Xepher

Title: Xepher
Author: x-Hitoshirezu-x
Rating: PG-NC-17
Chapters: 5/18
Parts: 1/3
Part Title: I Know You
Chapter Title: Extasy
Pages: 13

Description: Sora and Roxas are twins. When they were eight, their mother had a third child and could no longer afford to support all three of her children. Or, was that just what she told Sora. She gave Roxas up for adoption, and kept Sora and the new baby. When Sora turned fourteen he got into a serious accident and lost alot of his memory, including the part about having a twin. Meanwhile, Roxas was adopted at twelve. Now, because of his adoptive fathers job, Roxas has moved to the Destiny Islands and is in the same school as Sora.

Author's Note: PLEASE READ THIS. I got the idea for this story from a Dance Dance Revolution song called Xepher. I plan to have three parts, and each part will have six chapters, the first of which will always be X. This is chapter five of part one. In this chapter, Sora meets Riku and enters High School. From there, it enters into Roxas' life from the moment he was adopted to the presant.

~~~~~~
Extasy
~~~~~~

For the rest of Sora's summer, he was still in the company of Kai most of the time, however, his mother told him to spend less and less time, and finally, when Sora couldn't stand to be away from his boyfriend, he broke down, telling his mother of his feelings.

"Mom! Please! I know that it's hard to accept, but I really do like Kai, so please don't take him away from me!"

"It's for your own good, you know? You know that boys shouldn't like other boys. Why don't you date that nice girl down the street? Selphie was it?"

"But mom! Selphie's just a friend! She's not...She's not Kai!"

The tears still falling from his eyes, Sora fled from the house, running down his street. He wasn't really sure where it was he was going, but at the same time, he really didn't care. All he knew is that he wanted to be as far from his home as he possibly could.

"Why does she have to be like that...?"

Turning an unfamiliar corner, he continued to run, soon finding himself in the middle of Destiny Island's commerce. He'd never ventured there without Kai before, and he was slightly intimidated. Sure, the island was small, but that was only compaired to the conglomorate islands. There were still plenty of people on this island, and it seemed that most of them spend their days in the heart of the shopping district.

Sora's feet soon stopped their efforts, leaving him standing in the middle of a sidewalk, people walking past him on cellphone's, while others, children his own age, played, running along the streets. He whimpered faintly, glancing around a bit, then gave a startled cry as he was knocked to the ground.

"I'm sorry. Here, let me help you up."

A hand reached down to help him, and Sora took it, allowing the person to pull him up. And when he finally looked at his abusor/savior, he couldn't help but gasp.

Soft silvery-blue locks framed the brighest emerald eyes that Sora had ever seen. They even rivaled his own sapphire ones. The face that went with those eyes was also not anything to complain about. Completely devoid of blemishes and well rounded, but not childish at all.

"T--thanks..."

"No problem. But you know, you really shouldn't just be standing around in the middle of the sidewalk. So, it's partially your fault."

Sora blinked, then made a noise of shock.

"Huh?! But you bumped into me!"

"Only because you were standing there like an idiot. Or are you really retarted? In that case, maybe I could forgive you."

"Why you...! You're the rudest person I've ever met!"

"Riku."

"Huh?"

"Not "you". It's Riku."

"...Riku."

"That's right. What's your name, Spitfire?"

"I'm Sora. Sora Yamato. Can't say that I'm pleased to meet you, but..."

Riku tossed his hair over his shoulder, flashing the brunette a grin that could only be interpreted to mean fun.

"Now, now. You know that you just can't resist these good looks. C'mon, I'll take you out for coffee to make up for our mistake."

"But yo---"

Riku's hand covered Sora's mouth, the smirk returning.

"Just come with me."

