A/N: I've really been busting my butt to get this chapter written… for my loyal readers! So I hope that you guys feel appreciated- 'cause you are! And thank you for all of the wonderful reviews (all four of 'em). I hope to see more readers in the future, but I am motivated enough by you guys. So, this chapter was all thanks to you!

Enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything but my Kingdom Hearts T-shirt!

Chapter 7: Reflex

I just sat there, stunned. She was threatening me with a knife… and she was serious.

"Now, would you care to apologize?" she crooned as she held the blade against my arm.

I stayed quiet, biting my lip and staring silently ahead.

She pressed the knife harder against my skin, creating a thin red line in its wake, and a whimper escaped my lips.

"I'm… sorry…" I finally whispered, my voice a choked breath.

"What was that?" my mother started to drag the knife down the length of my arm- making a deep, long cut. I felt tears well up in my eyes at the stinging pain.

"I'm sorry." I said plainly, feeling the tears finally trail down my cheeks.

"Now was that so hard?" she smirked- eyes gleaming. She lifted the sharp utensil away from my cut skin, and then handed it to me. "Go wash that blood off before you stain something." She snarled, motioning towards both the knife and my arm.

She started to walk out of the kitchen, but stopped abruptly and spun to face me. "Oh, and remember… this was for your own good. Liars deserve to be punished." Her eyes were like searing embers, burning into my heart.

Was I really a liar? I didn't do anything… but maybe I really had. I didn't know anymore. She wouldn't do this to me for any reason, right?

She swiftly exited the room, leaving me clutching the bloody knife.

MY blood.

The tears fell off of my face, into my cut- making sharp stinging pains rise into my arm.

I hardly felt it.

xXx

The next day I wore long sleeves again, even though it was eighty-three degrees out.

As I walked down the crooked wooden stairs, I noticed that I was home alone this morning. No note from HER or anything. But of course, why would I expect that? She hadn't left a note in a long time.

I sighed and continued with my normal morning ritual anyway.

xXx

"Hey, Sora!" I heard Kairi call my name. She was waiting for me this morning.

"Hey…" I said half-heartedly.

"…What's the matter?" her expression changed to one of concern.

I hesitated… but was about to tell her-when a certain SOMEONE popped up out of nowhere again. I had noticed that he had a tendency to do that.

"He's just upset because the new boy isn't here this morning." Axel sneered.

I hadn't even thought about Roxas. In fact, he was never here in the morning- now that I thought about it.

"No, I'm really not Axel." I retorted hollowly.

"Whatever, mopey boy." He teased, poking me in the ribs.

I flinched back away from him, wrapping my arms protectively around my body.

"Whoa, someone's jumpy." He noted, only partly kidding around.

I suddenly noticed how weird I looked, and relaxed. "Sorry, it's a reflex…"

They would never understand.

A/N: well this was completed only by my motivation from you. Thanks! Well anyway… please review- or Sora's mom will hunt you down…

Hehe jk

I would watch your back anyway though.