Holy Hell High

[Reno]

"Excuses." Demyx teased before relaxing back, listening at the duets as they came and passed. It was actually rather nice for him, seeing as he adored music no matter the country of origin - though India still ranked as his top favorite.

Bryna smiled some, knowing her sons would be last. Still, the music was nice for her as well as she shut her eyes, enjoying the sounds of each new pairing. She could name most of the pieces they played within the first ten seconds of listening - though some were more creative then other in the way the music was combined.

By the time the 12th had gone on, Riku's arm was cramping, Axel was shifting around restlessly enough for Demyx to elbow him, and Bryna was looking around for her boys.

"Alright, give a hand for Sirena and Locke for that interesting drums and song mix!" Came Ariel's voice from the judge's table. Applause rose from the crowd as the two bowed before stepping off stage. "Now we've come to our last contestants of the evening!" Cheers and 'Thank god!'s resounded.

"Mmm... I wonder if he dropped out..." Demyx said, a little worried why Roxas still hadn't gone on. "Oh wait, there he is! And... who is that he's with?" Wasn't he supposed to play with that chick, Olette? "And damn look at his clothes! He must be filthy rich!"

Bryna smiled as she saw her two boys coming onstage. Her youngest was holding onto his new silver flute and the music notes in a tight grip if the creases it had were any indication. Sora was following after with two of the other boys who had been in the contest. He was carrying one end of his harp and seemed to say something quietly to the boy who was aiding him before it was set down. The other boy, Locke actually, was carrying his harpist seat. Sora smiled and seemed to thank them and as they set off stage, he grabbed the music stands, setting one behind his harp so it was less noticeable and then the other slightly to the left of him where Roxas would be.

The brunette walked up to Roxas who was standing near the microphone, eyes wide like a scared little rabbit in front of a pack of wolves, glad it was so bright on stage because he could see no one. The elder grinned leading Roxas closer so they could both speak into it.

"Hello everyone." Sora said cheerfully, his ease apparent but almost comical with Roxas' stage fright right next to him. "I'm Sora Holani and this is my brother Roxas. What we're about to play isn't for the ribbon or trophy or even to show off. No... We're here to play for someone we love - our brother who sadly couldn't be here tonight. He... almost wouldn't of been here at all actually if luck hadn't been with us." Sora grinned widely, not concerned with how much the audience understood. "So this is just our song to him to remind him to be strong."

Sora nodded to Roxas who swallowed nervously. "Uh..." The blonde's cheeks darkened and he shut his eyes and tried again. "I know it's not really traditional, but most of what we're going to be playing I wrote... though I was inspired along the way by three artists: Handel, Mozart and Mendelssohn." Bryna smiled at hearing that, though her son could not see.
His eyes slowly opened, looking into the darkness beyond. "It's called Melody of the Wind."

The two boys shared a glance before stepping away from the microphone and heading back to their spots. Half the music sheets were handed to Sora while Roxas stood in front of his, setting them down. He glanced back at his brother and once he was in position raised his flute to his lips.

Sora swung up onto his seat with practiced ease and after placing his notes down ghosted closer to his harp, arms lovingly spreading out towards the strings, so close he seemed to be hugging it. He shut his eyes, smiling at the familiar feel of it.

As one, the two began with the opening song that Roxas had titled 'Arrows of Light' that took no longer than fifteen seconds. It was a soft beginning that the flute accented in, his notes long and but powerful, slowly quickening in tempo and crescendoing towards the end. Sora meanwhile played each chord (there were five) repetitively clear and concise in the background fingers fluttering across the strings in a even tempo, hitting two chords at the end that rang together beautifully.

Next was a longer piece called 'A Family's Fanfare'; it lasted about a minute and a half. Roxas quickly brought it down to a beautiful and soft melody, Sora again playing background as he hit three strings repetitively and evenly while the flute fluctuated notes going longer and into different key. Then Roxas suddenly hit a louder key and Sora took over the song, fingers running over his five of his strings faster but in different keys and playing them precisely while the flute played it previous melody with him. At the end of this song Sora ran over four of his chords almost simultaneously.

The flute cut out as Sora opened the next piece that lasted a minute called the 'Mystery of the Shee'. His hands were quicker now, soloing for awhile as he played out a heavenly tune that spoke of places unseen and unimagined by humans a place of imagination and wonder, of trees and lights and people with wings... Roxas joined every now and again, playing high tunes that sung with the chord before cutting out.

Roxas took his solo next giving his brother a much needed break. The music faded from happiness to a short of up-beat yet quick flute trill. He played the complicated song, fingers fluttering over the holes of his flute to combine all the right chords. The first part lasted thirty seconds, named the 'Marble's Race'.
As that small song ended though he went into the second half of his solo that, without any warning, cutting into a solemn and dark tone, the chords fast and.... sad. Titled 'Tragedy' - the other thirty seconds.

The next section was titled 'Secrets'. Sora hit a few familiar notes suddenly from a piece Bryna recognized instantly as Handel's concerto. It was short, barely ten seconds. Then Roxas thrilled out a similar ten second piece but this was Mozart's Flute concerto. And then the next ten seconds was Mendelssohn's violin concerto in which Sora and Roxas played together, bringing them together.

