Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, Square-Enix, or Disney. The characters and places used belong to their respective owners and universes.

-Modelos-

-Chapter 10-

-There Were Tragedies-

If there was one place that brought Sora a sense of security, it was under the needle with Reno at the tattoo parlor. Reno had him lying on his side ruthlessly working color into Sora's ribs. Surprisingly, there was little mention of complaints from the spiky haired man which Reno was not oblivious to. The ribs were a very sensitive area to work on, and if the first session he had with Sora a few months back was an indication of how well he could take it, Reno was expecting a much worse reaction. But now, Sora simply laid there without a single pained expression.

"Seems like every time I come here, you're the only one in the shop."

Reno stopped the machine for a moment. "Gippal and Zell are helping the boss with the final touches to the second shop."

"Since when are guys opening a second location? You never told me."

Reno continued laying in the color. "It's the owner. She's been wanting to open a place up in the northern district for a while now, but never thought she'd actually do it."

Sora had his eyes closed. "Doesn't sound like a great idea honestly."

"I know, I don't like it either. The north isn't exactly the kind of scene for a tattoo shop. But, Paine came up with the money and it's her business so who's to say no?"

"Will you have to go up there to work?"

Even through the constant buzzing Riku could hear Reno's grumbling. "More than likely. Until Paine hires more artists for the northern shop, I'll have to go up there a few days a week."

"That sucks."

"I know."

Reno continued working, one hour turning into two.

"So, how are things? You've been really quiet the last couple times you've been in here. Normally you can't shut up."

Sora tried to bury his face into the leather of the reclining seat. "Don't ask."

"Oh come on, this is Reno you're talking to. You can tell me."

"Just don't. I don't want to get into it."

Reno took the hint. "Alright, just know I always have an ear to lend."

"I pay you to tattoo me, not to play therapist."

There was a nasty bite to Sora's words.

"Jeez man, take it easy Sora. Seriously, what's up with you? This isn't the same guy I'm used to."

Reno sat the tattoo gun down and got up, removing his black latex gloves stained with blood and ink and threw them in the trash bin. He walked over to a small refrigerator in the hallway and took out a bottle of water. Sora arched upwards a bit, positioning his arm in order to hold his head and let out a frustrated sigh.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you."

"It's okay dude," Reno replied taking a gulp of his water. "I'm not trying to be a bad guy here."

"I know, you didn't do anything wrong."

"Then tell me what's going on."

"It's a bunch of bullshit."

"Try me Sora, I've heard everything."

Sora was sure whatever he had to say, it would even surprise Reno. The redhead opened the refrigerator door and took another bottle of water out, this time offering it to the brunet. Sora silently thanked the man and took it.

"I think I'm losing my mind."

Reno scoffed. "Dude, who isn't these days?"

"No," Sora quickly cut in. "I'm serious. I think something's wrong with me."

"Okay…" Reno drew out, growing silent as he realized that Sora wasn't kidding. "Is it something you can see someone for?"

"No, I can't."

"Why?"

Sora shrugged. "Because I know it won't help."

Therapists, counselors, nothing of the sort ever offered Sora any kind of solace. His years in the foster system had him dealing with all kinds of government workers that were apparently looking out for his well being, but Sora quickly learned that the little they did meant nothing. If therapists could see how much he had been suffering at the hands of selfish foster parents, why couldn't they do something about it? If the social workers that performed random visits could see that the environments he and his brother were placed into were not up to code, why would they turn their eye? Why would they purposely put him into yet another home where the abuse was the same, if not worse? Seeking any form of counseling, just the thought scared Sora and brought him back into a very dark place.

"I'm sorry, wish there was something I could say."

The brunet shook his head. "Don't worry about it. It's not like I can expect you to understand."

"Whatever happens, know that I'm here. I'm not just your tattoo artist, I'm your friend, got that?"

Reno patted Sora's head in the same manner a parent would their child. Sora attempted a smile and was led back into the room to finish up. Just a glance in the mirror and seeing the tattoo almost complete brought his spirits up.

"So you think this session will finish it up?"

"If you can sit through for another hour, I should. You'll have to come in for a touch up after all the healing, but you know that already."

"Right."

"Hey, I have an idea," Reno said putting on a fresh pair of gloves. "Why don't you come with me to see the guys after we're done here? You'll be the first to see what the new place looks like."

"Weren't you just complaining about the new shop?"

"Yeah, but doesn't change the fact that I'll have to get used to it. Plus, I hate to admit it, but the place looks nice. Come with me and check it out."

Sora bit into the inside of his cheek, a sign Reno had gone over a delicate spot on his ribs. He didn't have any reason to refuse the invitation. Perhaps the company would benefit him.

