On Glass Wings

--xxSerenity

mehehehe okay so this chapter didn't go exactly as planned. But it's still interesting, and plot-moving. AND i can edit it in simple mode today:) There was also something I wanted to say, but I really don't remember what it was..Shoot.. -.- Oh well. Enjoy the chapter. Hopefully after putting the last minute touches here i'll remember and write the note at the bottom xD

Edit: Nope. after editing this, I still have no recollection...Oh well o.o Thanks for all your reviews again. Many hearts to you all xD


-27-

the sly demon and his mark


By the following day the airports were clear and prepped for passengers, so Leon and the others had checked out at last and were currently readying for their journey back to Destiny Islands, which would be half the time it would've taken by boat.

Sora, who had never been on a plane before, was eagerly awaiting the announcement signaling that their flight was now boarding, bouncing anxiously in his seat. The rest of his candy had already been consumed, so naturally the sugar rush didn't exactly aid things in their moment of motionlessness.

"Is it time yet? We've been sitting out here for hours. I call window seat!"

"No it isn't time yet, we've been sitting here for one hour, and I already called the window seat." Riku replied indifferently, his own form slumped comfortably in one of the chairs in the waiting area.

Sora stopped his anxious bouncing long enough to pout.

"But...I've never been on a plane before! I wanna be able to look outside."

"Well too bad 'cause it's mine."

"But I want it!"

"Well you're not getting it!"

"..I want it!"

"I'm older!"

"I'm younger!"

Namine, who was currently sitting in the chair back to back with the ones Riku and Sora were in, grumbled something in aggravation and then turned on her knees to stick her head between them.

"Okay well since you two refuse to stop acting like five-year-olds, we'll settle this maturely. I'm getting the window seat."

Leon actually chuckled at that, but pointed it out as a rather well-planned solution.

"Why do you always have to take her side?" Riku argued, to which Sora agreed with a nod of his head, ironically so given he had only been arguing with Riku himself only moments ago.

"Well, 'cause she's right. You two are acting like five-year-olds. So let her have the window seat. Sora can sit in the middle, and Riku, you can sit on the end."

"Psh! Thanks a lot Leon. Not only do I not get the window seat I so rightfully deserve, but I don't even get the middle seat which is somewhat closer to the window? You must be really against me." Riku mock pouted with arms over his chest.

Smirking lightly, Leon shrugged though looked up when the loudspeaker announced the boarding of their particular flight.

"Well, that's us." He murmured, slinging his own carry-on bag over his shoulder.

The others gathered their own things, although they didn't have much, and Namine cheerfully lead the two who looked a bit more downcast at the loss of the most-coveted window seat.

-oOo-

Namine let Sora lean over her to look out the window as they took off, and it was truly a sight to behold, though they were barely even off the ground when he slumped back against his seat, hands tightly over his ears.

"Gah! My ears keep popping!" He pouted, and Namine nodded in a dismal agreement.

"Yeah that's the only down thing about plane trips, right Riku?" She asked while peering over Sora, though when she noticed Riku unaffected, and digging into a small white paper bag, she nearly yelped happily. "Hey! Share the wealth!" She leaned an arm over Sora, nearly choking him when she flattened his throat against the back of the soft seat, though when he realized what Riku possessed that Namine wanted, he too joined in the quest to steal some of it, despite the warning glare they both got as the elder of them popped another skittle just to chew in order to avoid the annoying ear-popping of plane rides.

"Hah, Yeah right. You two stole my window seat and now I'm supposed to share my candy with you? Don't either of you have your own? Especially you, Namine. Didn't you have like five pounds left?" He snickered, and she huffed indignantly.

"No. I finished it." She replied, and Sora agreed.

"Well you two should've planned ahead like me and not have polished it all off." He declared.

"Oh come on! Don't be so stingy! We'd give you if it was our candy." Namine added, and Riku scoffed.

"Namine, trying to take candy from you would probably end up in me losing an arm. And if it was Sora's, I could just steal it and he wouldn't even know."

