Konoko: STOP! Before you read this, I make a modest request for you to go back and read Wonk ouY nahT noitceffA eroM deeN I and Hitoshirezu. Otherwise you will NOT have any understanding of the events in this story. Or you can be stubborn and read through this and be like I don't get it later but whatever.

Now the wait is over and here is the much anticipated sequel. Gosh I'm glad I finally got around to editing this. Woot! Once again, if this story does well I'll give a pic for the 100th reviewer.

Congrats to the first winner, Athiest. Thanks for all your support. Now I haven't thought of what the next image will be but trust it will be good. If you want to look at the last image you can go to my deviant art account and view it under TwilightKeybearer.

Disclaimer: …I just don't understand the point of this but here goes. I don't kh nor the original anti-sora but! I do own Aros cause he's mine and I created him :pets her Aros like a kitty: Any characters that are not from Kingdom Hearts or the final fantasies are MINE. You steal it I WILL sue you. Some how… .

Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

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"I don't remember when I started to feel this way." My hands fidget as I listen to the scratching of graphite on paper and the soft hum of a cellist playing passionately from the surround sound system. My senses were assaulted with the scent of jasmine candles as I sat in slight embarrassment. I was use to this by now but it still felt strange for her to watch me that way. Her lavender eyes tracing the details of my skin and clothes. Still, this was a fair exchange for her to listen to what I had on my mind. At least to me it was. She was studying psychology.

"Feel what way, Sora?" she asked softly as she made a curve in the drawing she was working on. I couldn't tell how she was envisioning me this time but somehow it always came out to be beautiful.

"There's…a space; a void almost. It just keeps filling up with this doubt that I have."

"Oh, a doubt in what?" she asked blinking at me. She never knew me to doubt myself. I was always so sure but not anymore. When did this start?

"That's the thing I don't know. It's affecting my school work and even my relationship with Riku."

She hummed slightly. "Are you scared of something, that maybe you're loosing sight of something important."

I shook my head, "No, I've always had a clear sight of things I wanted…even when everyone else doubted that I did. Normally I can sense with something's amiss but now…I just don't know anymore."

"Ah, then you're afraid that you're missing something and everyone else knows but you."

"I'm not afraid of that; I'm afraid that it might be something horrible. And if that's the case I don't want to know."

"Hm, you want to know to set your fears at ease but you're too afraid thing will only get worse."

"Yeah, that's it."

"Is it Riku?"

I grew silent at this and turned away from her questioning gaze to focus on one of the lit candles. Flashes of that night three years ago and the many nights afterwards raced through my mind. The way those hands touched me nowadays, like they were trying to love me but was too scared I would break under them. Riku had…

"…he's changed…"

"Has he?"

"Yes, the things he does to me…"

"Does he hurt you?" she murmured with concern.

"No, in fact I enjoy it but there's something about the way he does it…the way he touches me," I added softly. Embarrassment was creeping into my cheeks again and I could feel it but if ii was going to talk about this I had to be honest with myself. At least she didn't judge. She didn't look at me in disgust or apology for anything that I wandered or said.

"Something's not right in the way you both react to each other." She said simply.

"It's like…someone's behind him. Like there's this dark shadow over his shoulder and he's afraid it will get me…almost afraid that I'll see it…"

"A phantom of doubt?"

"Yes, a dark phantom…"

"So this is the reason you've been loosing sleep?"

"No, it's part of it. I don't sleep that often anymore…but I do dream…"

noitomE eurT deeN I

Setting the Stage

"I've Just Had A Lot on My Mind"

Sora lay under the moonlight of Darkness Edge. The waves crashed against the shore in a hypnotic song that kept him in a dazed state of relaxation. He sat up slowly as not to bring dizziness upon him and looked around slowly. A whisper on the wind caressed his cheek wiping away tears he had no clue were there. He tilted his head to the tingling sensation upon his face and touched his own skin in wonder. The touch was unfamiliar but not unwelcome, soft gentle caress that slid from his tear-stained cheek to his neck in a soothing manner. He relaxed and lay back against the sand letting the inviting touch roam. His eyes closed and he felt lips descend on his neck in slow butterfly kisses that made him shiver. His eyes opened half-way in a daze but still he saw no one. He gave a shuddering sigh as the lips closed around his pulse. This phantom had began to come more and more often in his dreams. He could feel him, smell him and taste him but, he just couldn't see him. Like being blind but still able to see, Sora knew this phantom as something intangible. Still…

"Who are you?" Sora whispered.

