Abandoned Hope in Second District

Ns: Okay, a story! Yay! (Kingdom Hearts, w00t!) I know, I know…I have TOO MANY stories to update (some of which I took off…). This is my first fic I've posted up here, although I have done LOTS…all of which were NaruSasu that I've posted anywhere. This is my first KH fic, but I've READ lots and RPd these people before. It doesn't stick to the KH plot...at all... but the settings are pretty much the same, as are the charries.

…

I hadn't played KH2 when I started this, so don't kill me if I OOC Axel or Roxas…:sweat:

OMG I DON'T OWN KINGDOM HEARTS! ...DUH. :)

Chapter 1--"No Hope"

.:Sora:.

Sora sighed as he took another bite of cereal. "Another day, another bowl of Coco Puffs," he muttered, leaning back in his chair. At eight AM, Sora's hair stuck up in more places than usual, and his eyes, which used to be vibrant and full of life, stared dully out, not caring to look at any particular thing. As his eyes slowly scanned the room for the twentieth time, something stuck to the refrigerator caught his gaze finally. Swallowing, he rose and made his way to it and snatched away, knocking the magnet, which held it, to the floor. It was a note from his roommate.

Sora,

Sorry I couldn't say goodbye this morning, but Cid is being a hard-ass and I had to come in early to clean the shop. I'll be home by 8, there's 30$ on the counter, don't waste it on junk.

Cloud

Sora arched an eyebrow and glanced over at the counter, eyeing the three crisp bills curiously. "I think I need a new shirt…" he murmured, slipping the cash into his pocket. The boy made his way to the kitchen table, intent on finishing his coco puffs, when a knock came at the door.

.:Ashened Hearts Gang:.

"Alright, man. We're here. To be precise, we've been here for 20 fucking minutes. And to be frank, if you don't get your ass up there, I will not hesitate to kick it," the red-head paused, "Got it memorized?" Another beside him shook his long silver mane, effectively ruffling his hair. Aquamarine eyes looked up at the others with a smirk.

"Yeah, it's memorized. I'll go, Axel. Damn." He rolled his eyes and dropped his cigarette to the ground, stomping out the flame. The first boy, Axel, frowned as the fire disappeared and he entertained his obsession by flicking out his lighter and watching the red and orange dance. Suddenly, a breath blew it out. He turned to glare at the one who had done it: a blond named Roxas.

"Don't start, Axel. You're going to set something on fire…again."

Axel grinned back at him. "And that would be wonderful, eh, Riku?" The silver-haired boy looked up.

"Yeah, that would be wonderful." He smiled and walked away from the group, jamming his hands into the pockets of hoodie. Riku took a deep breath. "Here I go." He slowly made his way to the flight of stairs which led to his destination. He reached the second floor and scanned the doors until he found 2D. Another deep breath filled his lungs before he finally lifted his hand to the door and knocked twice.

.:SoraRiku:.

Sora narrowed his eyes. Cloud hadn't told him anyone was coming, and HE surely wasn't expecting any visitors. His mouth opened to ask who it was, but he snapped it closed again, not knowing whether or not to reveal his presence. Sora tried the peephole, but it was too dusty and caked with crud to even tell what color the person outside was.(1) He contemplated ignoring the knock, but decided against it, and, after opening three locks and a deadbolt, the door swung open.

Silver hair hung around his head and fell halfway down his back. There was no mistaking his aqua eyes, which were apparently scanning Sora's entirety. A sheepish grin spread across his face and he shrugged.

"Hey, Sora, I'm back." Sora's brows furrowed and his lip twitched, as if wanting to smile, and yet was unable.

"R-Riku…" he breathed. Riku took a step forward and Sora a step back. Riku narrowed his eyes and repeated the motion. Close enough, now, Riku reached behind himself and closed the door. A sharp pain shot up Sora's spine and made him cringe.

"Yeah, I'm back." As he began talking, once more the pain returned, pulsing in tune with his heart. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Sora insisted, receiving a look from Riku.

"Don't lie to me…Chipmunk." The younger boy's eyes shot open at the name then drooped back to their normal state.

"Don't call me that. We're not kids anymore. And just what the hell are you doing out of jail?" This time, it was Riku's eyes that shot open.

"I see a few things wrong with that sentence. For one, since when do you tell me what to do? Second, oh GOD, you cussed. Lastly…do you want me in jail? The taller of them asked, looking slightly hurt.

Sora did not falter. "And if I do? What business is that of yours?" Riku's bottom lip fell open slightly and he tried to grasp the correct words.

"Wh-what? Why are you…?"