As they brought down the lively tune of the familiar concerto down Roxas' chords became longer and more whimsical, while Sora's hands sped up along the harps chords before both of them slowed down the song solemn and slow. A Warrior's Sorrow - two minutes.

Next was a song piece that lasted only 45 seconds, the higher strings of the harp sounding out with a softer song from the flute the music lilting yet beautiful, speaking of dewy mornings and sunrises. 'The Rays of the Sun'.

'Hope is just Beyond a Shadow' was the next portion that lasted another minute. It was a slow tune dominated by the airy flute chords the harp again providing back up chords.

And then finally was their final piece. The ending. Titled 'Goodbye' it lasted about thirty seconds. Sora hit five chords on his harp. Then Roxas matched those five played them slowly. Then Sora played five more at a lower key, and Roxas did as well. Each time Sora went higher or lower, so did Roxas and they always played the same amount of notes. Like... the instruments and the players themseleves were saying goodbye. Roxas went low one last time before lowering his flute. Sora played five chords going from low to high and then strummed his fingers on the three strings closest to him the trio ringing together softly and then... silence.

It was a story of life. The beginning by birth, the togetherness of family, childish fun and play, the quick aging of a teenager combined with the sorrows and drama that can occur, the sadness and anger that develops at first, the calm acceptance that happens later, the hope and strength that grows after that strife, .... and the goodbyes that happen in life - death.


Hatori sighed, limbs aching from a particularly rough job today. He was a technician for a small company handing electrical and other problems that went wrong for the customers and going out to those calls. It was a rather boring job, and certainly not his first after he got out of the army, but it was enough now.

He unlocked the door, shrugging out of his coat and throwing it on the hook near the door, spotting his wife... standing in front of the stairs with a very strange expression upon her face. He frowned, walking over to the woman... and when she turned to face him he knew even before she uttered a word.

It still sent a shot of adrenalin through him when she did confirm it. He shut his eyes and took a deep breath, nodding. "Alright..." He went for the stairs, walking up them with a purpose in mind. He was up there in seconds, and he went through his son's door, seeing him sprawled out on the bed. "Terra?"
"Go 'way..." The boy grumbled but of course his dad didn't listen as he felt the bed dip a little. He sighed, sitting up and facing his father.

Hatori looked Terra over carefully. He was a little pale in the cheeks and agitated, but for the most part looked alright. Of course, the first few hours were always the easiest. The man placed his hand against his son's forehead. Still cool thank god.
"Cut it out!" Terra grumbled, pushing his dad's arm away. "I'm fine just tired and I have a headache. Whoo big fucking crisis."

The red-eyed man was silent for a moment, a silent hope building in his chest that maybe, just maybe this would be the time Terra finally had a normal sickness...
He squashed it quickly. "Alright son," He said, patting him on the shoulder. "Get some sleep then."
He stood, flicking off the light's before leaving his son's room and headed back downstairs were his wife was still waiting. "Well, he okay right now. But... we should probably still prepare for the worst."
Ida's hands shook so violently some of her tea sloshed out of the cup and into the saucer she was holding onto, the two glasses clinking together. Hatori snatched them both carefully from her so she wouldn't burn her fingers on the hot liquid, wincing as he managed to instead burn himself. "Not THAT darling. We've fought this a million times before, we can do it again." They weren't going to lose him. Not now. Not ever.

Terra sighed as he laid in his dark room turning on his side and stared out the window. "Ven..."
"So... tomorrow you get out right?" Terra asked as he hesitated by the bed, almost about to leave. They had just finished their conversation about living together, once that Terra was somewhat hesitant about but willing to try. As long as Ven promised he'd go to fucking college.
"Yeah... tomorrow around ten. I can't wait to get out of this fucking hellhole!" The blonde replied.
Terra nodded decisively before smiling. "Alright then, I'll be there."
"Really...?"
"Yeah, I promise."

Terra shut his eyes, murmuring, "Promise..."

[Rikugurl]

Riku sighed as he watched all the performances. Honestly... they all sounded the same to him. He wished he liked music as much as the Holanis... and seeing that four out of the five family members worked with music, it was a pretty strong part of their heart.

He didn't even realize that Sirocco did the designing and printing of the local opera house.... which would of made five out of five.

He DID, however, like the duet between Biggs and Wedge. It was.... very interesting.
His lights brighten when he heard that the last duet was about to begin. Finally...
He zoomed in on the side of the stage just as Roxas and Sora walked out. He had to chuckle when he saw Sora carry the large instrument across the stage. Go figure someone so small and short would play something so big and tall.

"GO SORA!" The silverette shouted and was about to wave when his mother elbowed him. "Roxas doesn't know you're filming, silly." She whipsered softly, making Riku blush. He totally forgot about that...
He ducked down into his chair but tried to keep the camera on them as they set up.

