Authors Note: This chapter is a long time coming. I would like to spout of some perfectly legitimate nonsense about being on holiday hiatus, or that it's not my fault I didn't have time since I left the country, got back, and then crossed it again, but I'm too honest with myself. Really with next to no reviews on the previous chapter I just kind of…forgot. I do that a lot. Now that I've remembered I'm supposed to be writing a story let's make it happen. For those of you who read the last chapter, and for those of you who read it and thought something to the tune of "Huh-wha!" rest assured that next to nothing will be explained in this one. Although, the plot will be moving along at a much more rapid pace, so take some solace in that. I have this horrible habit of writing these notes before the chapter is fully formed. The outline is in front of me. But one of the characters has yet to be decided. I think I've narrowed it down to about three options…no wait I take it back. One of them was already introduced in the Kingdom Hearts series as an irritating little fairy. This chapter will be far more about character development than anything else. Rome wasn't built in a day, but that's because the Roman's were weak. I'm going to conceive and write this chapter in its entirety in one day. Is comparing my writing to what was possibly the greatest city ever to exist a little cocky? Hell yes it is! But am I awake enough to care right now? Not a snowball's chance in Hell. I should warn you though: this story is rated M for a reason. Those of you who just thought it was because of the cursing, twisted imagery, dream rape, and general violence were sadly mistaken. It's about to start getting adult in the biblical sense. Or at least about halfway there. So maybe just the Old Testament? I'm rambling now. Let's just start the chapter for everyone's sake.

P.S.A.N. (post script authors note): As previously mentioned I tend to write the authors notes with only a vague idea of where the chapter is headed. Let's just say that this one went in a far more…adult direction then I had suspected. On the one hand this was totally unexpected, on the other I think it's a good sign for the chapter that the characters kind of came to life and wrote themselves…so…yay! So here's the deal kids LEMON WARNING! Never wrote one before so I warn you that it is happening and that it may be terrible. Hope you enjoy it *wink wink nudge nudge*

Chapter: 4 A Bird In The Hand Isn't Worth A Damn Thing If You're Not Hungry

(/)(\)(/)(\)(/)(\)(Third Person P.O.V.)(/)(\)(/)(\)(/)(\)

"I need to warn him" the spiky-haired brunette muttered feverishly, rising from bed.

"Sora" Kairi whispered.

"He's in danger. Maleficent is capable of anything" he continued his rambling, pulling a suitcase out of the closet and beginning to pack his clothes.

"Sora" Kairi tried, a little more firmly, her tears beginning to dry now that she realized her boyfriend was alright and irritation took hold.

"That evil bitch" the Keyblade master spat. "After what she did to Roxas I can't make any guesses. She could be planning anything."

"Sora!" she finally screamed, crossing the room and grabbing him roughly by the shoulders. "I need you to talk to me" she pleaded, tears threatening to spill again. "What happened?" she had meant to put far more force behind that, but it came out as more of a plea then a demand. Sora stopped what he was doing and she watched as all the fight left his body. He turned to meet her gaze and her heart broke when she saw the sorrow behind his eyes.

"I'm, so sorry Kai" he whispered. He looked like he wanted to cry, but his tears were all used up. He fell back against the wall, sliding down until he sat with his arms over his knees. "I-I don't really want to talk about it" he started lamely. "But I guess that's not really an option huh?" he asked her and she slowly shook her head 'no' in response. He heaved a sigh and ran his hands through his hair, taking a moment to compose himself, before continuing on. "I could really use some water" he told her as he rose from his position on the floor. She fixed him with a look that was equal parts compassion and frustration. "Don't worry" he said, reading her mind. "It's just…my throats dry and-and it's a long story" he steadied himself with a deep breath "and Riku should be here too. I want to tell this tale as few times as possible."

She nodded her head slowly in understanding and gave into the urge to embrace him. He stiffened at first, seeming ill-at-ease, but eventually melted to her touch. She breathed in the scent of him, thanking every god she could think of that he was ok. "Don't ever do that to me again" she threatened with a sniffle. He reached for her cheek, but flinched and dropped the hand to her waist instead. "Promise" he whispered. The two of them stood there for a long time before Sora broke the embrace.

