.:Chapter One: Sympathy:.
Author's Notes: I've decided to rewrite In The Family; something about the original write wasn't sitting right with me. I hadn't finished; but I felt the need to revise what I'd written so far because I'd hit a plot-block...I tried to move things along too quickly I think. And it was epic fail. Pairings in this fic are: Kairion (main focus), MarLarx (side plot), Zemyx (One-sided; Demyx), SoKai (one-sided; Sora)
The Revision is going to include some of the Final Fantasy characters too Just wait to find out who they are!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or Final Fantasy, no do I claim to. All Characters belong to their respective creators. Kingdom Hearts (c) Tetsuya Nomura, Square Enix/Disney. Final Fantasy (c) Square Enix
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This was the way things were, he knew that... A slate haired teenager sat in the back seat of his family's car, an expensive black sports car. His head was resting in his hands and he was staring out the window. He didn't agree with what they were doing. This kind of stuff, it didn't sit well with him. What his family did was wrong . Dealing drugs, selling arms illegally. They weren't things normal people did. And don't forget the kidnappings and ransoms. All of this made sure that Zexion had grown up in a well-to-do setting, but that everything was paid for with ill-gotten money, made him sick.
This kidnapping in particular, sat ill with Zexion Xemnas had ordered them to kidnap the District Attorney's daughter. Zexion had tried to tell them that it was a bad idea. He had tried so hard. But did they listen? Of course not. Zexion had little to offer to his family, he wasn't strong or cruel like his brothers - Saix and Marluxia. He couldn't be brought into the "Family Business" so he was useless. He'd always hated it when his father forced him to accompany on the kidnappings. It had only happened twice before this, but Zexion hated it. He knew, that deep down his father wanted him to be a part of the "Family Business" very much. Maybe, he figured, Xemnas thought that Zexion could handle the office end of things, keep up appearances. It was something he was good at...
Zexion's cousin, Axel was the driver. The red headed man was well known within the family (and by a few outside the family) for his love of arson. Several times he'd been under suspicion and every time thus far, he'd escaped due to "lack of evidence". It couldn't be said the man wasn't careful. Beside Axel, in the passenger's seat sat Zexion's oldest brother, Saix. The tall azure haired man was staring out the window, with a characteristic expressionless look on his face. Zexion knew what sort of business Saix handled, and knew that it was the reason he was always so cold. Saix also followed their father's orders without question, he seemed to think it his "duty" as a son... Also in the back seat was Marluxia, the middle child. If Zexion disliked Saix, he hated Marluxia. He was cruel, ambitious and PROUD - as well as having a penchant for the dramatic. That particular quirk was what drove Zexion to hate the rose-haired man.
The car rounded a corner slowly, the high school that the girl went to came into view, and the car slowed to a stop, pulling up to the curb. A rather imposing building, loomed above them. Teenage boys and girls in uniform were pouring out, walking down the street, boarding buses - all heading for home. He was almost envious of them and their average lives, their miniscule problems. A particular figure caught his eye - a red headed girl, surrounded by friends. One was jumping around happily, a slight girl with short black hair and a broad grin. Another was a brunette, standing next to the redhead, a sweet smile on his face, holding her hand. And the other, a silver haired young man, looking disinterested.
Zexion knew, that the red-headed girl was their "target"... He saw her wave goodbye to her friends as they boarded the bus and walked away from the fray, down the street toward her house. Zexion caught sight of Axel's smirk in the rearview mirror.
"Didn't think we'd be so lucky.'' Zexion heard Marluxia say quietly, smiling wickedly.
"It's not luck." Saix had replied, not taking his eyes off the scenery passing by slowly once more. "It's careful planning."
Axel laughed "Mix of both." he said.
Zexion bit his tongue, staring moodily out the window. He wasn't the type to quickly articulate what he was thinking. And were he to voice his opinion, he'd likely get himself into a bit of trouble with the others in the car.
The red-haired girl came into view again, she'd taken a back road, and now looked nervously over her shoulder. She must have noticed the car, noticed that she was being followed. Zexion wondered vaguely if she'd run. He saw the scene unfold in his head: she would take off down the sidewalk, the car would speed up, quickly coming up beside her, they'd stop and Saix and Marluxia would get out of the car...
