Okay, this one is a bit longer. I've had this part half-written down for quite some time and I just had to write the first part of this chapter, basically, which made it easier on me. It pays to have certain scenes all ready to be used for future use. :)

Now, redsnivy, I applaud your wonderful comment. I read it and I immediately couldn't even breathe for a good minute. Thank you so much for bringing that to my attention, because I honestly didn't even notice that.

Thank you all for the comments as well. You guys have no idea how much I love reading them.

Now, on to the story!

I own nothing...for the most part.

I awoke much later with a tired mind and a well-rested body, my eyes burning. I groaned and rolled over, unprepared for the sight of Zack and not Riku. I bolted upright.

"Where…where's Riku?"

Zack turned to me, a cup in hand. "You're not in his room."

I looked around and my heart sank as I saw his words to be correct. My memories, though fuzzy at the moment, were returning to me. I regretted having woken up and trying to recall anything about Riku or myself or…

"You're not going to start crying again, are you?" Zack inquired.

I sniffed and shook my head, running my hand through my hair. I couldn't break, not now. I got to my feet.

"I'm guessing you're not hungry, but you're going to eat anyways." He pointed to my usual chair. "Sit. You aren't going anywhere until you put something into your body."

I didn't argue. He shoved an amaiwa into my face until I took it, waiting patiently for me to take a bite. I couldn't find the energy to enjoy my favorite Firestone treat like I usually did, slowly chewing on each bite. This felt like more of a chore than a joy.

Once I had finished, Zack leaned back, arms folded over his chest. He had that serious look on his face that I knew meant business.

"I care about you like everyone else in these caves, Sora. You're family. But with the way things are going, you and Riku are going to end up falling apart from one another and that's obviously not doing well for either of you."

"…so what do I do?" I mumbled, lowering my head to stare at my hands.

"The apparent answer is talking it out. Being open and honest with him. Not just for the relationship you have, but for yourself." He leaned forward, his face softening. "You have real feelings towards him, don't you?"

I raised my head instantly. "Of course I do!"

He smiled and got up. "Then go and talk to him. Maybe not today, but do it soon."

I nodded, then reached my hand out to feebly catch his attention.

"Is there a way I can get to my room?"

"Uh…you sure you want to see Riku so soon?"

"Not his room. He got me my own somewhere."

Zack was shocked and stared at me before sighing and shaking his head, pressing his fingers to his temples.

"You two are pieces of work, Sora."

I was able to talk Zack into finding out where my room was located while I stayed cooped up within his room, curled up on his bed in a tight ball, knees to my chest. I had no clue how long I stayed in there, but after what I considered to be the equivalent of four to five days, Zack finally kicked me out to head for a well-needed bath.

"I'll bring you a new yukata. Don't you sulk back here until you're squeaky clean." he warned.

I couldn't find it in myself to argue in any way and made my way there, keeping my head low. Anyone I passed gave me looks, but I didn't get any warm greetings like I had before. The lack of welcome arms hurt my already wounded heart, adding to the pile.

When I got to the bath, I was bombarded by Xigbar, his usual eyepatch missing and his ponytail undone, sitting on a bench…completely naked.

"Well well! Look what the dead brought back to life." he laughed.

I felt my mouth move into a small smile as I began to undress. Xigbar's usual grin vanished.

"Don't tell me you lovebirds aren't actually talking."

"We aren't lovebirds." I snapped back, surprised by my burst of energy.

Xigbar immediately put his hands in the air as a sign of surrender. "Whoa there, I hit a nerve."

My shoulders sagged as I gave a meek apology, slipping into the water until I was submerged up to my chin. Xigbar's eyes watched me warily, no doubt wondering if I were going to suddenly explode at him again. It was quiet for a good while before he dared to open his mouth.

"So, just so I've got this clear…you and Riku aren't talking anymore?"

"Yeah…"

"Hm…you know, he's been snapping at everyone lately. Not to mention he's been leaving for hours at a time. That's something he hasn't done….in a long while."

"Geez, thanks. What a way to bring more guilt onto me."

"Just bringing you up to date here. Everyone knows you've basically hid yourself in Fair's room."

I sighed, putting my head under the water and allowing my limbs to relax of their own accord, which was a lot easier to do underwater, with nothing to hear except the rush of water, blocking everything out. Sadly, I couldn't stay under for long before my lungs started to burn and I emerged from the water once more. Xigbar hadn't moved, his hair framing his thin face as he scrutinized me.

"What?"

"Had to make sure of something, that's all." He got up, completely nonchalant as he dressed himself. "See ya around, Sora. Hopefully."

With that, he left me alone, wondering what had just happened.

Zack delivered, thankfully, a new yukata of grey, blue spirals designs on the sleeves. He waited as I got out of the bath, clean as can be, before throwing a towel at my face. I sputtered and yanked it off me, giving him a half-hearted glare.

"What was that for?!"

"Hurry up and get dressed."

I was confused as to the reason of his harsh tone, but didn't further question it, drying off before taking the yukata and dressing myself sloppily. Zack didn't bother correcting my outfit and walked out without a word. I frowned before following after him, deciding not to ask any questions at the moment.

We made our back to his room, getting even more strange looks than before. Zack seemed set on some mission and didn't pay them any mind, going into his room. I did so…and nearly tripped over my own feet at the sight of silver hair and aquamarine eyes looking right at me.

