Riku! Come quick! Sora's in trouble!

Riku: What!

Sora: Ri- chan, I'm fine!

Riku: Saki!

Heehee~! I own nothing.

Riku was awoken from his nap by a sudden chill down his spine, which was strange to him since no simple thing could usually wake him. That meant something was wrong. He got up and went down to the living room finding Cloud talking with Laguna and Theodore, that man came around quite often to check on the Strife brothers.

"Oh Riku. I thought you were taking a nap?" Laguna inquired.

"Can you call Leon please? I want to talk to Sora." Riku said.

"Sure. Gimme a sec." Laguna reached for his cell phone on the coffee table when the program on the TV switched to breaking news.

"Reports are pouring in from angered parents that the students of Hallow Bastion High School are not being allowed to leave. We managed to receive more information on the matter, everyone who was unable to leave the premises of the campus are being held hostage. We also received this statement from one of the parents."

"They have my two sons in that building! I don't know what to do! I'm so scared for them! Please! Let Terra and Sora go! Let them all go! They've done nothing to deserve it!"

"Tifa!" Laguna exclaimed when he heard the audio.

"Sora… Those bastards… they have Sora. Cloud we have to go back." Riku pleaded.

"We can't Riku. They're only doing this to get to you! They want to kill you because you refused to kill Sora, now they're using him as bait to bring you back." Cloud protested.

"I don't care! You won't come with me I'll go on my own! I'm not leaving Sora to die because of me!" the ringing of a phone caught everyone's attention, it was Laguna's phone. Riku quickly snatched it and saw it was Leon calling, "Who is this?"

"Riku? Is that you?"

"Sora! Please tell me you're alright!"

"Riku… Whatever you do, please don't- AH!"

"Sora? Sora! Answer me!"

"Hello Riku." That voice! The cold voice that lured Riku into being an assassin those years ago. It was still so cold and Riku couldn't help but feel as if he were being killed right then and there, as if that very voice were piercing through his very heart, "It's been such a long time since we've last seen each other. You know you're one of my best."

"What is it you want, Leader?" Riku asked as calmly as he can manage.

"Oh I just want to see you again; I want to see how you've grown. Is that too much to ask?"

"Where is Sora? If you've hurt him!"

"Oh it's nothing serious, just a little smack."

"I won't cooperate with anything you say if you hurt him. If you hurt any of them. They're innocents, they shouldn't be involved. And leave Axel and Demyx alone too! And Yuffie!"

"I'm afraid I can't promise anything about Yuffie, we've already confronted her on the matter. We told her to say hello to Xion though."

"You bastard!"

"Calm yourself Riku. I swear not do any harm to anyone. All I want for you to do is come back to the school and we'll discuss things civilly. Do we have a deal?"

*At Hallow Bastion High*

There was a pregnant pause on the other end of the line; the silence ensued only broken by the sobs of frightened students "Alright."Riku finally answered.

"Excellent. You were always such a good boy." Leader said still holding Sora by his hair.

The door suddenly burst open and Marluxia rushed inside, "What the hell are you doing? Innocents aren't supposed to be involved in this!"

"Oh Marluxia, excellent timing. I was afraid that we wouldn't find you." With a snap of his fingers one of the other cloaked occupants of the room raised a gun and fired, the bullet going through the heart of the art teacher splattering his blood on some of the students. Screams echoed all around as they watched the man fall to the floor with blood seeping from him.

"Mr. Marluxia!" Sora cried.

"What the hell did you do?" Riku demanded on the other end.

"Now, now Riku. Marluxia had it coming ever since the day you disappeared from the city. He is one of us after all, and he was there when we told Cloud what had to be done. Yet he let you escape. But I won't harm anyone else as promised. Just come back to the school. I'll meet you on the roof with Sora."

Sora felt the hold on his hair loosen and he ran towards Marluxia, who was barely alive still, "Mr. Marluxia."

"Sora… T-tell Riku… I let him go… Be-because of his picture… I couldn't destroy something… so important… And forgive me… For getting you involved." Marluxia said hoarsely before everything stopped completely within him.

Sora looked back at the man who still had the phone to his ear "How could you?" he cried.

"Boss! I found this one outside. Looks like our runaway, doesn't he?"

"Reiku!" Demyx exclaimed when he saw who was being dragged in by one of the many captures.

