From Eternamente -- We now draw to the conclusion of this part of the story. Yes, this is the last chapter for this part. The next installment will be an intermission one-shot, and then I'll start posting the sequel on this very story. I won't devulge much about the sequel here... you'll just have to wait!

Disclaimer -- Sora, Riku, and any other Kingdom Hearts references belong to Disney/Square Enix. At least, as far as they believe. We all know the truth.

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Chapter Twelve - Crime and Punishment

Sora was very nervous. It had been a full week since the authorities arrested his father for child molestation and abuse. He was awaiting the cue to enter the courtroom to face a man who was supposed to love him. Sora was nervous, but also frightened. He wasn't sure he could look into the eyes of the man who was supposed to watch over him for his mother, but instead used him for his own pleasure and punching bag.

A week without the abuse was certainly helping Sora to feel better. His body was still very visibly scarred, but the bruises had receded, and he didn't wince quite as much when he walked. He was also a lot more approachable by people, especially by Riku. Riku wouldn't touch him in ways he didn't want to. Not until this was completely over, and not until Sora gave him the okay. Riku wanted Sora to know how much he loved and respected him. He'd wait, and be patient.

"Sora Tsukada?" a clerk called Sora's name in the waiting room.

"Yes? That's me."

"You may step into the courtroom now. They're ready to see you," she said with a smile. Sora nodded. The clerk patted him lightly on the shoulder. "Don't worry, everything will be fine."

Stepping into the courtroom, Sora made pains to divert his eyes away from the man who he used to call father. He glanced around the room and noticed Aerith standing in the front row. He smiled at her, and received a smile back. Standing next to her was Mayor Albright. The man who agreed to be his guardian. Because of him, for the past week he'd been able to stay at Riku's home and heal. He could never begin to thank that man enough. He looked everywhere except at the Defendant's table. He knew he'd have to face him before the afternoon was done, though.

Sora approached the bench and placed his hand on the Bible.

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?"

Sora smiled. "I wouldn't be here if I intended to lie. Yes, I swear to tell the truth and everything else you just said." The courtroom stifled back a giggle at Sora's response.

"Mr. Tsukada. Sora, is it?" the defendant's lawyer asked Sora. Sora thought in his mind 'This man is defending my father. How does it feel to be defending the man who hurt me the most?' "Yes, that is my name."

"You say that my client, your father, raped you and beat you," the lawyer began.

"That's correct," Sora nodded.

"And you claim that this has been going on for two years?"

Sora's eyes darted to see his father for just a moment. He saw the man as he hadn't seen him in years. Sober and somber. The boy wasn't sure what to make of that picture. He swallowed. "Yes, it's been going on for two years. Since my mother died."

"And you did nothing to stop him? Sora, if you don't stop him and consent to what he's doing, that's not rape at all," the lawyer said as he made an attempt to defend Sora's father.

Sora's heart went in his throat for a moment, but suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked to see who had done so, and saw a translucent hand gently patting him. A motherly voice inside of Sora's heart urged Sora to defend himself. "I didn't know any better. He told me when I was fourteen that this was okay. I was naïve and he took advantage of that. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have let him touch me like that," he said indignantly.

The lawyer sighed and tried to break apart Sora's defenses, however Sora had too much strength on his side and he ultimately failed. Sora couldn't be broken, not when he wanted his freedom so badly. He knew if he wavered for even a moment his father could be set free and he'd be in for far worse pain than he'd ever felt. He'd probably be killed before he had the freedom of eighteen years of age if he let his guard down.

After some time, judgment was to be passed. After looking over all of the evidence, it was quite clear that Sora's father was going to be judged guilty. The pictures of Sora's scarred body spoke volumes, and the results of the tests proved Sora's father did indeed use Sora in the most horrible way. Nearly in tears, Sora was relieved when he was finally allowed to step down from the bench. On his way to a seat in the front row, his eyes met his father's. They seemed different from the lusty, angry eyes he had become accustomed to. These eyes were sad, and sober. It suddenly occurred to Sora that his father hadn't been sober for a moment ever since his mother died. His father and mother truly were in love. He just wished his father hadn't taken his lust out on her look-alike.

"Mika Tsukada, how do you plead" the Honorable judge inquired.

"We plead not…" the lawyer was cut off as Sora's father stood up.

"Mr. Tsukada, yes?" the judge asked of Sora's father.

"I wanted to say a few words before my plea and before judgment was passed," Sora's father announced.

"Alright, granted. Please keep it brief."

Sora's father began to walk towards Sora, but kept his distance from his son. "My son. Sora." He raked a hand through his hair. "I'm so sorry for what I put you through because of your mother's death. For the first time in two years I am sober, and I'm only beginning to realize what I've done to you." Mika fought back a few tears. "When your mother was alive, she had such high hopes for you while she was schooling you. And so did I. And look at you. You're standing up for yourself against a monster, and you're holding your ground. And I know you're scared. But, I'm proud of you, Sora. My regret is that I'm the monster you found the courage to fight. I wish I hadn't made my mistakes, and I'll never be able to forgive myself for what I've done to you now that I know everything. The past two years have been a blur for me. I'd give anything to go back in time and give you better memories." He turned to the judge. "Your honor, I wish to plead guilty. I know now what I've done, and I will take responsibility for the pain I caused my son. I'm ready for whatever." Sora's father sat down, and tried to control his emotions.

