Good evening, from Haji. I wrote this chapter. DeadShut just told me it's been an honor to work with me. That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

But make no mistake, this story is not meant to make you feel those feelings. You are meant to sympathize with those who are going through the most tragic of circumstances. You are supposed to writhe in pain when you see just how far some are willing to go to achieve the seemingly impossible. This is a tale of courage, and strength. Pain and misery. There is no warmth in the world we live in. None at all.

Enjoy our tale.

"Wake up!"

Sora shot up. He pulled at his shirt, panicking slightly. He looked up. Riku was standing across the room, drying his hair with a towel. He was fully clothed. It looked like the stylist had come by and dressed him. He looked…cool.

His shirt was black, and it had a silver zipper, probably so it was easy to get out of. Riku seemed the type to pick a fight, and he wouldn't want to be wearing anything that would end up being a disadvantage. Over that, he wore a white vest. It was a little loose, but not to the point where he was going to get himself hooked on something. This he kept unzipped.

Sora got out of the bed, being very careful to not let Riku see that he had been embracing Kairi under the covers. He saw that there was an outfit for him spread out on the couch. It, too, was cool. He picked up the jacket and flagged it. It was black, and it had a couple of pockets.

Riku stood by the window. It was night and New York was just an amazing sight. The completely black buildings illuminated only by the lights from other buildings. The streets were still busy, and music could be heard from downstairs. The music suited the scene so well, Sora felt as if his heart would explode.

"It's so…"

Riku huffed. "Yeah, it's great." He turned away. "Get ready."

Sora looked at Kairi. He sorely wished he could crawl back into bed with her and forget about everything. He almost felt like nothing else mattered. But, the aching in his chest forced him into remembering his parents. He rubbed his head and got in the shower.

Mom would love her. Dad would too. Sora thought. He wanted to bring Kairi home and introduce her, but he knew that was impossible. At least until he found the Heartless leader.

When he was dressed, Sora stood at the window, fogging it up with his breath. He pulled on a pair of gloves. He assumed the stylist thought it would suit him. But he thought it was more of a fashion statement. They were a little hard to handle. Kairi and Riku sat back, conversing with each other. Sora resisted the urge to glance back. He knew Riku was watching him.

"Hey, guys?" Sora asked.

Riku stood up. "What is it?"

"Where are we going?"

Riku folded his arms. "I'm waiting for a signal. As soon as we get it, we need to make a quick stop and then we are catching a bus to Washington."

Sora nodded. "Is that why we are dressed like this?"

Riku nodded. "We are going to a club. It's rumored to be run by the Heartless leader. We'll do a quick survey and get out."

Sora nodded. Riku pulled out a cell phone from his pocket. It was vibrating. He pushed a button and shoved it back in. "Let's go. He's there."

Sora gulped. He picked up the Keyblade and put it in his pocket. It seemed to hum, but he thought it was just his imagination. He allowed Kairi to leave first. She giggled softly and quickly kissed him on the cheek before rushing after Riku.

Riku called the elevator. "I think we might be able to find out who those people were if we hit this club. I didn't tell Mick that we were stopping. As far as he knows, we are just stopping for a bite to eat. That's how it's going to stay."

Sora nodded. "Why do you lie so much?"

Riku looked away. "Force of habit, I guess. But, I never lie to hurt anyone. I wouldn't do that. It's just, there's so much red tape everywhere, I can't get anything done. I work for Mick. Just call my methods unorthodox."

He stepped into the elevator. "Besides, you are going to have to toughen up if you are going to make it. You look too soft."

Sora felt like he had been insulted, but he knew Riku was just telling the truth. Or at least appearing like he was. Sora couldn't be sure, but he was a good secret keeper. He wouldn't tell anyone about any of the lies Riku had already told. For some reason, he trusted him.

While in the elevator, Sora and Kairi kept exchanging quick glances. Sora began to wonder if she wanted to fuck him as badly as he wanted her. He blushed. Riku noticed, but didn't mention it. He shrugged it off. He was just a little more preoccupied with his mission.

This was personal for him.

The doorman hailed a taxi. "Heading out?" he asked innocently.

Riku nodded, but didn't answer him. Sora stood next to Kairi. As Riku got in the taxi, Sora leaned over.

