Red-Eyed Beloved

Disc.: I DO NOT own 'Kingdom Hearts 2' or 'Final Fantasy' in any way, shape or form…I'm just borrowing for fun, so don't hate on me or this fic!

A/N: Welcome, one and all, to Ch.7! I can't believe I actually am this far! I hope that everyone likes my fic so far, as well as the twist I put in the last chapter…btw, this next chapter will be set 5 days after Sora 'willingly' left with Arkham…now he's trapped in Chisato's hold, and how will Vincent cope with all this when Sora's been rescued? You'll have to read on to find out!

Ch.7- Shattered

As Sora lay on his bed staring at the ceiling, he lost track of how many days had passed since he'd been made to come along with Arkham for the sake of his friends…his friends, he wondered if he'd ever see them again. While thinking this all over, he heard Chisato come in and settle himself between Sora's legs for another round of rough sex…he had long ago stopped fighting knowing it did him no good to resist, and just gave in believing it was better not to struggle- the sooner he was done, the sooner Sora wouldn't have to look at him or endure his harsh 'love' towards him.

After Chisato had come inside Sora's entrance, he'd left without even so much as a 'Goodnight' and left Sora to his own devices as he did the only thing he could do…Sora broke down and cried until he passed out from exhaustion.

As the tears rolled down Sora's cheeks, he couldn't help but fall into a depressing mindset as he felt that his friends would never find him, deciding to try and get some peaceful rest for once in his miserable life.

(In Nibelheim, 1:25 a.m.)

As everyone returned to the hotel for the night, Cloud couldn't help but wonder if Sora was already dead…he called Aerith and told her of what had happened, and she all but went hysterical as she too ended up crying. It had already been nearly a week since Sora had gone missing, and everyone was starting to give up hope that he'd ever be found.

While Vincent peered out the window into the night sky, he heard a knock at the door and muttered 'Come in' a little more harshly than he was expecting to…he himself missed Sora more than the others, save for his dad as he heard the door open and turned around expecting to see Cloud but instead saw Riku standing there with a saddened look on his face.

"What do you want, kid?"

"…I need to talk to you, about my and Sora's…once relationship."

"Hmph, what's there to talk about? He already told me quite a bit about it."

"I'm sure he did, but he didn't tell you everything did he?"

"…."

"I'm guessing by your silence that that's a 'no'…I always thought Sora and I would be together forever, even when we were kids I liked him. As time passed we ended up falling in love, especially after he'd risked his life to free me from the darkness…I often asked myself how I could've just left him like that on the islands after I'd given myself over to my selfish desire for power, alone and searching for me…but then he disappeared for 2 years, only to later rescue me from Xemnas' hold and I was forever grateful to him. We then came back just as high school began and our relationship entered its' 3 year period. In all that time, Sora was always the one shred of light in the darkness of my heart…but, soon things got worse between us."

"How so?"

"Well, for one thing Seifer kept asking Sora out but he kept refusing, and I was being hit on constantly by Squall but I wanted no part of it…eventually though, they just gave up but that was when the fighting started, we constantly accused each other of cheating and then denying the truth of our relationship…that it was going nowhere, and we couldn't even fix it anymore. It escalated to a boiling point and we both just got sick of all the fighting every single night that we spent together, but I never imagined that Sora would be the one to end it for good between us…I guess I was just so scared of losing the one glimmer of light in my heart that I ended up pushing him away forever…but even so, I still love him so very much." It was then that Riku broke down in front of Vincent and cried, not caring if he saw him like that.

"I know how much Sora cares about you, (sniffles) and it's obvious that you feel the same. I realize now that I can't possibly compete with that."

"I don't even know if he does feel that way about me…but, I only realized too late that I am in love with him."

"Y'know, Sora and me got into another fight the week before he got taken away…he said that there was someone else who held his heart, and I was so jealous I demanded who it was because I couldn't stand that someone else had taken my place in Sora's heart…but then he told me that it was you, and I know now that next to you I don't have a chance with him anymore."

As Vincent listened quietly to Riku's confession, he felt his heart start beating rather hard and happiness started welling up in his chest. 'It's me?! Sora said that I'm the one to hold his heart? Then that means, maybe he does love me after all- but I have to find out for sure from Sora, which means…' "Wait, you said that you once had control over the darkness right? Is it possible that you still have some of that control left in you?"

Riku then widened his eyes a touch as he realized he'd never even thought of that possibility. "It's possible, but I'm not sure of how much control I do still have left…we'll have to go to where Sora was abducted and test that theory. Listen, I'm sure that Sora does have feelings for you, so take good care of him or I'll make you regret it!"