"Is it so important?" the phantom breathed against his skin.

Sora trembled. "What do you want?"

"Nothing in particular, Keyblade Master," a hand caressed his throat. "Nothing more than to see you happy."

"Happy?"

"Sora!"

Sora's eyes snapped open and he lifted his head from his book. He looked up into Selphie's large green eyes which practically grinned at him. "Selphie?"

She smiled brightly. "Hey, come on we'll miss class!"

He nodded and closed the literature book he had supposed to have been studying. "Sorry about that," he said with a sheepish grin. She inspected him cautiously and felt his cheeks and forehead with her free hand. Sora swayed slightly trying to pull away. Selphie sighed her green eyes showing concern.

"Sora, you still aren't sleeping are you?"

Sora's cheery disposition faded. "So you noticed."

"It's not hard with those grocery bags under your eyes. Come on, after class I'm going to take you somewhere nice so you can sleep."

"But I told Ri-"

She silenced him with her hand. "I want to go my whole day without hearing about what Riku wants and what you told him you'd do. Today is for you. After all, when was the last time you did something alone?"

"I did something alone yesterday!" He whined.

"Visiting Naminé for psychiatry practice doesn't count!" She exclaimed dragging him off. "Besides this won't help your audition at all if you're too exhausted!"

She walked him to their final class of the day, Literature. Sora sat through it halfway paying attention though Selphie did her best to keep him awake during the lecture. He had never expected such a close friend in Selphie. It reminded him of how Kairi use to…He shook that thought from his head. As much as he missed the girl he wouldn't dare think of her. If he did, Naminé would have trouble corralling her again. It had taken a great amount of strength for Naminé to render Kairi's consciousness incapacitated and any slight thought directed at the girl would rouse the red head. That was last thing they needed. It was alright though; Naminé was a much better friend than her counterpart. But every now and then he thought of the redhead in fleeting memories. Sometimes even his dreams. Speaking of, a good dream wouldn't be bad right about now.

"Good grief, Sora," Selphie whispered as she picked his head off the desk.

Sora opened his eyes halfway to peer at the teacher pacing back and forth as he spoke. Yawning he sat himself up and swatted Selphie's hand away. He managed to stay awake during the lecture and decided to rely on Selphie just once with note taking. At the end of the class Sora was led away by Selphie and taken to the campus planetarium. Sora laughed.

"The planetarium? You're kidding right? We aren't kindergarteners anymore."

Selphie gave an offended glare. "For your information this is the perfect place to go to calm you down. Now stop screwing around and let's go inside."

Sora grimaced as he was shoved through the door. They found seats near the front and Sora was grateful for the reclining seats and soft cushioning. He remembered how obsessed he was with this place when he was younger and it made him feel familiar warmth to be somewhere that made him so happy at one point in his life. He relaxed in the soft chair and leaned back as the session began. The machine began to whirl but was soon drowned out by soothing music and the narrator's voice. Selphie's expression showed childlike wonderment as the stars surrounded them and shot past them in the illusion of traversing through space. Sora tilted his head back and watched the display. It was hard to be impressed when he had traversed the universe not too long ago. He had almost touched the stars through the window of the gummy ship and felt the freedom of flying to other worlds. It was so strange to be there in college and know more was out there than just this one world they inhabited. The narrator's voice cut through his reverie.

"Now, amazingly we have discovered a new planet in our quest for other worlds, our strongest satellite was able to catch on to it. We were able to recreate it on our computers to present it to you today."

Sora's eyes focused on the dark planet above him. Its surface was crystal clear like a dark jewel floating in the abyss of space. The cloud coverage was limited to only a few swirls of dark blue that surrounded the planet in a soft blanket. There was a large moon that glowed in its own light beside it almost like it was not a moon at all but a soft silvery star shining rays onto the surface. The planet itself sparked a distant longing within Sora's chest, almost like being homesick. He touched his chest hoping to feel the beating of his own heart without doubting it. The soft thumping was there attempting to comfort him, but, the cold knowledge that his was an illusion was still there. His heart was still in its safe haven inside Riku's chest. So, why was this feeling suddenly bothering him?