"Stop it, stop it right now." Riku felt his knees weaken. "Don't act as though you're back and that makes everything okay. I was alone. For three years, Riku. After what happened to me! Goddammit, I was just a little kid! I still am! And…so are you!" Sora threw his hands at his sides and spun around, fuming.

'1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8…9……10……' Sora counted in his head and took a deep breath. He felt a hand come to his shoulder and spin him back around. Cerulean eyes snapped shut and his heart beat faster, increasing the pain. Riku lay his right hand over Sora's left cheek and caressed it smoothly.

"I'm sorry." He admitted softly and released the boy completely. Turning on heel, the older of them let his head droop. Sora's eyes opened just as the front door closed. He released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding in.

"What the hell just happened?" Sora's gentle voice whispered to no one.

.:Riku:.

Riku's face twisted into an angry scowl and he leapt straight from the second floor railing to the ground, landing with practiced ease. Axel and Roxas turned to greet him, but changed their minds as they saw the look on his face. Riku didn't seem to notice the two as he stormed towards first district, a distant memory playing in his mind…

Flashback

"Chipmunk! Chipmunk! Hey, let me in, man!" Sixteen-year-old Riku called up to Sora's room. He narrowed his eyes when he got no reply, and proceeded to climb the ladder up to his window. When he was two rungs from the top, he paused. There were muffled sobs coming from his friend's room. Completing the climb, Riku pushed open Sora's window and called out to him, softly.

"Chipmunk?" Cool night winds blew in, 'pushing' Riku farther into the room. He stepped inside and sat next to a lump on the bed. Sora felt the bed sink in beside him and he whipped his head around, staring at Riku with eyes that were great and wide—full of terror. Riku reached out to touch him.

"Chipmunk?" Sora squeaked and shuffled away from him. The mess of chocolate hair was quickly covered by the boy's baby blue comforter. Inaudible whimpers and curses came from beneath it. Riku put his arm over where he knew Sora's shoulders to be.

"Sora…" he whispered. Sora didn't move for a long time and, after what seemed like hours, Riku finally heard crying. He gathered the boy in his arms and peeled the blanket from him, rocking him back and forth. His soft voice began a lullaby their mothers used to sing to them,

"A gentle voice flows through the trees. Carried by, the gentle breeze. 'You're not alone, though it may seem. Do not forget, you've still got me.'"

Sora's sobbing grew louder and he latched onto Riku's shirt. He was such a fragile child. Always the delicate one. Though he had skill in battle, there wasn't much strength to back it up and he usually had to call on Riku. Of course, he was always starting fights, and, of course, Riku had to finish them. Even now, when he was fifteen years old, he was very much defenseless. And apparently, someone knew that because there was something very VERY wrong with Sora. Speaking in a whisper (for it seemed wrong to do otherwise), Riku tried again,

"Come on, Sora. Tell me what's wrong." He pleaded. Sora gazed up at him with shining blue eyes, the color of the sea. Eyes which someone had instilled a great deal of terror. He nodded slightly, and had Riku so much as blinked, he would have missed it.

"D…Daddy." He answered, voice cracked—probably from so much crying.

"Go on," Riku pressured, horrible thoughts racing through his mind.

"…I wanted my first time to mean something." It only took Riku a moment to understand.

"He raped you…" Riku stated dumbly. Sora's eyes grew wide.

"No! I…I just didn't say no loud enough!" Riku grabbed Sora's shoulders and released his shirt.

"Sora. No. He raped you. This is serious." As the older child, Riku had assumed certain 'responsibilities' over 'his Sora' since his mother had died, and now to see that he had failed this miserably…

Sora shook his head fiercely. "No! That's not right! He loves me. He loves me!" Sora was screaming now. Riku countered with a scream of his own.

"Why would you think that?! If he loved you, why would he--? NO! He DOESN'T love you!"

"How do you know?!"

"Because I would never do that and I—!" Riku stopped. That much wasn't supposed to come out. Ah, shit. Sora wasn't crying anymore. He was angry. Riku had never heard the boy scream before, except in fights. Riku released him and headed back to the window. However, before he could get out, Sora retorted,

"You WHAT, Riku?"

"… I love you." And just like that, Riku was out the window and gone.

End Flashback

.:Riku Cont.:.

Riku gritted his teeth at the memory. Could it be that Sora had forgotten? Or maybe he hated him for what he had done…Arg! It wad infuriating! Growling, Riku whipped out a cancer stick lit the end, taking four drags that almost finished it off. He tossed the butt to the ground and shoved his hands back into his pockets. A deep breath filled his lungs, long and slow.

He had to calm down.

