Sorry for the long wait, I honestly did forget about it. I just started school again. This chapter does have some more drama and a rather large plot twist. Hope you enjoy it.
Reunions
Chapter 6
By Wildfire
Stupid cold-- stupid Kairi-- stupid busing. I piled the dishes; gross, dirty dishes. How could I make it up to Riku? How could I tell him that I didn't mean those things? That I had spoken without thinking! In the past, when we fought, than the next time we saw each other everything was just ok again. We just let it go. Would we still be able to do that? I hoped so. I don't want our friendship to go down the drain just because I'm a moron. Luckily I was almost off work. Than I could run home, get Riku's gifts and beg forgiveness. He'd forgive me. He had to. I sneezed into the dirty plates, coughing afterwards. Stupid cold!
Hopefully Riku would be done swimming by the time I got there. I've never hated water before! Stupid cold!
"Sora." I heard my name called.
I looked up Mr. Gongal was smiling at me. "Your relief is here, get lost."
I smiled going quickly to clock out. I was careful not to look at Jake, who was working today. I smiled as head out of the restaurant, going out the back way again. It was rarely used, but this way I didn't have to pass by the kitchen, or more specifically, Jake.
I took a deep breath once outside; it felt wonderful being done with work. I was between buildings, so I didn't feel the sun directly on me. But I could see it. I headed towards it, gasping when someone grabbed me around the waist, yanking me back. Either I'm more sick than I thought or I was getting lame. I jerked my elbow back smirking when I hear a grunt. I jumped away turning to face-- not Jake-- Frank. He didn't work today. "Frank… What are you doing?"
He was slightly hunched over, holding his side where I elbowed him. He smiled, "Wanted to check on you. You were so sick yesterday. You still look really pale."
"I-" I jumped as someone else grabbed me by the shoulders. I bolted back, which brought me closer to Frank. I stared at Connor. Something was defiantly not right. I needed to get out of this shadowed area.
"Sora." I turned to look back at Frank, "You know I let you borrow that movie. Have you watched it yet?"
"I started it, but-" Alarm bells were ringing, I didn't think it wise to let them know I was fighting with Riku "I didn't finish it."
"That's very rude, Sora, I let you borrow a video and you don't even watch it? It's been two days now." He took a step toward me.
I stepped back. My head was screaming to get out of there. But at the same time they've done nothing wrong. It'd look wired if I just bolted. He kept stepping closer and I kept stepping back. Until hands were on my shoulders again, looking back Connor was smiling. I looked back at Frank.
"What-"
"I think you owe me an apology Sora." Frank was right in front of me now. And unless I wanted to press myself into Connor I couldn't move. Frank ran a hand down my still bruised cheek. "Don't you?"
"N-no!" I wanted to slap myself for that stupid stutter.
He smiled more, "I do." He grabbed my chin, his fingers digging harshly into my tender cheek. He pried my mouth open, yanking my head up so my neck was stretched. Connor's hands stayed on my shoulders, holding me in place as Frank started kissing my mouth. I could get away, I know I could. But...
Riku's words echoed in my head.
I couldn't bite down with his fingers pressing my cheeks between my teeth, but I still had free large feet. I stomp back on Connor first before kicking forward in-between Franks legs. They both moved quickly away. Well, Frank fell.
"I am SO sick of people molesting me! Knock it off!" I turned to stomp away, but Connor was standing in my way. Now Connor is not a tiny person by any means, actually he's rather large. "Move!" I wasn't intimidated.
Suddenly I was tackled from behind. He recovered much faster than I thought he would! He was on top of me. Hitting me, talking so quickly that spittle was flying. I had no idea what he was saying, but when he ripping my shirt open and buttons went flying... My eyes narrowed and thrust my hips forward, sending him forward. Once he was off balance I punched him, and then shoved him off me. As soon as I was up another body-- a larger one-- rammed me into the restaurant brick wall. I grunted. He literally grabbed my face in one of his large hands pulling my head back and slamming it back into the brick wall.
