As most have heard of this RedBooton thing, I'm letting you know I'm taking a hiatus from this site because of it. Please look at the end of the chapter to find out which other sites you can find me at and other information.

The 13th Hour

Chapter 19

Grisly Reminder

Fun Fact-I put the entire soundtrack on my youtube, and this is currently the most liked song.

"This color is horrible."

Quistis had the gall to glare at him, and it was true. He honestly figured if it was on a girl or sweet innocent child, it would look wonderful. On someone who would turn around and sink his teeth into your neck? No, bright orange would not look good.

The blond was ignoring him though, her blue eyes determined as she jammed another pin into the fabric and tried to avoid hitting him.

"And the feel of it, don't even get me started. It's itchy."

She nearly smacked him, he could tell as she raised her hand. But he didn't move or flinch, just blinked at her and smiled and she placed her hand higher to her temples to rub them, "Sora, it's just a tester fabric; I promise you it's not going to be this ugly."

"No offense, Quisty, but I don't think even your magic will help this mess."

For a moment she smiled at him, touched that he spoke highly over amidst the comment about the bad fabric. "Just relax, Sora. Xemnas promised that you can have sweets today."

He perked at this, eyes just a little brighter and smile finally meeting his eyes. All throughout the morning she had seen his smile, but never once had his eyes held the same emotion. "Are you staying for dinner Quistis?"

She grinned back at him, "Yes of course. Now sit still before I accidentally poke you."

Sora had been talking to her then, she wasn't really paying attention, but when he hunched over she began to yell at him to straighten up. Until she saw him cough, that's when she reached for an extra piece of fabric and clutched it to his mouth. Less than a moment later his coughs subsided and he lightly pushed her away, telling her it was just some wind down the wrong pipe.

But he wouldn't look at her, and she figured he didn't need to with the fabric in her hand now dripping blood and him trying to wipe the lingering blood off his lips. "Excuse me." Was all she muttered before she allowed Xigbar in to tend to him while she made her way down the hall. She nearly ran the corner, almost crashed into two maids, before racing down the steps and down another hall to Xemnas' study.

He was sitting there as she slammed open the door, his eyes just peeking over the book in his hands, "Quistis, what a pleasant surprise."

"It's true isn't it?" She threw the fabric at his face, glad to see the smear of blood on his cheek, but angered to see his unchanged expression.

He closed the book and laid it on his desk before he leaned back, wheels and joints of the chair squeaking, "Yes, Sora is dying."

"You know and yet you're still going to marry him!" Her hands slammed on the desk but he didn't move, "How long does he have?"

"A week." The silveret replied, his eyes closing as he let Quistis repeat his words, "Technically a week and a half if he stays resting."

"And you figured 'what the hell, Kaze only has a week left, might as well marry him'!"

This time he stood, glaring at her with his hands upon his desk. His face was so cold that she flinched and took a step back, "Don't you ever doubt my judgment, Trepe, I love Sora Kaze with all my heart and I have never made a choice without his consent. Sora knows how long he has, and he knows how few options he's been given. He can either stay here with me where I can protect him and let him live out his week or die by the savior's hands in less than a week, which do you think would be a better choice?"

Her feet were planted firmly on the ground, but her body was shaking and she wasn't sure if she could open her mouth for fear of stuttering.

"I suggest you get back to work Quistis, you're stalling and losing time you could be spending with him."

She whirled and slammed the door behind her, marching towards the stairs, her cheeks flushed with humiliation.

"I see we have the same problem."

He stepped in front of her, eyes blazing even with the calm but cruel smile twisting his lips, "We both want to save him."

Quistis' lips pursed, she forcefully calmed herself down before speaking, "You want to save him too, Marluxia?"

"Sora's worth more alive than dead." Marluxia responded, he flicked a piece of hair behind his shoulder before tilting his head, "You Blue Mages are always smarter than the others, the entire race is neutral and that would be a great help to Sora."

"What do you mean, how would us being in the middle help him?"

Those eyes twinkled; she nearly shivered at how devious they looked, "You're friends with that famous human, Squall Leonhart correct?"

Her eyebrows furrowed and she blinked several times, "Yes, but what does this have to do with anything?"

"Well you see, Squall has three younger brothers and two sisters. They're technically not related, as everyone is adopted, but either way." Marluxia's arm wrapped around her shoulder and tugged her close, his words ghosting over her ears, "Anyways, Squall's youngest brother, his name is Riku Umino; he's the savior that Xemnas is so worried about."

Her lips pursed, mind registering everything he said. He could tell it was working; her eyes were glazing over thoughtfully.

"See the thing is if Riku, as the savior, kills Sora then Xemnas and all the other vampires will be weak and near-death enough to be killed and extinct. However, if Sora kills Riku then he'll officially be the strongest in the world, no matter what the race; and he'll be powerful enough to stay alive forever."