Namine giggled a little, and it took Sora a moment to register the "stupid" joke, but once he did, he let out an offended "Hey!" and reached over to punch him in the shoulder just as Riku was in the middle of reaching over to drop a single skittle in Namine's waiting hand.

"Fine though. One for you." He huffed, ignoring the barely-felt punch, and Sora scowled when no skittle was offered to him.

"Where's mine?" Pouting, he turned to face him just in time to catch Riku's grin. "Eh?"

And before he could've turned back, Riku leaned down to quickly steal a kiss, though his lips lingered, catching Sora by surprise.

But what he didn't expect was the pressure of his tongue at his lips, and then the feeling of a foreign object being passed from his mouth to the younger one's. It squeezed through partially tightened lips, but once there, Sora registered the sweet tasting cherry flavor of the small chewy candy as Riku pulled away.

"There." He said smirking before turning to relax against his seat once more despite Sora's expected little fit.

"Gross!" He flailed, once more reaching over to bang a small fist against Riku's arm.

"What? It isn't as if we haven't exchanged saliva before." Riku snickered in response, though he then drew an exasperated groan from Namine.

"You know, most girls would die to be in my place, having to spend all this time with two flaming homosexuals such as yourselves."

Sora was about to react rashly to that, but Riku beat him to it with his normally cool and playful tone.

"First of all, Nami. I am not a "flaming homosexual" I don't particularly care for other males. I am merely Riku falling in love with Sora, and I'm pretty sure he isn't a "flaming homosexual" either." He paused, though as he did so, Sora would absorb those words with utmost surprise. He knew there were feelings, but falling in love? Blinking, he sank in his chair both embarrassed as well as struck with a bit of awe at the fluttery feelings brought on by his words while he continued. "And further more! If you feel that way, then me and him will go spend our time with Selphie who would probably appreciate us more than you do!"

Namine laughed out loud at that, but nodded anyway.

"You're probably right. But she doesn't have to be around you as much as I do, jerk. If she did, I'm sure she'd feel the same."

And while she had him distracted, Namine reached over the still-reeling Sora just in order to snatch up that coveted little white bag.

"Hey! Argh, fine! Just don't finish them off. You know, you really can't afford to break the swings any more than you do." He smirked, which then got him back his candy after she folded up the bag so it formed a rather hard ball and hurled it at his head.

Sora just sighed and slumped beneath the playful war, though his mood seemed to jump from being extremely cheery to somewhat tired, and dismal.

Though it could've just been the sugar rush wearing off entirely.


Sephiroth released a droll hum in the form of a particularly agitated exhalation as he slumped lazily in the soft chair, fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.

"What's the matter with you?" Xehanort mumbled from his own spot in a similar chair to Sephiroth's, although a few more feet away.

"I've been so bored ever since that nuisance brother of mine stole my –new toy"

Apparently unfazed at the mention of his own son being referred to as a toy, Xehanort tilted his head forwards, closing his eyes in thought as he did so.

"Can't you occupy yourself with someone else? That partner of Leon's is rather attractive."

Sneering, Sephiroth actually mused over this thought for a moment; his elbow moving to rest against the arm of the recliner.

"Be that as it may, I am only interested in Sora."

From a third corner, Xemnas scoffed, his arms tightly curled over his chest while his overall appearance looked a tad more stiff than the others.

Upon his utterance of amusement, Sephiroth glared up, and Xemnas met those eyes head-on, causing that initial tension between them to spark up.

"Hm. Something seems to be bothering the two of you?" Xehanort asserted calmly, as if addressing two teenagers.

Of course, when it was pointed out, they both fell silent for the moment, or until Sephiroth managed a chuckle.

"Xemnas is upset over what happened.."

"I just think what he pulled was unnecessary, and put everything at risk." Xemnas rebutted.