Zack moved to stand beside Riku and put a hand on his shoulder. Riku stared at me, his skin pale and his brow furrowed in a mix of emotion. I bit my tongue to stop the flow of tears from coming to my eyes, forcing myself to not run out of the room. I could, if I wanted to. I just didn't know if I would be chased down if that happened. I didn't want to find out.

"Just so we got this clear, he came of his own free will. He asked to come talk and I couldn't say no, so here he is." Zack gave me a dark look. "You know this was going to happen sooner or later, anyway."

I couldn't find the strength to say anything back, my skin prickling as Riku's eyes never looked away from me. Zack sighed, mumbling under his breath about this being his room before leaving, giving us privacy.

Alone. Just us.

Riku attempted conversation first. "You look like you haven't been sleeping much."

"That's because I haven't."

"Oh." Awkward pause. "I heard you haven't been eating much, either."

I shook my head.

"…you've been missed by everyone here. Some came to me asking if you had secretly left without saying goodbye."

"That explains the weird looks I was getting." I muttered.

"They have a right to be worried, Sora. As was I."

Those words stung. "I doubt that."

"Why do you say that? Because I didn't come crawling to you and apologizing for something I don't even know I did?" he snarled.

I looked at him and found I had nothing to say, no reply to his remark. He sat, waiting, but I couldn't find any words. He sighed.

"Get to the point, then I'll leave you alone. It's obvious you hate having me around."

"That's not true!" I blurted out.

He glared at me. "Your actions say otherwise."

I gulped and tried again. "I just…it's been hard being here an-"

"And that's a big, fat lie if I've ever heard one. You were completely fine until we were under attack. You changed after that."

My hands were shaking. I couldn't tell him the truth. If I did, he would know. I couldn't say the real reason. I tried to think of something to say, even if it were just some vague lie to fool him, but I didn't get a chance as Riku stood to his feet.

"I don't want another made-up excuse, damnit! Tell me the truth, Sora!"

"I…"

"Is it that you don't trust me now? You don't think I can protect you or something?"

I shook my head. "No, I-"

"Then are you homesick? I assumed you weren't, seeing as you melded well to this place."

"No, I enjoy being he-"

"Then is someone making you uncomfortable? Is it me?"

"I ju-"

"Sora, I consider you my friend. Maybe not on the scale I first thought, but I at least deserve enough damn respect. I don't want you to lie to my face and say everything is okay or some ridiculous explanation. I can't handle this drama anymore and I'm only giving you this one chance to tell me the truth."

I stared at him, fearful of what to make my next move. Would he even believe me if I actually spoke the truth? He raised an eyebrow after a few moments.

"Well? Am I just wasting my time h-"

"It's because you and Vanitas were lovers!" I shouted.

His expression of annoyance and anger melted away into shock, completely taken aback by the exclamation. I clapped a hand over my big mouth, appalled by my lack of restraint. Why had I said the truth to him? I stared at him in horror, awaiting his response.

He inhaled sharply and rubbed the bridge of his nose for a few tense minutes, closing his eyes as his brow wrinkled. It was absolutely silent as he absorbed the information, clearly accepting my outburst as the truth. He sighed.

"You looked through that chest." It was a statement. "How long have you known?"

"A…a long time now." I whispered.

He hummed in acknowledgement, but he had completely cut all emotion from his face. I tried to still my shaking body as I waited for him to continue. I didn't trust myself to say anything more.

"Yes, we were lovers."

I hadn't expected him to simply outright admit it without hiding anything, but part of me wishes he had; the honesty of it all was painful to hear aloud. My heart shrank in on itself as he stood up and walked towards me. I unconsciously mimicked the movement and stepped backwards, away from him.

"What do you want from me, Sora? What else do you want to know?" Another step towards me. One step away from him. "Would you like to know about the nights we would sneak off together and bask in each other in the moonlight? About all those times he would come to my room to wake me up and we would have sex until dawn? Of how we considered ourselves basically bound to one another?"

"…no." I choked out.

"Then what, Sora?" He voice raised as he stepped closer to me, literally forcing me to move up against the wall and trapping me there. He loomed over me, both hands braced on either side of my head. I found I couldn't look away from his piercing eyes. "What do I have to do in order for you to let something like that go? For you to realize that was in the past and I can't change something I regret? What is it going to take for you to see that it's something I'm not proud of?!"

"I…Riku, I-"

He wasn't done saying his piece. "I'm aware I made a huge mistake and now I'm reaping what I sow. Your death was almost the result and I hate myself for it every day now. But…if it hadn't happened, you would have never found me on that beach that day on your island. I wouldn't have ever ran out into that storm to get away from my stupidity and you and I would have never crossed paths.

"You wouldn't even be here, Sora. You would have no friends and the closest thing to a family and an actual home. You would have stayed there, stuck on that little island until your dying days and no one would have known or cared.

"So we're at a standstill here. I'm not going to stick around if you're not going to be open and honest. I won't make a single move until you do. If you decide that you want to go back to that pathetic, lonely island, I'll have someone take you back in a few days. If you want to stay, though, then you need to knock this off and start opening your mouth. Regardless, whatever happens between us is entirely up to you at this point. And I'm not a patient man, Sora."

I couldn't move or say anything as he stared back at me intensely for a moment before stepping away from me and leaving the room. I sank to the floor and sat there, unable to stand to my feet. It took me a few minutes to realize that I was crying.

...awkward much? Or just really sad?

Throw Sora some hugs, guys. Maybe send out a few good vibes their way, too. These two need it.

Until the next chapter~!