My eyes.. so blurry.. ohh I'm on the ground. People.. touching me.. NO! I tried to jerk up, but I'm shoved back down someone holding my chest. I blink rapidly as my vision blurs more. No... hands were moving down my chest... they were going lower, nails scrapping against my skin. Lips on my nipples. I tried to shake my head. Something to regain some kind of sense. This was wrong. But my body wasn't responding to me. Everything felt like it was weighted down. Hands, they were on my pants. Another set of hands were pinching. Twisting my flesh in a harsh manner. They wanted to hurt. They couldn't do this! I am not going to loose everything to these assholes!
I felt my pants being pulled down. I clenched my fist. Instantly feeling the familiar weight in my hand. The power surges through me slightly, giving me a little bit of clarity. I swung the blade forward catching who ever was on top than in one smooth motion I knock it backwards to who ever was there. I ram the Key blade into the ally floor using it to stand. Both Connor and Frank were lying sprawled out on the ground. Red was seeping around Frank's head. Maybe it was my own wound, maybe it was the fact that they had just tried to rape me, but either way-- I didn't care. I stumbled toward the exit only to collapse before I reached the mouth. The key blade vanished. I couldn't pass out. I couldn't-
***
"Sora!"
I woke with a jolt. Cold air running across me. My hair stuck to my neck. I felt like I was going to be sick. My body shook. What the hell was happening, where was I?
"Sora, you need to get up!" Roxas's voice shouted at me.
"Rox..." My voice cracked.
"Sora, he's waking up, you got to get up now!" He persisted.
Waking up; who? Where was I? Was I dreaming? I was so cold. The sun it was setting.
"Get up!" He shouted at me.
I struggled to stand my arms shaking as I pressed against them. My eyes blink at the blood around where I had been laying. Was I bleeding?
"Get up!" He shouted again.
I wanted to cry. My body hurt. My head... Ohh god, my head. I placed one foot firmly down, slowly standing up. I shook like a leaf. I took a shuddering step forward, my knees buckled enough that they actually knocked together. My stomach heaved. I collapsed back onto my knees as I loose what was in my stomach. A chocked sob leaves my lips as I fight not to fall over into the mess.
"Come on Sora, you can't give up. He's waking up. He'll kill you Sora. Please get up." There was a pause before he spoke again "If you don't get up Riku will never forgive you."
Riku... It was Riku's birthday.... We had fought... I missed his birthday! Another chocked sob left my lips. This was like the biggest of bad days I've ever had. It even beat out the day when I woke up homeless and friendless.
"Get up!" He sounded desperate. I struggled back to my feet. I heard someone groan behind me. I moved forward; out of the dark ally. The sun was almost gone. I leaned against a wall outside; a shaky hand grabbed my pants. They had been sliding down my hips. They were undone... Oh god, they had really been, I started sliding down the wall.
"NO! Stay up! You need to find help Sora, you're hurt. You can't sit down! Go into the restaurant!" I could almost feel Roxas's wild gestures.
No.. I needed to find Riku. It's Riku's birthday. Beach... They're at the beach, that's where we were going to meet up... I started moving toward the beach. I didn't notice anyone as I walked. But I was kinda focused on walking. It was rather a hard thing to do right now.
"Sora..." He sounded so sad, why?
The beach. I would have smiled, but I can't seem to remember how. It was empty. Where was Riku? I stumbled toward the water. I collapsed back on my knees; the cold water hitting my legs with each wave.
"He's... not... 'ere" My voice was so thick, it was difficult to talk. Why? I groaned laying back down, the sudden movement making my stomach jolt—again-- I heave into the sand. I didn't care; I didn't even move my head away from the mess. I didn't think I could anyway.
"No, he'd be at the movies now." Roxas said, I can see him now. He's a shinny, and see through. Like he was the first time I met him. But he was so sad. "I'm going to try and get you help. With Namine's help I might... Someone will notice me." I blinked, wondering what that meant. His eyes widened as he looks toward the waves. "Sora the waves... the tide. You need to move."
Yeah right. I couldn't move my finger right now. Hence the laying in my own hurl. He looked a little frantic. "I'll be back, try and stay awake!" He was gone than, running along the sand-- he didn't leave foot prints. I shouldn't have gotten this close to the water. It was cold as it hit my hips.
