hey guys!. i'm back in action! whoo! block party at the White House!. i'm sorry for taking such a long time. unfortunately, i got a bad case of Writers' Block (which sucked). my parents found out i was emo and got into a huge argument with me. i keep telling them: there is NOTHING wrong with being emo!. it's just a society label and/or fashion statement, right?. But…it makes me sad that they don't accept me, crazy and all. anyways, the much anticipated Chapter 11! enjoy!. i apologize in advance if it sucks.

Author's note: unfortunately John Marr Karr didn't do it. of course, you guys know this already but I'm just reminding. i thought for SURE they would sic him. that just proves how disturbed people in this world can be. and to think my friends think i'm insane! what about that dude, peoples!.

NeoRoseDuelist: thanks for that review. 'preciate it. high school's a bitch, isn't it?. plus, OF COURSE I LISTEN 2 THE MUSIC I PUT DOWN!. if i didn't i'd be a social distortion and that would be just plain weird, wouldn't it?. if the last part offended you? i didn't mean to caps it. just had to shout it out to the whole world, y'know. that just shows ya my love for music and savagery.

-square-enix fangirl-: glad you liked my story!. i'm glad that i actually even got myself together to type this up.

Vixyfox: well, here's one of the two new chapters. i hope it was worth your patient waiting & sorry if i diappointed you. thanks bunches, tho.

coolgamer: glad ya like it!. welcome to the world that is Ari-chan's. lol.

……………………………………………………………………………………………...

Sora couldn't concentrate. He tried to make a sketch of his dream house all day and still couldn't concentrate. His thoughts slowly drifted back to Riku as he tried to sketch his living room. Why is he so secretive?, Sora thought. I really want to know what's going on but…I can't invade his privacy like that.

He remembered when he went to Axel's house the other day. He talked to him about his suspicions over some Chinese food and got a weird response.

"Listen, Sora," he said. "You have to give him some space. I know you're curious and all but…I'm not the right person to ask. Look, all I can tell you is that both Riku and Cloud have been through some rough shit. Hell, I've been through some pretty rough shit and you know that. Changing my life around hasn't been that easy. Just give him some time. What you can do for him right now, be yourself and not get caught up in this. I'll bet that what he wants you to do."

Talking to Axel actually confirmed his suspicions and that fact scared him. Be myself?, Sora thought. Just how is that supposed to help?. Frustrated, he dropped his charcoal stick and put away all of his things.

His studio was a place of solace and peace but right now he felt anxious. He turned off the lights before leaving the room and sighed. This was not helping. Perhaps Axel was right, he thought. But then again, what does he know about how I feel?. He's so confusing.

Then, he heard the sound of a motorcycle outside. He strode over to his front door and opened the door. Riku's motorcycle was parked on his driveway. Riku took off his helmet, waving for Sora to go over there.

Sora slipped on a pair of black slippers before walking outside. "Riku? What're you doing here," Sora asked. "Wanna get the hell out of here for a few hours," Riku asked. "Uh…I'm not sure," Sora said. "I have to finish an art project."

"You can work on it later, can't you," Riku said. "I could but--," he replied. "Great," he said, cutting him off. "You can come with me." "Huh? Where are we going," he asked. "You'll see," Riku said. "Just grab your skateboard and a towel."

"Hey! I haven't been here in years," Sora said, happily. "I wish I brought my sketch book with me." "We can get a camera if you want," Riku said. "That could work," he said. "Wait here!." He dashed off towards a convenience store in the corner.

The only place Riku could think of coming after a sleepless night was the beach where he and Sora used to play during his childhood years. He smiled at the memories of skateboarding in the boardwalk, buying corn dogs or soda, and wading in the water to try to catch a jellyfish.

This place hasn't changed, he thought. He took out a cigarette and was about to light it when he saw a flash. "Ha ha! Got ya," Sora smiled, holding a digital camera. "How were you able to buy a digital camera," Riku asked.

"The old ball toss stand had a digital camera as one of its prizes," Sora said. "I'm a master of games!. Roxas is also as good as I am, I admit." "In five minutes you were able to win a camera," Riku said, shaking his head. "Unbelievable."