Axel grumbled across the way, twisting in his seat. He wasn't use to sitting this long and his lanky limbs were starting to ache... but not as much as his ribs as he was elbowed. "Hey!" He snapped back in a whispered before pouting and trying to get as comfortable as possible. "I guess that's.... his brother?" The redhead squinted, answering Demyx. He had seen the boys talk and get on the bus together... and they seemed to have the same... eyes.

He frowned a bit as he leaned on his hand. "They are... pretty rich."
Yea, Axel was a bit jealous... such nice things and a beautiful home. At least they didn't act rich.

The room quieted when the boys started and two sets of eyes lit up in trance. Axel and Riku. The music... just seemed...perfect.
Roxas....wrote this....?
Axel's eyes narrowed in interest, taking in all the music. It was...heavenly. His eyes slowly closed and just... envisioned what the music was painting. The dance... that it would go to...

Maybe... it was something... they could dance to...
He wondered if anyone was recording this.

His eyes snapped open. Wasn't there a booth that was selling CDs!?
Shit.... he shook it off for now. He would have to ask Demdem if he had some cash on him....

Sirocco smiled softly, listening to their boys play. He had heard them all week... but nothing sounded as beautiful as this. When he closed his eyes... he thought he could even hear a violin in the background.

When the music was done, there was a loud round of applause. "WHOOO!!" Riku cheered as good as he could while he continued to film. He was sure Ventus would like to know who won!


Ida swallowed as he took her china. She... couldn't think of losing... both her boys. She let Haroti leave to the kitchen as her blue eyes continued to look upstairs. She knew... they had done this almost every year but... why did this time.... seem so different...?
Sometimes she wished she didn't have mother's intuition.

[Reno]

"Wow!" Demyx exclaimed beside Axel as the music closed, and clapped along with the rest. That was... just amazing. "Did you know he could write?!" He exclaimed as he looked at the red-head, seeing the dazed look on his face. He grinned. Apparently it was quite something to his music-loving friend.

Bryna smiled as she heard the music play across the auditorium, echoing loud and clear. She watched them from start to finish, watching what years of practice and inner talent had accomplished within her boys.

And as they played... she could see Roxas relaxing and Sora smiling both blissfully unaware of their audience or the camera. In fact once it was over and the applause started, she could see as his eyes opened. Roxas' jolted a bit, startled - he really had forgotten. Sora hopped off the seat of his harp and walked up to his brother grinning and they both took a bow before taking their things and stepping off stage.

Not much longer later, Ariel and the two other judges took the stage. The red head walked to the microphone, smiling. "Well I just like to say, this year's contest has been quite the musical experience! I ask you all to please give another round of applause for all our contestants!" And applause their was.

Once it quieted, Ariel spoke again. "Now, I'm sure you've all been waiting for this! The prizes - though I do want to remind everyone that it does not matter who wins or loses, because playing an instrument is all a prize on it's own!" She smiled before turning. "Miss White, go ahead and announce third prize."

The woman nodded stepping up to the mike. "For creativity, amazing use of vocals, and what I like to call an 'alternative' sound, Third prize goes to Sirena and Locke!" Applause came up as the two walked out, Locke looking a little shy while Sirena just smiled slyly as they took their little trophy.

Miss White stepped down and Sebastien spoke next. "For second place for standen out and bringing somethan new to this stage second place will go to Biggs and Wedge. Congratulations little mons!"

Once the two rambunctious boys had run on stage whooping happily and left, their was only the last prize left. Ariel announced this one. "Even though I know they don't want it... for originality, beauty, skill, strength, and an all-around great performance I am proud to announce that this year's thirty-first duet contest award goes too.... Roxas and Sora!"

They was a great round of applause that only got louder as Sora stepped back onto stage, scratching the back of his head and blushing just a little. Strangely Roxas did not come out on stage as well - but that was no surprise especially not to his parents. Roxas hated getting awards for his music both because he not only had to step out in front of everyone a SECOND time, but also because he didn't want the feeling of 'winning' and competition to get in the way of how he perceived music.

Sora took the trophy from her a little shyly nodding and telling her his thanks before giving a wave to the crowd and walking back off.

"And that ends this year's contest! I thank you all for coming!"

[Rikugurl]

Riku did everything he could to keep his arm up as the women came on stage again. Ven owned him a cast! He smiled as the two girls came up and took their award... then two rowdy boys that he didn't recognize. He could feel a twist in his stomach as the redhead started to talk... but the minute she said 'original', he knew exactly who won.

"Roxas and Sora!"

He felt everyone around him get up, applauding for Sora as he walked out. A soft smile ran over the silverette's face as he zeroed in on Sora getting the award and giving thanks. It was too bad Ven couldn't see this...

Sirocco smiled as he heard his sons names and stood, clapping and whistling as Sora came out. Another proud moment in his life. He, like Riku wished that Ventus could be here in PERSON to see this moment.

Olette stood and cheered alongside Pence. "GO SORA! GO ROXAS!" They cheered. Olette waved up at Sora as he came to the mic that wasn't all to far away.
Even if she had taken Seifer's advice... she still kind of wished that... she could of been in the contest as well.
Only problem would of been that if her and Roxas had one anything, neither of them would of gone out to get it. She too wouldn't want to think of it as a competition.