And with that, Riku dragged Sora to a café.
~~~~~~~~
Not even two weeks later, Sora had broken up with Kai (this isn't the last of Kai. There is a plot twist here!) and was seeing Riku instead. And then, a few days after they started to date, school began. For Sora it meant learning new things and meeting new people, but for Riku it just meant time without Sora.

"Man. How come you have to be one grade below me? That means we go to different school's and everything! You just had to be a ninth grader, didn't you?"

"Yeah, 'cause it's really my fault I'm younger than you. Get over it, Riku. You'll see me after school. You can even pick me up and walk me home."

"But all that time without you? What am I gonna do?"

"...masterbate to my name?"

"SORA!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(From this point on, it's Roxas' story. This starts when Roxas is 12 and spans the four years after he was adopted.)

"Roxas, I have wonderful news! There's a family that has decided to adopt you!"

Roxas lifted his head, blinking a bit, a slow smile spreading across his features. It had been four years since the time he was left in the first church. Two months and he'd been reassigned, and then evey four months he was again reassigned. But, after all that time, he was finally going to have a home again.

"Really? Who is it? Mr. and Mrs. Yagami? Or Mr. Suetaki?"

"Actually, do you remember the younger couple who had the two children? Hayner and Pence I believe?"

"Oh, yes! Mr. and Mrs. Leonhart!"

"That's right! They've decided that since their sons liked you so well that they'd like to take you in. Isn't that wonderful, honey? You're finally going to have a home!"

The smile that crossed Roxas' lips was one that the nun would never forget. Though he was crying, she knew it was from happiness, not sadness. Once the boy had calmed again, she told him of the details while Roxas patiently sat and listened, occasionally asking questions. Once she was done explaining, Roxas bounced from his seat.

"I have to go and tell the others!"

In moments, the rest of the orphanage knew of Roxas' good fortune. Though some of his friends were restenful, they were at the same time happy.

"We'll miss you, Rox. It won't be the same, that's for sure."

"Yeah, dude! Make sure you visit us!"

For the rest of the day, Roxas played with his friends for the final time, until the nun called, letting him know that his new parents were there. He bid his farewell's before trotting over to the hallway, his bag of belongings in his hand.

"Roxas, this is your new mother and father, Aerith and Squall."

The sapphire-eyed boy smiled brightly, then flung his arms around his new mothers waist, hugging her tightly.

"Mommy..."

The woman dressed in pink smiled, her hand raising to gently run her fingers through the young boys hair, looking to her husband with a pleased look.

The male, stoic as ever mearly patted Roxas on the back, siging the release papers before he lifted the boy into his arms.

"From now on, we'll take care of you. If there's anything you need, just ask and we'll do our best."

For a few moments Roxas was silent, and then he rested his head upon his new fathers shoulder, curling around him.

"The only thing I wanted is already right here, holding me."

Squall was shocked by the answer, but Aerith only smiled her knowing smile. That was the last day Roxas was ever in an orphanage.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"Hey, Roxas! C'mon! That was mine first!"

"Awww!! Just a little longer, Pence! Please?"

Roxas' new brother, Pence, was the same age as him, and thus, they had almost the same interests. At least sometimes. Pence liked videogames, while Roxas did too, and thus, when Pence got his new gameboy advanced SP, Roxas was given the old gameboy advanced (this was only because he'd gotten a playstation 2 instead of the SP like Pence). And now, Pence's GBASP was missing and he really wanted to play his newest game.

"Well...how about this, I'll let you play with my SP when we find it if you let me play with the GBA, okay? Besides, Hayner was looking for you."

"He was? Oh! Okay!"

Without any further argument, Roxas handed over the system, toddling towards the door.

"Just don't scratch it more, okay, aniki?"

"Hai, hai."

Leaving the room, Roxas wandered down the hall, smiling to his mother as he passed her. Soon he was at his older brothers room. Blinking, he knocked on the door before he opened it.

"Hayner-nii?"

"There you are! Hey, check this out, Rox!"

The blonde was drawn into the room, door shutting behind the two blondes as Roxas blinked. He glanced around the room, wishing that he could have shared with Hayner instead of Pence, but quickly brushed that thought off.

"Remember that I told you mom and dad's anniversary is on new years? Well, look what I made for them!"