Hook line and sinker, her eyes were glowing and her face showed how guilty she felt for how fast she was saying her next words, "But Squall wouldn't give up family that easily."

"Well see I have that part figured out too." He grinned, "Come find me when you're finished."

So she trailed back up the stairs, walking in and Xigbar took it as his cue to leave. "Quistis?" Was Sora's only word before she hugged him, she could tell he was confused but she could do nothing but bury her face in his shoulder and hold him.

It was during their planning that it was seen. Riku had to admit it was a good ploy on Xemnas' part.

"Therefore, I'd like to apologize on our behalf." The silver-haired man stated, his golden eyes smirking as they stared the camera down, "It was all a trick to catch everyone's attention since everyone around town knows Sora very well."

The reporter looked surprised, as if she figured this was her ticket to the big leagues, "So what's your even bigger announcement?"

His eyes landed on her, a cold look at being interrupted before he turned back to the camera and gave a look somewhere between a smile and smirk, "The reason was to announce a very important announcement, Sora and I are getting married."

There were loud claps from the people around the TV set; vaguely Axel booed before Kairi punched him in the shoulder.

"We'll be having the wedding at the end of the week, which is in three days. Everyone is invited, and I do mean everyone." Xemnas' eyes were glowing at the camera, and while people thought it would be for them, Riku knew what it was. It was as if they were staring each other face to face across the room, an offer for a challenge.

"Three days." Kairi spoke, switching the TV off to glance up at Riku, "That doesn't give us a lot of time."

Axel glanced down at Roxas, who was still looking at the now-off TV, before he glanced around the table, "We still don't have a plan."

"We go on the defensive." Riku said suddenly, startling the table enough so they all looked at him.

"Xemnas thinks we'll break in and try to start a fight." Zexion muttered, his fingers drumming against his chin, "He wouldn't expect us to sit through the wedding so easily."

"The wedding is to happen the day before Ansem's army attacks." The youngest silveret answered, folding his notebook closed. He'd been doodling to help from breaking anything in Squall's den, but now he'd finally set the wheels in motion.

"So we use Ansem's army as cover to kidnap Sora from Xemnas." The redheaded female commented, glancing over the page of spells their Aunt Rinoa had given to them before they moved, "Everyone thinks we're giving up when we're really not, it's not a bad plan."

"But Xemnas knows the army's coming." Axel suddenly shot out, "He's going to keep Sora under lock and key in hopes to protect him and not trust just anyone to watch over him."

Riku's lips curled into a smile, "And who better to watch over him than Sora's own twin brother?"

Here Roxas raised his eyes, still silent, he hadn't said anything the past day and a half and it somewhat worried Axel. But he merely nodded and looked back down, as if waiting for Riku to finish his plan.

"I get it!" The male redhead suddenly exclaimed, "If Rox is watching over Sora, he'll be given all the information about the war as to know where to take him during the battle. And that'll give them an excuse to move around the place."

"And I can bring him here, as it's where Xemnas expects most but won't be able to check." Roxas suddenly spoke up, his voice quiet from not using it for a long time. He stood silently, gathering his things, "Just in case this doesn't work, I'm going home to spend some time with him."

"Keep us updated." Riku nodded, letting the blond leave before he turned to the others, "As Reno's somehow disappeared I guess we're in charge of the house, we should probably get ready then."

"I thought he went with Squall." Axel questioned suddenly as Riku went upstairs, most likely to contact people.

"Who knows?" Kairi shrugged as Zexion easily followed Riku, "Squall's still in Twilight Town and Reno disappears more times than Squall says more than a sentence."

"Touché."

"Son of a bitch, watch out!"

Squall didn't even flinch as Cloud fell off the ladder from the sixth-level shelf of the book case. Honestly, if someone had a room of books looking almost similar to something in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, shouldn't they know how to get around in it? "Low bridge." Was the only thing the brunet muttered, placing the book he'd been holding back on its shelf before climbing down all six levels to check on the blond, "Get up."

"That fucking hurt!" Cloud shot back, frowning. Squall somewhat imagined him to stomp his foot like a child, but the blond chose to glare instead, "Have some damn sympathy for the injured Leon."

"You're a vampire," The brunet shot back; "You could jump off a twenty foot building and still be fine. Get over it."

The blond folded his arms and gave a sound of annoyance before glancing over the shelf behind him, "Nothing so far has led to anything that could help Sora, I feel like I don't have every vampire book in existence."

"You do." Squall reassured him, back five levels up, "We just don't know exactly what we're looking for."

Grabbing a random book, the blond skimmed over the pages before his eyebrows shot up, "Leon?"