"We need some alone time."

Kairi nodded. "At the club."

"Okay, you two." Riku said. "The place is called Heartless. Not very discrete. We will go there in separate taxis. I don't want to run the risk of being followed. I'll meet you there. You two will be posing as a couple. I'm the loner."

Sora wondered if God was actually listening to his prayers. It seemed too good to be true. Riku had paired him with Kairi. It had to be his lucky day.

Riku sat in the cab and shut the door. He had to make a quick stop before he went to the club. He had to pick up a package, and he didn't want any extra baggage. He didn't really care if Sora liked Kairi. He just had to focus on his mission.

"Do you think he knows?" Sora asked Kairi as they sat in the cab together.

Kairi shook her head. "He's going to do something. Something else. He doesn't want to tell us. And that's fine. He has a right."

Silence followed, but it didn't last very long. The taxi driver was stuck in traffic, even at such a late hour. Sora grabbed Kairi's hand selfishly. It wasn't long before they were kissing each other passionately. Sora wanted to do so many bad things to her, but he just couldn't tell if she wanted the same thing. He was happy with where he was for now, however, his carnal desires were screaming at him to go for more.

He had more self control than that. And, besides, it wasn't very classy to fuck in the back of a taxi.

Riku sat in his taxi, planning his next move. He actually needed to make two stops. This first one was going to be quick. He was waiting for the right moment to ask the cab driver to stop.

"Where you off to?"

Riku was silent for a long time. "Stop!"

The taxi screeched to a halt. Riku threw money at him and hopped out. "Meet me around the corner. Step on it!"

The taxi sped away. Riku dashed down an alleyway. His hair was flying back when he skidded to a stalk. He peered around the corner. There were two men standing at the end. They were standing next to a car, the trunk propped open. Riku could barely see plastic wrapped blocks in a duffel bag.

"Shit, man." Said one of the men. "He could've picked a place closer to a strip club. Jesus. I'm sick of this prick."

"Shut up," the other man answered. "We're just runners. He said he would be here at ten. It's only ten of. Relax."

The other man said something intelligible. Riku slid into the shadows. His eyes were on his target. The two men milled around. There were no cops in sight. Riku kept his back to the wall. The two drug runners were completely oblivious.

They aren't very good at this. Riku thought as he picked up a broken pipe.

The two men leaned against the car. Riku could see their guns at their sides. He paused to gather his thoughts. He breathed in. Paused. Breathed out. Paused. Silence. Then a burst of adrenaline.

He threw himself out of the shadows and hit the first guy over the head. He collapsed, and the other man pulled out his gun and fired haphazardly. The bullets flew true, but Riku was able to dodge just barely. Neither one of the two men were very coordinated. Riku hit the second man, felling him as well. He grabbed the duffel bag and snuck out of the alley to the cab that was dutifully waiting for him around the corner.

"Where to now?" the driver asked.

"Greenwich village."

As Riku walked up the street in Greenwich Village, he was constantly looking back and forth. He was making absolutely sure that he wasn't being followed. He was beginning to dislike his constant fighting lifestyle. He turned into a rundown building, though, it seemed, that every building was beginning to look rundown. He opened the elevator in the lobby and pressed a button furiously.

I've got to get out of this. Riku thought angrily.

He opened the elevator door with difficulty. It was a freight like elevator that was common in studio apartment buildings. The sound of the elevator returning to the ground floor echoed in the exposed rafters.

"Hello?" came a female's voice.

Riku turned around. There standing in nothing but a sheet was a woman who looked like she was in her older twenties. Her hair was black with blue laced through it. She wore lots of bangles and she looked like she could have been some kind of whore.

"Aqua."

The woman smiled. "Riku!" She sang. "What brings you here?"

Riku dropped the duffel bag. Aqua looked at it. "Been busy?"

"I just want some information."

Aqua laughed. "Oh, really?"

Riku nodded. "I need to know about the Keyblade."

Aqua's smile faltered. "Very serious, huh? May I ask why?"

Riku looked at her. "You may, but that doesn't mean I'll tell you."

Aqua shrugged. "Well, I do expect some sort of payment."

This conversation felt familiar to Riku. "I don't have any money."