Hayner held out a box to the younger boy, and Roxas sat on the elders bed, carefully opening the box. Inside were two wooden bird statues. One's eyes were painted a bright green, while the others were a blueish-grey. He smiled brightly.

"Hayner, these'r awesome! Mom and dad're gonna love them!"

"Nah! But, the reason I showed you is because this is for them from the both of us. I did all this, but now I need you to paint the rest. I know you're better at it then me. That way, we can each give one to them! Isn't that awesome?"

Roxas was surprised in a way. Sure, they had all welcomed him in, and they had treated him as a family member for the entire three months that he'd been there, but he was still shocked that Hayner would share something like that.

"Oh...Hayner, really?"

Hayner plunked beside the younger blonde, drapping his arm around the boys shoulder, smirking.

"Yeah! You're family too, y'know? You shouldn't really be all that surprised! Now let's go! We have until tomorrow!"

"Oh! Yes!"

For the rest of that afternoon, and most of new years eve, the two boys worked on their presant to their parents. Roxas couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so accepted. And when midnight struck...

"Happy anniversary, Mom and dad!"

Roxas handed his box to his mother, while Hayner handed his to their father. The two parents exchanged looks, then opened the boxes.

Aerith gasped, her eyes watering as she held the wooden bird in her hand, a bright smile on her lips as she tugged Roxas into a hug.

"Oh, Roxas...Hayner..."

Squall grunted, ruffling up Hayner's hair. This didn't bother the dirty-blonde any. He was used to his father's affection.

"Look, you made your mother cry. Hayner, I'm blaming you."

"Aw, dad! She's just happy!"

But, through all the tears and laughter, it was Roxas who laughed and cried the most, happy to finally fit in somewhere. To be loved.

"Hey, Roxas...you're sleeping in my room tonight!"

"...really!?"

"Yeah! C'mon!"

Hayner and Roxas bid their parents good-night (Pence having passed out long before midnight even came), heading towards Hayner's room. Once inside, the two stripped to their boxers, another thing that they had in common.

"You get the wall, Rox. Otherwise I'll end up kicking you out!"

"Gasp! You're so cruel!"

The two climbed into bed, telling stories of the past (or at least Hayner did), until Roxas was falling asleep. The blonde curled up to Hayner and tucked his head under the elder blondes chin.

"...hey, Hayner...I love you."

Hayner grinned.

"I love you, too, otouto."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Happy thirteenth birthday, Roxas!"

"Make a wish!"

"Yeah, c'mon Roxas! Make a good one!!"

The blonde looked at his cake, then at the faces of his new family, smiling brightly as he nodded his head.

"I wish that we'll stay like this forever..."

As the candles went out, his family cheered, his mother hugging him tightly as she kissed his cheek. Even Squall showed him some sign of affection by hugging him akwardly. Roxas didn't mind though. He was happy.

Once the cake was eaten (or worn in the boys cases), it was time for Roxas to open his presants.

"Hey! Mine first, Roxas!"

Giggling, Roxas took the box from Pence, opening it slowly.

"Ohhh...shiny paper!"

"...dude, it's not the paper that's the presant!"

"I know that!"

Everyone laughed (or grunted) as Roxas finally pulled out his presant. It was a two new games for his gameboy. Roxas smiled brightly, hugging Pence tightly.

"Thanks, aniki! This is awesome!"

"Just remember to share with me, okay?"

"Okay!"

"Ours next, dear."

Aerith handed him a bigger box and Roxas tilted his head. He couldn't remember asking for anything this big.

"Don't worry, we're sure you'll like it."

Nodding his head, Roxas carefully opened the package, gasping as he nearly dropped it to the floor upon seeing the gift. Luckily, Hayner was quick and caught the gift before it could go anywhere.

"Well, would you look at that..."

Roxas eyes were brimming with tears. Inside the box was a picture, framed with his new family, and he was right in the middle. The first family picture they'd ever taken. Next to the picture was a small locket, and Roxas made a noise, lifting it before clicking it open. Inside was an inscription that he was sure his mother had chosen.

Come what may,
You'll still be ours.
We love you, Roxas Leonhart.

The box was carefully placed down before Roxas lunged at his new mother, wrapping his arms around her, nuzzling his cheek to hers.

"Mommy!"

Arms encircled him and he relaxed into the hug that he was given, his tears slowing as he rested his head against his mothers shoulder, leaning towards the patting that his father was giving him.

"Daddy..."

"Hey, what about us?"

Roxas laughed and opened his arms for his brothers, smiling brightly.

"This is the best birthday ever...I love you all, too..."
~~~~~

