Dedicated to the Love of my Life.

(SQUEE!)

A/N: I'm sorry this took so long. Boy-howdy! I've been working on labeling canteens, cheering on the stage, and painting banners the size of two-and-a-half of me! Really. This is not a joke. It's been a busy week. So, fear not! My next update should be longer and up more quickly.

THANK YOU REVIEWERS! You guys are so cool and nice, my socks have been officially rocked off.

Deleted Scene. Number Five. (About to leave Disney Castle)

Sora trailed behind Leon, his arms pumping back and forth. It felt good to be back in uniform…or whatever one would call his outfit. At least he wasn't in his P.E. clothes, smelling of old sweat socks and cornchips.

Mushu was simply weird. How anyone could be fond of that smell…

Sora came to an unexpected halt as they passed by Kairi's bedroom door. His heart fluttered unexpectedly against his ribcage as he recalled their venture the previous night. Would it always be this way? This same feeling of jellied-legs and sweaty palms? Would he ever be able to look at her ever again and remember how to swallow correctly? Would his daydreaming ever cease to consist of her?

He doubted it.

"Come on, lover-boy. No detours," Yuffie called.

Sora blushed and hurried to catch up with them.

Kairi would never forgive him for not saying good-bye. But he'd never leave if he saw her. Saw those eyes…GAH! Sora shook his head and considered setting forth a light blizzard from his fingertips to cool himself off.

He was pathetic.

Who knew that having a…having a…

Sora lifted his eyebrows, hiding them behind his disheveled bangs as he pondered, continuing his way down the hall. What exactly was Kairi, anyway? She was a girl…she was his friend…he felt things for her he couldn't explain. Did that make her his…girlfriend?

He made a face. The word didn't seem to fit. Sure, it was correct, but he felt that she was something more than just…that. But what? What was she? If she were something more…

Someone like Auron would chide him and point out how he knew nothing of love, being the age he was. Did he? Did he really know?

Duh.

And this was the reason he feared his return. If tough love made for tough friends, he'd be receiving an ear-full from Kairi.

Disclaimer: (Insert witty comment here.)

ooo

Sora leapt forward and sliced away the Shadow that lay ahead of him. He whipped around, feeling rather than knowing that a Heartless lay behind, and thrust his Keyblade into its chest before the thing's talons could pierce his shoulders.

And still, more came.

The screaming of the towns people wailed in his ears. Everywhere he looked they were running for their lives…and no matter which way they turned, there awaited another enemy.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sora discerned a heart dissipating, slowly floating upwards and away…and his own wavered, making one nearly unbearable ache in his chest. He'd only seen this once before. In Traverse Town. Second District. Right before he'd met Leon.

And he swore to himself that he'd never allow it to happen again…

But it did. It was.

The one who had lost the heart was a woman. She fell to the ground and scattered into millions of pigments of light, leaving her small son all alone. The boy simply stared for a moment, still sucking his thumb, before asking: "Mommy?"

And unknown to the child, a Shadow loomed closer from the dark recesses of one of the shops. It slithered up from below the cobblestoned street before rearing above its victim who continued to call out for his mother.

Sora bared his teeth and threw his weapon. It spun through the air and struck the Heartless directly between it's round, yellow eyes. Then it immediately reappeared in his hand. Sora rushed forward and widened his stance in front of the little boy. He brought forth the buzz that streamed its way through his system (his very veins) until his hair stood on end…more so than normal. An electric shock jolted around the both of them, zapping holes through several Heartless limbs and leaving scorch marks on the ground.

Sora exhaled and turned his head to give an encouraging smile to his charge…but instead of getting one in return, he saw fear.

"Get back, traitor!" someone snapped. Another lady rushed from the hubbub and snatched the child to her chest. She had a small stick in her hand and she waved it about frantically until Sora backed away.

"But-" he tried.

"BACK!" she bellowed before striking him right in the middle of the forehead.

Sora clapped a hand over his brow and backpedaled out of the way. He didn't have any time to mourn over the fact that he was just as much feared as any Heartless (possibly more), because more Shadows materialized out of thin air.

He sighed. There was just no stopping them.