"While I happen to agree, Xemnas, Sephiroth and I had a deal. Sora's nothing more than a piece of recycled trash anyway. I would've preferred to kill him. I need to kill him actually. But money is nice too. If we make enough, perhaps those foolish doctors would finally aid me and I could actually spare him.." As he finished, he let out a breath beneath a bit of a wheeze that showed he had just recuperated from a bad coughing fit.

Xemnas' eyes narrowed as Xehanort finished explaining, and he tried to bite his tongue; he tried to keep quiet, but those words caused him to seethe to no end.

"You don't need to kill him. Did you ever think that you just might be delusional, Xehanort? Taking his heart isn't going to heal you, and supposing you did manage to get it out of him, what? You honestly think you can stroll up to any hospital with another human being's sliced-out heart in your hand and expect them to just willingly put it in your body? It's called psychosis, Xae. You entered it after you killed my sister, your wife, his mother and you need help."

"My, someone seems touchy today. Perhaps a little agitated over the other night?" Sephiroth snickered, and Xemnas scoffed once more while slumping in his own chair.

"I would think I am. I feel nothing for my nephew, but the thought of you putting your disgusting, filthy hands all over someone that resembles my sister has my blood boiling."

Now, the fact that he actually referred to Sora as his own nephew could've suggested something different, something unconscious that he didn't believe on the surface, but thought deep down. Truth be told, he knew it was a disgusting endeavor, What Sephiroth did Sora, that is, and even if he convinced himself he did not care about the boy, there was a connection established after having taken part in his life for that long year. Resembling someone you missed definitely didn't aid things either. So in turn, despite his bitter refusal of accepting the notion that he wasn't all ice, Xemnas turned that hatred of weakness into hatred of the one that caused him such misery, after having been semi-brainwashed to believe that it had been Sora who was the immediate cause of his beloved sister's gruesome death.

Meanwhile, Xehanort seemed to calm from before, though he did shoot a look to his long time partner before he spoke again.

"Well rest assured since I don't plan on killing Sora any time soon any more. Not while Sephiroth and I still have an agreement."

He still looked semi-distressed, but before he could respond, Xehanort's cellular phone jingled, and he flipped it open.

"What? ..They're back?.. Alright, thank you."

He closed the contraption and stuffed it back into the pocket of his pants before turning his attention to Sephiroth, who had been two steps ahead of him.

"I'll go greet them."

-oOo-

Upon first glance, nothing seemed different, and a few seconds more of venturing deeper down those halls passed before Leon glanced up at the familiar voice welcoming them back.

"Hey Cloud." He offered a small smile, especially as the two shared a quick, even somewhat awkward hug, but the other tension would soon be felt, and Leon couldn't help the overbearing sense of dread, even if the warning signs weren't particularly visible upon his partner's face "What's wrong?"

"It's over. He bought us out." The blond replied somberly, and Leon arched a brow as he recalled him and Riku's conversation.

"I don't understand .With what money?"

"The investors turned everything over to his name. And he's got some partner that's apparently loaded. That sort of helps things. But everyone that had quit us has signed on with a new contract under him."

Leon blinked and squinted his gaze after having been struck with a thought.

"Have you?"

Though he was relieved when Cloud shook his head.

"Roxas and the others did though. He thought they'd have no other choice." He paused soon after that, and it appeared somewhat difficult for him to get out the next words. "As did Sora.."

A hushed silence fell over the group and though Sora wasn't all too sure what that meant, he had a strong feeling it was something foul..

"That's impossible. Sora wasn't even here to sign anything.." Riku pointed out.

"He didn't have to be." Chimed the newly added voice that made them all look up.

It seemed as if no one wanted to breathe at that moment; Sora bit back the yelp that then escaped in the form of a barely audible whimper before sliding behind Riku who was currently seething at the fact that his brother would even dare to show his face.

"What are you doing, Seph?" Leon asked in a way that depicted him trying to reason.

"Why, taking back everything that's rightfully mine." He paused and those cold, emerald eyes narrowed to the smaller form trying to hide. "..everything."