"Alright, I'll go."

After another excruciating hour, Reno was done. He rinsed a few paper towels in a soapy solution and cleaned up the tattoo, revealing a colorful design that left even him gratified. Sora eagerly looked at it in the mirror, his thin frame appearing even smaller with the giant tattoo enveloping his side. For once in a long while, there was a genuine smile on Sora's face.

"You like?" Reno asked

"Hell yeah."

And so, with his tattoo finished and the two bundled up for the chilly weather, Reno locked up the shop and walked with Sora towards the subway station. The redhead placed a friendly arm around the shorter man, one that Sora found himself leaning against. He lit up a cigarette and offered it to Reno who accepted it without any hassle. Reno took in a long drag.

"Fuck it's cold."

Sora's lifestyle was something Reno had long since figured out. It didn't bother him as he had come across all kinds of people through the tattoo shop. Shit, he had convicted felons sitting in his chair getting tattooed and he never batted an eye. To Reno, a client was a client. What they did was none of his business. All he was responsible for was to give his clients a great tattoo.

But Sora, he proved to be a little different. He came to consider Sora a friend, cared for him despite his attempts to shrug things off. Reno recognized it was a safety mechanism for Sora to keep things to himself. What he was currently going through, whatever it was, Reno knew Sora was in pain. If the least he could do was offer his company, then Reno was happy to provide that.

Where exactly the new shop was going to be, Sora did not know. He followed Reno's lead, their journey now turning into the downtown area of the city. The entirety of main street was a luxury area, and in turn, was leaving Sora slightly confused.

"Did we get off the subway too soon?"

Reno shook his head, snow falling from his hair. "No, we're almost there actually."

"The shop is on main street?"

The redhead stopped right before an intersection and stood facing a building with the entrance right off the corner. Reno couldn't stifle a sneeze.

"This is the place."

"You're kidding me."

"No, I'm really not," Reno said taking Sora by the arm and unlocking the front door. "This is the new shop."

There was plastic still clinging to all new furniture in the large waiting area, painting upon painting lining the walls, and where there was empty space, graffiti-like artwork filled up the gaps. It looked like one giant loft with industrial lights hanging from the ceiling making the entire space incredibly bright. Drool would have been spilling from Sora's open mouth had he not a hand covering it.

"Holy shit."

"I know, right?" Reno shook off his jacket and took it off. "Hey Paine, brought a guest along."

From a cubicle-like frame out came Paine, an early 30's tattoo artist and Reno's boss. Her bright red eyes were quite the contrast to her silver-black combo mohawk hair. Sora had seen her several times before, so he wasn't a stranger to the beautiful woman. She came up to the two and greeted Sora with a slight hug after being told to be cautious of his fresh ink. Paine seemed a bit out of breath.

"Feels like I haven't seen you in forever Sora," Paine said in her usual low tone.

"Yeah, seems like it."

"I told him about the place," Reno interjected, "Where are Gippal and Zell?"

Paine looked at one of several clocks hanging around the shop. "That's why I'm glad you turned up. I was going to call you, but you turned up before I had a chance. We have to head to Sacred Moon airport and catch a plane."

This last piece of information was news to Reno as he arched a crimson eyebrow. "Uh, mind filling me in here?

"Remember the job I was offered a while ago? They changed the dates and want me there earlier than what was scheduled."

"Did you need me to do something here while you're gone or what?"

"No." Paine said touching the spikes on her choker.

"Okay, so what's the big deal?"

Paine was looking at her cell phone now. "The job's too big for just me now, they want me to bring you guys along."

"And when were you planning on telling me this?"

"Hey, I'm sorry I got the call like 15 minutes ago. They're wanting us to be there tonight. I sent Gippal and Zell off to get whatever they could ready for us to leave."

Reno didn't seem pleased by all of this, that was clear to Sora as he watched the exchange between the two.

"Can't you guys go without me?"

"I need you too, it's going to take all of us for this job."

There was a long exasperated sigh from Reno as he let his head hang. "Damn it. But what about my things, I don't have time to head home and pack."

"I know, it's really sudden. I'll get you whatever you need once we get there."

Paine looked over at Sora as he listened to their conversation.

"Reno was working on your tattoo earlier, right?"

Sora nodded. "Yeah, we finished it today."

The crimson eyed woman was working ideas out in her head and it would seem that Sora was somehow involved in her thought process.

"Sora, why don't you come with us too?"

He must have heard wrong.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm serious, come with us."

"But what do I have to do with it?"

At that moment the door flew open and in walked Gippal and Zell. The taller of the two blonde men sporting a black patch over his right eye, Gippal, made a motion with his hand.

