Close your eyes and hear my moans
Picture it now we're all alone
Slowing undressing you gaze upon lust
Holding back temptation but feel that you must

~Sinful Temptations by Sherri Anderson

Chapter 4: The Scare(s)

"It has been confirmed that last night's shooting was the result of an altercation between two gangs. So far the police have not recovered any bodies but judging from the blood at the crime scene, we can assume there were several casualties. This incident has marked the seventh battle between The World That Never Was' Organization XIII and the Twilight Town Syndicate residing in our very own city. People are advised to lock their doors at night and avoid being outside alone."

Sora let the remote slip from his fingers.

"In response to this threat, the mayor has decided to have police officers patrol the streets 24/7 until this conflict has been sorted. However, many citizens of Twilight Town are reluctant to have faith in the police because of the rumored corruption within our town's legal system. Regardless, people are encouraged to report any suspicious activity as long as they do not endanger themselves. In other news…"

Sora's heart hammered against his chest as he once again tried to contact Riku. His thumb lingered over the speed dial as he took a moment to calm himself. Finally, he pressed the button and put the phone to his ear. It rang for ages until Sora heard Riku's smooth voice over the phone. He knew it was only a voicemail. He left his twentieth message on the phone before reluctantly placing it onto the couch. He pulled his knees up to his chest and tightly wrapped his arms around them. He buried his face in knees and let out a pained breath.

He had been trying to reach Riku for hours. Every news station was reporting about the gang vs. gang violence that had erupted last night and the moment Sora has heard that the Syndicate was involved he immediately called Riku. He was received by the man's stupid voicemail. Sora barely slept at all last night. His thoughts kept returning to Riku and whether he was safe or not. The thought of Riku being hurt made his stomach churn with a repulsive feeling. He couldn't shut his eyes or an image of a dead Riku would threaten to appear in the darkness. He was exhausted. He could barely eat without worry spreading through his veins.

What was worse was that the only way for Sora to contact Riku was by his phone. Sora had no idea where Riku lived. He only knew he lives in a mansion somewhere in town but it is impossible to track down a gang leader's location with conventional tools. Google wasn't going to help him this time. Is this what military wives felt like? Sora didn't know it could feel this bad and he found a new sense of respect going towards the women. They looked so strong on the outside but they were being torn apart on the inside. Question after question. Silence after silence. No answers until the very end. Sora was ready to collapse and just cry until there was any sign of Riku.

Sensing his master's internal turmoil, Sora's dog, Balto, came running from the kitchen and jumped onto the couch. He frantically nuzzled Sora's legs until he finally relented. He let his large dog climb onto his lap and Sora absently ran his fingers through the dog's jet black fur. He was a Labrador retriever Sora had gotten from the pound in Destiny Islands when the dog was only a few months old. Balto has been such a loyal companion to Sora and he always seems to be able to tell whether Sora was happy or not. If he wasn't, Balto would swarm the man with his large frame until he let out a laugh.

This time, however, Sora couldn't.

He had to admit that the comforting warmth against his chest was relaxing. He found himself sliding his back down and resting his head against the arm of the couch. He allowed his eyes to fall closed as Balto gently sniffed his shirt. He placed his hand on the dog's back and finally went to sleep.

Sora was abruptly woken up by his dog getting up from his chest. Balto was frantically running towards the door as a fist knocked against it. Sora jumped from the couch and quickly followed Balto. The dog only got this worked up if the visitor was Riku. It just had to be him. Sora's legs threatened to collapse beneath him but he forced himself towards the door. Balto ran circles around his feet as his fingers wrapped around the doorknob. His mind was swarming with thoughts and his heart was thundering in his chest. He took in a breath and swung the door open.

He was met by a familiar set of aquamarine eyes staring down at him and Sora immediately wrapped his arms around the man. Riku held Sora tightly and moved them back into the apartment. He closed the door and pulled Sora even closer. He lowered his head and let it sink onto Sora's shoulder. The brunette was on the brink of tears by the time Riku had closed the door. He was safe. He was here in his arms. Riku was here. Life could end right now and Sora wouldn't care. Riku's very essence wrapped itself around him and his skin tingled in response.

"Are you…are you ok?" Sora whispered against his chest.

"I'm fine." Riku sighed as he ran his fingers through Sora's hair. "Are you alright?"

"I am now." Sora mumbled.

Riku smiled and lightly kicked Balto who was pawing at his feet. "I'm sorry."

Sora pulled away slightly to look Riku in the eye. "For what?"

"I probably made you worry." Riku said quietly. Sora shook his head and placed a chaste kiss to Riku's lips.

Sora took Riku's hand and led him to the couch. The two sat down and Sora quickly snuggled against Riku's side.