Aqua motioned for him to follow her. She kept the sheet around her body, but Riku could see that she was naked. She sat seductively on a chaise lounge, and folded her legs under her. "I don't want money."

Riku looked back at the duffel bag. "I'm not giving you that either."

Aqua laughed. "I don't want your money. Or your drugs."

Riku tensed. "Then what do you want?"

"I would like the same services that I offer, offered to me." Aqua said. "Being a Madame takes its toll on your sex life in a major way."

"I'm not fucking you."

Aqua crossed her arms. "I'm not asking you to fuck me. I want to fuck you. There's a big difference, babe."

She patted the seat next to her. Riku, who was generally one to stand his ground, swallowed his pride and sat down. Aqua didn't touch him. She leaned over and picked up a small trinket.

"What do you want to know?"

Riku sighed. "I want to know all about the Keyblade. Everything you know."

Aqua thought for a moment. "Doable."

"And…" Riku added hesitantly. "I want to know if you know who the leader of the Heartless is."

Aqua sucked in a playful breath. "That's a little harder, honey. I don't know if I can help you with that one."

Riku frowned. He knew what he was going to have to do. Aqua was not lacking in attractiveness. She was very pretty, beautiful. Curves in all the right places, but Riku wasn't so sure he could sacrifice his pride like that. He was reluctant, but in New York, you had to do what you had to do to get things done.

Riku smoothly took off his vest. He let it fall to the floor. He stood up and unzipped his shirt. Sure came in handy. He didn't think that that was the purpose for the zipper. He scoffed inwardly at the irony.

Aqua smiled. "Don't be so eager, babe. Spend some time."

Riku relaxed. "I actually need to go somewhere."

Aqua frowned slightly. "Aww well. I could come with you."

Riku sighed. He was praying that Sora and Kairi were staying out of trouble. Aqua stood up and smirked. She dropped her sheet, exposing her nudity. Riku felt a twinge in his jeans. As much as he would have liked to say he wasn't lusting after her, that would have been a lie.

Riku gulped nervously. "Help yourself."

"Sora!" Kairi yelped.

They were squashed together, moving to the music that was blasting throughout the club. Sora was watching carefully, looking for Riku. He said that he would meet them, but he was nowhere in sight. Kairi was trying to keep his attention because many other men were looking at her, waiting for their opportunity to ask her to dance.

"Kairi, I'm looking for Riku!" Sora had to practically yell at the top of his lungs to hear himself. Kairi stayed close.

It was stiflingly hot as the mass of people moved around each other, occasionally grinding against a random guy or girl, but no one seemed to care too much. Sora was constantly moving Kairi around, keeping her away from the men that were beginning to circle closer.

One man pushed him aside. He grabbed Kairi and forced her into a gritty dance. Sora caught himself and jumped at the guy, jealousy raging. He punched him as hard as he could. The man fell back, and Sora ushered Kairi away. He had started a fight, and now it was his responsibility to see it out, but he didn't want Kairi to get hurt. He was being stupid.

"Stay here," Sora said into her ear.

"Sora, don't."

But Sora had already gone back. The guy had sought him out, and he punched him back. Harder. Sora fell to the ground. He kicked the guy's feet from underneath him. He fell into a crumpled heap and Sora jumped on him. The rest of the club dropped to a thumping silence.

"Hey, what the fuck?" The guy screamed. "I'm just trying to get some pussy. Just like you."

Sora hit him again. "Don't you talk about her like that."

The guy kicked him off. He stood up and was about to stomp his face in when Sora lashed out. He didn't know what come over him, but a powerful feeling surged through his chest and he struck at the guy with the Keyblade. He wasn't expecting anything to happen. After all, it was just a bladeless metal rod, but when the guy was sliced in half, fear and panic took over.

Axel, who had been at the Heartless club on a special mission looked up as he heard the familiar sound of blood splashing on tile. He looked up.

"Oh fuck," he said quietly. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed seven.

The crowd inside the club flew into a frenzy that could rival any Superbowl party. Sora scrambled away, completely numb. He had just killed someone. He hadn't meant to do it, but the anger he felt was so strong. And his blood was boiling. He couldn't think straight.