"Paine, we've got a cab van, we need to get going."

"We'll be right out."

Paine turned her attention back to Sora. "You coming?"

What was going on? Sora didn't know where to look at this point. He was finding no help from Reno as he too was flustered by the sudden turn of events. Sora tucked his hands back into his pockets. Could he really go?

"You've got a minute to decide Sora."

"But I don't even have a passport."

"And I can't exactly run home and get mine," Reno added.

"None of us need to. It's a private flight out of a small airport that they're providing us with. Regulations and laws are different."

"Paine!"

Gippal was still at the door. Sora let out a sigh. A single thought made it an easy decision. He'd be away from home. Anywhere but home was good.

"Okay."

Gippal led Reno and Sora out of the shop as Paine locked up, the blonde man along with Zell greeting him inside the cab van. He looked over at Zell as he made himself comfortable in his seat.

"So where are we going?"

The blonde man with the black tribal tattoo on his face flashed his toothy smile.

"Midgar."

-XXXXX-

The silver haired model was drifting along in his very own private pool. Not only was it exclusively his to use, but it was connected via his master bedroom. All Riku had to do was open the set of double doors and before him was an oasis of greenery encased by large, high panel windows. If that wasn't enough, the pool was heated to just the right temperature. Now if only the skies were clear then everything would be the definition of perfection, but he wasn't complaining.

Riku's party wouldn't be until late in the evening, so he was left to do whatever he wanted following his casual meeting with Rufus. If Riku didn't know any better, Rufus appeared annoyed when Scarlet came into his office informing him that he needed to be across the city for another business related matter.

When Riku walked back into his room following a good long soak in the warm water, there was a series of white boxes with brown ribbons sitting on his bed. For a moment he felt his cheeks grow red at the thought that whoever had left it for him could have possibly seen him wallowing in the pool naked. Riku had no issues with nudity as he had his fair share of photo sessions with his backside exposed or his front just perfectly camouflaged with a piece of fabric. But that was done with him knowing full well of who was watching him. This time around, he had no idea. Keeping the towel secure around his waist, Riku carefully opened the top box to find a handwritten note.

"This was custom made for you. I'll be seeing you tonight."

It didn't take genius to figure out who the sender was. Riku was met with pieces forming a gorgeous grey colored suit. A jacket with long tails, a pair of form fitting pants, a crisp white dress shirt, white leather shoes, and a set of cuff links made out of diamonds. Somehow, this party of his was shaping up to be more of a gala than a so called "small get together." Again, he wasn't complaining.

With a shower to rinse himself off, Riku ventured out of his room and decided a walk to one of several bars within the palace-like hotel for a drink would be an excellent idea. As soon as he came to one that was to his liking, a server immediately acknowledged him and led Riku to a private table. The petite woman appeared to be around his age and could not keep from smiling as she asked what he would like to drink.

"Redbull and vodka please."

She bowed slightly and went off to fetch him his drink. There was a good amount of people in the bar, all seemingly lost in a news report flashing across the television screen hanging high above the bartender. Riku found little interest in it.

"Here you are."

"Thanks," Riku replied giving the woman a smile.

"Is there anything else I can get you?"

"I'll be fine for now."

She remained there for a few seconds, her hands busily playing with the red apron she wore. "Umm…"

The model looked over the edge of his glass at her. "Something wrong?"

"I don't mean to be rude, but are you by chance…Riku?"

"Yes, I am."

The color in her face paled. "Umm…oh god, I mean…" Riku watched as she flung out a magazine directly onto the table. "Can I have your autograph?"

He looked down at the cover to see himself in pair of unbuttoned jeans and the word "Destati" written across his abs in black paint. It was his first major photo shoot following his move to The World That Never Was. Looking at the picture of himself from 4 years ago seemed to bring up all sorts of feelings and memories. Images conjured up before his eyes, the envious stares from other models burrowing into him. Riku seemed to lose himself for a moment.

"Wow…it's been a while since I've seen this." he looked over at the server. "Have you seriously held onto this magazine for 4 years?"

She nodded furiously, her golden braids adorned with colorful beads bobbing back and forth. If it weren't for the blue bandana-like piece of fabric around her head, the braids would be all over the place.

"It's my absolute favorite. I've been a huge fan of yours since it came out," the young woman blurted out and quickly clasped both hands over her mouth. "I'm sorry, I must sound like a deranged idiot."

The fact that she had to say it proved she was, but Riku didn't mind. "It's okay. I'd be happy to sign." Needless to say, Riku had made her day. "Who should I make it out to?"

There was a giggle from the golden haired woman. "To Rikku."

