Chapter 8
Questions
Sora cursed silently and ran a hand through his untameable brown hair, again, for the billionth time that minute. How was he supposed to feel about the figure from his past- beautiful, mysterious, warm, home- showing up on his doorstep, out of nowhere- and telling him he was sorry?! Sorry-- for inviting him into the first house he had slept in in weeks, making him feel safe, after nights of laying his head down for sleep on a cold, ash covered ground thinking that night might just be his last, and giving him a person he could smile for. Then, leavning before the sun had even risen...
Sorry? Didnt even begin to cover the pain he had felt- when he had been once again abandoned by someone he had given his trust. After that day- he was homeless once again. After his parents had died in a fire that had not only taken their lives, but also thier home and everything in it- he had had nowhere to go. He had no family left, no grandparents or cousins- so he was forced to the streets. Sora had had to steal everyday just so he wouldn't starve, and what he couldn't steal- beg for. He had to sleep in the gutters, brave disease and sickness all becuase he needed a safe place to sleep so as to not be hastled by other homless for money or food they knew he didnt have. Sleeping anywhere that was even the slightest bit comfortable and warm put him at risk for a dagger inbetween the ribs.
That was how he lived, day to day, year to year- untill he was caught stealing. Not for the first time either- ohter times he had been caught, he had just narrowly avoided getting his hands amputated- and even loosing his life. That time was different, though. That time- it wasn't a shop owner, or a food seller- but a gang member, who had caught him- and said he had had the fastest hands he had ever seen.
That- was how he got into the Clubs. He was the youngest one there, and was beaten, badly, by the others. But, they never hurt his arms. Or his hands. His precious tools that stole them jems and food no one else could even hope to get a finger on. That was why they let him live, why they even treated him with grudging respect. Becuase he could steal- and well. In return, he was given a safe place to sleep- that wasn't invested with rodents and filth. He was even given food- occaisonally. Most of the time- he still had to rely on himself to get fed. But, it was heaven compared to what he had been living before.
Now, when all is finally starting to go well for him- he having just accomplished stealing one of the finest gems in town, probely getting him a weeks rest and free food as payment- he had to show up again. Just like that- his life didn't make sense anymore.
Sora sighed, and pushed it to the back of his mind. The gang had allowed him another day at the inn, but now it was time to return. Slipping a hand to his chest to make sure his hidden dagger was still secured at his chest (which of course, it always was)- he blew out the candles and disapeared out of the room. He flew down the stairs, slipped out the door, and into the night- smoke and shadows whipping around him in welcome. The innkeeper would find his room empty soon enough- he didn't have to tell her of his departure. His breath steamed out of his lips as he breathed, and Sora shivered. It would be a cold night. Pulling his shirt closer to him, he set down the narrow cobblestoned roads that would lead him to his charred, but oh so sweet, hideout...
"Hey Sora!! Glad to see you back! Your fingers still there?" boomed a voice when he entered the window on the second floor of the burned building- about the only safe way in. Sora hid a smile and turned his eyes to the owner of the voice- that was about the only person who didn't look at him with malice and indifference in their eyes. Him...and Riku... He was leaning against the wall, a stained tan shirt hanging baggily over his waist- and his white grin and fiery hair glinting in the dark. "Yes, Axel, their still there. Do you have to ask me that everytime I get back?" he answered with a grin, carefully stepping around other gangmembers still sleeping on the floor. Most pulled night shifts- stealing and killing under the cover of darkness- but others had day shifts, and acutally let sleep take them when the sun was down. Sora quickly crossed the room, gentle feet- trained for stealth- not making a sound as he moved, and swept his friend up into a brisk hug. Axel laughed, and ruffled his hiar. "Cuz' squirt, those things are about the only thing that keep you breathing. How'd the hiest go?" he replyed, pulling back and looking at him with warm green eyes. "Okay. The building was old- you know, those old ones that look real fancy and have like no security? Ya, those- I broke into it in like three seconds." Axel faked a gasp of surprise- and rose a hand to his mouth. Sora laughed, and punched him in the arm. "Hey you wanna know the details or not?" he chuckled softly, and could barely contain himself when Axel sobered instanly, eyes going wide,- like a child eager to hear the rest of his favorite story. "The necklace was on the middle floor- in a glass case. The gaurds were lazy and over paid, so I just had to sneak past them, break the glass, grab it, and go. Easy peazy." Sora finished with a grin, rubbing his scarrred knuckles on his shirt in feigned arrogance. Axel whislted, and gave him a hardy slap on the back. "Well done kid. I heard we lost two guys trying to get that thing- and here you come and get it in a night!" he chuckled shaking with laughter. "Yep- I got skillz," Sora grinned, and narrowly doged a slap to the face. Axel grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and shoved him out the door- still laughing. "Go on Sora. Top Dog wants to know the full report, and you've already messed around with me too long," he whispered, and gave him a mock salute. "Good luck!" Sora rolled his eyes, and made his way across the blackened hall- untill he reached the room nestled wtihin the dead center of the corridor. He stopped infront of the door, and was suddenly nervous.