"Saix!" Axel said quickly. "Some fucker just used a Keyblade in public!"

Axel knew of the Keyblade just like every other member in the organization, but he had never seen one so close before. He was wondering which one it was. Perhaps Fatal Crest or Diamond Dust. Either way, everybody had to die.

Saix's voice was clear through the cell phone as the music stopped. "Seal the exits!"

Axel raced through the club, locking all the doors. The people, in their panic, couldn't figure out how to open the doors, though it was a simple as turning the lock. Axel made sure to cause as much pandemonium as possible as he sealed the club goers' fates.

Saix was furious. His yelling could be heard through the hallways. Roxas sat up. Something was wrong.

"Marluxia!"

Marluxia poked his head out from his room. "I'm busy!"

Saix choked him with one hand. The fury in his eyes was not unlike what Roxas had seen just recently, but it was much more animalistic. Roxas swallowed slowly. Something was terribly terribly wrong. Saix crushed Marluxia's head to the wall.

"You want to die right here?" Saix cried. "Do you?"

Marluxia chuckled. "I am your servant. I'll kill those idiots later then."

Saix let him go. "Heartless. Exits are sealed. Leave no one alive."

Marluxia shrieked with glee as he shed his plastic covering. There were three men tied to tables in his room. He danced around them, listening to their pitiful protests.

"I will be back," Marluxia sang. "Don't worry. I have things to take care of."

And he skirted away, scythe in hand. He disappeared through a side door and flew through the night. It didn't take him long to reach the nightclub. Muffled screams were coming from inside. Axel was standing outside, arms folded. He looked pissed. He blew out a jet of smoke.

"Smoking will kill you, Guido." Marluxia whispered.

"Fuck you, Marluxia." Axel said slowly. "Kill them all. I already took care of the few who escaped early."

Marluxia felt numb inside. "How many?"

"I dunno," Axel said as he took another drag. "A hundred. Maybe two. Have fun. Consider it a gift from a fucking idiot."

Marluxia clapped his hands together. "I love fucking idiots."

Axel approached the door and in his most commanding voice, he called through the wood. "This is the police. We are sending someone in to help you."

"Oh thank God."

Axel unlocked the door with a key he stole from the security guard. Marluxia startled most of the people inside. They backed away, giving Marluxia the room to enter. Axel shut the door behind him and locked it.

"Better start praying," Axel mumbled when he heard the first scream. He lit another cigarette. But he heard noise in the alleyway next to the club.

"Come on Kairi," Sora whispered hurriedly. "Riku is going to kill me."

"What did you do?"

Sora squealed in a high pitched voice. "I think I killed someone!"

Axel smiled. This is way too easy.

He frowned and ruffled his hair. He dashed down the alley, crashing into trashcans and looking terrified. "Run!"

Sora looked around. "What's going on?"

Axel stopped, pretending to be out of breath. "There's a maniac in there!"

Sora kept Kairi close. "We know. We just managed to escape. Through that window."

Axel coughed. "We need to go. Before he decides to come out." He ran down the rest of the alley.

Like he had expected, Sora and Kairi followed. Axel took them far away from the club and only slowed when Sora ran out of breath. He rolled his eyes as he turned around, but made sure it couldn't be seen.

"I'm Lea," Axel said softly.

"Sora."

"What were you guys doing there?" Axel asked, concerned. "You look too young."

Sora opened his mouth, but closed it quickly. "What were you doing there?"

"I'm after the Heartless leader." Axel said confidently. "I heard he was going to be there."

"You work for Senator Mouse, too?" Sora said, astounded. He wondered just how many people worked for him now. Obviously, it wasn't just three.

"Yeah, I picked up the lead from a contact."

"Riku?"

Axel smirked, face concealed by darkness. Way too easy.

"Yeah, but I gotta go now. I have other things to take care of." Axel backed away. "Don't tell anyone we met. I want to keep my cover."

Sora nodded. "Your secret is safe with me."

Axel backtracked to the club. It was eerily silent. "Marluxia!"

The club's side door opened. A woman crawled out. She was crying hysterically, and she was covered from head to toe in blood. Marluxia stood in the doorway, scythe at his side. The blade dripped with a trickle of blood that made Axel uncomfortable.