Reiku was struggling greatly against the one restraining him, kicking, screaming, and thrashing about, "Let go of me! You have no right to do this! Let me go right now!"

"Riku I had no idea you had a twin." Leader said while looking at the silverette.

"You can't hurt Reiku either!"

"Oh Riku, you love to make things difficult. So many people you wish not to be harmed. But I'm a reasonable man and if I must meet your demands in order for you to meet mine then so be it. When you arrive we will meet on the roof, your brother and Sora will be with me. See you than Riku."

*In Esthar*

The other end went dead as Riku was glaring at the phone while the room remained silent. Cloud could see in Riku's eyes exactly what he was planning to do; he wouldn't have it "You're not going anywhere." He said taking Riku by the arm and dragging him back up to his room.

"Cloud! He'll kill them all if I don't! Let me go Cloud! I have to go!" Riku cried struggling along the way. They got to Riku's room but Cloud still kept his hold on his brother's arm as he locked the window with a key he had in his pocket. Then he took Riku's car keys from the desk and threw Riku onto his bed, leaving the room and locking the door from the outside.

"Let me out Cloud! I have to go! He'll kill them all! He's already killed Yuffie!" that made Cloud stop in his tracks for only so long, long enough for Ventus to run pass him quickly and back into his own room. The older blond didn't seem to notice and continued on his way.

Ven waited until Cloud was back in the living room before he left his room again going to Riku's door "Brother, here." He said slipping the keys to the Lotus under the door.

"Thanks Ven." Riku responded.

"Save them, and come home safely."

"I dunno if I'll come home, but I'll save them I promise."

"Ventus! What are you doing?"

"Cloud!"

"Did you give Riku the keys to his car?"

"I had to."

"Ventus! Riku could die!"

Meanwhile inside Riku was putting on his uniform, strapping on his weapons, and finally put on his cloak then made a running start at the window crossing his arms over his face as he broke through the glass. As he fell he flipped forward and landed easily on his feet then dashed for his car.

As he started it up he saw Cloud looking out the broken window at him "Sorry Cloud, but I have to do this." He said to himself before driving off.

Back inside Cloud turned back to Ventus with a glare ready but it instantly melted away when he saw his younger brother on his knees leaning against the door frame trying with all his strength not to cry "I know… I shouldn't have done that… But Cloud you have to understand. You would have done the same thing if it were Leon, or Riku and me. So why make him stand by?" he said.

"Ven, you know I don't want to lose him. I don't want to lose either of you, no one in my family." Cloud responded.

"Riku thinks of Sora as family because he cares so much for him. That makes him your family too. I know you saw that picture he did before we had to leave, you know what it means to him. And right now those people are in danger and Riku doesn't want to lose anymore family. Mom and Dad were too much of a loss, right? And besides Reiku's there too."

Cloud ran a hand through his hair, "Damn it all, that bastard." Who knew what could possibly happen once Riku got back to Hallow Bastion and went to the school. He heard Yuffie was dead, who else had they taken? Who else will they take? And all to get one person? This was going to turn into a night of spilt blood on both sides by the looks of it, "Ven, we have a job to do."

"I understand." Ventus said getting up and running to his room.

Cloud made his way to his own room and started adorning his uniform and weapons as well, hoping they would all be alive when the sun came up tomorrow "You know you're risking everything." He heard Laguna say from the door as he strapped a dagger to his right leg.

"I know. But would you rather you family die?" Cloud asked.

"Touché. I'll make sure you all have the right help when you need it. Gotta protect my family after all. No protesting now!" Laguna said happily as he left.

The blonde could feel the nerves in his eye twitching, 'How the hell can he be so cool about this?'

Axel was sitting with Roxas on his lap holding the blonde tightly; Genesis was sitting by the door looking out its window checking every now and then for any who may be patrolling around looking for any who may be trying to escape. The lights were kept off so as not to draw attention and everything was silent.

They wondered what some of the screaming they heard before was about but dared not venture outside to go look. Suddenly Axel's phone vibrated in his pocket and he took it out thinking it was Demyx or Yuffie texting him but was shocked when he saw it was an incoming call from Riku! He quickly flipped it open, "You don't know how happy I am, knowing it's you."

"Why are you being so quiet?"

"I'm hiding with Roxas in the pool shed, don't need them knowing we're here. I suppose you heard what's happened."