"Looks like my aim was a little off." Riku broke in, causing that attention of the elder male to shift to his younger brother. "I'm surprised you've recovered that fast."

"Heheh, don't flatter yourself, brother. A few stitches and I was as good as new. Besides, you don't have it in you to kill."

"Not like you?" He replied instantly, which in turn drew a bit of confusion from the rest of them, Leon especially.

But Sephiroth merely smirked even if his glare intensified, almost in a mocking sort of way that dared him to speak up.

"I suppose you could say that." He murmured before once again glancing up to Leon. "If you and Sora would join me in my office, everything will be explained there."

Riku started to protest when Leon put a hand in front of him to hold him back, and although deeply perturbed, he obliged, even allowing Namine's arms to curl affectionately around his one in a soothing gesture while he watched Sora take off with Leon after Sephiroth, though he caught the younger one's remorseful glance over his shoulder as they left

"This isn't right.." He murmured when they were all out of earshot. "This really isn't right.."

-oOo-

Sephiroth led the two out of the main building and over to the stage where Leon was surprised to find people working, tearing things down, putting things up; it almost made his heart ache to see his parent's dream being destroyed before his very eyes, but he bit back the sadness and focused on the matter at hand, which was none other than the little heap of a barely-healing child huddling fairly close as they walked on.

They climbed a twirling flight of stairs that sat just on the other side of that new room, right in front of the two large walls blocking off the rest of the stage, and once at the top, they'd find a newly-added wide stretch of platform that hosted a few large recliners, a couch on the other side, and a small coffee table in the center.

Xemnas and Xehanort occupied two of those chairs, while the third, in the center, remained empty.

Once Sora registered the faces, he instantly tensed and thus moved indiscreetly behind Leon, while at the same time making sure to keep close in the manner much like a shy toddler would, to its parent.

"I would introduce you, but I do believe you're both already well acquainted." Sephiroth offered politely before moving to take up his own abandoned chair between the two others, leaving Leon and Sora to awkwardly stand.

Though Leon wasn't surprised to see Xehanort, he was surprised to see Xemnas, and while he cast him a look, Xemnas turned his head slightly, obviously trying to avert his eyes in the most careless manner he could muster.

"Now, I'm sure things are obvious, Leon, yes? Sora being a minor and all.." Sephiroth intertwined his fingers before settling the locked hands in his lap while his own eyes wandered off to the side in thought. "He didn't have to be here to make this decision, so long as there were people here who could make it for him."

"That would've been me." Leon quickly interrupted, but as if expecting this, Sephiroth grinned.

"It would've been had you been his guardian. But as you can see, his actual father is present."

And although silent after that observation, narrowed eyes were fixed to the boy who trembled, trying desperately to avoid eye contact with those cold, beady orbs so piercingly fierce that it made the boy's blood turn to ice in his veins.

Sora shivered, obviously at a loss of how to act given his current state. His mind reeled with past images that had him utterly horror-stricken and white, all color draining from his face as he reached up to grab a hold of Leon's shirt toward his side, as if it would keep him from falling.

He had to breathe in deeply many a time just to settle his rapidly beating heart that threatened to rip out of his chest from the sheer force with which it jumped within his ribs, and in the end he eventually closed his eyes tight in order to envision a more happier place than where he currently was.

"That makes no difference. I have his papers. I am his guardian." Leon declared confidently, despite the unfaltering grin that still remained upon Sephiroth's face.

Though toward the side, Xemnas sighed ever so lightly and Leon would look up slightly confused.

"Yes well, That's why we have the owner of the orphanage from which Sora hailed from to discredit you as a fit guardian and claim those documents forged so long as you continue to give us problems. I believe forgery is a felony?"

Leon was a bit taken aback by the sudden brick wall he had just hit. Even with Xemnas sitting there he hadn't thought that in the least. Maybe he just didn't think his own brother would stoop this low. Then again, he was capable of rape, and this seemed minimal compared to that. A sigh, and a hand was lifted to his forehead in order to ease the confusion-induced headache.