Axel blinked, seeing that Roxas... was no where to be seen. He swallowed and sighed as Sora disappeared. Was he...alright?

Before Axel knew it, everyone was getting out and leaving. He stood and sighed, looking down at the blonde. "Come on, dem." He walked down the row and into the crowd, getting out of the auditorium. His green eyes caught the Holani family at the booth where they were selling the CDs. Now he was a little iffy in buying one. Well... for Demyx to buy him one. He looked back at his friend behind him. "Tell me you don't have any munny on you."

[Reno]

Sora stepped back behind the stage smiling as he got the congrats from the other students before finding Roxas leaning against the wall rolling his flute between his fingers idly. Sora leaned closer reaching up and wiping away a tear that was falling down his brother's cheek. "You okay?"
"Yeah... yeah I think I finally am." The blonde answered softly, smiling. The two grinned and shared a quick hug. Yeah it was alright.


The next few minutes were a bit disorganized and confused as families found their children, congratulations hummed through the air and they began to leave together. Finally a blonde stepped beyond stage and into the room holding his flute case and the music sheets.

He was quickly found and practically swallowed by the embrace his mother gave him and smothered by kisses. "M-Mooooom." The boy whined in embarrassment.
"Oh honey it was beautiful though!"
Sora hopped from the stage grinning as he saw his parents coddling Roxas, giving him time to sneak over to Riku's side seeing the camera in his friend's hand. He hugged his friend happily. "Didcha get it?"

He couldn't wait for Ven to hear it! Of course it would of been cool if Ven had been there to hear it in person - but if he WAS then Roxas wouldn't of had any reason to play it at all...
"Hey Sor-... Is that a camera?!" He heard Roxas squeak. "Sora I'm going to KILL you!"
Uh oh.


Demyx blinked as he walked beside his friend, the question strange even to him. "Uh..." He reached in his pocket and pulled out a few coins. "Not much maybe enough to buy some chips... why?" Of course he was assuming Axel was asking because he was hungry.


The night came to a close as everyone went home. The moon rose high in the sky as everyone readied for bed or were already fast asleep, while others awoke to go out to their graveyard jobs. Hours passed as the night became deep and thick with silence hardly broken even be night birds or insects.

In one small home though far away on Sunset Lane, rare blue eyes snapped open as the owner sat up. "Fuck..." Gasped the man as the sheets were thrown aside and feet dashed across room and out into the hall to the adjacent bathroom. The lights were disregarded as the toilet seat was lifted and the teen fell to his knees in front of it. He gripped onto the edges of the bowl as his body seized up and he retched, a mess of half-digested food splashing messily into the water. He took maybe three breathes before he gagged and threw up again. And then a third time which was the worst because he felt some of it burn as some was forced through his nostrils.

The brunette shook a little spitting out the disgusting taste in his mouth, and tearing off some toilet paper to wipe his face. He flushed the toilet. He could hear shifting in another room and a door opening and cursed, jumping to his feet and shutting the bathroom door, locking it.

Not even twenty seconds later, his mother was knocking on the door, asking if he was alright.
"F-Fine mother..." The brunette answered shakily even as his stomach continued to twist and he found place back in front of the toilet again. He shut his eyes taking a few labored breathed, willing it to stop... but it did not. He tried to hold a soft conversation with his mom, tried to take his mind away but in less than two minutes he felt his stomach rebelling again and cut himself off mid-sentence as he bent over the bowl and threw up again.

It wasn't long before Ida's worried voice woke Hatori up, and even later Braig. It was the man of the house that ushered them both down the stairs to leave Terra alone - there was nothing they could do for him except make him feel embarrassed at this point. He did tell Braig to try going back to bed, but the boy was unsettled, knowing his cousin's condition well. So they stayed up and waited in the living room, making tea to help calm there nerves. The toilet flushed many times that night as one hour passed... then two... then three.

Braig did eventually fall back to sleep, this time on the couch but Hatori and Ida could not as they looked at each other across the dining room table, worry and fear making them seem ages old. This was bad... if Terra was already expelling the food from his stomach, he'd have less energy to fight the sickness as it came over him. The black-haired father glanced at the clock. It'd been ten minutes since they last heard anything from the brunette. "I'll... go check on him." He murmured, before going upstairs.

He paused at the bathroom door, listening quietly for a few moments. It was silent within. He knocked on the door, "Terra?"

The brunette on the other side was curled up on the rug of the bathroom, his body curled up to provide himself with some warmth. His bangs were wet and stuck to his cheeks from sweat and other... less appealing substances and as he dozed on the carpet. He was roused however at the knock and the soft voice of his father. "Yeah...?"