"Hmm?" Was the only answer he'd been given.

"I think I found it." He could feel the brunet turn to look at him, but not move from where he was resting on the ladder so he continued, "—in which case the savior of that era must battle against the enemy he's been given. He will, however, never be able to use his full power, as that is something he cannot obtain alone. The only time the savior may reach his full strength is when he is reunited with the half-breed, which rarely comes during a savior's lifetime. While the savior will be able to use the energy the half-breed supplies him with, he can never obtain full power until it is his blade that pierces the heart of the half-breed."

Leon's brows furrowed, "So the only way to stop Xemnas and Ansem's army completely…"

"… Is for Riku to kill Sora." The blond finished, his heart tightening as he said his cousin's name.

For a long time it was silent, neither sure what to say, much less how to tell the people it mattered to most.

"We haven't done this in a while."

Sora laughed, glancing across the board, "Play chess?"

"Spend time together." Xemnas waved, usually their chess games ended with the bedroom and just a few moments of cuddling, but lately the silveret had been too busy to do anything except work.

"It happens." The brunet commented, grip tight on a chess piece that was lightly leaning against his chin. His gaze rose from the board to search Xemnas' face, "Did you say something to Quistis?"

"Will you give me a final reading?"

Sora pursed his lips for a moment, setting down the piece before sitting straight, "So you did say something to her."

"It was in her best interest." The silveret answered, not taking his gaze off the board, "She was questioning my motives and the outcome of this battle."

"The outcome?" His brows furrowed and he tilted his head to the side, "So, you believe you're going to kill the savior?"

"Possibly." Xemnas replied, "Riku Umino seems to be hiding out, the coward that he is." His eyes trailed up to meet Sora's for the first time in minutes, "Will you give me a reading then?"

Sora's face was blank, as if debating if he accepted Xemnas' answers. As the silveret continued to debate his move Sora's eyes closed and he fell forward, landing in the silveret's grip as Xemnas finally moved his piece.

"Am I underestimating Riku Umino?"

Sora's eyes opened slowly, they were now a brilliant shade of red as they focused on Xemnas, "Yes."

"So he's not hiding out then…" The silveret took a moment to gaze over the board before he finally looked Sora in the eye, "How long until Ansem's army arrives?"

"Three days." Sora answered out, sitting straight but his eyes never once leaving the silveret, "They're ahead of schedule."

"So they'll be here right after the wedding—that man never learns." He sighed and narrowed his eyes, "Who should I entrust you to during the battle?"

"Roxas." The brunet answered, "Not because he is my brother, but because he's the only one who can ensure I will live longer."

"Not Demyx?" Xemnas asked, eyes raking over Sora before sighing again, "I was honestly thinking about Demyx, he hasn't had a mission in a while."

"While I trust Demyx and he is a good friend, I do not know if he is mentally fit to handle what will happen."

"Do you know how you'll die yet?"

For a moment Sora didn't say anything, his lips pursed and he gave a sigh of uncertainty, "No, I don't know anything concerning myself, it's unfortunate but that's how it is."

"How should I fight against Ansem's army?" He knew he was taking a risk with this war, but he couldn't imagine losing to Umino or any of the like.

"Use what you have, and while he is your main enemy, Riku Umino will prove more useful than you expect."

Xemnas didn't say anything more and Sora leaned forward, steadying himself against the table before he opened his eyes, sky blue shinning, "I think I'm finally handling this power better, in my next life I probably won't be bad at it."

"Hopefully you can do it without falling." The silveret teased, standing and helping Sora do the same, who gave him a confused look. "I think your brother wants to spend time with you."

Sora turned to see Roxas stalking toward them, his face blank and bags under his eyes, "Roxas…"

"I'll come see you tomorrow; we'll spend the whole day together." Xemnas leaned down to place a kiss to Sora's temple, then another on the lips, before he slid easily enough past Roxas.

"We need to talk." The blond stated as he finally reached him, "We have a new plan."

"A new plan?"

"I think I know how to save you."

Leon thumbed through the last few pages of the book, "It doesn't say much else."

"Stupid vampires," Cloud muttered, ignoring the look Squall sent him, "being all vague and shit."

"We just need to get back and relay the information to everyone." The brunet stood from his seat, grabbing his leather jacket off the back of the chair, "It'll only give us a day and a half left to get ready."

"If only we had days." The blond muttered, leading Squall to his armory. The last time they were here, Sora and Roxas had dubbed it 'the room full of sharpness and pointiness'. "I guess it's better for you guys than the old days, where vampires used to just come hunt your village in the dead of night and you'd wake up dead." He curiously glanced to Squall, "How'd you die anyways? Get bitten by a vampire?"