"Go get Riku" he told her "I'm gonna get that glass of water and try to collect my thoughts. Don't worry" he said silencing her protest before she could voice it "I'm not going to go anywhere. I'll be waiting for you both at the table. Scouts honor" he promised with a serious face that quickly broke into a goofy grin. "You were never a scout" she said, poking him in the ribs, but couldn't help a small smile of her own. Sora was back.

(/)(\)(/)(\)(/)(\)(Riku's P.O.V.)(/)(\)(/)(\)(/)(\)

I was wearing my best tough guy face. A mask of absolute cold fury that has caused my enemies pause for thought on more than one occasion. I sat at the table listening as Sora told his story in fragments, tripping over his own words as his mind tried to reject the horrors he had seen, and he responded by forcing them into the light. It was a routine I knew all too well. His words painted a picture, but it wasn't him I saw in the dungeon I was viewing in mind's eye, it was me. I had been with Maleficent when she had done such things, even committed a few atrocities myself. It had all been worth it in the end, all of us sitting here now stood as a testament to that fact, but there are just some things you can't un-see. My guise of rage was as much for me as it was for Sora, clinging onto my hatred buried the fear. There was no time to be scared anymore. Riku the terrified little boy died a long time ago. It was time for Riku the man to step back up to the plate and do what was necessary to save his friends. Even if it meant I had to save them from themselves.

Sora was drawing in on himself. I watched as his posture became increasingly defensive, shoulders hunched, arms crossed, eyes downcast. He was worried what we would think, but more than anything he was afraid that he might have to go back to the terrible place. I was not going to let that happen. As hard as this was for Sora I knew Kairi couldn't be much better off. It was never in her nature to do anything halfway and it showed in the way she loved Sora with the whole of her being. They were so attuned that she was feeling what he was feeling, and it was plain to see on her face. She wanted to comfort him, to help, even in some small way, but every time she reached for her boyfriend he flinched and raised his defenses even higher. I really couldn't blame him. It's got to be hard to go from seeing your girlfriend tortured and dehumanized, to seeing her alive and well right in front of your face. The poor guy just couldn't describe the sadistic acts he had seen done to her and look at her at the same time.

It was too bad about Roxas really, but I couldn't waste time mourning the lost. He was a good guy, strong, and he will always have my thanks for saving Sora the way he did, but it was over now. I had seen people give into the darkness in varying degrees. Even been there myself. The darkness is like a huge pit at the edge of a cliff. At the bottom of the gorge is untold power, and the closer you get the more you can tap into, but if you tip over the edge and down to the bottom, part of you doesn't survive the fall. It's a dangerous dance, one I had done many times and always walked away from. I've gotten lucky too many times in my life and I worry someday the luck will run out.

I snapped out of my reverie as I realized Sora's story was winding down to a close. He seemed relieved to hear himself stop talking and knowing that the task was done gave him strength. A little of the color returned to his cheeks, he stopped shaking, and his stance relaxed. Silence reigned over the room for a solid minute as everyone absorbed what he had said. There was nothing I could say that would help so I didn't bother trying. Kairi obviously wanted to try, but he had shut her out so many times today it didn't look like she was willing to risk the rejection again.

"I uh-I think I'm gonna go lay down for a bit guys. That…whatever it was took a lot out of me" he tried a chuckle and a grin, but they seemed forced at best and the attempt ended nearly as soon as it had began. "I'll see you later" and with that he turned and left the room. Kairi raised an arm as if to stop him, words poised on the end of her tongue, but after a moment the arm dropped and she heaved a sigh of defeat. The key to being a good strategist, is knowing the key points of a battle. If you can identify what is most important and seize control of it then your victory is assured. Kairi was the key to battle waging in Sora's heart and I wasn't going to let her sit this out.

"Go to him" I said simply.

"He doesn't want me" she replied with a sigh and a frown. I couldn't help the sardonic laugh that passed my lips.

"You're kidding right? And here I thought you finally knew him better than me. Every action he's made since I got here is screaming that he needs you. He is just too noble to let himself accept your help."

"Don't act like you know everything Riku!" she shouted, her sorrow quickly turning to anger. "I've tried to comfort him a thousand times since he woke up and every attempt fell flat. Do you know what it's like to watch the person you love suffer right in front of you and not be able to do a thing about it!"