"Well. This is an interesting turn of events," the judge began. "How does the jury find the defendant?"

"We the members of the jury hereby find the defendant, Mika Tsukada, guilty of all charges brought against him," the head jury member said.

"Before I pass judgment, Sora Tsukada would you please approach the bench?"

Sora nervously rose, not quite certain what to make of his father's speech. He wasn't sure if he should forgive him, or act like it didn't matter. Before he knew what to think, he was at the bench.

"Sora, because of the uniqueness of your father's plea, I'm willing to allow you to give the options for his sentence. It's all in your hands," the judge began.

"Um," Sora replied nervously as he thought for a moment. "I'm not sure I can sentence my own father for the pain he caused me. I'll never be able to forget what he did to me, even if I can forgive." He struggled for a moment to find the right words. "Even after the physical pain is gone, there will be a lot of scars that will remain. I'll always have reminders of what he's done to me. I want to forgive him, and I'm sure I will over time. But I'll never be able to forget. Not after hurting me so much." Sora stifled back tears. "I can't decide his fate. He already decided it for himself when he touched me. Just please make sure his fate forces him to do some form of Alcoholics Anonymous. He might be sober now, but I want him to be sober every time I visit him to remind him of what he did to me." Rubbing his nose, Sora sat down and took his seat again next to Aerith. She patted his shoulder and mouthed 'way to go.'

"Alright then. Mika Tsukada, please approach the bench. I am ready to pass judgment," the judge directed. Sora's father approached the bench once more, and Sora caught a glance of his face. This wasn't the same face of the man who would spend nights ravishing his son. This was the face of a defeated man who admitted to hurting someone. Despite his hatred for his actions, Sora couldn't help but feel sorry for the man who was his father before his mother passed away. He only wished his father didn't do everything he did for the past two years. They could have made it together, just like his father said that day when he broke the boundaries between father and son. Everything he said that day, back when Sora was fourteen, could have been a reality. But he couldn't keep his hands to himself. A single tear fell from Sora's right eye, and dropped down to his lap.

"I'm ready," Sora's father replied.

"Mika Tsukada, I sentence you to ten years in a state penitentiary. During that time you will attend weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. By the time you leave, you will hopefully learn the mistakes of your past. Furthermore, for the rest of your lives you are not to come within 100 feet of Sora Tsukada, unless he gives his consent," she slammed her gavel down. "Court is dismissed."

Dejected, Sora's father allowed himself to be taken by the arm of a nearby police officer. Rushing over to his father, Sora asked the officer to wait a moment.

"Sora, I can't be within 100 feet of you anymore, you heard the judge," his father said.

"I know, but I consent it this time," Sora said. "You hurt me so much, and I don't think I can ever forgive you for that. We were both hurting. You were hurting because mom died. If things had gone differently, she'd still be here and we'd be a family still."

Sora's father looked at the ground. "What's your point, Sora?"

"I loved you, Dad. And I hope we can be a family again someday," Sora said with a sad look in his eyes. He loved his father, but he didn't love the man he had become. Sora extended a hand to his father. Glancing at the officer for approval, he accepted Sora's handshake. "Get better, Dad. I'll wait."

"I love you, son."

In the back of the courtroom an apparition appeared briefly to nod in approval before fading away once more.

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"So, how'd it go?" Roxas asked.

Riku, Roxas, Axel, Kairi, and Sora had gone to celebrate their success and Sora's birthday at a local restaurant simply named 'Yuna's Place'. It was a quaint restaurant in the heart of the island, and the owner was kind and caring. Selphie had also joined the group tonight, and so the six of them dined on everything and anything all in Sora's honor. Sora looked around the table at his new friends, and said silent prayers for each of them. They saved his life for no reason. They didn't know him before this all started, but they cared about him more than anyone else had ever cared for him. He'd never thank them enough.

"Well, it was tough, and the judge wanted me to hand my father his sentence. I couldn't do that, but I asked that he had to attend AA meetings. They gave him ten years and he can't come within 100 feet of me without my consent," Sora replied.

"Just ten years?" Kairi asked. "Sounds like he deserves a lot more than that."

"Well, he made a speech and expressed how sorry he was for hurting me," Sora replied as he shrugged.

"And you bought that?" Axel raised an eyebrow.

"Not completely, but I knew he was drunk the whole time. At least for the most part." Sora leaned back into his chair. "The man hasn't been sober for longer than a day since my mother died." He smiled as Riku put an arm around Sora. "You can't really blame the booze for what he did, but I also know he probably could have restrained himself if he wasn't drinking all of the time."