Sora watched the planet turn upon its axis while the narrator droned on in their theories about the floating jewel. He felt his eyes grow heavier as he watched the moving planet. The stars blurred around him as his azure and amber orbs fell shut and all that was left was the music around him. He didn't even hear the narrator's voice anymore. His body felt light yet heavy, like being suspended just beneath the surface of the water. He was sleeping, he knew it but it felt strange. Like his body had shut down with his mind wide awake. The world began to swirl into beautiful colors and all in an instant he was falling. Dark hands reached for his body in cruel intent as he blew past them in his dream like state until he fell into a gentle embrace. The embrace tightened comfortable around him keeping him safe in this abysmal darkness. He felt a kiss pressed against his cheek causing his eyes to open.

"You see that obsidian gem floating there?"

Sora focused on the new planet that had been introduced in the planetarium. He slowly nodded and lay his head back against the unseen embracer. He heard the deep voice brush past his ear.

"I created that image for you, to let you know that when you're ready, I can come for you."

"For me?"

"Yes, come and take you away from this place."

Before Sora could respond he felt a hand grip his wrist and pull him from the warmth of his phantom. He was jerked away and pulled into the dim light of a bedroom. Falling to his knees he gasped taking in gulps of oxygen. When had he been holding his breath. Shakily he looked up to see Aros standing before him, absent of his normal mocking smirk. He was dead serious to a point where it almost frightened Sora.

"Aros?"

"What were you doing Sora?" he asked angrily.

"What do you mean? I fell asleep in the planetarium."

Aros sighed and sat down on his bed wearily. It was at this point that Sora noticed just how off Aros looked. Worry was lined into his anti-form's face and right there in the depths of his amber eyes Sora saw traces of fear. Sora stood up.

"Aros, what's wrong?"

The darker boy shook his head and took Sora's hands. Sora almost felt like a child under Aros's gaze. Sometimes he found it hard to look into the amber eyes. "You fell into a part of my mind that was all. You just experienced one of my memories. Don't dwell on it, all right."

"But-"

"Don't dwell on it!" he reiterated. "And for god's sake get some sleep."

"I'll try," Sora whispered leaning against his darker self. "What about you? You've been really…distant towards me and Roxas."

Aros smiled at the concern from his counterpart. "I'm fine. I've just had a lot on my mind. Go back to your own mind, Sora. The show is almost over."

Sora nodded and stood and began walking toward the door. He looked back at Aros who had turned to stare out the window. Even though they were apart of the same mind, Sora realized that he didn't know very much about Aros. Why he was thinking about that right now he wasn't really sure. He never saw a reason to actually get to know his darker side fully though now he should take the time to. Maybe, Aros's actions wouldn't confuse him so much. He exited the door leading to his own mind and left Aros to his own thoughts. Why had the shadow been so angry with him? Why had he been torn from that safe embrace by the shadow? What was on Aros's mind right now?

Selphie was once again over him when his bi-colored eyes opened. He squinted at the bright lights around him and heard people chattering as they left the room. He sat up holding his head and yawning.

"How long was I out?"

"The show lasted for three hours. You only stayed awake for twenty minutes, you sleepy head," she chirped with a smile. "Didn't I tell you this would be good for you!"

He admitted to feeling a bit better even though his sleep was not a restful one. "Yeah, I do feel a lot better. Don't feel as sluggish."

"Good, now come on. We'll come here everyday if that's what it takes to make you sleep." She swore as she once again dragged him against his will. Sora once again had to appreciate Selphie. He never would've guessed how good of a friend she would become to him in the past. Now it just seemed natural that she was one of his best friends. Come to think of it, both of his very best friends now where girls. Man, what was that saying about him?