"Where are you going, sweetheart?" Marluxia cooed. "I'm not done with you."

"Please, don't kill me!" The woman cried. She tried to wipe the tears from her cheeks, but merely smeared the blood more. "I'll do anything."

Marluxia put his thumb on his chin childishly. "Really?"

"Yes. Yes, yes," the woman sobbed. She was barely audible.

Marluxia stepped out. He squatted next to the woman, looked her dead in the eye and sighed. "But, you see. I had orders. Leave no one alive."

"I'm no one," the woman begged. "I'm no one. Please. I beg you. I'm no one."

Marluxia grinned. "Don't worry, love. You soon will be."

He held her face in his hands and kissed her gently. For a moment, the woman thought that her life was going to be spared. She thought that because this monster showed a familiar sign of affection, she would be able to return to her family. But, she paled when the pink demon picked his scythe off the ground and slowly slit her throat. She gurgled incoherently.

"Hush, love," Marluxia whispered. "It's almost over."

The woman died. A pool of her blood collected at Marluxia's feet. He dipped his finger in her blood and tasted it. He tried it once more before spitting it out.

"Too sweet." He said bitterly. "This one had diabetes. What a waste." He kicked her body.

Axel watched silently. "You're a sick fuck."

"You really want to go there?" Marluxia asked, wishing he would start a fight. "Really?"

Axel knew he was outmatched. "Let's go. Saix is going to flip the fuck out."

Marluxia leaned on his scythe. "Too late for that, Guido."

Axel shrugged. "Maybe I can talk him into not destroying anything."

Marluxia turned and picked up the woman's body. Axel sighed, lighting another cigarette.

"I thought you said she was too sweet."

"The trees in Central Park like sugar." Marluxia answered. "Let Saix know I'll be back soon."

"Will do," Axel said lazily.

Marluxia paused. "And could you let the three gentlemen in my room know I'll be late?"

"Whatever."

Marluxia dragged the body away. Axel strolled down the sidewalk, asking himself if all the work he was doing was really worth it. As he opened the door to the rundown house he came upon his conclusion.

Probably not.

Saix was already throwing things all over the place. He was pissed, and he didn't look like he needed another bout of bad news. He just didn't think he would be able to hold himself back if he heard one more mistake. One more bit of plan-ruining mistake.

Axel entered with caution. Saix had left a trail of devastation behind. The refrigerators were open, food splashed everywhere. The TV in the den was completely destroyed. It looked like someone had slashed a sword through it. Axel was relieved to see the Xbox unharmed.

Axel followed the trail to Saix's room. The door was halfway open, which meant the heat sensor was broken. Saix sat in the middle of his room, staring absently at his holographic stars. Axel could see he was still trembling with rage.

"Saix?"

Saix looked up. His eyes were bloodshot. Some of the blood vessels looked like they had burst. "What is it?"

"I've got news."

"It better not be bad fucking news or you're going to die." Saix breathed.

Axel shuddered. "No. Good news, I think."

Saix looked up at him. "Well?"

"The idiot who used the Keyblade." Axel said slowly. "His name is Sora. He's traveling with a girl named Kairi and a boy, Riku. Though Riku was not there with them. They are seeking out the Heartless leader for Senator Mouse."

"Michael Mouse?"

Axel shrugged. "I guess so. Anyway. They are heading to the Greenwich Village area. I think they might be lost. What do you want me to do?"

Saix jumped to his feet. He was smiling, though there was an edge to his tone. "Call Marluxia back."

Axel scratched the back of his head. "Well, he's burying a whore. He'll be back soon."

Saix nodded. "Very well. Get Roxas, then. He needs room to train. Take him down to the Grey Room."

Axel nodded. "There's nothing in there, right? The last thing I want to do is move shit around."

Saix waved a hand. "It should be empty. If not, just use the stuff down there as practice. There isn't much time."

Axel sighed heavily before leaving. "You know…never mind."

As Axel passed the room with a curly 11 on it, he remembered what he told Marluxia. He leaned into his room. The three men were still tied up. Axel entered, being careful not to touch anything. He had no idea what kind of twisted things were lurking in the shadows. And he wasn't eager to find out.