Their leader, the man of the gang that kept it running and kept up their money, resided behind that door- the only member of the entire group who got a room to himself. He was old, older than most of them- but slyer that a fox, and fierce enough to gain respect from even his enemies. Sora quickly took in a steadying breath, turned the scuffed door knob- and stepped silently in.
Before him was a small room- a lumpy cot laying in the far corner, a flickering candle glowing softly by its sheets. A mahagony desk stook in the dead center- large and dotted with dust covered drawers. But, that was all pretty average for a room in the forgotten building. What was spectacular about the room- was the huge widow covering almost the entire back wall-
-and the figure that sat still before it. His leader. He sat bowed before the glass, his elbows resting easily on his knees- his back to Sora. What he was thinking? Sora could only guess at...
Moonlight and starlight filtered softly through the window- illuminating the streaks of silver in his otherwise obsidian black hair, running like a tale down his back.
Before Sora could speak, the man turned- and placed his hands gentley on the dark, wooden surface of his desk. "Ah, Sora. Your back. Everything went as planned?" he murmured softly. Sora swallowed noisily before replying- his throat suddenly gone dry. "Y-yes Xigbar. I stole the jem withouth setting off any alarms, and lost all my tails before returning. Nothing went wrong," Sora replyed, forcing his voice to be calm and strong. Xigbar nodded, the light casting dark shadowns on the planes of his face. A black eyepatch covered one eye, but his other was sharp like a hawk's and missed nothing- glowing gold and boring into Sora's like a dagger. A long scar slashed across one of his high cheeks, and his skin flashed tan even in the dark.
Handsome- that he could not be denyed. But he was also so terrifying- like a predator in the night...
"Good. This necklace will bring in even more money than I could have hoped. You did well," he spoke again, and Sora blinked. He quickly uttered a soft thanks. "I will notify you of your next assignment in five days. Be ready." His leader gave him one last look before turning back towards his window. Just like that, the meeting was over. Sora turned around, and had to use all of his will to keep from dashing out the door. Out- he wanted out! Like a rabbit in a lion's den. His hand was a hair's bredth away from the knob- when his leader spoke again. "Sora?"
Sora gritted his teeth, and forced himself to turn- his hand crying out for the brass fixture that would gain him his freedom- and face the still back of his employer. "Yes Xigbar?" Something was wrong...
"A man was asking for you around the hideout the other day. He almost killed Sneaks in the process..." he murmured, his voice smooth and dark. Suddenly- the whole room went deathly quiet. "His was a tall fellow, white hair, incredible strength. Know a man like that?" he asked, not turning.
Fear rippled through Sora, filling his viens with ice, and tightening his throat unitll each breath was a labor Sora had never known...
Riku.
"Y-yes. He is an old...friend of mine. I hadn't known he was back in town... Thankyou for this information Leader," he replyed, beating down the fear in his mouth. Damn vampire. He made a mental note to pound his pale little face in the next time he saw him... and he had a sinking feeling it would be all to soon. He saw Xigbar nodd. "Next time you see him, invite him over. We could use muscle like that, since we lost Rufus two nights ago.." Xigbar whispered, and returned his elbows to their place on his knees.
He was dismissed. Sora froze. That was it? No torture? Sora had been fully prepared to be interrogated untill his sweated blood. No one messed with the Clubs and got an invotation to the hideout- instead of some horrible form of death... His eyes narrowed. What was Xigabar getting at?...
Sora didn't stick around long enough to find out- jumping out the door, and back out into the welcoming darkness of the hall...
Man, I got this one posted rather quickly huh?.. Well, I had computer access for a couple more days so I decided to occupy myself by writting the next chappie!! Yayy!! Weeellll, its back to Eagle Pass in a couple dayss.. (gag) Lol! But, then I can start writting this thing for realze. ;3 Pleaze Review everyone!!