"I swear I will never hurt him, and I stake my very life on that. Now, let's go…Sora's waiting for us." The two of them nodded as they left the hotel, unaware that they were being followed.

(The park, 1:40 a.m.)

As the two of them arrived at the park where Vincent last saw Sora, he remembered the song that he'd been playing before he was taken away. Vincent was almost in tears at the memory when he heard a rustling in the bushes and whips his head around as Riku appeared beside him. "What's wrong?"

"We're not alone, someone followed us here." Said Vincent as he pulled out his Cerberus and fired off 3 warning shots at the place where he heard the sound come from.

"Come out! I know you're there, so there's no use in hiding anymore- or do you want the next ones in your skull?"

"Alright, you don't have to get all angry on us."

As the source of the voice steps out, a slightly shocked expression takes over Vincent's face. "Reina, what are you doing here? Does Reno even know about you being out this late?"

"Ok, first of all I came because I know that that kid (points to Riku) knows where Sora is…secondly, he's working late again; and finally…" at this point she whistles and out comes Nikki to sit loyally at his master's side. "We're coming with you, we want to rescue Sora just as much as you do and I'll not take no for an answer!"

As Vincent looked at the two of them and then at Riku, he realized that there was no possible way to change her mind. "Fine, but don't drag us down. Riku, open the portal as best you can- try to find Sora's heart, and we may end up finding him."

"Alright, I'll try my best." As Riku closed his eyes and concentrated with every ounce of focus he had, he imagined Sora's smile, the darkness coming back into his hands as he opened his eyes and the portal was open, waiting for them to cross through.

"Let's go, I'm not sure how long this will stay stabilized and I don't want to find out so let's move it!" The 4 of them said nothing as they all jumped through the portal only to end up in a place covered by darkness and the only thing that stood out at that moment was a castle- like structure in the distance.

"I know this place…" said Vincent as Riku and Reina stared at him curiously.

"Have you been here before?" asked Riku.

Vincent merely turned to them and said "Yes, this place is what's known as the Zanarkand Ruins- but they shouldn't be this dark, for one thing there's no stars out…look."

As Vincent pointed up, they both saw that he was right- there were no stars to be found, and that disturbed Riku for some reason.

"Well, I think we should get moving."

The small group moved as silently as possible through the darkened valley like shadows in the night, not even knowing the full extent of the dangers that lay ahead of them.

(Vexen's Lab, 2:00 a.m.)

As Vexen set his coffee cup down on the desk near his computer, his eyes surveyed the cameras that were strategically placed all over the Shadowed Ruins and took a sip of the cream-colored warm fluid that served to keep him awake as he settled in for another long night.

While the warm liquid drizzled down his throat in small sips, a light came on near the console and he nearly choked on the coffee as he heard "Vexen, please come to my chambers immediately."

Sighing, he put the cup down and cleared his throat as he wiped the coffee off of his chin before it spilled all over his clean desk. "I'll be there in a minute."

As he got up and headed toward the elevator, he waited for the doors to open and then stepped inside, waiting patiently as he then pressed the 5th floor button so that the elevator took him upstairs to Xandra's room, wondering what she could want with him at this hour of the night.

(Xandra's Room, 2:10 a.m.)

As the elevator came to a stop, Vexen stepped out as the doors opened then closed behind him and he knocked rather loudly on the white door that was trimmed with cobalt and patiently waited until he heard 'Come In' and opened the door as Xandra sat on her bed.

Clearing his throat, he looked straight at her and said "I'm here, now what is it you could possibly want with me at this hour?"

"There's a couple of things I need to discuss with you, Vexen- and remember, none of it leaves this room, understood?"

"Yes, of course…now what is it?"

"First of all, it's about our policy- I assume you're familiar with Regulation #12?"

"Yes- 'No sleeping with fellow members without obtaining the leader's permission to do so first.' Why ask me if I remember this particular rule? You know full well there's no one here who piques my interest."

"Yes, but this isn't about you, it's about Chisato…"

"What about him?"

"Take a look at this." As she got up from her sitting position on the bed, she turned on the computer near her desk and pulled up a list of surveillance recordings on each of the members, including Chisato and Sora. "Now, watch this. Here's the video from the last five days that Sora's been staying with us." As Vexen watches the screen, he's appalled by what he sees- Chisato raping Sora over and over again, and then he becomes angry at Chisato in a way he never thought before. Truth was, he'd actually bonded with Sora in that time and considered him to be almost a younger brother to him.