That night, when Roxas was finally sent to bed, it was Hayner who joined him in his shared room. Blinking, Roxas tilted his head.

"Hey, Hayner-nii~. Where's Pence?"

"He gets my room tonight. I told him that I had a special birthday presant for you."

"Really?"

Hayner nodded, flicking off the lights before he stripped to his boxers. He climbed into the bed beside Roxas, moving his arms around the younger blonde.

"Ne, remember when you said you loved me?"

Roxas nodded his head, slowly, confused.

"I say I love you everyday."

Roxas felt the arms around him tighten.

"Well, I love you, too, Roxas..."

The younger blonde gave a sof t gasp of surprise as gentle lips covered his own. For a few moments he didn't react, but then gave in and kissed the older male back, clinging tightly to him. When Hayner broke away to breathe, Roxas whimpered.

"Niichan..."

"Shh...It's okay, Rox...you're not alone anymore..."

The night, Hayner took from Roxas something he could never get back. And yet, through it all, Roxas hadn't minded one bit, even enjoyed it.
~~~~~~~
When Roxas turned fourteen, he learned of Hayner's sexual preference, and began to think about his own, even going to Squall for advice.

"Ne, otousan..."

"Hai, Roxas?"

"I...er...do I seem....gay?"

The look on Squall's face changed from stoic to shocked and back to stoic in less than an eye blink, but Roxas caught it.

"What makes you think that?"

Well, Roxas couldn't tell his father that he'd secretly been sleeping with his older brother, but maybe...

"Well...there's this boy...in school...and I really like him. Like...fuzzy feeling like."

"Do you think about him alot?"

"All the time! It's like he's always here with me."

"And does he make you happy?"

"Yes! I feel very safe and warm when he hugs me."

And touches, and kisses, and caresses me...

"Then, I'd say you're in love...but, that doesn't make you gay, Roxas. Only you can determine that. Even me, you're mother knows that I'm bisexual."

"Really?"

"Yes. She even lets me go out sometimes just so I don't have pent up frustration. It doesn't mean that I love her any less, but, she understands."

Nodding his head, Roxas left the room, content with the answers that he'd recieved.
~~~~~~
A few months later, Roxas came home from school, knowing that Hayner had stayed home sick. He'd beaten Pence back, and his parents weren't due home for a good two hours. Smiling, he quickly cooked some soup in the mircrowave, taking the bowl towards Hayner's room.

"Hayner-nii, I ma----"

The bowl fell to the floor and shattered as Roxas stared wide-eyed at the scene in Hayner's room. Hayner was on his back, legs spread wide as an older boy by the looks, fucked him. The sound of the shattering glass made Hayner look towards the door and he paled.

"Roxas..."

A sound of pain could be heard before footsteps sounded, and the front door slammed. Roxas ran. It was happening again. He'd allowed himself to love, and look what happened? Hayner was sleeping with someone else? It hurt. He'd known they couldn't be together forever, but, why...? Why now...?

That night, Roxas didn't go home.
~~~~~~
"Roxas! Roxasssss!! Please, sweetie! Where are you?"

Aerith wandered the streets, a worried look on her features. She'd known that Roxas liked this area of town, and had decided to start looking there when Hayner told her what happened.

"Roxas, baby! Please come out!"

A noise to her left caught her attention, and she walked towards the alley, peeking inside of it. Roxas was curled into a little ball, shivering from the cold. A relieved sound slipped through her lips as she wrapped her arms around the boy, pulling him close.

"Oh, Roxas..."

"....mommy..."

The blonde passed out in her arms, and Aerith pulled out her cellphone, calling Squall to come pick them up.
~~~~~~
"Roxas, you've been sleeping with Hayner since your thirteenth birthday? That's almost been two years!"