"I can deal with this. It's no big deal. Really. I've come to road blocks before and they couldn't stop me, either. I was in jail for three years, too, but all that did was slow me down…" Done talking to himself, Riku turned back around, fully intent on trying again.

.:AkuRoku:.

Axel whistled as Riku stormed away in a huff. "Well, that went smoothly." Roxas shot him a look and Axel shrugged. "What? Well, honestly. What did you expect to happen? Riku did ki--, "the red-head stopped, unsure of who could be listening. Another look from Roxas. "Are you just gonna stand there glaring at me, or are we gonna do something more productive?"

"Oh, believe me. I know you, and you're NOT thinking 'productive'. Or, at least, that isn't the term I would use." Axel grinned sheepishly.

"What can I say?"

"That you're a horndog."

"Yeah, I could say that…I guess." Roxas shook his head disapprovingly.

"Whatever. Do we have a place to stay? Obviously, that Sora-kid's apartment isn't gonna work." A black-gloved finer was thrust suddenly into the blonde's face.

"Ah! But I DO have a place! See, I have an old friend. He lives in Hollow Bastion, just outside of Traverse Town." Roxas stepped away from the finger and eyed his lover.

"Really now?"

There was a twinkle in Axel's eye that Roxas just couldn't ignore.

Hours Later

.:CloudSora:.

"Awright, Cloud. Here's yer damn paycheck, now get yer ass outta here." Cid's rough voice commanded as he shoved a plain white envelope into Cloud's hands. He nodded once and quickly headed out.

Cloud took a deep breath and folded the envelope twice, stashing it safely in his pants pocket. A long day of hard work at Cid's was paid off with the small amount of munny he always felt he had earned. 500 munny a week wasn't as much as he would have liked to have to care for both Sora and himself, but it helped them get by. Sora, being 18, was plenty old enough to get a job, but Cloud would not allow it, insisting that it would 'put too much strain on all of Sora's treatments'. So, instead, Cloud took an extra shift or two for Cid, to pay the pills with. Maybe their Christmases weren't extravagant or over-flowing with gifts, but they all got together and had a party. 'They', consisting of Cloud, Sora, Leon, Cid, Aerith, Yuffie, Sephiroth, and Vincent. Though, they were lucky to get the last two named to attend most social gatherings, Christmas parties included.

Cloud shook his head. "Enough worries about munny. It's only September. I've got plenty of time to save up." Soras wanted an Xbox 360, and damned if he wasn't gonna get him one (regardless of the fact that he'd have to wait for his birthday in March to get any games for it)!

Bright blue eyes stared up at his apartment building, completely oblivious to the aqua-eyed islander that paced in front of it, or the blond and red-haired lovers that slowly made their way from it. Cloud walked past Riku, silver hair brushing his shoulder. Neither of them paid any mind to the other. That is, until Riku noticed the taller man going the same way he was pondering about. Intrigued, he watched.

Riku's face twisted into disgust as the man slipped a key into two separate locks and stepped inside the apartment. Sora's apartment. Jumping to conclusions came second nature to this one and he instantly decided that the two were lovers. Of course! That explained Sora's reaction to Riku's 'homecoming'. Riku furrowed his brow.

"Fuckdammit. Bitch thinks he can take my Chipmunk? We'll just see…" He threatened (aloud without realizing), a plan already forming in his deliciously evil little mind.

.:CloudSora:.

"Sora, I'm home. You went and bought junk with your munny, didn't you?" Cloud called through his home, knowing that, more likely than not, Sora had gone and wasted his three-month allowance. Cloud received no answer, so he made his way towards Sora's room. "Cubby? Where are you?" Still no reply. Cloud knocked twice before opening Sora's door and was confused by the sight. Papers were strewn everywhere, even stuck to the walls and ceiling. Sora, himself, was hovered over his desk, wrapped in a blanket. He was scribbling away at a stack of papers, but every few seconds, he'd get angry and ball the one he was writing on up and toss it somewhere behind him. Cloud arched an eyebrow and took a few steps forward.

"Sora…what are you doing?" An incomprehensible gurgled noise that sounded much like attempted speech came from Sora's direction. Cloud hissed. This was the state he had found him in three years ago—before any of the treatments had begun, and damned if he was going to let it happen again.

"Cubby, calm down." He soothed, wrapping his arms around Sora's huddled form. The boy tensed, but slowly shrank down and lay his head over on Cloud's arm. So strong and protecting, Sora knew he was a friend.

"Now please tell me what's wrong." Cloud pleaded. Sora lifted his head off of the older male and stared up at him with wide eyes.