One of the men saw him and called out a muffled plea. Axel looked at him and rasied an eyebrow.

"Uhh, your…Marluxia said he's going to be late." Axel said. "I'm sure you guys aren't going anywhere."

Axel turned around. "I didn't think he was into bondage. He don't have a dick. So, I guess you guys are fucked. Good luck."

Axel left to the much more panicked protests of the three hostages. He passed Larxene's room and was tempted to go in, but he thought better of it and knocked on Roxas's door. Roxas was on the other side, swinging Oblivion and Oathkeeper, relishing in the crisp sound that the energy made. He looked at his two weapons. They each had a shallow button on the side. Roxas looked at them, then pressed them.

Both his thumbs were pricked and he threw them to the floor. He sucked on the bleeding wounds, but not for very long. Axel had come in after knocking.

"You need to train in the Grey Room." Axel said. "Let's go."

Axel led him to the elevator. He stepped inside and pushed the button closest to the floor. It had completely slipped his mind that there were plenty of rooms below them as well. He held the Mock-Keyblades in his hands, weighing them.

"I'm gonna leave you to it," Axel said as he pushed him into a huge room.

The ceiling looked like it went on forever. It only occurred to him briefly that maybe it was an illusion. Axel kicked some stuff that was sitting in the corner down. Miscellaneous object fell out: glass beakers, thick ropes and steel bars. Nothing too important.

"Use the crap for whatever." Axel explained quickly. "I'm going to bed. I've had a long day. And I don't want to be awake when Saix freaks out again. It's bound to happen. Have fun."

Roxas set up a tower of glass. He took a few steps back and prepared. He had no idea how to use the great power that was bestowed upon him, but he sure as hell was going to by the end of the night.

Riku moaned loudly as he came. Aqua sat on top of him, controlling every bit of their sexual play a she reached her climax at the same time. She relaxed and laid on top of him, panting heavily and glistening with sweat.

"You fuck surprisingly well, hon," she whispered.

Riku didn't say anything. He had no idea that an older woman could just control him so easily. He breathed heavily as well, but wanted to prove that he had stamina. Aqua kissed him.

"Okay, as promised," she sighed. "Everything I know about the Keyblade." She paused for a moment. "Well, it was brought to us by…otherworldly beings."

Riku scoffed. "Aliens?"

"I said otherworldly, babe. Not aliens." Aqua huffed angrily.

Riku turned away as he realized that he wanted to fuck her again, but he had to focus. He had paid his debt already. But still, her body was just begging for one more go. Riku groaned softly.

"They claimed to have come from a parallel universe. A place exactly like our own, only better." Aqua said wistfully. "They gave the people there a USB full of information that we could not possibly understand. It's supposed to get the 'worlds' interconnected through Kingdom Hearts."

"And?"

"Well, I hear there are fakes. I think I remember hearing stories about how there were these guys, Unversed, that made them."

"Unversed?"

"It means 'unversed in the ways of the galaxy' or something like that." Aqua coughed quietly. "I believe that's what the Heartless gang wants. They think they could rule the world with it. But, I don't believe in that garbage anyway."

Riku sat up. "You don't?"

Aqua shook her head. "Nope. Only religious freaks believe that. I just know the stories."

"Thanks," Riku said as he stood. "That's all I need."

Aqua rolled on her back. "I could go for another round, babe."

Riku shook his head. "I can't. Maybe some other time. I have to go get my friends and leave."

Aqua smiled. "Okay, but how did you like it?"

"It was good." Riku said. "The most amazing thing I've ever experienced."

Aqua laughed. "Come back anytime."

Riku picked up the duffel bag and called the elevator. As he closed the gate and descended, he thought of Aqua's offer. He smiled to himself and suppressed a laugh.

Maybe when this is all over, I'll come back.

Hey, this was my first time writing a little more detailed sex. I felt dirty when I wrote that part, and took a shower right afterward. *sigh* But, I feel that writing very detailed sex for no reason takes away from the story. While I was writing this, I also thought about the most awesome and controversal plot point in the whole world. DeadShut will be hearing from me soon.

We hope you enjoyed this chapter, and you better come back when DeadShut sends me his chapter. Or I'll find you.

Has a nice day, from the both of us. :)