"You okay to come out now?"
".......... yeah." The brunette sat up slowly, his limbs shaking as he managed to get to his feet and go and unlock the door. He wasn't surprised when he felt a hand at his forehead, again checking for fever and brushing aside the bangs that had caught onto his cheeks. No fever yet.
"Let's get some water in you." The man murmured.
The pale brunette didn't argue. He nodded and followed his father down the stairs at a slow space, still apprehensive that his body was going to betray him again. But he was pretty sure everything he'd eaten in the past two WEEKS was gone by now.

Terra sat down at the table next to his mother, looking down at the wood with tired eyes while his father got him some water. He listened to his parents talk over him, saying something about doctors and antibiotics and the old hub bub like always, while he just sipped at the glass. His mother fussed over him a little but he just let her.

It wasn't long before the teen was being led back up the stairs and into bed. The only cure to throwing up was sleep after all. Braig was left alone, Ida draping a blanket over him. And the two scared parents fell back into a restless sleep.


Morning came quicker than anyone would of liked. It was about eight-twelve when Terra again opened his eyes. He looked around blearily, feeling cold even as sweat collected at his brow and an aching sort of pain was washing over his body. He groaned before reaching blindly for the phone on his nightstand and flipping it open. He opened it and speed dialled a familar number, listening to the phone ring and ring and ring... before finally he heard a familiar voice mail.

"I'm sorry Ven that... I couldn't make it... something came up and I uh had to go to work." Terra murmured softly, not minding the fact that the store wasn't even open on Saturdays. "I'll see you soon though okay? Just enjoy being out of that hellhole, k?" There was a pause, then an almost desperate tone came to his voice. "I-I love you... bye." He flipped his phone closed, shut it off and set it back onto his nightstand.

He shut his eyes whimpering a little, before painfully groaning again. "Moooom!" The fever had begun.

[Rikugurl]

Riku yelped as Sora hugged him but laughed. "Yep! All of it... and I should get something out of it too! There's no way I'll be able to write with this hand on Monday!" He joked but blinked as he heard Roxas coming up to them. He couldn't help but grin at it all.

He did smile however as he saw Olette and Pence run over and quickly take Roxas's mind off the camera. Riku just looked down at Sora and shrugged, hugging once again.


Axel blinked before smiling uneasily. "Y-yea? Awesome... let's go get some...chips." He looked at the booth once more before pushing through the crowd and out into the open air. The two started to leave Hollow Bastion, back down to the gallows were their poor homes waited for them.

On the way there, they stopped at a convenient store and picked up a bag of chips.


Ida did the best she could to stomach down dinner, only eating a half of a sandwich. She retired to bed quickly after... but didn't even think of sleep until her husband joined her. She knew he had a long day and... needed the sleep. If Ida wasn't sleeping, neither could he.

She wrapped her arms around him and tried to relax. Terra... was still ok...
She said her good-nights and kissed him before falling asleep in his warmth.

Only three hours passed... and she awoke to stir in bed only for something to catch her ear. Something.... horrifyingly familiar. The sound of Terra puking. Her blue eyes flashed open, no longer tired as her nerves shot through the roof. She quickly and as quietly as she could, she crawled out of bed and walked into the hallway. The bathroom door wasn't far and came up quicker as she walked.

She stopped in front of the door, her ratty, black bedhead hair falling over her shoulders as her pale skin only seemed to of gotten paler. She swallowed before she knocked on the door. "Terra....? Terra... are you alright in there...?" She got the answer but knew he was only saying that.... "Are you sure...?" They continued to go back and forth until... she heard it again.

Her hand covered her mouth as the fear ran through her again. "Terra, please baby just open the door..." She called desperately when Terra stopped. She seemed to just talk to herself until the creeks in the wooden boards made her look over, seeing her husband walk out of their room with a sleepy face. Ida didn't have to tell him anything.

Another door opened, now a sleepy Braig walked out of Zack's old room. "What's going on?" He yawned, his own long hair a bit crazy.
That was when Hatori gathered them and walked them downstairs.
"Is Terra gonna be alright, uncle Hatori?" The younger asked as he looked up at the red eyed man.
An hour later, he was dead asleep on the couch.

Not Ida though. Her tired eyes looked at the wooden table unless they were looking into her husband's eyes. This... was worse than before. He was throwing up before the fever set in. His body was already rejecting and...
She flinched when she heard Hatori, only to nod silently.

She waited silently, her body unable to stop shaking. Why now...? It was either in the dead of cold... or the hottest day in the summer. What was it that she gave to her son that made him become so violently ill. Was it something she did while she was pregnant. She had to admit... she was under more stress when she was pregnant with him than she was with Zack.

That was when the guilt set in. Maybe if she had asked for extra weeks off... maybe if she didn't pick up Zack so much or maybe if she didn't eat this or drink that.

Ida squinted a bit as she lifted her heavy head up to see her son walking down the stairs with his father. He looked so pale... When he was sat next to her, she couldn't help but pull him into a warm comfort as she talked to Hatori about... seeing if they should schedule an appointment NOW. Hatori found no need seeing that he didn't have a fever yet.

Terra was soon put to bed and Ida laid next to her husband once more. She sighed, still shaking even in the warmth of the blankets and her husband. She knew... this time wasn't going to be like the last.