Sora jumped just as a wave of darkness collapsed against the very spot he'd been standing. It all felt like slow motion to him. As if he were suspended in water or something thicker. The Heartless swarmed up beneath him, threatening to swallow his feet. Sora twisted his body and kicked, slinging a few of the Shadows directly into the side of one of the shops; they splattered against the wood and melted within, leaving a bubbling mess in their wake.

Sora discerned more from above. When his rotation had reached a certain point (after building enough momentum) he pressed his feet into the monstrous, salivating faces and used them as a launch pad. Now facing back toward the ground where more Heartless awaited, Sora propeled himself toward them, his Keyblade clasped with both hands at shoulder-height as if he were a batter.

Then they collided and the impact was so great, it sounded like a thunderclap.

It was almost like losing his heart again. No sight. No sound. Not even breath.

Sora nearly lost himself.

If it hadn't been for the pain blossoming from his chest, he doubted he would have emerged from the darkness at all. And as that thought pierced his spinning mind, memories played out before his eyes.

Of himself and Riku racing each other in an attempt to see who'd name the raft. Or share a Paupou with Kairi. Of his mother's smile. Of Donald and Goofy trapezing through all the worlds together…of Kair's eyes.

Life stirred in him once more. And he took hold of that as tightly as he could.

Sora felt his skin prickle and that very sensation escalated into an agonizing heat. It was something that he'd never experienced and before he realized with was happening, Sora heard a blood-curdling cry that chilled the very marrow of his bones. He slowly lifted his heavy eyelids and came to realize…

That he was the one yelling.

His throat ached, but he couldn't stop. Sora watched the Heartless cower…and then flee. All that was left were the people frozen in time, trying to ward off the Shadows.

And then they moved. All of them at once. They turned their attention to the one screaming away the darkness.

Sora knew he was falling. The ground lurched under his feet and caught him, followed by an unearthly silence.

He was eventually able propped himself up on his hands and knees and took a deep breath. The stoned pathway was stained with Heartless residue and his panting cleared away a small patch before his face, revealing the browned rock.

"Sora!"

Donald's hand landed upon his shoulder and he lifted his head. Goofy stood there as well and offered him a weak smile, which he returned.

The fear he'd felt inside of him…thinking what would happen to his family and his friends if he were to become an embodiment darkness again…

"HEY!" A man nervously approached them with his frown. "Get out! We don't want the likes of you messin' with our town! There are no more keyholes, so there isn't any more need for a Key Bearer!"

The few people that were left excitedly agreed.

Sora struggled to stand. He began to panic as the crowd closed in.

"No more Key Bearers!" a chant began. "No more Key Bearers!"

Sora winced and pressed his fist into his chest as Goofy helped him to his feet.

'Even after all you've done for them, they will hate you.'

Donald swung his staff at the approaching mob and set forth bursts of sparks to keep them at bay without doing any extensive damage except for setting the end of someone's skirt on fire. He made a face at them and nodded his feathered head as if to say: Serves you right!

Sora allowed himself to be carried away and forced his mind to ignore the chant.

"NO MORE KEY BEARERS! NO MORE KEY BEARERS!"

When Goofy had finally toted him out of sight, they paused for some rest. Sora fought to keep the tears at bay. He wasn't one to usually cry. The incident of having to leave behind Hayner, Pence, and Olette had been born from Roxas. Though, Sora had to admit, if he were suddenly torn from his life and told he wasn't meant to exist… Then seeing his mother again after so long. And now this.

They hated him. Truly hated him.

And for what? What had he done to deserve their disdain?

Because one Organization member had spread a few lies here and there. Because one false idea had been planted. And it had taken root with gusto.

The fist that rested against him tightened. He would have drawn blood if he hadn't been wearing gloves. His jaw clenched as he lowered his hand, much too tired to work his muscles any longer.

But something caught his attention as his arm drooped down next to his side. His knuckles…were black. Blacker than shadow. Darker than night.

Donald gaped, unabashed. "WAH! Sora!"

Goofy stared. "Are ya turnin' inta Nega Form?" he asked.

Sora gasped quietly. The better part of his upper body was practically dripping with darkness. And beneath his collar rested a small slash from a Heartless talon.