"Why do you want him so badly? He's just a kid. Haven't you had your fun?" Leon's voice tinkered on the edge of pleading, and thus Sephiroth had to fight to contain the cruel pleasure at the sound of his brother's desperation.

"I have great plans for him. You see, at first this was going to remain just a stage and thus in future shows performed, he would take Namine's place opposite me." He replied with a cant of his head, though it wasn't done there. "Though after some thought, and careful consideration, along with the advice of my good partner, Xehanort, we've come up with an even better idea. But you won't get to see the finished result until next week should you remain to work under me, which I might remind you, is totally of your own free will. Though should you choose to leave, I would hate to see Sora go unlooked after."

"You seem to be forgetting, Seph, that the moment you touched him you put arrows leading back to you all over his body. What makes you think I wouldn't go file that report?"

"No!" Sora cried after stepping between Leon and the others. "I said you can't!"

Sephiroth motioned with his head towards the outburst to Leon's dismay.

"I believe that's what makes me know you won't."

Leon sighed and moved a hand to rest atop Sora's head reassuringly, even if it pained him to hold true to such a word.

"Sora.." He murmured, but the boy quickly shook his head.

"You promised. Besides, it would screw up everything here too.."

Steely blue eyes narrowed as he leaned his head forwards and off to the side, grimacing in aggravation at the sound of the small exhaled chuckle from behind lightly closed lips that had turned upwards in a cruel smirk.

"Such a good little thing already. Don't you get it, Leon? There's too many skeletons in his closet. He knows what he's done and he wants to forget it. Are you really going to force him to remember such nightmares?" He chimed, and Leon sighed once more in utter defeat.

"You win Sephiroth." He muttered, though then after he looked up and aimed an accusatory finger at him. "But you'll only have my complete cooperation on one condition." Leon stated.

"What's that?"

"You will not touch him like you did. And I swear I don't care if this place is run into the ground. I will go to the authorities"

Sephiroth seemed tense for the moment, as if he'd just had a dream shot to hell, but in the end, after having closed his eyes thoughtfully, he offered a single nod.

"Very well. You have my word that he will not be touched, by me, like that again."

And his expression was completely solemn without an ounce of sarcasm or otherwise dark grin. Still, one had to wonder how true to his word someone like him could've been, or so Leon thought.

"And now that you're assured, leave us. Since we have many a preparation to make."

Leon lingered a few moments more, before he reached down to pry Sora's gripping hands from the fabric of his shirt.

"I'm sorry.." He murmured faintly, and although terrified, Sora nodded, despite his tightly closed eyes.

"I want this. I'm sorry for the problems I've caused.."

Sora's out-of-place apology caught Leon by surprised, and he would've answered had Sephiroth not interjected.

"I said go." He growled, and after casting his brother one last disapproving stare, he did leave, making his way back down the spiraling staircase and all the while inwardly cursing himself for being so utterly ridiculous.

The guilt was overbearing, and as he reached the bottom he leaned against the railing with a hand to his head. What kind of person lets this happen to a child? But what choice did they have? They were on the verge of losing everything, and as cruel as it sounded, Leon didn't want to risk it all on this new stranger. Even if he knew he had now taken on the responsibility of him..

"What is he doing to him?"

The new voice snapped him out of his thoughts, and when Leon straightened his gaze he'd come to see Riku standing in the doorway of that vast, dusty room.

He looked plainly hurt, but somewhere Leon could see that familiar spark of anger and attitude in oceanic eyes.

"Nothing. We have an agreement that Sora will be safe.." He assured, even if he wasn't sure of such himself. Riku didn't appear to buy into it so easily either.

"I want to see him."

"You can't"

"Why not?"

Leon caught the hint of desperation that he was trying to hide, probably even before he caught it.

"Because if we go back on our end of the deal then so will he."

Riku blinked, and bit back the sigh which in turn caused his exhalation to be released in the form of a small, aggravated snort.