"Yes" I answered simply. My eyes bored straight into hers and when she realized that she couldn't escape my gaze the fight fled her body. I heaved a sigh and broke eye contact, looking away to the wall on my left. "Do you understand what happened to him Kairi? Did you hear the things he was describing to us?"

"He had a nightmare. He saw things happen to me. Things he wants to forget. He couldn't stop it and I know that hurts him. I know that in his dream I blamed it all on him and that it must have shattered his heart, but it wasn't really me in there Riku. Why won't he see that?" It was her turn to stare at him. Her eyes were pleading for an answer, for guidance. This was the hard part. I couldn't give her the answer; her knowing what was happening and understanding were two completely different things. If I didn't lead her to find the answer herself then she wouldn't really grasp what was happening, and that wouldn't do her or Sora any good.

"No Kairi" I shook my head. "It was much worse than that. He experienced everything as if it had happened in this room. The thirst and dehydration wandering of through the sand. The confusion and fear of being lost in a strange place. The exhaustion from climbing the tower steps. The ringing in his ears from your terrified screams. The stab in his heart from the wounds on your body. The guilt from seeing what had happened to Roxas, and worst of all, the reality shaking assurance that if she gets a chance, she will do the same to all of us." I paused here for effect, letting my words sink in. "Do you understand?"

I watched her eyes widen in recognition and her lip start to tremble as the enormity of the events that had taken place finally struck her. Multiple emotions flashed across her face and I smiled as I saw that not a one of them was fear for her own safety. Her only concern was the well being of the man she loved. That was my queue.

"Go to him" I told her as I rose from the table. "And don't think that advice was free. You owe me for this big-time. I'm thinking a date with one of your hotter friends, or maybe whatever I want for dinner for a month." I stopped as I walked past her and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you Riku" she said smiling up at me.

"Don't thank me yet" I told her with a grin "I am gonna make you pay this one back in full and I can be pretty demanding." She punched my playfully in the side.

"How about I hook you up with a pair of my hot friends and let you make the grocery list this time?"

I let my eyes light up in only partially feigned wonder. "You, madam, are a true princess among thieves and scoundrels!"

"I told you not to call me that" she grumbled indignantly. "And that fake accent sucked."

I laughed openly as I left the apartment. "Take good care of him Kai" I told her as I walked through the kitchen and towards the door. "You know where I am if you need me." I closed the door behind me and stood on the balcony outside, looking out over the city. It was hard being the parent in the group sometimes. Especially when you're the least emotionally developed member of the party, but they had done the same for me in the past, and would do it again a hundred times over without batting an eyelash. That, I realized, was what I loved most about my friendship with Sora and Kairi. I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they were always looking out for me and doing their best to help me in any capacity. So I planned on doing the same. I shoved my hands into my pockets and started to whistle a little diddy as I walked off into the night. I hoped that tonight wasn't the first time Kairi actually needed my help cheering up Sora, because I didn't plan on being where they could find me. There was work to be done. Work that only I could do.

(/)(\)(/)(\)(/)(\)(Third Person P.O.V.)(/)(\)(/)(\)(/)(\)

Kairi walked slowly down the hall toward their bedroom. She could feel her apprehension rising, but she steeled her resolve and kept moving. The door was wide open and she stopped to lean against the frame, letting her eyes wander across the room. It was an eclectic mash-up of the couples different styles. There were posters up displaying various video game heroes and bands in dramatic poses and intense action which Kairi had incorporated into murals she had painted herself. On one wall a spiky haired hero with an enormous sword stood atop a hill, gazing out over a magical forest and towards the tower holding his beloved. It was strange…and somehow it worked perfectly. All of the grays and blues blending perfectly with her reds and pinks for an altogether impressive effect. It was her favorite room in their home and the only one that Sora had taken part in decorating. Another testament to how well the two worked together. She heaved a sigh and finally allowed herself to look at the bed, knowing he would be there.

Sora lay on his side, facing away from her and toward the window. She could see his side rise and fall steadily as he breathed deeply under the blankets. She watched the light filter through the glass and play across his shirtless shoulders, recalling other nights the two had spent together in the bed. He turned over suddenly, causing her to jump, and stared directly into her eyes.

"I thought you were asleep" she whispered, unable to keep his gaze.