***
I ran as fast as I've ever run, trying to get the image of Sora lying in the sand-- bloody, matted hair, the waves lapping against him-- out of my head. I ran right past everyone, no one could see me. I'm a nobody. I had to find Kairi, Namine should be able to see me! She'd tell Kairi, she could help Sora.... Sora. I swallow thickly. I wasn't an idiot, when that bastard rammed his head into the wall… I just hoped the damage wouldn't be permanent that is if I got him help in time. He was dieing, maybe it was because I'm part of him that I knew this, maybe it's just because I saw him. It didn't really matter. I knew it was true. But I also knew it could be stopped, that he could live if I could just find him help. Well at least if I failed I wouldn't have to live with that guilt. Without him, I didn't exist.
Movie theater! I ran through the doors. Which movie!? I was running out of time. If that tide came in... I wasn't too optimistic that Sora would move away from the water. Nine theaters, silver hair, shouldn't be too hard. I moved into the first one, eyes scanning the crowd for silver hair. No. I move to the next, and the next. They had to be here! By the time I got through I was crying in frustration. I was running out of time. I would have to help him myself... But how?! I can't even touch him!
I ran back toward the beach. I had to do something, anything. It was dark when I arrived back at the beach. Sora still laid there the waves crashing over his body. His eyes were closed again. I rushed forward. Kneeling beside his still form. I couldn't do anything! I could move him, I couldn't help him! "Wake up Sora!" He didn't even bat an eye lash. The waves crashed up by his noise. I gasped at the feeling, for a second I couldn't breath.
Despair like I've never felt it washed over me as I sat in the sand. The water progressively getting higher, Sora lying beside me, dead to the world and most likely going to really die. His hair a bloody matted mess. He body shaking hard enough that he almost looked like he was convulsing. And I could do nothing.
No, I wouldn't let it end. Not like this. I stood up staring at my hands. I held them once; could I hold them again? My blue eyes narrowed. Somehow, I had to. I had to separate. Again. But once I separated... Would I be pulled away? Would I have a chance to help him? I had to try. I focused pulling myself from him. It was, actually, painful. I gritted my teeth I heard him whimper. I had too, I had to separate. I could help him then. The familiar weight of the key blades firmed in my hand. Almost there. I could already feel the pull. It was going to rip me away. I couldn't let it rip me before I saved him I had to save him! I was free! I made a mad dash to Sora, trying to clutch him as I was ripped away.
***
Over the worlds that night a bright star shoot across the night sky; brightening dark worlds for a single moment.
***
I woke slowly. Something was wrapped around me. My head hurt-- I hurt.
"Hey one of them is waking." An excited voice said; the voice sounded familiar. "Hey, open those eyes.. Come on, open!"
I did groaning at the bright light, and... red hair? I gasped slightly. "Axel?" My voice croaked.
The red head blinked before straightening and smirking. "See that Sefier, people are memorizing my name that don't even know me! Now here's the real test, can you spell it?"
I groaned, this was way to much for my brain to comprehend. Why was it hard to breath?
"Sorry your-- very naked--very cute friend had a death clutch on you. Since we couldn't wake either of you. We just carried you both. Your lucky Sefier's mom is a doctor and she could help. How'd you smack your head like that anyway?" Axel finished with dramatic hand gestures.
"What?" Where was I? Who was on me? They were naked?
"Hey, I said you're lucky. Your hearing affected? You've been out for DAYS now. It's been so boring!"
Days?
"Axel you're scaring him." The blond came forward smacking Axel in the chest a bit, with this blue bat. "Look I'm Seifer, this is Axel, which you somehow already knew. Now, who are you and your friend?"
"Sora…" I said softly. I didn't know who was on me. Was it Riku? I couldn't remember! Everything hurt. Where was I? How did I get here?!
"I'm scaring him? You spoke five words to him and he looks ready to shit eggs now." Axel laughed. "Well Sora, who's your friend?"
I tried to twist to see, but pain flared through me. A slight cry leaves my lips. Axel was suddenly there a hand on my shoulder; his eyes somehow softer. "Hey, relax, that's a pretty serious head case you got. Honestly when we found you..." He leaned in close, "I didn't think you were gonna make it. So try not to muck it up now, ok?" He straightened up, his smile back in place.
I nodded slightly, groaning afterwards wishing I hadn't done that.