"...."

"Dad, it wasn't Roxas' fault. I came on to him. He didn't know any better. And...he was happy, I just didn't know how to break it off..."

Aerith, Hayner, Squall and Roxas all sat in the kitchen. Aerith was running her fingers through Roxas' hair as the boy cried, Squall giving grunts of displeasure towards his eldest sons actions.

"I still wish he hadn't....seen that."

"You're too young to be having sex anyway. What were you thinking, Hayner? He's your brother!"

"Only by adoption!!"

Roxas tensed, his heart breaking all the more to these words, and Aerith held him closer, whispering soothingly to him.

"He doesn't mean that in a bad way, honey. It just means he really loves you."

"Hayner, why?"

"....because I love Roxas."

The younger blonde lifted his head, tear-streaked face and blotchy-red eyes staring at Hayner.

"If you loved me...then why were...you and..."

He couldn't even force the words out before he was curled into his mother once more.

"Because I knew that it can't be how we want it, Roxas. We're brothers. Related. And, you're young. You'll have time to find out other things. I'm sorry...I'm really, really sorry..."

Squall sighed, shifting a bit before he nodded.

"Hayner, I've decided that you're going to spend the year at your grandmother's house on Destiny Island. I'll call her and let her know the details of why. I'll even get you registered for school. For now...Just...go to your room." (PLOT TWIST!)

The older blonde nodded his head, leaving the room like he was told.

Roxas fell asleep in his mothers arms that night, waking up beside her and his father the next morning. The tears started again, but he quickly fell back to sleep, willing the pain to go away.
~~~~~~~~
When Roxas was 15, he was finally over the pain he'd felt, even used to the fact that Hayner and Seifer were dating, and screwing. But, that wasn't to say that he was happy about it. When Hayner had come home (a week before his birthday), he'd asked the boy about his time on Destiny Islands.

"There was this boy...His name was Sora. Pretty odd kid. The guys I was hanging out with got in trouble, and Sora ended up getting hurt. Forgot everything. We dated while I was there...but, broke up when I came back here. He likes some kid named Riku I believe."

"Oh. That's cool, I suppose."

Roxas asked no further questions, instead heading towards his room. Once he had shut the door, he flopped to his bed, sighing.

"Couldn't have been...him...There's no way..."

Roxas fell asleep wondering if the Sora could have possibly been his twin.
~~~~~~
"I have some news, everyone."

The family was gathered around the table, waiting for Squall to tell them what had happened at work that day. A soft sigh was given from Aerith. She knew her husband well.

"I've been reassigned again. Unfortunately, we'll be moving to the Destiny Islands. You guys have a week to pack."

Roxas blinked a bit as Hayner nodded, already standing to go to his room. Pence soon followed.

"...am I going too?"

Aerith looked startled by the question.

"Why wouldn't you? Of course you're going! C'mon, now. Let's go and pack."

The blonde nodded, Aerith taking the boy to his room. There, she helped Pence and Roxas pack up what they could that night, tucking the boys in with a smile.

"Roxas, we'll never leave you...I promise."
~~~~~~
"This is where we're going to be living. Hayner, this should make things easier for you, huh? Seifer lives here, doesn't he?"

"Yeah, he does."

They settled into their new home quite easily, all of them having their own rooms even. A week later, Roxas turned 16. And he knew, that a week later school would be starting up.
~~~~~~
"First period...hmm...apparently it's English."

