my big bro no matter what! Same goes for Squally, we will always be siblings!" Marlene chirped, giving him a toothy grin.

"Mar Mar...!" Sora loved Marlene so much, hearing that he wasn't related to his parents just crushed him, assuming, also he wasn't related to Marlene or Leon by blood just made him so sad. "I love you, big bro, will always love you, no matter what!" He cried out, tears streaming from his face.

"It's okay Sor Sor, don't cry." His sister comforted his brother by caressing his back gently.

Sora continued to sob mournfully.

A/N: Please read and review! Next update will be soon, I am almost done with next chapter!