In the morning, the sun peered through clean windows of an empty room. Ventus's room that is. Bryna and Sirocco slept happily next door, knowing their baby was coming home today after a month of imprisonment. On the other side was Roxas and Sora, probably happy as well.

In the empty room, a phone started to vibrate on the nightstand. The caller idea read Terra. The phone fell off the stand and onto the carpet below before it stopped and it was silence once more.


Idea was already up. Steam coming from her oatmeal was warming her cold face as she looked down into it, stirring it for who knows how long now. She would have to eat it soon seeing that she had to be at work on another 45 minutes...

She picked up her spoon until her eyes suddenly went wide.
"Moooom!"
The spoon dropped, making a loud noise as oatmeal splattered a bit. She turned and rushed up the stairs before bursting into Terra's room. There was a smell of sickness in the air... and Terra was drenched from head to toe. "Terra!" She cried in panic before rushing to the bathroom and pulled the thermometer out of the cabinet, not bothering to close the door.

She rushed back to the room and to Terra's side. "Open up." She demanded before Terra did as she asked. She put the thing under his tongue, her hand shaking so violently that he had to steady it with her other. The thermometer beeped and she pulled it out, reading the number.
104.0°F

"HATORIIIIIIIIIIII!!!" She cried out desperately. Terra already had a moderate, almost reaching high grade fever.

[Reno]

Terra shut his eyes tiredly until he heard his bedroom door opening. He looked up at his mother in the pathetic way children tend to do when the feel horrible and the answer was immediate. He watched his mom disappear only to hear things falling out of the bathroom's medicine cabinet as the thermometer was sought for.

She came back and he followed her orders easily, shivering a little as the cold metal slipped under his tongue uncomfortably. It took only a minute or two before the thermometer beeped in a rapid, annoying way that announced he had a fever. The minute his mother looked at it though and cries for his dad... He knew it was bad. Then again, he was feeling it, so he knew already... especially with how... hot it was.


The night before was full of nothing but sweet denials, false reassurances, and bright hopes.

The morning was full of nothing dread.

"HATORIIIIIIIIIIII!!!"

Crimson-colored eyes snapped open at the scream, the man jerked out of sleep. He turned around in bed a few times, a little disoriented and full of panic as his legs got twisted in the sheets and, when he tried to get out of bed, went tumbling to the floor. "Fuck!" He snapped, irritably tearing off the sheets and chasing his way straight to his younger son's bedroom.

Sure enough, there was his wife, shaking all over with desperation and fear. And there was his son, eyes pale with illness and cheeks dark with fever. He cursed softly before hurrying over Ida offering the thermometer without a word.

He looked at it. "A hundred and four... fuck!" Now that was scary but it was especially so with Terra because in sickness his body tended to contract highly dangerous fevers. In just a few hours time, his body temperature had gone up nearly six whole degrees. By the end of the night it could skyrocket again to 110°... and if it did, then there would be no hope for Terra then.

"Alright, I'm calling Yuna. Ida get him layered we're going to the hospital." Hatori said as he set down the reading and hurried from the room, pissed beyond measure that it was Saturday. Doctors offices were closed - but luckily... Yuna was not only their doctor but a good friend.

She had been Zack's nurse when he had been born and at the time had been going for a doctorate. When Terra was born, she was there as a doctor-in-training, and was one of the few who passionately agreed with their decision to keep fighting for Terra's life, no matter how painful. She had offered them her number and told them to call her anytime if they needed help and most often times... free of charge.

When Terra was five and had gotten sick again after a four-year long hiatus... she was their doctor. And was the other four times after that. and would be again.

Hatori snatched up the phone and went into the kitchen finding an old business card and dialing the number on it. He knew Yuna would pick up - doctors had to have their phones nearby in case of emergencies.


Terra watched with dull eyes as his mother grabbed things from his closet. He sat up slowly as she did, his whole body shivering from head to toe as the cold air around him battled with his fiercely hot skin. He shut his eyes, holding back a groan and the desire to just slip back under the covers.

Instead he started reaching for the clothes, tugging them on over his night clothes. The warmer they could get him, the better. Sweat at this point was the only thing battling the fever. but that was also bad...

"Mom... d-do we really have to go.... I'll be okay..." Terra murmured softly. Oh how he wanted to believe that...

These trips... these signs of sickness... they didn't just scare his parents, they scared him too. He... didn't want to die like this.

[Rikugurl]

OOC: I guess I'm Yuna? x3

Ida looked back at her husband, fear in her eyes as he walked over. She handed him the thermometer and saw his eyes widen. This had only happened in the matter of hours... She didn't think she had seen anything this bad before...

She nodded at her husband's orders and quickly ran to Terra's closet when he had unpacked all his clothes.
What would of happened if Zack was at work and this happened...? Maybe having Terra back home... was a godsend.

She took out a large, warm sweater and handed it to her son along with a scarf, a jacket and a warm hat that covered his ears. She grabbed his socks and started to put them on him as he pulled on his jacket. Her pale face looked up at him and she bit her lip. "Terra.... we have to go..."