Roxas walked into the classroom, explaining things to the teacher before he was told to wait in the hall. Kids passed him without even a glance. Sighing, he waited.
~~~~~
"Please take your seats, class. We have a new student joining our school today."

Roxas took this as his cue and walked into the room, scanning the numerous kids in the class. He was shocked to find that there really weren't all that many in there. One boy in particular caught his attention, but he said nothing, just stood before his new classmates.

"This is Roxas Leonhart. His family just moved here from the cite, so please be kind to him. As for where to sit, why don't you take the open seat beside Sora? Sora, wave so Roxas knows who you are."

"Yessir!"

Roxas did a double-take as he walked up the isle. The boy was so familiar. Brunette hair, bright sapphire eyes like his own. And a goofy smile. His heart skipped a beat as he took the seat beside the boy. He was about to ask the boy if he had a twin, but was interupted by the teacher.

"Sora! You're a good student. Why don't we start todays class with your poem that you were supposed to write over the summer."

"And write it I did."

Roxas watched the boy as he made his way down the aisle before listening to the words.

"Existing in this place now are uncleanable lies.
"Keep on dancing, between the sky.
"With prayers, between the sky.
"I wonder when it has began."

The blonde was fixated on the words, deciphering them as the boy read them. Uncleanable lies? Dancing, praying. When did it begin?

Lieing about Roxas' exhistance.

Dancing, and praying for Roxas to come back.

Eight long years ago.

//Could he know...? Does he remember me?//

"How far do I have to go to see the light?"

The words sparked a soft gasp from Roxas' lips. It was like a sudden power had filled him. Something that was opposite the light Sora was talking about.

"Until now, what you don't know does exhist."

//He doesn't know. Or rather, he does, but he doesn't realize that he does!//

"With your fingertips,
"Follow the part of the dirty, dark sky."

Dirty? Dark? Did Sora think that he was the one tainted? Roxas couldn't believe the words in the poem. They were speaking of himself and Sora. His brother. There was now no doubt in Roxas' mind that Sora was indeed his twin.

"At the end of the bright road.
"What is waiting for you?
"Take you to harmony.
"But, you don't know."

//That's right, you don't know, Sora. But you will. I'll make you know.//

Roxas had been informed of the accident, not only through the paper, but was confirmed when Hayner had told him about it. Sora had no recollection of him, but Roxas would change that. Sora would know. He had to. Meeting Sora at the end of the road. That's what was waiting. Sora would take him to harmony.

//But what don't I know?//

"The hatred was given birth,
"Into you, has taken breath away.
"And turned it into a poison.
"That's killing you silently."

//Hatred in the form of his younger sister. My life and breath taken away the day I was taken away. Turning my thoughts into poison. Killing me, slowly but surely.//

That was part was true. Roxas was hated from his birth, he was born hated, and his breath had been stolen the day his mother abandoned him. From that day, Roxas had thoughts of pure, acidic hatred towards his birth mother, silently killing him for hating someone that had given birth to him.

"Stars in your eyes...
"Stars in your heart...
"You live in shadow of shade,
"And commit the eighth sin."

//Stars? I don't understand, Sora. Tell me! The eighth sin...loving you, wanting to be yours. Was that really so bad?//

Roxas' eyes locked with Sora's, and he dared not turn away as he listened, finally standing up as he snapped, his breathe forced, labored as he made his way forward. No one tried to stop him, they were too shocked at how he'd reacted.

"The never-ending fighting and pain.
"Your name written in the sky.
"Unrequited exhistance will turn everything into nothing."

Roxas was there when Sora made the connection, saw his eyes as he realized. And when Sora fell, Roxas was there to catch him, his arms tightening around the younger boy as he smiled.

"...my twin..."

Said in unison, Sora blacked out in his arms, and then Roxas too followed.


TBC....


Authors Note: Remember that Roxas and Sora are twins, thus, when Roxas is 14, so is Sora. That means that when Hayner was sent to Destiny Islands, Sora was 14. I intended this from the begining, but Hayner's full name is Hayner Kai Leonhart. That means that the "Kai" Sora meets is really Hayner. See? Plot bunny of doom ~ That took FOREVER. Starting next chapter it will be the presant. For those of you who really care about those two years I skipped of Sora's life, he fell into relapse, forgetting Riku and their relationship, which Riku constantly hinted at, but never made moves to fix.