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Aros sat on his window sill watching the night sky above him with his mind miles away. He neither heard the door to his domicile open nor the footsteps that crept up behind him. It wasn't until a hand rested on his shoulder that he spun around coming face to face with the blond haired nobody, Roxas. The baby blues gazed into his with scrutiny so intense that Aros, who had never been intimidated by Roxas, had to turn away. Aros moved over and allowed the blonde to join his side. Roxas position his self on the sill and balanced there along side the shadow.

"So, what's with you?"

"I should ask the same. You're not as spry and you sound like your world is ending."

Roxas narrowed his eyes at Aros. "That's none of your business."

Aros's laughing only ticked the blonde off more. "If you didn't want to talk to me, then why are you here blondie?"

Roxas fell silent for a while making the entire situation awkward. Aros felt a wicked smile form on his lips. He pressed closer to the lighter boy until their skin made contact at the hands. Roxas let out a small gasp of surprise as Aros came closer. He came to rest his lips on Roxas's throat in a soft testing kiss. Roxas immediately pulled away and climbed down from the window sill. Aros's malicious grin caused anger to burn inside of him. He came down and backed Roxas into one his walls and placed his hands on either sides.

"I see it now, but I can't help you unless you help me, Roxas," he breathed against the blonde's ears. "I can't fill the hole left in you and neither can Riku. All I can do is ease your suffering."

Roxas shoved him hard making the shadow fall back on his bad. All Aros did was laugh at him as he angrily opened the door. Aros shook his head deciding to make amends for finding the nobody's situation amusing. He grabbed Roxas's wrist and tugged him back against him. He pressed his lips to the blonde's and shut the door behind him. Aros wanted to laugh again but kept it to himself. Roxas was just so adorably stubborn and beautifully tragic. Roxas tried to draw away but the shadow's hands held his face and body close to his. It was true that he did need to talk to Aros, but he couldn't help feel the emptiness returning to him. He couldn't understand where it was coming from or why Aros was willing to do this. It was just a little strange but very sad to think that Aros knew what was happening to him and how to heal it when Roxas had no clue at all. Roxas didn't like Aros no matter if they were all basically the same person, but right now, he truly needed this. So for now, as he was laid back on the bed, he supposed he could forget his feud with Aros and take solace in the help the shadow was offering him. He submitted to this formally absent sensation that set fire to his skin and laced his arms around Aros drawing himself closer. The skin was cool but he could imagine. With every touch and every caress, he could place himself in an almost unreachable memory where the hands were not cool but hot and able to raise the flames of desire into his body. A hiss escaped him when Aros's hands wondered below the waistband of his pants. As his head fell back and his eyes rolled, the memory wrapped around him in a blanket of security.

"Axel…"

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Sora sat on the benches with his earphones snuggled into his ears. He sat analyzing his reading assignment while drowning out Selphie's cheering. Naminé sat beside him sketching her latest inspiration with her own earphones clogging her ears. Selphie sat back down clapping at the plays by Tidus and Wakka in the blitzball sphere. She looked over at them and blew a raspberry. Sora twitched with irritation when Selphie pulled out his earphones.

"Hey, come on, you slept enough to have some type of energy! You too, Naminé!"

Naminé pulled out her phones and graced them with a confused face. "What did you say?"

"I was saying that you two should be some kind of excited. Especially you Sora! Riku's playing his hardest!"

Naminé shrugged and went back to her drawing. Sora gave a blank stare to the sphere of water. "Jeez, Selphie, it's only practice. I'm sure he'll forgive me."

Selphie pouted and turned back to the mock game. "oh phooey! You're no fun Sora!"

Sora shook his head but actually took the time to watch the game. Well not so much the game as the silver haired boy who had just scored a goal and gave a high-five to Tidus. Riku's beautiful silver hair was held back in long braid so that it wouldn't interfere with his performance. Sora had made him promise not to cut it so each year it got longer and was now brushing his backside. Sora's eyes trailed over the flexing muscles of Riku's shoulders and arms as he swam to block the next pass. Sora's face warmed in reaction and knew it was a bad idea to watch this game because he wouldn't get any work done later. Eventually he had to get up before it was over and leave. He could feel Selphie's eyes on him and heard her giggling. He swore he would never let her live it down when she began to be affected. But right now, he needed a moment to calm down. Naminé watched out the corner of her eye and shook her head. Now she knew that she would be seeing Sora again tomorrow morning. She looked down at her concept drawing and smiled at the image of Sora within its rushed lines.