"I can't" he replied "the bed is empty without you…everything is."

She could feel the smile start to play across her lips and then spread throughout her entire body. She lifted her head to find his gaze again and saw her happiness reflected on his face.

"I'm so sorry K-" she shook her head, cutting his apology short.

"Don't" she told him, in a tone that brooked no argument. "It's not your fault this happened. You shouldn't have to apologize to me because something horrible happened to you."

As she spoke she walked towards him, disrobing as she moved. Sora's eyes grew wide and his pulse grew faster as she neared. She came out to the Dojo at least once a week to exercise and it showed. Her body soft and supple in all of the right places, but lean and tight everywhere else. He gulped as she reached the side of the bed and slid in next to him under the covers. His arms reached out to pull her close, but she placed her hand against his chest, maintaining her distance. He gave her a questioning look and she held his eyes with her own.

"What you should apologize for" she spoke, her face hardening "is not trusting me enough to let me help you. We are a team Sora. If you can't trust me with your problems then this is never going to work. Do you have any Idea how scared I was? I thought you were dying! And then when you finally pull out of, whatever that was, you ignore me and start packing a bag! I should put you on the couch for a month!" she emphasized her last sentence by clenching her hand into a fist and beating it against his chest. She was breathing heavily from the physical and emotional exertion as his arms tightened again drawing her body against his. She fought him, but weakly.

"Yes. You should" he whispered in her ear.

"Then why are you still in here?" she asked him as her breath, became heavy for a different reason entirely. His skin was like fire against hers and his hands had started rubbing her back as he breathed softly against the nape of her neck.

"Because." He told her, kissing his way across her neck.

"Because…?" she asked him, not really caring about the answer. Damnit his hands felt good. He picked up on her disinterest in the conversation and brought his lips crashing against hers.

She arched her back and moaned, pressing her body even more tightly against his. His hands slid in opposite directions, one burying itself in her hair and the other gripping her butt tightly, helping her make sure that there was no space left between them. He broke the kiss to trail his lips down her chin line and across her chest, nibbling and sucking as he went. Her chest heaved with each breath as her heart hammered against her ribs like it was trying to escape. She moaned loudly as his mouth found the top of one of her breasts and she rolled them over so that she was on top, granting him better access to the task at hand. Sora took the hint and continued his progress until he hit an obstruction.

"You're not naked enough" he growled in frustration. She unclasped her bra throwing it as far away as she could and he dove back in, wrapping his mouth tightly around one nipple, lavishing it with his tongue. Kairi gripped the back of his head, urging him on as he brought one hand up to give the other soft mound the attention it deserved. He continued for a time before switching off, bringing both nipples to hardened peaks before nipping at them softly, eliciting growls of pleasure from his crimson haired lover. Sora decided it was his turn to take control and flipped her onto her back, pressing himself down against her, and crushing his lips against hers. Kairi relished in the feeling of his body covering hers and started moving in small, writhing waves, undulating beneath him, and driving him wild. He started taking his kisses lower, down her neck, over her breasts, and across her stomach, stopping at the waist of her only remaining garment and nibbling teasingly before hooking his thumbs into the fabric and pulling it swiftly down. A gasp tore from her lips as the cool air hit her molten core. Sora took the offending fabric and threw it to the same unknown location the rest of her clothes had gone. He stayed where he was and knelt before her licking her inner thighs and enjoying the sight before him. He continued his oral ministrations, circling in ever closer to her center, but just before he reached his goal she gripped his hair tightly and yanked him back up to her face.

"No" she commanded breathily "I need you now."

"I thought I was sleeping on the couch tonight?" he questioned with a cocky smile. She gripped his rigid member and stroked it urgently. He moaned and his eyes glazed over with lust.

"Just for that you are sleeping on the couch." she told him while ripping off his boxers "Just as soon as I'm done with you."

Sora supported himself on his forearms as he looked down at the beauty laid out before him. She was gorgeous, in every aspect of the word, and he was amazed that she was his. He had intended many more romantic thoughts and loving glances but at that moment she placed the tip of his cock at her willing entrance and dug her nails into his thighs, urging him forward. He complied feverishly, driving his hips forward at a calculated pace, slow enough to make sure she felt every inch of his considerable length, but fast enough that she didn't grow impatient. They moaned in unison as their hips met and he bottomed out inside of her. He stopped there, enjoying the feeling of being fully encased in the woman he loved. Her hot passage, convulsed around him, gripping his shaft and attempting to pull it still deeper into her body. She slid her arms up to his shoulders and began rocking her hips beneath him.