"Yeah. I talked to the leader, he wants to negotiate. How did you two manage to get out anyway?"

"Thank my brother who's supposed to be dead. I'll explain some other time. And please tell me you're not going through with this!"

"I have to. They won't hurt anyone as long as I follow through on my end, they only want me. I'm almost to the city. Axel, do me a favor. Text Demyx and ask how Reiku and Sora are, I gotta know."

"Those bastards got Reiku?" When had that happened? "Give me a few Riku, I'll text you back." Axel said hanging up the phone then sent the message to Demyx. It was a couple of agonizing minutes before the reply came, *Leader Took them and one other to the roof of the main building. Where are you and Roxas? You're lucky they try finding you!*

*Don't worry about us, we're fine* was all Axel put then he forwarded Demyx previous text to Riku and silence fell over them again.

"Axel, tell me. Tell me everything. I wanna know why all this is happening." Roxas said.

"Not now. I'd rather tell you after all of this is over." The redhead responded putting his forehead to Roxas's shoulder.

"But how do we know it'll be over? How do we know we'll even be here for the story? Axel please!"

Axel's phone vibrated again, a text from Riku, *I thought you should know, and tell Demyx too. Yuffie's dead." He dropped his phone with a horrified look on his face "Those bastards…" he murmured.

Roxas picked up the phone from the ground and looked at the message, "Oh my… Axel? Was Yuffie a friend of yours?" Instead of getting an answer Axel held him tightly and murmured something Roxas couldn't make out, but he wouldn't bother him about it right now. Right now Axel needed to be comforted.

While waiting for the redhead to calm Roxas did as was requested and sent the message to Demyx about the girl. He noticed Genesis staring at the two of them with longing then went back to staring out the window noticing that the sun was setting, wondering if they would be able to get out alive.

When nightfall set in and the sun was completely gone Riku parked his Lotus a block from the school. He got out and leaned against the driver side door taking deep breaths to steady his nerves; he didn't know what was going to happen, but he knew for sure he wanted everyone to be alright. He just hoped he didn't have to make any sacrifices.

"Okay. I can't stall any longer, they need me." He pushed himself away from the car and started for the school.

The entrance was guarded and there were sentries posted around the perimeter. He needed to get to the cafeteria and that was near the back of the school near the gym, he would be conspicuous in his white cloak and easily caught. He may have had a deal going right now; a parley one might say (LOL, Pirates of the Caribbean) but when had he completely played by the rules?

Then he noticed something, an open window that lead to the principal's office. That was his ticket in; he just had to get there before he was noticed. Being silent he could handle, but his damn cloak was a friend and a traitor. He really wished he could have gotten the black one he wanted but they chose for him.

Slowly he started for the window, watching the two by the entrance hoping neither of them would look in his direction. He just wanted to get to the tree at least then he could scurry the rest of the way and they'd think it was animals or something if he made the right amount and level of noise to fool them.

Once he was safely by the tree hidden from their line of vision he pulled on some special claws over his black gloves that would allow him a decent grip on the bark. The idea for such accessories was inspired by cats and the Cirque Du Freak series by Darren Shan because in those books the vampires used their claws to climb. (A/N: Best vampire series ever!)

Once up the tree he found a solid branch that would support his weight and get him close enough to the open window so that when he touched down he could bolt and jump in without being noticed, hopefully. But he had to move slowly across the branch so he wouldn't draw attention to himself, he didn't need that right now!

Once he got to the point of the branch was dipping he decided to jump down then ran the last the last few yards between him and the window jumping in effortlessly. He looked around the room to make sure he didn't jump into a trap; everything was fine… Accept for the blood on the front of the desk and the pool on the floor with a dragged trail leading out the door.

"Just how many did you kill before you managed to call me here you bastard?" Riku muttered. He went towards the door and opened it quietly, checking for any other guards and finding none. Quietly he walked down the hall until he rounded a corner, making sure to check it first before bolting down it and continuing to run until he was just down the hall from the cafeteria entrance.

Two guards; he reached under the cloak to his thighs and pulled out two guns with silencers on them so that when he fired no one would notice and get suspicious. He stepped out from around the corner and raised his weapons, firing before the two could say anything "No worries, they're just knockout darts. You're not the ones who will die tonight." He said opening the door.

"Hey how the hell did you get in here unnoticed?"