Riku sat in the locker rooms toweling his hair after just showering. His teammates patted him on the back and praised him, Tidus and Wakka. Tidus was up and hyper from their performance. "Yeah man! I can't wait until tomorrow night. We're gonna do some damage!"

"I don't want to get ahead of myself, ya. But I think we're gonna own those guys cross town."

Riku nodded, while unbraiding his hair and drying the water from it. He let the mercuric strands fall down his back before tying it in a ponytail. Tidus jeered at him. "Not only are you best player Riku but the prettiest to!"

"Ya man. You should've seen the look on Sora's face. Me and Tidus couldn't concentrate for laughing, ya. He even got up and left before practice was over."

Riku glared at them playfully. "Are you sure you just aren't jealous of him?"

Tidus scoffed. "Hell no! Why would I trade two for one?" He spouted while patting Wakka on the head like a pet. Wakka swatted him.

"Quit playin' around, ya. We still have our classes to get to, man."

"Ya, Riku, you're lucky. You got your classes early to you have the rest of the day to rest."

"I don't think he'll be resting much."

The three of them turned their heads to see the source of their amusement leaning in the doorway. Riku smirked at Sora's timid smile and the traces of blush still left on his cheeks. So the brunette had been thinking about him. Tidus and Wakka shared a look and decided to vacate the premises.

"We'll see ya tomorrow, ya?"

"Don't go getting out of shape before the game!"

Riku nodded absentmindedly at them and barely registered when the left. Sora moved aside to let them out and closed the door behind them. Before he could turn he felt Riku's breath against the back of his neck. Sora let out a shaky breath but didn't turn. He felt his lover's hands rest on his waist.

"You know, it's kinda hard to get home when we're like this."

"Who said we needed to go home?" Riku whispered against his skin. "I missed you today. You didn't meet me for lunch like you said."

Sora immediately felt guilty about playing hooky with Selphie. "I'm really sorry, I got side tracked. Selphie took me to the planetarium because she claimed I didn't do anything."

Riku smiled and turned him around so that his azure eye and amber eye were both focused on him. Sora blinked up at him innocently and grinned. "I'll make it up to you later, okay?"

Riku shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Sora. I was just curious about what happened."

There is was again, that sad expression that Riku got every now and then. Sora often believed it was his fault since every time he'd seen it was when he apologized for something or offered to do something for Riku. He had been this way since the night of his eighteenth birthday. It had been a whole three years ago, so why was it still causing them trouble. He forgave Riku for missing his surprise and had scolded the others for not taking care of him like they were suppose to but he forgave them just as quickly. Riku was safe when he came back so that was enough. Sora touched his face and drew him down into a kiss. He couldn't do much because he didn't know what the problem was but he could still do something comforting. Three years of trying to make Riku smile had changed Sora a lot. So much so that he had noticed it himself. Now they lived here in Radiant Garden while watching it get bigger and more beautiful. They had let Selphie, Tidus, and Wakka come along because they begged and pleaded though they'd like to call it loyalty. Still, three years and Riku still seemed so far away from him. It was wearing him thin.

Riku kissed Sora back and pressed him against the wall. He had gotten so use that body being near his that he couldn't fathom what it would be like to not have that warmth there to hold him down. That one mistake was not going to get in the way of his love for the brunette even if it did haunt him everyday that he hid it. Hearing Sora apologize for spending time on himself made the silver haired man feel guilty and selfish for keeping Sora away from things that made him happy. Riku ran his fingers through Sora's hair as he pulled away from the breathless brunette. Sora's eyes bore into him, still innocent and wide just like his younger years. He smirked and nipped Sora's ear causing a squeak to erupt from his throat. He was hit in response. Yep, Sora still hated his ears being messed with without permission.

"Jerk, I told you to stop doing that!" Sora grumbled. He turned to leave and slammed the door. Riku chuckled and followed behind him while quickly shoving his shirt on. He walked beside Sora who had by now, forgotten he was angry. They took a slow walk to the bridge that led to their dorms. Sora fidgeted with the strap of his satchel as they walked. Riku glanced at him and sighed.