He shook his head, the car had stopped.
"All right," Axel said, a Cheshire grin spreading across his face "it's showtime."
Zexion's stomach churned, he wanted to turn from the window, not to watch, but he couldn't look away.
His brothers came up to the girl, Marluxia said something and she shook her head, taking a step back from him, drawing her arm up over her chest. They moved closer to her, closing in. She screamed for help but in an instant Marluxia had clapped his hand over her mouth. They dragged the girl back toward the car, she was kicking and struggling, but his brother's had a strong grip on her.
As she was dragged past, she made eye contact with Zexion. Her indigo eyes pleaded with him "Help me. You don't like what they're doing, help me!"
He shook his head and looked away, guilt eating at him. He almost did something but he quickly realized: there wasn't anything he could do! He heard the trunk slam closed, jolting the car. Saix and Marluxia slid into their seats and closed the doors.
"Floor it." Saix hissed.
And Axel, with a nod and a smile followed orders.
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Kairi's head was pounding when she came to herself again. She tried to rub her head, but found that her hands were bound behind her back. She growled a curse and looked around. She was in a small bedroom, there were no windows and the door was closed. It was dim, the small lamp on the bedside table gave off some light but not enough to make things very clear.
"Hey there, Kairi" A voice said casually, as though addressing a friend.
Kairi looked up, in a chair in the corner nearest her was a tall young man. She recognized him easily enough - Axel Fiamme. Her father had nearly gotten him put away for arson last month, but the trial had fallen through due to lack of evidence.
"What do you want with me?!" Kairi spat at him, mustering all the malice should could and directing at the red-headed man.
"C'mon, you should know. You know who your dad is, don'cha?"
Kairi glared at him "He'll never pay the ransom you know! They'll find me." She hissed, trying to sound sure, but she doubted it...Her heart told her that her chances were slim.
Axel laughed loudly. "You think that's what we want?" his voice was shaking with laughter "You're a lesson."
Her heart plummeted. Oh God... she thought to herself. The words rung in her ears. A lesson. She heard Axel rise from his chair but didn't look over..Light flooded the room and she looked up, Axel had opened the door and was about to leave.
"Oh, and behave yourself, got it memorized?" he said with a smirk.
She jumped when the door closed loudly. The lock clicked and she clenched her fists, biting her lip. Anger rose like bile in her stomach. She wanted to scream at the top of her lungs,she wanted to do it simply out of spite. But as quickly as the anger had risen, it had begun to be replaced by sadness. She closed her eyes, trying to stop the tears. As she took a deep shuddering breath, she couldn't keep it in anymore. She was choked up with sobs and everything came out at once. Kairi lay on the floor and cried...
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Zexion stood outside the room, leaning against the wall in the hallway. He had played the kidnapping over and over in his head. The pleading look in her eyes haunted him. She had been begging for his help, and he hadn't done anything. She had begged him. Zexion's train of thought was interrupted when heard the door slam. He looked up to see Axel as he left the room. He shot a glare at the man, who was wearing a cruel smirk. How could someone enjoy taunting someone like that, reducing them to tears. It tore at Zexion to hear the distressed sobs from the other room.
"Something the matter Zexy?" Axel said glancing at the small teen.
"Nothing." Zexion spat back. Axel knew what was wrong. He could tell, this was just another form of taunting.
"Ah...That's what's wrong, am I right Zexy?" Axel said with a smirk, gesturing to the door.
"Don't call me that." Zexion hissed, avoiding the question entirely.
"Don't change the subject. You gotta get used to this stuff. This is what your family does." Axel chuckled to himself "And even if you're not goin' into the business, there's not getting away from it."
Zexion wrinkled his nose, glaring at his cousin. The same old tired argument. The same rehashing of the old statement. "This is your family. This is the way things are; you have to deal with that." He didn't want to deal with it. He sank down onto the floor. Axel had walked away, He sighed heavily, resting his head in his hands. Why did he feel so guilty?
He frowned as he heard loud coughing emerge from behind the closed door. With how often he was sick, he couldn't help but worry about her. Zexion could hardly master the impulse to go in there and see if he could go in there. The coughing grew momentarily worse and he couldn't stand it anymore. He stood up and walked to the door, unlocking it and opening it...