Small world. To think his biggest fan would share his name. Well, a variation of it. Riku signed the front cover and the blonde was well on her way, the magazine clutched against her chest. He shook his head and sat back in his seat for a while. Riku was hoping to get a boost from the Redbull, but the silver haired model was growing sleepy. Even though the flight to Midgar was comfortable, it didn't allow him to sleep. And how could anyone forget that little thing called time zones. It would forever be one of the banes of his existence. With his drink put on Shinra's tab, Riku excused himself from the bar and walked back to his room. Once inside he plopped down alongside the boxes littering his bed, wrapped his arms around a pillow, and without even noticing fell right asleep.

He could almost see the seething jealousy billowing out of their eyes. There he was, 18 years old and already prepping for the first major cover of his career and at the same time, robbing the other seasoned models out of this opportunity. Quistis, his new agent, told him that it would be wise for him to develop a thick skin and ignore the looks that came pouring in his direction. In this business, it was necessary.

Riku was instructed to strip out of his clothes and was handed a designer pair of jeans by the stylist at the photo shoot. She was rather hands on, insisting that she had to button the fly up herself. Riku knew it was an excuse for her to simply touch him however she pleased. Satisfied, and noticing that the jeans remained unbuttoned, Riku was dragged over to hair and makeup. They had him stand, as one of the artists painted the designer's logo across his abdomen. The paint strokes proved to be bothersome and he kept twitching every so often.

With a few test shots done, the photographer was ready to move onto a living canvass. Cuing the fans, gusts of air hit Riku at every angle, tossing his silver hair every which way as he attempted to find the camera.

"No, no, I'm losing you Riku, I have to see your eyes."

He would arch his back, but then his face was lost. He would twist to the side, but the word on his abs would be distorted. Nothing was working and the photographer was losing his patience.

"How hard is it for you to look straight ahead?"

His frustration was growing, but Riku wasn't about to cave. He stood tall, sliding a finger into a belt loop and grasping his chest with his other hand. Riku was almost animalistic, and the photographer could see it in his eyes.

"That's it! Got it, we're done here!"

The wind died down and applause erupted around him. Quistis was off to the side beaming at him behind her glasses. But to his amazement, her face began to become blurry. In fact, everything around him was doing the same. He could still make out the figures, but the faces were lost. All of a sudden everyone was gone and the walls began to disappear. The very walls were crumbling around him, revealing a white emptiness. He took a step forward, only to find himself standing on water. Riku looked down, but his reflection was not there. The water began turning red, a deep crimson color accompanied by a familiar, warm scent. Riku was standing in an abyss of Wutai red tea.

"Riku?"

He turned around, his sea foam green eyes locked onto an unmistakable sight. With chocolate brown hair and bright blue eyes, Sora stood before him. His thin frame was devoid of a shirt, his jeans torn and falling apart. On his chest, where a large tattoo should be snaking over his shoulders, written in oozing red letters was a single word.

"Tragedies"

When his eyes opened, everything was dark. Riku felt around, his hands stumbling over the boxes on his bed as he reached for the table side lamp. Flicking the switch, the room was bathed in a soft glow. Riku sat up, hands clutching his forehead in a dull pain. He glanced at the clock hanging over the flat screen, the time reading about an hour and a half before he needed to be at the party. That dull pain soon grew to something akin to a full blown headache.

"Shouldn't have had that Redbull and vodka," he mumbled to himself, hand still clutching his head.

He quickly dressed, the suit Rufus had gifted him fitting perfectly. The entire time, his head was pounding and his stomach was twisting into knots. There was only one plausible explanation for his sudden discomfort, one found in the contents of his dream. What meaning it held, he had no way of knowing. But if it meant seeing Sora in that tattered state, he would rather not think about it. He let out a frustrated sigh. The prospect of a party was now leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Fuck…"

Riku turned the T.V. on in hopes that the background noise would calm him down as he walked into the bathroom to finish up with his hair and whatnot. He listened to the droning of the newsperson.

"We are following a breaking story from earlier today. Our correspondent has received a full report from the authorities in Alexandria. We go live to Rydia with all the details."

"Thank you Tseng. As it was stated earlier, a private plane departing from The World That Never Was suffered unknown complications that ultimately led it to crash into the Great Salt Lake bordering between the nations of Alexandria and Esthar. A joint effort by both nations' authorities led a group to the crash site to ascertain the situation."

Riku was clasping his diamond cufflinks.

"According to the report obtained mere moments ago, after hours of work by both forces, it is with great sympathy we state…"

Riku adjusted the ascot around his neck.

"That there were no survivors."

That's when Riku's phone began to ring.

~00000~