"What is it?"

"What? I didn't say anything!" Sora said immediately.

"But you were thinking it."

Sora averted his eyes. "I wanted to ask you something."

Riku stopped and looked at him. "What?"

"I…I wanna know what's gotten into you? It seems like something is hanging over you but you won't let me help you overcome it. Was it something I did to make you change like this? Did I do something wrong?"

Riku's eyes darkened with guilt that Sora couldn't understand. He had to know what had changed between them for his Riku to turn out this way. He saw the silvery bangs shake as Riku gave him an answer.

"Sora, it's nothing. I've just had a lot on my mind. Don't let it bother you so much. I don't like burdening you with anything."

"But we're in this together. We're supposed to share the weight."

Riku took Sora into his arms and hugged him. "It's okay. Remember? Everything's alright."

Sora blinked up at him and smiled softly with a nod. "Everything's alright."

Riku released him and began walking again. Sora watched him for a moment. "Riku, why are you so cold to me?" he said, his voice was barely above a whisper. He put on his mask of contentment and followed Riku.

The passing into night had settled the tension between Sora and Riku once they were in the sanctuary of their dorm. The Radiant Garden University dorms were just like townhouses and were finely furnished for the college students. Sora enjoyed the balcony view of the city and of the former castle which was being renovated. Riku liked watching the sunset from on top of the railing. Sora had scolded him many times of how that was dangerous and he would suffer a long drop if he kept it up. The platinum blonde simply ignored him most of the time. Tonight was the same. Sora leaned against the balcony watching the stars while Riku sat on the railing casually watching the city buzz below. Sora had his mind literally light years away right now. He was trying to spot the planet the voice had claimed was made for him. He shook his head. No, a planet that dark wouldn't been seen with the naked eyes. It had taken the strongest satellite to even get traces of it. He didn't notice Riku slide off the balcony and approach him. If he had paid attention he would've seen the dark glint in his boyfriend's oceanic eyes. Too late now.

Sora gasped as the blind fold came down over his unsuspecting eyes. He shuddered at Riku's teeth grazing his skin. "Riku?"

"Let's play tonight, Sora. We haven't played in a while," Riku said huskily. His hands wandered over the pleasure spots he knew by heart on Sora's body.

"Riku…" was all Sora managed before he gave in to the blind sensations.

Aros left Roxas asleep in his room. He figured he would allow the nobody to rest instead of kicking him out of his home. The blonde lay sated and asleep in the black sheets of Aros's bed. Aros opened the door to his room and walked down the hallway the lead to other consciousnesses. He wasn't headed for either one, he just needed to walk around for a little while. But he was stopped when a dark figure stood down the hall from him. At first Aros bristled at the intruder but stopped when a pair of oceanic eyes tinted by traces of crystaline silver splashed in the irises. Aros's breath caught in his throat when the man approached him. Ivory skin covering toned muscle with a thin curtain of moonlight silver cascading down his shoulders was the image Aros's eyes had set before him.

"Kiru-sama..."Aros whispered.

"Are you going to just stand there, Aros?" His soft timbering voice made Aros's entire body shiver. With one foot unsteadily in front of the other, the shadow made his way to his master and bore into the silvery oceanic orbs that belonged to Kiru. He was wrapped in the cool embrace of strongly muscled arms and he rested against the sturdy chest that he longed to feel.

"Why hadn't you come to see me? It's been months since the last time you held me, Kiru-sama."

"Don't fret over it, Aros. You weren't the type to worry about trivial things like my absence."

"What about Sora and Riku?"

"Let them stay intertwined in love's duet. We have too much to do to worry about them."

"So why haven't you started yet?"

"I've just had a lot on my mind," he said with a smirk. Aros laughed as they walked the dark halls together.

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Alright that was it. Nothing big in this chapter but i warn you, you must pay close attention to detail from here on. Now if you liked the begining please review and try to review every chapter as you go on. It let's me know how i'm doing on my whole plot building process. Remember everytime you don't review a chapter a good smut scene get's deleted from my notes.