Cloud blinked a few times.

"Riku? But he's in jail, Sora. I don't see the problem." The boy's head shook madly.

"NO!" he screamed, a mood-swing clearly taking place—yet another sign of regression. "He's not!" Cloud rubbed Sora's shoulder gently, but he shrank away and wriggled out of his grip. "No…" he muttered. "Not again…" Another bout of rage suddenly sprung and overcame him. On his feet faster than Cloud realized, Sora pushed past the blond and knocked into the bookshelf on his way out the door. It fell over, nearly collapsing on Cloud, and he stepped over it, following after the boy to the living room.

Sora didn't appear to be doing any particular thing. He was only bouncing around the room, knocking things off of tables and unable to stay still for more than a moment. Finally, he sank to the ground, feet tucked under him, staring at the front door with eyes that were full of sadness and misplaced hope.

"Iie kibo.(2)" Cloud felt his knees go weak and he almost fell to the floor as well.

"Why…would you say that? There's always hope." As soon as the words were spoken, the front door was forced open and a muffled,

"Sora!" was heard from the other side.

.:Riku:.

Riku's heart pounded wildly in his chest, making the boy feel as if it was ready to burst.

"Kesshite osoreru nai.(3)" He reminded himself and made his way up the stairs of the apartment building once more. As he came to Sora's door, he could hear from within, a noise, like a crash, then nothing at all. A stream of thoughts came rushing to his mind. He had no idea what could've happened. Now there were tiny voices speaking inside, but that didn't stop him. With a mighty shove, the door gave.

"Sora!" he exclaimed and his eyes darted from the boy to Cloud, who was standing over him. Quick to jump to conclusions, Riku stalked over to Cloud, fists balled tightly.

"What the FUCK did you do to my Chipmunk?!" Cloud glared down at Riku, allowing the silver-haired islander to note that the man had a good two inches over him. Nevertheless, Riku stood his ground.

"It's not what I did to Sora, it's what you did!" Cloud shoved shoulder hard. Riku firmly pushed back.

"He was fucking FINE the last time I saw him!"

Cloud shoved again. Riku was getting agitated.

"And the first time I saw him, the condition he was in was YOUR fault!"

Sora whimpered. Cloud was yelling. Cloud never yelled about anything .

Riku screamed and slammed his fist into Cloud's face. The blond man didn't even flinch, aside from turning his head slightly from the blow. A trickle of blood ran down from his lip to his chin. From his spot on the floor, Sora whimpered harder and covered his face in a pillow.

"…get out, Riku."

"Not without Sora!" A visible vein appeared on Cloud's forehead.

"He was fine before you cam back. Now get the fuck out!"

Tears were forming in Sora's eyes. Now Cloud was cussing. Something else he never did. Especially not in front of him.

Riku exhaled sharply and hurried to Sora's side. He wrapped an arm around him and the boy squeaked, trying to shrug away from his touch. Riku didn't seem to notice, however and hugged tighter, much to the younger's dismay.

"I'm coming back for you, Sora. I promise." Sora hissed and Riku released him, glaring hard at Cloud as he exited the apartment. A growl escaped him. He gripped the railing and tossed himself to the ground, landing on both feet and one hand, then straightened and took off towards third district.

'Sora! I'll get you back! I promise!'

(1)—This isn't a racist comment, ppl…plz don't say anything about this. I'm seriously worried about it…

(2)—"Iie kibo" --roughly: No Hope (Hence the chapter title)

(3)—"Kesshite osoreru nai" Never Fear

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NS: WOOO! It's over! YAY!! Chapter one of my first Kingdom Hearts fic is officially complete! So, how did you like it? I 3 it! Meh, I think I did pretty good, though I was a little iffy about how I got Axel and Roxas' personalities. Did I do okay? I've watched a little of KH2 and I've watched the Kingdom of Randomness by 1MoonGoddess7 on youtube (PPL, WATCH these vids!), plus I've read fics. But that's all I have to draw from.

Anything I should work on or anything? I have a WHOLE PLOT planned out (yay me!) so I think it should actually get done…which is weird, cause I never have a plot…oO (prolly why none of my fics get finished…)

Before I forget! I worship the ground that Staryday walks on! She is my inspiration and my all-time favorite author EVER. I hope you're reading this, Staryday! And…if you are, UPDATE CHAOS AGAIN! Or domo shall eat your head:munch munch:

…

And my other inspiration…Seaki. I hope you're reading, too, love.

Until next chapter!! Ja Ne!

Signing Out, NeuroticSeduction 1/9/07 Finish Date Chapter One Abandoned Hope In Second District