"So your friend. We'll describe him. Blond hair, sticks up slightly randomly. I think his eyes are blue, but they're rolled up so high in his head it's hard to say, pouty adorable lips, high cheek bones, slim body, perky naked bu-"
"Axel," Sefier interrupted with a hiss. "We put pants on him. It's not like we let him clutch you naked like that. Is he your brother?"
I understood than. I knew who was on me; I knew why my body hurt, why my heart hurt.
"Hey," Axel was suddenly wiping my cheeks softly. They were wet, I was crying, my cheeks hurt. I hurt. This was all wrong. Where was Riku? "No tears, can you tell me what happened Sora?" How he could look so concerned when a moment ago he was talking about Roxas's butt?
"I.. " How do I tell him anything. Why didn't he know me? Where was I? I let out a shuddering breath. Fighting back the tears, everything was so confusing my brain couldn't think!
"Sefier make him stop crying" Axel said in a remarkably serious voice.
"Axel he just woke up from head trauma and judging from his friends grip he also probably dealt with emotional trauma. It's the body's way to try and cope. Let him be. He's obviously confused and scared. I told you we should have let the kiddies keep them."
"No way!" Axel stood his hand removing from my cheek. "Those three couldn't take care of a hermit!" He looked back at me, "You want to cry, than you cry you just let it all out!" He pumped his fist a bit. "We'll beat those tears away."
I couldn't help the small smile at this.
"Roxas.." I said softly.
He paused, "huh?"
"His name, is Roxas."
"Roxas?" He said the name a few more times as if his mouth was getting used to it. He smiled running a hand through his red locks. "I like it. Axel and Roxas. It has a nice ring to it."
My eyes widened at that. Ring? "You.. you can't mean-"
"100% gay. That's me. Seifer is too, but he won't admit it." He announced.
"I am not," the blond growled.
"He is. IN fact I'm a strong believer that all males are gay. But woman are so beyond terrifying that many don't have the guts to admit it. That and we do need to keep the population going." He kneeled down beside the bed. "Did we beat those tears? If not I have a lighter, we can burn em away." His smile grew to a frightening level.
I shook my head, again, wishing I hadn't. He chuckled.
"Well Sora I think we'll get along very well. You're cute and innocent and you brought a cute blond. Now you go back to sleep. Next time when you wake up, you can maybe get up!"
I smiled a little. Part of me thought it odd that he was telling me to go back to sleep when I just woke up, but I was too tired to care.
***
When I woke again there was no heavy weight on me. It was just me lying in a bed alone. At first I thought Roxas and I rejoined, but I knew that was wrong, I felt.. empty. Dang that sounded lame even in my head. Why hadn't he rejoined? What if he couldn't? What if we were stuck apart. I stopped as I head voices, and now I sound like I'm crazy.
"I know he's awake." It was Roxas.
"How could you know that? Come with me. We'll go do something fun." That was defiantly Axel, he sounded… desperate?
"You don't know me!" Roxas accused.
"But you knew me! So did that kid. I want to know you. I feel like I do know you! I could know you." Alex said very quickly.
"Let go of my shirt! Stop that! What-" Roxas barged into the room a second later his shirt ruffled, hair messy and yet he looked oddly pleased "Sora."
I blinked when I didn't see Axel follow him in. "Where are we?"
"My home town. When I separated it took me here. I don't know why. I was so desperate to get a hold of you… I guess I took you with me, but some how I'll find away to get you back." He promised sitting on the side of my bed.
"Axel-"
"Is as much of a moron as I remember." He grumbled.
"Are we.. stuck apart?" I asked softly.
Roxas shook his head. "No, I don't think so anyway. I'm not quiet sure how I rejoined with you in the first place. It just kinda happened."
I nodded slowly, "Does Axel... remember everything?"
"No, he's been pestering me on how apparently we both knew his name. I haven't answered yet. He's just as I remember him though." Roxas laid down beside me. Putting his head on my shoulder. "Sora... I'm sorry."
I blinked "For what? I... don't really know what happened. Or why I hurt all over. But I doubt it's your fault."
He sighed "You.. were attacked by the cooks. One of them bashed your head in really good. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't even cast a cure. The tide was coming in. I couldn't find Riku. You were going to drown. I separated and grabbed hold of you. When I woke up we were here. Axel said you had already woken up once. I couldn't cast a cure now, the people here don't know about it. How do you feel now? You think you can sit up?"