"So now you see, Vexen- not only has Chisato broken that rule, he's repeatedly caused Sora pain and misery…we can't have that, therefore I want you to-" As she spoke, a loud explosion rocked the building and caused vexen's eyes to widen in surprise.

"W-what's going on?! Is it an intruder? Lady Xandra!"

"Listen Vexen, go find Sora and hide him…whoever that is, we cannot let them have him just yet! Now go!"

"Yes, my lady!" Vexen said as he ran out of the room and slammed the door behind him as Xandra went over to her closet to pull out a silver and black robe, then strode over to her desk and brought out a bottle of red fluid, drinking it all at once.

"Now then, it's time to put my plan into action…(voice deepens then smoothens out) and make Sora pay for what he did to me."

As Vexen took the stairs, he found Sora's room and saw him clutching his violin rather closely with a look of absolute fear in his eyes. Vexen could only guess that Chisato had done more damage than he realized, and made his way over to Sora only to see him visibly flinch as he grabbed his upper arm and gently lifted him to his feet.

"Come on, Sora- we have to get out of here! The castle's been attacked, and I have to get you to safety."

(With Vincent, Reina, and Nikki- 2:20 a.m.)

As Vincent took out the Heartless, Reina focused on the Nobodies as Nikki sniffed around for any trace of Sora, then lifted his head and let out a loud bark.

"Arf arf ('I've got his scent! This way!')"

As Reina snapped her head up in Nikki's direction, she signaled to Vincent and they followed him up the stairs as he led them to the 4th floor.

(4th Floor, 2:14 a.m.)

As Vexen led Sora into a closed off room, he had him sit on the bed that was in the middle of the room as Sora curled in on himself while holding his instrument close before he closed his eyes and started weeping quietly.

As Vexen stood outside the door, he saw Ming and Naila heading in his direction and pulled them aside to speak with them. "Listen, you two- the intruders are making their way up here and I want you both to stop them at all costs!"

Ming & Naila: "Yes sir!"

The twins saluted Vexen before they made their way down to the 3rd floor to stop Vincent and the others as Zenu had also been heading Vexen's way.

"Zenu!"

"What is it now?"

"Go into this room and guard Sora with your life!"

"Fine, whatever."

As Zenu went into the room, Vexen stood in front of the door ready to deter any of the intruders should they somehow make their way upstairs.

(Vincent, Reina and Nikki, 3rd floor- 2:20 a.m.)

As the three of them made their way up the stairs, they got as far as the 3rd floor when they were stopped by a pair of twin girls who blocked their path.

"Hey Naila, look at that guy: the one in red- he's pretty hot, isn't he? I almost feel sorry about having to kill him, ya know?" said Ming as she materialized 2 gunblades.

"I suppose, but I'm more interested in killing that ugly little girl and her ugly little mutt." Naila said as she materialized a massive halberd and stood at the ready as Reina looked at Vincent with an uncertain look on her face.

"Vincent, why don't you go after Sora? We'll take care if these two!" She nodded at Vincent who ran up the stairs and simply leaped over the girls, between their weapons, and was soon out of sight leaving them to whine at the loss of their prey.

"Oh well, we can still at least take care of these two right Naila?"

"Yeah, sure Ming…let's make it quick though, we have other engagements to see to."

As Reina stared at the two girls, she pulled out her own two swords named 'Heaven' and 'Hell' and watched as Nikki also stood at the ready. "Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you guys- much." Reina smirked deviously as the fight began.

(with Vincent, 4th floor 2:25 a.m.)

As Vincent raced up the stairs, he saw a guard at the door and that guard happened to be Vexen.

"Well well, I never expected at least one of you to make it up here…even so, I cannot let you through this door- I have my orders."

"And I have my priorities- out of the way!"

"I believe I made it stringently clear when I said that you cannot pass through here without getting past me first." Vexen said adamantly as he pulled out his weapon, a shield with what looked like short swords sticking out of it. "And I will execute those orders!"

As Vincent pulls out Cerberus, he merely mutters "Bring it on." Vincent said before the two men clashed in the hall.

(Sora's 'room', 2:27 a.m.)

As Sora layed on the bed crying, Zenu pulled out a blanket from the nearby closet and gently draped it over him as he simply stared at the broken boy before him. The truth was, he knew what Chisato had been doing to him, but he kept quiet for it was his nature as the 'Silent Observer' but knew now that maybe he should have at least said something to the leader.

He then got an idea in his head, and knew that he may very well lose his life over it but he didn't care anymore- it was time to reveal the secret behind Organization Zero to the Keyblade wielder.