"I dunno, you are sexy," Riku said with a wink. "You live with me, and I have a hard time restraining myself, you know."

"Riku!" Sora blushed at Riku's comment as the table laughed.

"Sooooooo? What's it like living with Riku? Huh?" Selphie asked as she bobbed up and down in her seat.

"He's a gentleman," Sora leaned over and kissed Riku's cheek. "I love him."

"Roxas, if you and Sora hadn't collided a couple of weeks ago, I probably never would have met him," Riku smiled. "Thanks so much, man."

"Not a problem," he laughed. "You know, Sora, it won't be long until Riku starts acting like this guy," Roxas chuckled, pointing at the flame-haired boy who was currently giving Roxas a hickey. "Although, if I were you I wouldn't mind someone not being able to keep their hands off of me."

"Yes, but I certainly mind," Yuna announced as she suddenly appeared at the table, tapping Axel on the shoulder. "Axel, if you continue…"

"Alright, alright Yuna. We have plenty of time later to do that," Axel laughed.

"Can I get you guys anything else?" Yuna smiled. Although she was the owner of the restaurant, she always made sure to keep Riku happy, him being one of her best customers.

"Another of everything!" Riku laughed. "Oh, and the surprise," he added with a wink. Yuna nodded and hurried off to the kitched. Riku felt like celebrating. He had the love of his life in his arms, the monster who hurt the boy behind bars, and his friends were there for him. He was happier than he could ever be, right at that moment of time. And to top it all off, Sora was celebrating his birthday as well. He had given his love a perfect birthday present. He looked deep into Sora's enchanting eyes, and nuzzled his neck. Sora's eyes had healed by now, and his face looked like the normal spiky-haired kid he first fell in love with.

"Sora, what is your secret anyway?" Riku asked.

"My secret?" Sora looked at Riku curiously. After showing his entire body to the boy, and going through all of this with him, how could he possibly have a secret from Riku?

"Your hair. How does it stay up like that?" Riku smirked. "I can't figure it out. I have asked hair stylists, salon owners, and everyone I can think of." He gently stroked Sora's tallest spike. "How do you do it?"

Sora smirked. Okay, so maybe he had one more secret to keep from Riku. But he wasn't letting him find that one out so easily. "You'll just have to go mad with it. I need to at least keep one final secret from you, you know. And, I guess this one's it."

"I'll find out eventually, you little devil. You live with me. Somehow, someway, I'll sneak into your room while you're doing your hair, and then, OH AND THEN I will find out your secret!" Riku pulled Sora into his arms and gave him a long, soulful kiss.

"Riku!" Yuna tapped the boy on the shoulder. "Don't make me treat you like Axel," she giggled. She then clapped her hands and gestured at the kitchen.

"Alright, alright," Riku smiled as he and Sora chastely pecked lips one last time. "We have the rest of our lives to do that anyway."

Sora smiled and hugged his savior. "Yeah. We do, don't we.

"Happy birthday to you..." a group of waitresses strutted towards a large table as they brought a beautiful cake bearing the words 'Happy 17th, Sora!' in blue icing. Sora's eyes grew wide as the song echoed throughout the restaurant, and gave Riku a sweet kiss on the cheek. As they set it down before Sora the group concluded their song. "Happy birthday to... you!" Laughing and grinning, Sora took in a deep breath and blew out all of the candles.

"So what did you wish for?" Roxas asked as the cake was served to the group. Yuna sat down and helped herself to a slice as well.

After accepting his own slice Sora looked up at the man he gave his heart to. "For this happiness to never end," he smiled as he nuzzled deeper into Riku's embrace. "Forever and eternity with my Riku."

"Wish granted," Riku whispered in Sora's ear.


Thank you all so much for reading my very first fanfic. It means a lot to me for people to read and review my work, and it generally makes me feel good about it. I love to write, love to entertain, and knowing that I've caused some people in the world to smile, feel for Sora, praise Riku, and just enjoy the story just means a lot to me. Thank you for your devotion, and I hope you'll stick around for the sequel.

The sequel I'm writing, and posting soon enough, will start off at the end of the same school year. By then Sora will have done some growing, and will have adapted into his new lifestyle with Riku. However, he will still be haunted by the events that went on during this story and the years he'd spent at his father's mercy. I promise the sequel will be more fluffy, despite it's pangs of angst. I'll also be introducing more characters into the fold. Selphie will return in a more mainstay role, and I'm certain you'll be delighted to see a favourite Organization member in a very prominent role within the sequel.

I'm also considering doing a prequel to this as well. It would only be a one-shot or two-parter, given that it would most likely be dark in nature. At this time I'm unsure. I am even also planning on a sequel to the sequel, but I don't want to get carried away with false promises.

Anyway, thank you all once again for your support and appreciation. I've been slowly adding more stories to my list, and I hope you've enjoyed them! An Angel's Savior will always be my baby, though. Thanks for reading!