"Oh shoot," Sora said. "Run away!." "Wha--," Riku began as Sora jumped behind a huge trash can. "Shh," Sora said. "Hey," said a voice. Riku turned to the direction of the voice. A guy with blonde hair held back by a hat was staring at him.

Beside him were a quiet-looking, sliver-haired girl and a brawny, black-haired guy with a red shirt. "You happen to see a kid with a digital camera come by here," said the blonde-haired guy. Riku knew he was talking about Sora.

"He went…that way," Riku said, pointing to his left. "Liar," said the girl. "Fuu, is that nice," said the guy. "Yeah," said the black-haired guy. "We just met him, y'know." "If you think I'm lying, why aren't you looking to see if it's true," Riku asked, blowing out a puff of smoke.

"Fuu, you should apologize," said the guy. "That guy wasn't lying, y'know," he said. "Look." They saw Sora dashing away from them. "Good going, Rai," said the guy. "Let's go!."

The trio dashed away in pursuit of Sora. "HELP! THIEVES! BULLIES," Sora yelled at the top of his lungs. "Got ya," said the blonde-haired guy. "That's my camera!." "No it's not! I won it fair and square," Sora yelled back.

Riku went over to them. "Hey! What's the problem," he said. "This little loser cheated, that's what," said the guy. "Cheater," Fuu said. "Yeah, he cheated right under our noses so he could get the camera, y'know," Rai added.

"That's not true," Sora said. "Riku, it isn't true! Seifer's lying!." "You know this cheater," Seifer said. "You probably know his other loser of a friend, huh?." "Let me see the camera for a moment," Riku said, calmly.

"Why? So you can give it to that cheater," Seifer said. Then, Riku punched him in the face. "Don't you dare call him that," Riku said, slowly. "Hey, what's your problem," Rai said, helping Seifer.

"Zip it, Rai! If it's a fight this guy wants, it's a fight he'll get," Seifer replied. "I'm ready for you," Riku said. "Do you think a guy like you scares me?." "No! Don't," Sora said. "Riku forget about it! He's just mad that I got the camera and that Roxas beat him in the Struggle tournament!."

"He lies," Fuu said, stepping forward. "Yeah! Seifer wasn't feeling it that day, y'know," Rai added. "Oh yeah," Sora said. "You guys still in Scattered Ashes?." "What does it matter to you," Seifer said.

"Next month! Hope Island's 'Battle of the Bands'! Be there," Sora said.

"A 'Battle of the Bands'? I'm not sure that'll be enough," Seifer sneered. "Then what about a motorcycle race," Riku said. "Hmm…I'm listening," Seifer said. "There's a race going on tonight at Devil's Run like always," Riku said. "We could settle this there. Tag team or single run race. Your choice."

"Hmph! See you there, loser," Seifer replied. "Make sure to bring little Roxas with you." Seifer turned around and left, with Fuu and Rai right behind him.

"God! I thought that asshole went to Hollow Bastion," Sora said, angrily. "Gee, you think," Riku said. "How long have you known him, then?." "Since middle school," Sora growled. "He and his little posses have bugged me ever since I could remember."

"That bad, huh," Riku said. "Guess I can't really relate though Cloud used to bully me when we were kids." "Cloud bullied you," Sora said, eyes widening in surprise.

"Yeah," Riku said. "We used to hate each other before we started getting along when I was in sixth grade I guess. Someone pulled a prank on him which caused his hair to turn a bluish color or something. I covered for him and went to whip the guy's ass."

Sora saw a smirk and hint of sadness on Riku's face as he talked about it. "Well, do you want to go to the beach or should we go somewhere else," he asked Sora. "Huh? Oh, uh…let's go rent some jet skis," Sora said.

I'm going to spend all the time I can with him before I do this, Riku thought. He remembered text message Sephiroth had sent him around three in the morning. It read, 'We'll infiltrate their headquarters in a few nights. Be ready. And don't tell Cloud anything.'