There were eight guards watching everyone and with quick finger Riku had them all on the floor unconscious. He put his guns away and took his hood off "Riku! You don't know how happy I am to see you right now!" Demyx exclaimed running to his friend and hugging him.

"Sorry I took so long." He responded.

"You shouldn't have come at all! Four people are dead because of you!" one student shouted.

"Yeah and a lot more of you would be too if I hadn't have told that bastard no one else gets hurt! So shut up and listen to me because I'm your only chance right now." Riku snapped back.

"Need help Riku?" the silverette turned around and saw two familiarly cloaked people. The one in white lowered his hood, "Sorry we didn't get here sooner."

"Ven, Cloud! You both came?"

Cloud took off his hood and ruffled Riku's hair, "I can't leave my family behind can I?"

Leon walked passed them, sadness over taking his face when he saw the four hanging from the ceiling, "Oh hell… I don't know how they'll take the news that we lost Kuja."

"He was one of you?" Cloud asked.

"Yeah… Wait a minute, Zidane! Mikoto! Where are you?" Leon looked around the room for the two blondes.

"Here!" Zidane said standing you with his sister.

"What I don't get is why the others were killed. When did he kill them?" Riku wondered as he made his way over to the hanging four and began to bring them down.

"Mr. Marluxia was killed when he came in. He was trying to stop them." Zexion answered.

"I remember hearing one of them say something about enemies and traitors. What did they mean?" Bartz asked.

"Kuja was against them so that made him an enemy. Marluxia was one of us so he was branded traitor for letting Riku get away. Are there any staff members who aren't here?" Cloud said.

"Saïx left during the lunch hour and Cecil never came in today. I haven't seen the librarian throughout his whole time but I know he came in today and hasn't left for any reason." Luxord said.

Riku finished getting the bodies down and looked to Demyx, "You know where Axel and Roxas are right?" he received a nod in response "That librarian's probably with them. Go to them and bring them back here, Cloud and Leon will lead everyone out. I'm going to the roof to get Sora and Reiku back. I want you all to know, I'm sorry for getting you mixed up in all this."

"Riku, you'll come back right?" Ventus asked.

"I'm afraid I can't make any promises here kid. It's the leader I'll be dealing with after all. But I'll try." With that the silverette replaced his hood and ran off to find a way up to the roof.

"I'm getting impatient."

Sora and Reiku watched as their capture paced between them and the door that lead back into the school. Their hands and feet bound together and behind them stood another cloaked man who had removed his hood revealing the ginger hair he had.

"Lexaeus, have you heard anything yet?"

"No sir." Lexaeus answered.

The leader looked down at the boys, "For your own sakes you'd better hope Riku comes."

"I hope he doesn't for his own sake! But if he does I hope he sends you both to Hell!" Reiku snapped back fearlessly, and that didn't change when he found himself held by his hair with that man in his face.

"If I hadn't have promised your complete safety I'd have you thrown right off this roof to your death. The pavement that leads up to the school's entrance is not as merciful as grass can be." He hissed.

Reiku smirked, "Coward."

Just as a hand was raised to strike him a voice spoke out, "Forgot our deal already, Mateus?"

"That's Leader or Boss to you, Riku." He let Reiku go and turned to face the other silverette pulling off his hood and allowing the flowing long blonde hair to fall, purple accenting the ends that matched the owner's cold death gaze "Honestly, I thought you were far more behaved than that. Or has Cloud not done the proper job in raising you?" he said.

"I came like you asked! Now let Sora and Reiku go like you promised." Riku demanded.

Mateus gave a wicked smile, "Of course. But there will be death tonight, more than has already occurred. So if you all have any last words exchange them now."

Riku took his hood off and looked at his brother and Sora, "I'm really sorry you got mixed up in all this. I wish it were different."

"Bro- Bro… I don't want to say good-bye! Not when we just got each other back!" Reiku cried.

"I'm sorry Rei, really."

"Riku, I wish you hadn't come." Sora said.

"I had to Sora, I love you. I gotta protect you."

"Riku…"

"I'm sorry."

"Enough! Your good-byes have been said. Lexaeus, those two can go." Mateus said.

Riku watched sadly as the taller man picked Reiku and Sora by their arms then his face was overtaken with horror as he saw them thrown off the roof.

OMFG Mateus is evil! I actually had a hard time deciding who should be the leader, whatcha guys think?