A thin, beautiful woman picked up her purse and pulled it over her shoulder. She was bundled up in a form fitting coat, a nice scarf and was about to turn the knob to her front door when she heard a sudden ring. She stopped and pushed her mitten into her pocket, wrapping it around a cell phone.

She pulled it out and flipped it open, her shiny pinkish lip gloss sparkling as she answered.
"Hello, Yuna Shuyin speaking." She blinked as she heard a familiar voice on the other end. Hatori Tellus. She gasped a bit as he continued talking. One hundred and four...? "Hold on, Hatori, are you sure you read it correctly?" She usually never called her patients or their family members by their first name but Yuna had known the Tellus family so well.

She even received a Christmas gift in the mail from them. She nodded as she heard the response. Ida had taken the temperature... and she was a very smart woman. "Now you said he didn't even have a fever a few hours ago?" That was one thing that always scared her about Terra.... the way his fever just shot up. If this continued...
"Alright, I'll meet you at the emergency room! Please drive safely and make sure he drinks plenty of water on the way!"

She hung up and sighed, quickly rushing to her car. So much for her date tonight... she would be doing all she could to save this boy's life once again.

[Reno]

OOC: Yeah I never played the game so I dunno how she acts XD

Hatori sighed as he got an answer. "Yuna... it's Hatori. We need help..." He glanced back towards the stairs. "Terra's sick again, he was up last night throwing and now he's already got a fever of a hundred and four!"

He shut his eyes and sighed. "Yes we read it right! Ida took the temperature and I saw it too....... yeah............... got it we'll see you there."

He set down the phone cursing lightly before hurrying into the kitchen, grabbing two bottles of water from their box nearby the fridge. He turned and hurried out before hesitating, and snatching up his keys and his and his wife's coats and hurried up the stairs.


Terra looked back at his mom quietly and for a moment neither of them moved or said anything. There were so many uncertainties, so much fear...

And then he gave her a weak smile and wiggled his toes. "Alright well, then I guess I need some shoes to go with these socks." When his mother brought his shoes to him he stuck his feet in them.

Just as he had he heard his father coming back up the stairs and hesitating in the threshold before coming inside, handing Ida her coat while he shrugged into his own. "What are we gonna do about Braig?" He murmured to her quietly, handing her the water once she was in her coat.

[Rikugurl]

Yuna rushed to her car, getting in and turning it on. The heat was blasted as she tried to pull her seat belt on. She needed to get to the ER. She speed dialed the ER as she drove, letting them know that a patient was coming and if she didn't make it there before they did, she told them what they could do to prepare him.

Ida smiled slightly as she got Terra's winter boots, putting them on and tying them the minute Hatori walked in. She looked over, getting up and taking her coat. She pulled it on and buttoned it the best she could before taking the water. "Braig...?" That's was right. She knew the boy didn't have any friends either. She shook her head and sighed. "He can stay here... Get Terra in the car and I'll go talk to him."

With that, she quickly rushed out of the room and towards Zack old one. She opened the door and sneaked in.

[Reno]

Hatori sighed before looking at his son. "Ready?"
The teen nodded getting to his feet slowly and walked close to his dad as they descended the stairs. He found it much harder to do the second time around and was comforted when his father's arm came around his shoulders.

The minute they walked outside to where his father's car was, Terra was quickly re-introduced with winter. And... it was not fun. He brought his arms close, his fingers curling into fists and his teeth started to chatter. His dad quickly opened the doors and turned on the car while Terra got into the passenger side, curling up onto the seat and shivered all over.

Even as the car warmed and the heater was turned on, his shivers refused to stop. It wasn't long later that Ida was in the car, her eyes still full of worry and the car went flying down the road towards the hospital.

Terra's eyes shut, breathing out shuddery breathes as his body tried to combat the cold that had settled under his skin. He shakily took the bottle his mom handed him, following her orders to drink it. He swallowed hard, his throat sore and hurting from last might.

By the time they reached the ER his body was exhausted and he was coughing ever now and then. Even he knew... the sickness had never acted so fast before...
Not since before the times that he couldn't remember, when he was a baby...

[Rikugurl]

Everything seemed to be going so fast... but for Ida, time seemed to stop. It was all a blur that she couldn't keep up with.

When they reached Hope, the two got out and helped the third inside where the heat was up high. Ida backed off and Hatori started to talk to some nurses. She flipped open her phone and called her work, letting them know that she wasn't going to be there today. There was an emergency.

Everyone at the courthouse knew about Terra. Ida had to call out a few times last year because of it. Luckily she was a prize member of the house... her job was never threatened.


"And this is the last of it." A small bag was placed on top of suitcase. The nurse smiled down at the short blonde. "I'll miss you~ Come stop by sometime."

Ventus smiled and nodded. It was 9:50 in the morning and he was so close to getting out of this place. He would have to come here every week anyway... but not in this part of the hospital.
"Thanks for everything."

His blue eyes looked at the double doors, seeing a happy family walking up to it. He smiled even more. He was finally going to go home.