"Sora, can you sit up for a moment? I have something to tell you."

As Sora heard Zenu speak to him, he gently sat up and wrapped the blanket around his body, not wanting anyone to see the dark bruises on him left there by Chisato.

"What is it?"

"First of all, I never revealed to you that I myself played the violin when I was still whole…now, I feel broken apart and I want to help you. Will you let me play your instrument, even if only once, for just a little while?"

As Sora stared down at the violin, then back up at Zenu, he simply hands it to him and says "Sure." As Sora relinquishes possession over the violin, he sees Zenu smile a genuine smile instead of a lazy smirk as he starts playing 'I Don't Care' by Apocalyptica and listens as the sad notes fill the room.

(Outside the room, in the hallway)

As Vincent and Vexen traded blows and bullets, Vexen became exhausted as did Vincent.

"You're not bad, (panting) red gunman."

"You're pretty good yourself, (panting) scientist…let's finish this, Sora's waiting for me."

As the two of them prepare for the final blow, they hear the violin's notes carry through the walls as Vexen stands there and smiles at the simplistic beauty of the melody. It was in this moment that Vincent shoots three bullets at Vexen- one in his heart (or where it should be), one in his shoulder and one in his liver and watches as Vexen falls to the ground on his back as blood starts pooling underneath him.

Vincent then walks up to Vexen's collapsed form and merely asks "Why? Why did you not fight back?"

"Because, I wanted to be set free from this cursed fate I was forced to live…Sora told me that he had someone he cared about very deeply, but I never imagined it would be you. Go and rescue him, and do what I…could…not." And with his final breath, Vexen faded back into the darkness once again as his weapon stayed behind. Vincent picked it up and attached it to his back as he opened the door to find Sora sleeping soundly as Zenu finished off his melody and placed the instrument on the bed next to Sora and looked at Vincent.

"….Relax, he's just asleep. If you want him back, you can have him- I dislike fighting unless I have no other choice. You're probably wondering what kind of place this is, aren't you?"

As Vincent stared at him, Sora chose this moment to wake up and saw Vincent standing there.

"Vincent?! Is that really you? I'm not dreaming, am I?!" he sits there as Vincent walks up to him and pulls him into a warm embrace, and just like with Vexen he flinches as Vincent pulls him close.

"No, Sora, you're not…I'm here, I've come to take you home. Why would you help us?" As Vincent felt Sora flinch, he would have to ask him about that later as he locks eyes with the other boy in the room with them.

"First of all, the name's Zenu- and my reasons for helping him are my own. But, the least I figure I could do is to tell you the true purpose behind Organization Zero."

At hearing this, Sora realized he was never really told why he'd been brought here in the first place.

"Well, (clears throat) the real purpose of this Organization is: to revive all the Nobodies that Sora had defeated and use their residual essence to join all the worlds together and establish complete dominion over the new world. However, we needed Sora's Keyblades and their power to make that happen, as well as have his heart and his soul drowning in sadness, misery, and hopelessness…however, Vexen knew this would never work and tried to stop her in his own way but in the end it cost him his life…but, I don't want to be a part of this anymore- I want to leave this place, these 'Shadowed Ruins' and live my own life. Also, there's one last thing you should know, Sora…Arkham, he's just a replica of a long dead warrior…I'm surprised he lasted this long."

"So that's why I didn't see him around."

"Yeah, he died 4 days ago…also, the Xandra you met isn't real either, she's actually-"

But before he could finish his sentence, a beam of light shot through him and caused him to start fading away as an all too familiar voice spoke from behind him.

"That's quite enough out of you, Zenu- I can't have you very well telling them everything, now can I?"

"Zenu!" Sora cried out for his friend as he held him against his body as he felt him fading away while he used the last of his strength to make his weapon appear in his hand. It looked like a double-headed spear connected by a chain, and Zenu handed it to Sora as he somehow managed to speak. "Aw man, and here I thought I'd finally get to live a free life of my own…Sora, you became my best friend and I only now realized that I never told you- Marluxia…he's my…lover, and I want you to get him out of here- for my sake, can you do that? Also, find a way…for us t-to be t-t-together again in the next lifetime…"

So with his dying breath, Zenu shed a single tear and soon faded into darkness as Sora held his weapon to him as his gaze caught sight of a name inscribed on the weapon- 'Countenance' and looked at 'Xandra' as 'she' made her way over to them and turned the room into an empty chamber as her form fell away to reveal someone who Sora thought was gone forever.

"X-xemnas?!"

T.B.C.- Wow! Xandra is really Xemnas! What will happen now? Read the next chapter to find out!