"More" she pleaded. It was the sexiest syllable he had ever heard and his body responded of its own accord. Drawing his hips back until only the head of his member remained inside her, he rammed forward with all of his strength, their bodies meeting in the middle with a wet slap. He set the pace fast and only increased it over time. Kairi began to whimper in pleasure, unable to control her reactions as he drove her to new heights. In a flurry of movement he leaned back onto his knees, grabbed a pillow and lifted her lower body, placing it under her hips. Kairi screamed in ecstasy as her orgasm hit her out of nowhere with all of the force an earthquake and half the warning. Somehow the new position allowed him to get even deeper inside her and it was all she could do to stay conscious as he pounded on relentlessly. The feelings wracking her body were so overwhelming she didn't know what to do. She clawed it his back and chest, pushing against him, trying to get him to stop his onslaught without being able to form the words around her own exclamations of joy. Sora got the hint and slowed the pace enough for her to recover; she fell from the peak of her ecstasy as quickly as she had reached it. He leaned over her body again, carefully distributing his weight so as not to crush her, and continued his thrusts at a languid pace. Kairi swallowed hard as her breathing evened out and a grin split her face. He was incredible. She removed her hands from where she had twisted them in the sheets and snaked her arms back up his body. She nibbled on his earlobe and felt him smile against her shoulder.

"Ready for more?" he asked her sounding confident, hopeful, and genuinely concerned at the same time. She knew he would stop now, unconcerned with his own release, if she asked him too. But that was the last thing she wanted from him right now.

"Come for me" she whispered fervently into his ear. He groaned in response his pace and pulse quickening together. "Please" she begged him "please come inside me." He lengthened his strokes, pulling out as far as he could before thrusting back inside of her, taking as much pleasure from their coupling as he could. She matched him stroke for stroke, rocking her hips up as his came down, pushing him in as far as he could go and rubbing her clit against his pelvis. The two became lost in each other, grunting and moaning uncontrollably as they sped up, nearing their end. Sora got there first crying out and grabbing her hips so tightly he left bruises, he gave three more rapid thrust before burying himself in her to the hilt and screaming her name. Kairi felt his cock twitch inside her as it shot thick ropes of come into her womb, sending her hurtling over the edge into her own blissful release. She leaned forward and bit down hard on his shoulder as the two clung to each other for dear life, riding out the waves of bliss that coursed through their bodies. Sora felt his energy leave him and angled his body so that he landed to her side as he collapsed from exhaustion. Kairi continued to writhe even after he slid out of her, milking her orgasm for everything it was worth, swathing her body in the pleasant sensations. Eventually the two lay side by side sweaty, spent, and the happiest they had been in days. Sora used the last of his energy to spoon her body against his and burrowed himself against her, breathing in her scent and letting his body relax.

"I love you" he told her.

"I love you too" she answered and he sighed contentedly.

"Feel better" he asked her.

"Yes" she smiled "but we are all gross now. We need a shower."

"Mhm" he mumbled sleepily against her back in agreement. She fought against his grasp trying to make her way towards the bathroom. He grumbled something incoherent and tightened his grip.

"Soraaaaaa" she pleaded with him "let me go."

"Rawr" he replied unhelpfully

"I will pee on you if you don't let me go" his arms shot back to his sides as though burned and she gave a small, triumphant cheer.

"That wasn't very lady-like" he grumbled at her in defeat. She jumped out of bed and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Oh really?" she asked accusingly "because it seemed to me that you were enjoying all my 'lady-like' features an awful lot a minute ago."

"You're gorgeous" he responded with a grin as she turned toward the door.

"I'm glad you think so" she told him with a sway of her hips as she walked out of the room and down the hall.

"You have 15 minutes to come back her and cuddle with me before I come find you!" he yelled after her.

"You mean you would have to get in the shower and discipline me?" she asked in mock fear "Oh no! That sounds sooooo great…um…I mean bad."