"No…I…"

The shade spread and it began to inch its way up his neck in long, hair-like fingers. It trickled over his lips, into his mouth, and struck the corner of his eye…turning it from that handsome bright blue to a dingy yellow.

And then…nothing.

ooo

Nevaeh giggled and the taunt played about the realm.

Riku's ears burned with embarrassment. He'd had enough of this…this…

Thing.

And he wasn't going to let her mess with his mind. No matter how competent she was at it. Could it be that hidden sense of naivety? Or was it the fact that there was a light-hearted person under all of this program-of-a-human-being? Riku wasn't sure so he chose not to dwell on it.

He took off at a sprint while the girl continued to laugh at him and pressed a good deal of weight into his next attack.

Nevaeh opened her orange eyes and lifted her snake-like blade at the last possible moment to block him.

Riku ground his teeth together and forced his way past her defense…getting a mild look of surprise from the albino. Her white lashes batted slightly, but it was enough of a giveaway that he'd startled her.

The girl tried in vain to correct her mistake by widening her stance, but it was too late. Her feet couldn't withstand the pressure Riku was exerting and so they gave way. Nevaeh found herself sliding backwards and though she extended her arms against her adversary, she could not undo what had already been set into motion.

Riku leaned into his attack even more, compelling both Keyblades together. Both were now sparking dangerously, lighting up their owner's faces.

Axel appeared behind the girl, ready to deliver massive damage to her exposed back.

But Nevaeh only giggled again when she saw the look in Riku's eyes. And he faltered.

Her blade vanished and she grabbed hold of his before leaping into the air. She planted her feet against Axel's stomach and pushed herself over Riku's head while, at the same time, sending the older man spiraling further into the darkness. Nevaeh soared in a graceful arch and brought her opponent's blade along with her. By the time the girl had landed, she'd snapped her arms forward and sent Riku head-over-heals, making him release his weapon.

And before the youth could leap to his feet, she'd placed his own Keyblade against his neck.

"Hm," she simpered. "I thought you'd be more of a challenge."

Riku narrowed his eyes and didn't reply.

"My next target should provide me with ample entertainment, though." She lifted her chin proudly in the air and her eyes sparkled with delight. "The one they call: Sora…"

Riku swept his leg around and sent Nevaeh roughly to the ground. He transferred the Keyblade she held in her hand back into his and repeated the same submission she'd used on him. Except…he made sure that his stance was unshakable.

"The name's Riku," he mocked. "Know it. Fear it."

Nevaeh closed her eyes, admitting defeat. "Bravo, Mr. Riku. I underestimated the effect of my words concerning the Keyblade Master." She sighed peacefully even as the edge of Riku's sword rested against the hollow of her neck. "I didn't except such a surge in power from the likes of you."

"He's my friend."

Nevaeh opened her eyes, suddenly wary. "Friend?"

"Don't tell me you don't have any friends," Riku said sarcastically.

"Alright, then. I won't," she answered bitterly. "I don't know what you mean by the term: friend. And I don't think I want one if emotions are tied to them in such a way." She nodded as if she were confirming her own statement. "Yes. Emotions are dangerous."

"You're insane."

"Maybe," she giggled, tilting her head to one side as if listening to something. "Ah…everything is finally in order. The first move has been made." She wrapped her arm around Riku's Keyblade and pulled herself up in front of him, face to face. She opened her mouth to say something, but seemed to change her mind. "Don't worry, Mr. Riku. Sora will be fine." Then she patted his head fondly. Like he was her pet. "Until next time."

Then she was gone. Just like that. Along with all the Nobodies.

Riku blinked stupidly.

Axel stumbled into his line of sight, massaging his rump. "We have a real problem on our hands, don't we?" he mumbled. "Remind me to never underestimate a girl ever again."

ooo

A/N: I dearly hope that you enjoyed! This chapter had a bit more action.

Ahem: What will happen next? Something is horribly wrong with Sora, the people continue to hate him, there's not a single sign form Kairi, and Nevaeh…is still as weird as ever.

It you review, I'll get back to you! WHEE!

God bless, y'all!