Ida sat down next to her husband in the waiting room. Yuna had already informed them that Terra was at high risk once again and that he would be put on a monitor. All they could do was keep him hydrated and give him ibuprofen. Sit back... and see what the fever did. If it got higher than 106... Terra was in the red for brain damage once again.

[Reno]

Terra hesitated between his parents as the walked into the hospital, stopping right under the heater so it would blow on him. He shivered and shook clasping his hands together in his coat sleeves.

The nurses quickly understood who Hatori was and informed him Yuna had already made the call. They told Hatori he would have to fill out the paperwork while another nurse, smaller than all three of the Tellus' but with a kind smile, went up to Terra and quickly lead him towards the ER.

In an almost... child-like way, He looked back as he walked through the doors his eyes full of terror as he met his mom's gaze - and then the doors shut.


"Ven!" Was the happy chirp and Sora seemingly skipped across the tiled floor to his brother giving him a great big hug and a happy little spin. "Today is the big day!"

Bryna shook her head chuckling at her eldest antics. He could be such a child sometimes - and yes if she was twenty years younger she wasn't ashamed to admit she probably would of done the same. "Are you excited sweetheart?"

"Tch, never though I'd miss the stupid death metal so much." Roxas said tugging on the leash in his hands. Halo came to the blond's side, her tail wagging happily as if she realized something good was happening today.


Hatori sighed, placing his hands over Ida's in a comforting way, fingers curling around hers. They'd been here for nearly an hour and a half doing nothing more than waiting. Ida didn't want to go home. He didn't really want to either. But what good were they doing here. just sitting?

He sighed, wishing it wasn't like this.


There was a soft, rhythmic beeping in an all-white room and then another beep, this one of a different tone. Eyes opened, the whites of them were red, and the head of the teen moved to look at the monitor that was watching his vitals: Heart beat, respiration, blood pressure.... and body temperature.

He groaned in despair and croaked out, "Go down."

In red letters, the monitor red 105.6°F. Too high... It was getting too high. "Fuck go down." He hissed raspy, his heart beat speeding up just a little.

Another beep. 105.7
"FUCK!" He turned his head away and shut his eyes, coughing. His throat was screaming and he felt weary and hot and sick... and he wanted his mom.

[Rikugurl]

Ventus smiled as he hugged his brothers, mother and father. "Yep!" He smiled happily as he answered his mother's question. He really was excited. He got to sleep in his own bed, listen to his music again... and start looking for a place with Terra.
Of course, he had to go back to work as well... though it wouldn't be the same with Zack gone.

He leaned down and played with the puppy as his parents once again started to fill out his release forms.
They also had to sign a form stating that they wanted the flowers to be taken back to Aerith's shop... seeing that they had no place for them at the moment.

Blue eyes looked up when his parents came back... but they seemed to pass them, looking at the clock behind them.
10:11.
Ventus stood up slowly and looked out the double doors.
Where was.... Terra?

"So... tomorrow you get out right?" Terra asked as he hesitated by the bed, almost about to leave. They had just finished their conversation about living together, once that Terra was somewhat hesitant about but willing to try. As long as Ven promised he'd go to fucking college.
"Yeah... tomorrow around ten. I can't wait to get out of this fucking hellhole!" The blonde replied.
Terra nodded decisively before smiling. "Alright then, I'll be there."
"Really...?"
"Yeah, I promise."

"Ven?" The blonde shook his head and looked up at his father. Sirocco seemed a bit concerned. "Before we leave... is everything alright?"
Ven looked back at the door. "Terra said he'd be here too...."


A woman in a lab coat walked into the white room where some beeps could be heard. "Terra?" A familiar voice called out to him. It was Yuna. She walked to his side and looked at the monitor. His body temp was getting higher. With the ibuprofen and the IV of water.... his temperature should be leveling. Why was his body still fighting?

She frowned as she looked back down at him. She reached out and put her hand on his. "Just hang in there... it should start leveling and going down soon..."

[Reno]

Sora crouched down next to his brother, grinning. "She knows a whole buncha tricks now!" He laughed as Ven started going through the list of doggy tricks. Halo sat and laid down and begged when told. And then Sora showed him the new trick they had just perfected. "Halo, high-five!" Halo tilted her head, ears twitching. "High-five."

The puppy lifted her paw and met Sora's hand. "Yeah good girl!!"

For the next twenty minutes the three brothers talked and Ven even brought up the competition, of which Sora happily announced they had won.

Soon Bryna and Sirocco reappeared though and it was the father that noticed the boy's unease. Bryna blinked in interest at the admission, frowning a little - even she knew it was not like Terra to not keep his promises or even be late... unless he had a good reason.

"Well honey," Bryna tried to reassure. "The news did say today was the coldest one we've had all winter and his car isn't exactly new, it's possible it just wouldn't start. e can wait here a little longer though if you'd like."


He opened his eyes looking up at her with tired eyes. "And if it doesn't?" He mumbled softly. He knew the answer. If it didn't go down, he'd die.

But he liked Yuna... she was always able to give him a little hope.