"If I was bitten I'd be a vampire, and obviously I wouldn't have died." The brunet rolled his eyes, he vaguely wondered if he should tune the blond out.

"Good point." Cloud pressed the code into the metal door lock before the swung it open, "You have all your memories intact too, so you must've died by a magical way and not a human."

"It was Merlin." Leon answered suddenly, "A really fucked up spell gone bad." He glanced over all the things in the armory, watching Cloud take his favorite keepsake from its mounted place on the wall.

Cloud allowed the sword to slam against the stone floor before he brought it to rest on his shoulder, "I don't even know why I pack so much shit in here, I only use this sword anyways."

Squall thumbed a bottle of blue liquid, "Have any magic you want to take?"

The blond paused, frowning before turning around, "Oh yeah."

'You're such a ditz.' The brunet sighed mentally, though he figured he could forgive Cloud this time around. It was only natural to have your mind elsewhere when you had family on the line.

"You don't want anything?" Cloud suddenly asked, finishing what he was doing before closing and locking the box that rested just below where his sword used to, "Or are you just going to run in with Lion Heart on your arm and attacking everything physically?"

For a moment the brunet debated his options, "All my stuff will be ready by the time we get back, it's you I'm waiting on."

"Fine, fine!" Was the exhausted answer, Cloud leading Squall to the entrance now. He nearly sighed as he felt the sun on his skin, "I know we have a few more days, but it feels like the last time I'll be able to appreciate the sun like this."

"It will be the last time you can, from now on we'll be in war." The brunet grunted, opening the trunk to reveal the mini armory Cloud installed in his car. Lion Heart was placed securely in it already, and a few moments later was Cloud's sword. It was only then, with everything packed, that Cloud sent one last look home before getting in the car. He wouldn't let himself wonder if it was the last time he'd see it in this lifetime.

His lips twisted into a smirk, silver hair flying behind him as he eyed their current location.

"This is an insufficient way of traveling." His companion snapped, he could almost hear her teeth gritted from there, "I could've transported myself there already, but here we are, keeping your little pests company."

"In due time." Ansem waved her off, "Why rush when it's not needed?"

"Because it'll be unsuspected," she snapped, glaring.

"Our enemies shall fall; we just have to let them tear each other apart."

"They'll use you and your disgusting creatures as tools." She shot back, folding her arms and frowning, "If you start to loose in this battle I shall not aid you."

"Fear not." He promised, "No harm shall come to you."

For a moment she stared him down before giving a small noise of irritation and let her head twist to the side unhappily.

"It looks perfect."

Naminé didn't say anything, her gaze focused on the white twitching in front of her.

"With these nobodies we'll leave Ansem with his own childish tricks." Xemnas smirked, watching the white creature begin to move around the room, gazing at everything and learning new things, "How many should we make, do you think?"

"At least several hundred." She answered on cue, Marluxia's words still fresh in her mind, "Sir, I think it'd go faster if Sora used his power to mass-produce them, but I don't want to tire him."

"We'll see how he feels." The silveret agreed, leaning back to send her a nod, "Good job Naminé, you've done excellently, you may rest."

The blonde nodded before slipping out of the room, leaving the creature with Xemnas before she turned the corner and stared straight up into Marluxia's eyes. "He likes them."

"Of course he does, he created them." The man mused, fingers drumming against his folded arms, "We just have to wait until he finds out the secret we've added, then he'll realize how his plans have failed."

"But won't this idea… hurt Sora as well?"

Marluxia's lips pursed, he slid off his place against the wall, "As long as the savior protects Sora we don't have to worry about anything."

Whoa! I actually brought back the nobodies! Yay! I feel like most of you have forgot about them (they were mentioned in like… chapter 6 and never heard from again because I've been in planning stage with them).

I keep getting asked if Sora's really going to die or not, for those people, have some faith in me okay? Everyone keeps mentioning Sora dying because it's what supposed to happen according to past experiences, as Squall will read through later when they return, so for now sit and relax as I've just barely brushed the tip of what'll happen to Sora.

The main reason this took so long, the whole RedBooton issue. For a while I was afraid to update anything for fear of these random story deletions, and it seriously put any of my will to write to a halt. Either way, this official hiatus is to let everyone know one thing, I may not be updating on this site ever again, debating on how this site deals with the issue. Because of that, I've managed to start up my livejournal again (which is where I'll be posting icons and other things too!), so please find me under the name rikusora_chan on livejournal or Tysonkaiexperiment on deviantart. I'll put a notice on there if I shall be returning to this site or not, but my livejournal will be where I shall post all future chapters no matter what happens with this site; it will also contain stories I won't be putting on here so please do go add me and thanks for those that have already added me.

Please review as it may be the last time you ever review this story on this site again.