After days of painstaking research and study of Organization XIII's hang outs, they decided to infiltrate the abandoned warehouse that was theirs. He went over to the weapons store to buy some weapons and sharpen his rare Keyblade a week ago.

It was time to pay him back. He would give Ansem his retribution. For Cloud, his uncle, and himself. He remembered the hours he spent practicing his ninjutsu techniques with Cloud's friend, Yuffie.

After a brief introduction with her one day, she asked if he could spar with her. He didn't say no and acknowledged the fact that she was far better at it than he was. When he messed up, she would tell him where he screwed up and let him try again.

She was a great teacher. He was ready to finish it off now but felt a bit uneasy. He shook off his uneasiness as he paid for the rental of two jet skis. He was going to get him for what he did. He would make sure of it.

Suddenly, Cloud sneezed as he was about to get off the bench he was sitting on. "Bless you, dude," said a guy. "Uh, thanks," Cloud said, looking up. He looked up to see Axel. "What're you doing here," Cloud said. "Only members of the kendo team are allowed here right now."

"'Only members of the kendo team are allowed to be here'," Axel said, mimicking his voice perfectly. "With all due respect, Cloud: BULLSHIT!." Cloud covered his ears when the echo amplified the volume. "What're you doing here," Cloud asked again.

"I came here to tell you to not be surprised if Riku doesn't go over to your house for a few days," Axel said. "He'll be crashing at my place." "All right, whatever," Cloud said. Suddenly, he put his hands to his head.

This'll take a minute, said a voice in his head. When Cloud looked back up, he glared at Axel. "Hey, what's up," Axel said, noticing it wasn't Cloud. "What are you and that other bastard planning," Nero said, with a change of voice.

"Nothing that concerns you," Axel said, seriously. "You're nothing but a small part of Cloud's mind who acts on its free will so you don't tell me what to do. Got it memorized?."

Then, Nero began to laugh coldly as he stood up. "Ever the realist, aren't you," he said. "That tongue of yours will get you in trouble with me if you ever say that again." "Go ahead and try," Axel replied. "I dare you to hit me right now."

Then, Axel staggered onto the bench. He touched a hand to his face and noticed that his nose was bleeding. "Believe me now," Nero said, with a sadistic smile. Then, he stared at his reflection on the mirrored wall.

"Axel," Cloud said, his voice back to normal. "What the fuck happened?." "Nothing," Axel said. "I'll see ya around, all right?." "All right," Cloud said, picking up his shinai on the floor. "See ya. If it was 'him' who did that to you, sorry."

"No no no, it's fine," Axel said. "Besides, it matches the monstrosity I call hair." Cloud half-laughed nervously as Axel left. I wonder what that was all about, he thought, confused. You'll see in due time, Nero said.

Then, images of the day he wanted to forget started to flood back into his mind at a rapid pace. "No…," Cloud said, shakily. "Stop…it. Nero…stop it." The images kept coming back until he couldn't take it anymore and fell to his knees. "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE," he shouted.

"Cloud," said a voice. The voice was his Psychology professor who was running up to him. "GET AWAY FROM ME," Cloud shouted, running out of the mini gym. "DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!."

"Cloud! What's wrong," he heard the professor's voice shout after him. "Cloud!." He ran out of the building, not caring about the fact that he was still wearing his practice kimono.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

well…short chapter but i couldn't come up with something else. and i KNOW i could've done a whole lot better than this. to make this all worse, i couldn't find a song for this chapter. the other chapter i promised will be posted up before night tomorrow, i promise. but please have pity on a lost soul trying to recover her senses. but please review anyway for the hell of it. pretty please with free sundaes and a cherry on top?.

PS. please tell me who Roxas should end up with!. i'm on my knees and begging. or...should i make a threat. yay! threat time!. now let's see...hmmm...if any of you don't tell me what you think...i will...uh, hmmm...erase this whole story!. there! i said it!. i'll be lenient on you guys and make it ten instead of the next fifty reviews (if i ever get any). God, i really need psychiatric help (runs off to the nearest psychologist office while eating sushi).