How long she had been laying there crying before the door opened, Kairi didn't know. She couldn't be sure. She looked up to see a slight figure standing in the doorway. Being backlit, she couldn't make out any of their features. They were a mere shadow in the doorway.
She felt so annoyed, so angry. "What do you want?!" She spat angrily "Who are you?"
The figure took a step backward, seemingly upset by her harsh words. "Does it matter what my name is?" the figure replied. It was a young man's voice that replied. It was soft, almost sweet sounding, filled with what sounded like regret or maybe remorse. But there was a certain flatness to it; an apathy. She wondered if the voice belonged to the blue eyed person in the car..
"Why are you here?" she whispered, her voice softer now, she didn't feel as angry with the figure anymore, she didn't want to chew them out.
"I..." The figure paused "I heard you coughing." They turned away from her, she saw their profile. There was something very vaguely feminine about his face... "I just wanted to make sure you were okay..."
"I'm fine." Kairi said weakly, trying to roll over so she wouldn't face the young man standing in the doorway. Somehow, his presence there made her feel even more vulnerable. Almost like she was naked lying there. She could feel his gaze.
"Are you sure?" He asked, it seemed like there was honest concern in his voice . Why would someone who cared at all be here? Why should someone care if she was just meant to be a lesson to her father?
"Yes." Kairi hissed "I'm fine."
"All right."
Kairi heard the door close and the lock click. She sighed, closing her eyes. She was exhausted...Sleep pressed heavy on her eyelids, calling to her - and she heeded to the call.
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Zexion stood outside the door. He took a deep breath shaking his head. He shouldn't have gone in there. He knew there was no way he could have recognized him should she see him again but that wasn't the problem. Seeing her lying there on the floor like that tugged at his heart. The guilt was overwhelming. But was it just guilt?
He sighed softly, bringing his hand to his lips. "How could I have done something stupid like that? What's wrong with me?" He whispered to himself.
"Well, no one knows that but you l'il dude."
Zexion cringed. "Hello Xigbar." he muttered. Xigbar was Zexion's on uncle. A real wise-cracking slacker. Xigbar had gotten into the arms business when he was long and lost his eye in a deal in San Fran gone sour. He looked up at the older man who was standing beside him now.
"You look more out of it than usual. Got somethin' on your mind?"
Zexion shook his head, "Not really..." he said in an off-handed manner. "Just not feeling so great..."
Xigbar frowned, the look of concern was apparent in his eyes. " You're not getting sick again, are you?"
"I don't think so." Zexion whispered. "Just a little tired."
"You sure? Don't go keeping it to yourself like you did the last time..."
Zexion felt his lower lip twitch a bit. The last time he'd gotten sick, he'd kept it to himself that he wasn't feeling well. And one day at school he'd simply collapsed and they'd had to take him to the hospital. Now, if he so much as sneezed or coughed they'd watch him like a hawk.
"I'm fine."" He growled . "I just had a busy day, that's all."
"Ah!" Xigbar said with what sounded like half a laugh "You went with Saix and Marly today, didn't you?"
Zexion nodded. " Yeah." he really didn't feel like talking about it.
"And..?"
"It's not my thing. Okay?" Zexion said sighing bitterly. "None of THIS" he added, gesturing around him "Is my thing."
"You're gonna do desk work then, right?" Xigbar said. Zexion knew his uncle wasn't an idiot but it didn't seem anyone was willing to see that he didn't want to be a part of it at all...
"I don't think so. I don't want to do any of this."
Xigbar sighed and ruffled Zexion's hair. "You know, your dad says he doesn't care..."
Zexion scoffed "Yeah he says he doesn't care." he said flatly
"Ack, I know dude. But you gotta look at from his point of view, you're his kid, y'know? He just had expectations of you and when you don't live up to them-- "
"Maybe I don't want to live up to those expectations?!" Zexion snapped. Turning away walking off down the hall. "I'm through with trying to gain his approval!"
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Comments: And there you have the revised first chapter - hopefully this one is a little better than the first version XD;; I really hope it is... Reviews would be awesome if you really liked it (or didn't even , any kind of feedback would be awesome.)
I actually ended up combining the beginning of the original chapter two - it seemed like it would flow better if it didn't cut the way it had in the original...