Of Hair so Gold, and Lips so Red.

   Aero(c)2009



Chapter I.




He could recall seeing his father and that woman together at the ball like it was yesterday.

It was a lively night, the orchestra playing music that thumped the ground, and people bustling about, laughing and mingling. Singing echoed through the Dance Hall, and some shouts were in amazement as the entertainer turned a rose into fiery ashes. The young prince found no interest in such things. He had one goal in mind.

He tried to see over the heads of short women in tall, fancy hats and men with smiles on their faces, flirting around with the females. At his height, all of his attempts were in vain. The young boy of only age seven groaned in childish frustration.

He then resorted to bobbing and weaving through the feet of all the councilmen with their wives, and the maids and scholars. He pushed past a rainbow of gold and silver embroidered dresses, his attention sometimes drifting away from his target to stare at the complicated designs portrayed on the fabric. He stepped on shiny black shoes that made a tiny squeak as the men moved about. He traveled under the skirt of many women, the cause of the shrieks that emitted from their throats.

His destination was at the middle of the room. He knew his father would be there, dancing and making friendly conversation with some of the members of another royal family. He would be the true life of the party, people asking him questions and asking him to dance. He knew because this was an event his father threw every year, inviting the men and woman of all Kingdom Hearts to come. However, the little prince was a bit clueless as to what his ulterior motive was.

So he kept pushing gowns and stepping on expensive shoes, trying to get to his father. He was pushed around, flailing his arms as he always seemed to catch on to a black pant before standing up and trying again. To him, it was like a maze. He enjoyed mazes to a certain degree, in truth, as his maids always liked to take him through the labyrinth that is their garden. This one wasn't as enjoyable, however, as he seemed to be more lost than usual.

He actually stumbled to the dance floor by accident. He squeezed through a peach-colored dress, falling on his knees on the yellow tiled floors. He pouted a little, not liking the slight injury he might have caused himself. He stood up on his feet, brushing off his little black suit, leaving his tie untidy. He was rather captivated by the bright lights that shone in his light blue eyes. He looked around, and all people around him were fixated on staring at the middle of the floor. He could see the interest playing around on their features and he just couldn't help but look as well. He didn't know that he would wish he never looked a few years later.

His father, Cloud Strife, was the first person he recognized. He was dressed in a black velvet suit, the tail long enough for the prince himself to stand on it and ride. That was an amusing thought to him at first, before noticing the woman he clung unto. His eyebrows turned down a little at this. He couldn't see the woman's face, but he could see her short blonde hair slicked back elegantly, and her long red dress with lace around the hem of it. He vaguely wondered if she was pretty.

He wanted to call out his father's name to get the attention on him, but he somehow felt as though he should just stay and watch. That wasn't his mother, the prince knew, but he sure was interested in why he would dance with a woman like that. Her back was out, and her neck exposed-- Did she have no shame? If so, then neither did his father. He saw his father's content face, but he didn't like this one bit. The young boy shook his head, biting his lower lip.

It wasn't even the fact that his father was clung to a woman he didn't know, it was the fact that the woman gave off strong vibes. He didn't have to be a wise scholar or a talented swordsman or even over ten years of age to realize that this woman was no good. He took in a deep breath, trying to see her face. The two swayed to the music, turning slightly. The female's head was rested on his father's shoulder, and her arms were wrapped around his waist. The prince strained his neck to see her face as it slowly came into view.

As if on cue, she opened her eyes and locked her gaze with his. The young boy felt chills run down his spine immediately. Her eyes were a cold, electric blue, and spoke of things that he couldn't understand. She was beautiful, however. Her skin was flawless, and her cheekbones were highly set as well as her lips, which were done with an alluring red color. What worried Roxas was not her features, but her eyes. Those eyes that were burned in his memory, as her red lips pared to show an evil grin that only he could see.