Sora lay in bed relishing in the feel of how great his life was at that exact moment. He heard the water of the shower come on and looked at the clock on the bedside table.

"Five minutes…" he muttered to himself "Close enough!" He threw the blankets back and ran down the hall after his girlfriend.

(/)(\)(/)(\)(/)(\)(Riku's P.O.V.)(/)(\)(/)(\)(/)(\)

I took my 6th shot of shit whisky, grimacing as it burned all the way down the back of my throat, but smiling at the fuzzy feeling that had spread through my body. This needed to be done, but that didn't mean I had to enjoy it and I planned on being as numb for the process as possible. The trick was being drunk enough to lessen the pain, but still able to focus on what I was doing. Good thing I had plenty of practice. I half fell off the stool and started to walk away before remembering to drop some money on the bar. I tipped the bartender twice what I should have since the prick shorted my shots and refused to engage in anything even resembling a conversation, but I picked this place because I knew it was a hell hole. It was the kind of seedy, dark alley joint where no one asked questions because they didn't give a flying fuck what you were up to. I stumbled across the room bumping into a couple greasy patrons, mumbling some half assed apology even though they rarely noticed I was there in the first place.

I pushed the door to bathroom open and the smell hit me like a wall. I wrinkled my nose in disgust. "Not as bad as a burning body at least" I conceded and then laughed hysterically at the morbid solace of the thought. I checked to make sure all of the stalls were empty before ripping the handle off of the door and conjuring fire on my hand. I super heated the sub-par steel until it melted across the side of the frame, welding the only entrance to the room shut. The water from the sink was like ice across my skin as I splashed it into my face, shocking myself into focus. I peered at my reflection in the mirror, locking the man before me into my mind's eye. I knew I needed to remember who I was if I was ever going to be him again.

Sighing I closed my eyes and searched for the darkness in the back of my mind, it didn't take long. The sneaky fuck pushed its way to the surface of my thoughts, always eager to be called on again. Hungry for another opportunity to corrupt my soul, an opportunity I was stupid enough to keep giving it. It danced around just beyond my reach, taunting me, trying to bring me to anger. "The opposite of love is not hate" I reminded myself "It's apathy." I struck out, locking the slippery mass in my grasp. I help it tightly, focusing my every thought on it, its strength, its endurance, its power. The dark slime oozed up my arm, coating my skin and seeping into my pores. It continued to travel across my body, over my chest, and down my legs, until every inch of me was lost in it. It whispered to me, told me I was trapped now, that it would suffocate me, squeeze until nothing was left, but I knew the truth. It was only here because I allowed it; I was the one in power, at least for now. I began to feed off of the shadow, absorbing it into my skin. It was an incredible sensation, one I had to be careful not to get lost in. One slip and I was done for. Images flashed behind my eyelids. Terrifying and empowering, visions, meant to lure and terrify in equal parts, but I shielded myself against the attack, deafening myself to its sirens call. Eventually the battle ended. I knew the war was far from over, but the brief respite was enough for now. I opened my eyes and gazed at the image now before me. The olive skin crinkled around the edges of a twisted smile, the yellow eyes gleaming with unrestrained joy at being set free once more. Ansem had returned.

-/\- /\- /\- /\- /\- /\- /\- /\- /\- Chapter End -/\- /\- /\- /\- /\- /\- /\- /\- /\- /\- /\- /\-

A/N: So yea…there's that. This chapter ended up much longer and more intense then I had ever guessed it would be. I really had next to no idea what I was going to write when I sat down and then all of that just kind of went down lol. I hope you enjoyed the twists as much as I enjoyed conjuring them from the depths of my wildly over-the-top mind. Don't worry about Riku, he won't be that way forever. Or even for very long probably, but it is very necessary for the things to come. I pull a lot from personal experience with Sora and Kairi's relationship so their dialogue is often times similar to conversations I have had with my own girlfriend…although I will say I'm usually Kairi in those talks . I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Let me know what you think. The more input I get the more motivated I am to continue on.

Music Listened to While Writing:

The CD You're Awful, I Love You by Ludo

The CD Do You Feel by The Rocket Summer

The CD Two Tongues by Two Tongues

Most notably the songs Love Me Dead by Ludo and Tremors by Two Tongues provided some pretty solid inspiration. It's pock rock love kids. My favorite kind.