"All that matters is that you're here." Sora smiled gently. After a moment, he added, "What happened?"

That was when Riku finally decided to look away from the shorter man. "Organization XIII was going to illegally ship weapons to some place in Olympus but they'd have to get through the Syndicate to get to the boat. We received information from an interrogated prisoner that Marluxia, the leader of this operation, was going to sneak through our lines which is a completely idiotic plan. No one gets into my city without my knowing. So, we were going to ambush them at the docks." Sora's grip on Riku's hand tightened. "It was a small team of my most trusted allies. I wasn't worried because Axel and Roxas were in it and they were trained badasses who were formerly apart of Organization XIII. They would know everything Marluxia would try to do. I knew they would be successful but I was more worried about potential injuries. Roxas is more stealthy and controlled while Axel is a reckless idiot who goes in guns blazing. Causalities are virtually unavoidable. Axel and Roxas made it out alive but the others…"

"It's not your fault." Sora said softly.

"It fucking is!" Riku snarled. He tore his hands away from Sora and stood up. He decided to pace angrily around the room. "If I went…if I had made up a better plan…if I wasn't being stupid then my friends wouldn't be dead."

"Riku—"

"Don't say you're sorry." Riku interrupted. "That's the last thing I want to hear."

Sora let out a breath. "Riku, did you win?"

Riku stopped moving. "What?"

"Did you beat them?"

"Yes but—"

"Then your friends didn't die in vain. Don't beat yourself up about this. Your friends died fighting in the name of their mob boss. If you act like this, then you're spitting on the title. Be strong. Be confident. Be the leader they died for." Sora smiled softly. Riku couldn't speak. The anger escaped as harsh pants and Riku could only stare at the person before him. Sora took Riku's hand and pulled him back onto the couch.

"Sora I…." Riku trailed off.

"Don't say you're sorry. That's the last thing I want to hear." Sora said as he gently caressed Riku's cheek.

Riku's lips curled into a soft smile as he wrapped his arms around the smaller man's waist and pulled him close. "What would I do without you?"

Sora smiled against Riku's chest and whispered, "You don't need to worry about that."

Riku absently ran his hand through Balto's fur. The dog was surprisingly silent as he laid his head on Riku's lap. Riku knew it was because Sora was asleep on the couch behind them. Riku was sitting on the floor with Balto. His back was against the bottom of the couch and Sora's arm was sleepily flung over Riku's shoulder. His light snores brought Riku a small moment of peace. Balto made a low rumble that made Riku sigh. He pushed the dog's head out of his lap and stood up. He gestured for the animal to follow and he happily trotted after him.

Riku emerged into the kitchen and quietly opened several cabinets until he found the dog food. He placed Balto's bowl on the ground and dumped the contents of the can into it. Balto hurriedly ate his food as Riku slid to the ground. He threw the can at the trashcan and smirked when it fell in. He languidly stared at Balto as the dog demolished the contents of his bowl. The dog quickly finished eating and hopped over to Riku. He tried to sniff Riku's neck but the latter pushed him away.

"Gross, dude. You just ate." Riku murmured as he grabbed a towel from the counter and haphazardly wiped the dog clean of its mess.

Riku finally allowed the dog to smother him. Riku's eyes traveled over to the couch and Sora's sleeping form. He let out a sigh and turned to the dog.

"Do you like me?" He asked it.

The dog cocked its head at him.

"Because I'm a likeable person. Let me ask again. Do you like me?"

The dog responded with a quick lick of Riku's face.

Riku laughed quietly and asked, "Do you think Sora likes me?"

The dog's eyebrows furrowed and its mouth parted slightly. It was a while until Riku realized the dog was looking at him like he was stupid.

Riku lightly hit Balto's nose. "Yeah, it was a dumb question."

Riku crawled over to the refrigerator and opened it. Balto was immediately at his side. Riku scowled at the lack of food in the fridge and closed it before Balto could sneak some food into his mouth. Then, Riku smiled. This meant he would be able to spend the evening with Sora at a restaurant. Score.

Sora and Riku had had an enjoyable evening. It was when Riku was driving home that he realized he needed to get some gas. Riku hated going to the gas station but Sora had offered to get him some candy in the store so the man reluctantly pulled into the gas station. The two stepped out and Riku begrudgingly walked over to the pump as Sora disappeared into the store. Riku keyed in the proper information and placed the nuzzle of the pump into his car. He circled around the car so he was in front of the store. He partially saw Sora's head of brown hair bobbing between the aisles and Riku allowed himself a moment to smile.