I just laid there for a second. I was attacked? Wait cooks? I struggled to pull the memory up, but it was all just blank. Last thing I remembered was busing the tables. I took a deep shuddering breath, before struggling to sit up. Roxas helped me immediately. Once sitting up I leaned against him. He ran a gentle hand through my hair. Well I had been complaining that my life was boring, and here it was, taking another dramatic spin. Riku wasn't here; he was back on Destiny Island, with Ansem and Kairi. I was here... he would be at our home... was he still mad at me? My heart thumped hard, would he forget me?
"Sora?"
I sighed, "I'm ok, I missed these worlds anyway. I just wish Riku or Kairi was here too. Seems like I always leave my world without them"
Roxas smiled chuckling slightly. "Yeah I suppose you do. We'll get you home though. Somehow..."
That was a scary thought. There was no gummy ship here. Would I be able to leave? Was there a way to contact someone with a gummy ship? Maybe the king would know that something was up? Maybe he'd come get me? Probably just wishful thinking, the king couldn't possibly monitor every single place. We'd have to get out of here our selves. Somehow. Someway...
***
Within a few days I was on my feet again. Utlina, Sefeir's mom, kept my head bandaged still. She said I'd need to wear it for another week. I wasn't allowed to run either. She said head wounds were serious and if I even thought of not taking it lightly that she's skin me alive than bandage me back up. Scary thing? I think she was serious. Mostly I hung out at their house, watching TV. Hey whole new shows to learn and watch here. Never seen any of the movies... I was bored out of my mind! Roxas stayed with me a lot but Axel pulled him away at least five times a day. The red head had seemed to grown attached to Roxas very quickly. Roxas pretended to be annoyed, but I knew better.
I paused the movie letting out a dramatic sigh. Today would be a full week now. A week that I've been in this new world. Roxas and I were no closer to finding a way off. Well granted Roxas was doing most of the work but still. He had checked the computer down below. Where my 'flower' was. He tried to send us back with his key blades, the train; he even tried to call on the darkness. Nothing worked so far. The computer was fried, the key blades just made fun lights, the train just went normal places, and he no longer carried the darkness like he had in the organization, he couldn't make a portal. I looked to the window, the blue sky outside. It was a perfect day. Was it this nice back home?
I wanted to be outside. I wanted to smell the air. I wanted to skate bored or.. do something! Living here.. with Sefier's mom… It was awkward. Not even Seifer lived here, he lived with Axel on the other side of town. Room mates only. So here Roxas and I were free loading off this scary woman. How someone this violent could be a nurse... is beyond me. She adores Axel though.
Axel... I sighed again. He was another issue. He had no memory of the organization or the battles or anything. He didn't even remember Roxas. So how had he gotten here? Why was he here-
"I wanna go the movie!" Speak of the devil. I turned to look as Roxas stormed in-- Axel on his heals.
"Please Roxy? Let's go to the movies." He tried in a less demanding voice.
"No, and don't call me that." Roxas didn't even look back at him moving to a chair and sitting down.
"But Roxy, I wanna see it." Axel paused looking at me and smiling plopping down beside me dramatically. "Want to help me make Roxy jealous?" He wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
My eyes widened, and I'm sure I'm blushing.
"You can't make me jealous when you say that right in front of me! Let him go!" Roxas was looking now.
"So I could make you jealous if I didn't tell you than?" His arm stayed on my shoulders.
"No!" Roxas stood up. "Let's go to the movies." He stalks back out of the house.
Axel smiled winking at me before dashing after him "I'll buy the popcorn!" He called shutting the door behind him.
I sighed as silence descends on the house again. They were doing stuff like that more often. What a weird friendship. I wonder if Riku and I acted like that? Course I'd probably be more like Axel only not vulgar.. or tall... or sexual... or.. I guess I'm not like Axel. But Riku wouldn't be like Axel either. He was more like Roxas, though he was calmer than Roxas, taller, smarter... guess we didn't act like them. Danm, I was so bored! I wanted to go to the movies! Maybe I could sneak out. She might not notice... 'course if she did...
I sighed un-pausing my video. I'd leave tomorrow.