He let out a sigh when he heard the soft guzzle of gas. He hated gas stations. He didn't like standing outside of his car and waiting for gas to get in it. It was such a waste of time. Riku had to remember to encourage the others to get hybrid cars or some shit like that. The price of gas was too ridiculous to be spending money here. Riku didn't want to seem like an asshole and ask someone else to do his chores. That just made Riku shiver. They should have portable gas boxes…bottles…containers or something like that. That would—

Riku's attention was drawn to the sound of footsteps. It wasn't Sora because he was still in the store. Riku didn't see anyone else at the gas station when they drove in but he didn't hear the sound of tires against the pavement either. Riku's paranoia skyrocketed. He pushed up from the car and walked a few steps forward. He cautiously looked around and found two dark figures walking towards him. Riku frowned as his eyes darted towards Sora. The brunette was still moving through the aisles so he was probably going to be in there a little longer. As long as Riku knocked them out, he wouldn't draw much attention.

That meant: DON'T DRAW THE DAMN GUN

He could practically feel Soul Eater vibrate against his back, eager to battle. But no. Riku willed the bloodlust away and focused his attention on the two men entering the light of the station. They didn't look tough. Sure they were taller than him but Riku fought bigger. One was well built and husky while the other was lean and muscular. The men's eyes boiled with rage and danger but Riku was ready. He could take them out and drag the bodies away before Sora would come out of the store. Easier said than done.

Riku casually met the men halfway and asked, "Nice evening?"

One of the men grunted in response. The other said, "Maleficent sends her regards. You know why we're here."

Riku smirked. "Of course I do. I'm utterly irresistible."

Before the man could respond, Riku swung his fist at him. It connected with the man's cheek and he staggered backward. The bigger man growled and tackled Riku to the ground. He swore as he kicked and punched at the man above him. The man pulled at his hair and hit Riku square in the jaw. The silverette kneed the big man and he was able to scoot upward. Riku managed to punch the man in his throat and he was sent coughing to the floor. Riku stumbled to his feet. He dodged the lean man's punch and slammed his fist into his stomach.

The lean man fell backwards as Riku kicked his knee. Riku knelt above him and grabbed a fist full of his hair. He repeatedly slammed the man's head into the concrete but stopped when he knew blood would appear soon. The man was motionless underneath him and Riku let out a soft huff in triumph. He heard the heavy footsteps of the bigger man and turned his head in time to see him lumbering towards him. Riku shot upwards and braced himself for the man's assault. What he didn't prepare for was the knife held tightly in the other man's hand.

Before Riku could even register what was happening, he felt a sharp pain. He gritted his teeth as the blade was pulled out of his stomach. He snarled as he wrapped his fingers around Soul Eater. It was out in a flash and the man was too stunned to act. Riku hesitated as his eyes glanced at Sora's hair bouncing in the store. In a brief moment of sanity, Riku flipped the gun and bashed the man across the head. The giant man fell to the ground with a loud thump and Riku shakily placed Soul Eater behind his back.

He dared to look down and found his shirt already soaked with blood. He gasped as an intense pain erupted from the wound. Riku took in a weak breath as he pressed his hand to it. He forced himself to press even harder and softly cried out as the pain intensified. Maybe he could get Sora home before he passed out. Riku's breathing came out in short, harsh breaths as he dragged the men's bodies into the darkness. Riku staggered back over to the car and heavily leaned against it. He gave his wound another soft press as he slid around the car. He fumbled to get the pump out of it and didn't bother replacing it. His trembling hand pulled open the car door and he collapsed into the seat.

Riku slowly took his jacket off and pressed it to the wound. He let out a low growl as a burst of pain sank into his veins. His red fingers were slippery against his jacket but he ignored it as he closed the car door. With difficulty, he turned the engine on and waited for Sora. He could see the brunette at the cash register and he let out a sigh of relief. Riku looked at himself in the mirror. His eyes were bloodshot, tears prickled the edges of his eyes, and sweat glistened against his skin. Riku quickly ran a hand over his face and quietly thanked all divine beings that it was dark.

"So, I got some candy bars and some chips." Sora said as he got into the car. "Is that ok?"

"Yeah…fine…" Riku breathed.

He pulled onto the road and fought to keep his eyes focused. Sora was chattering beside him but his voice came out as muffled noises. Riku's world was spinning but he kept driving. Sora was oblivious as Riku took in a sharp breath of air. His vision was blurring and his bloody fingers were slipping from the wheel. The hand against his wound trembled and Riku was finally able to process what was going to happen. He didn't want to pass out driving. He gradually lessened the speed. His heart was desperately trying to pump blood through his veins as Riku took his hand off of the wheel. He fumbled for his cellphone but he dropped it in the process. Riku's lips were dry as he spoke.

"Sora…Sora…" He rasped. "I'm g-going to…"

His head fell against the wheel before he could finish.

Oh Riku you so reckless.

LostInRoses