"What sort of person are you, Leon? Why would you allow Sora to be in this situation? You're supposed to be his guardian."

"I know that, Riku! Do you think I haven't thought of that? You think I don't feel bad 'cause of that? I'm trying to do was best for everyone."

"Well apparently not Sora. Why would you even trust Sephiroth after what he did? How is that even possible?"

"I don't know! Alright? Damn it, Riku. What do you want me to do or say? I can't keep Sora from them because both his real father and the person that actually adopted him out to me is up there. The only thing we can do is just have a little hope that Sephiroth will be true to his word if we leave it alone, and by staying to work for Seph we can at least keep somewhat of an eye on him, until we think of something else.."

Riku sighed out loud this time and shook his head. It was all too much to take in at that point, and no matter how hard he tried to dismiss the thoughts; tried to dismiss those images of blue eyes and that sweet smile, he'd find that they just kept popping into his head.

Though he'd try to change the subject then, green eyes taking a quick glance around the room that was undergoing vast construction.

"So what's he building here anyway.." He stated while trying to sound like he actually cared.

Leon looked around himself, and although equally as concerned, he was a bit more genuinely interested in what Sephiroth was doing to his stage.

"It looks like a dance floor, or a club of some sort.."

-oOo-

"I am truly sorry I had to do that, Sora. But your lack of cooperation left me with no choice." He tried to sound remorseful, but even as he did his words came out more sarcastic and dark.

Although he would've liked to have had Sora walking either in front of him, or at least along side of him, he allowed the younger one to trail behind, though cautious eyes would glance over his shoulder every so often to make sure he wasn't trying anything funny.

"..like I–I was just going to sit there and let you do that to me.." Sora muttered a little more than uneasily. Every muscle in his body was tense as he walked, and he grit his teeth hard to settle the nauseousness in his stomach.

Sephiroth sighed lightly and paused, allowing just enough time for Sora to unknowingly catch up. Though once he did, he instantly sprang backwards.

"Well that's why I did what I did. Because you wouldn't let it happen."

"I trusted you!" He finally exclaimed, actually daring to lift those eyes to meet the dark-harboring green ones of the elder.

"And you can still."

"Yeah right!"

"Sora, Sora. The only reason you don't trust me is because..well you don't trust me. Just think how easier it would be if you willed yourself into trusting all that I did. You wouldn't suffer as much as you are. That's for sure."

Sora growled lowly but sighed. He looked to be seriously considering that poor attempt at brainwashing for a moment, though every time he did, and strangely enough, he'd get the strange lingering taste of cherry in his mouth, and it seemed to bring him back to where he was.

When Sephiroth got no other response other than that low growl, he smirked faintly and turned straight once more before ushering the younger one forwards with a hand to his back, although Sora quickly jumped at the touch and instantly slid that distance away.

"Well either way, there's something I have planned for you to do for me, and I expect you to go through with it without complaint."

The possibilities that ruled had his stomach flipping, but with firmly set arms and a look of unshakeable resolve, he nodded a single time. It wasn't as if he had any other choice anyway.

-oOo-

The reunion between Namine and Roxas was fairly bittersweet. Nothing too horrible though; Namine merely chewed him out for not trying harder to get in contact with any of them upon realizing what was happening, and then for actually agreeing to stay on to work for him.

"I'm sorry.." He murmured with averted eyes. "I was trying to get people together to start rehearsing for your performance. But those that remained didn't seem too interested in performing."

Namine huffed and bounced on her long-abandoned trampoline quite idly.

"So where's Riku and Sora?" Roxas then asked curiously, which caused Namine to fall to the bed in a sitting position and also in a tense sort of fashion.

"Um.."

"Well I'm here.."

Glancing to the entrance of Namine's practice room, the two would note Riku and his somber appearance as he entered, making his way to the trampoline where he sat on the edge besides his friend.

"Hey, Riku! Glad you're back" Roxas chimed happily, though he instantly fell silent upon the bit of a frown he was greeted with. "What's wrong?"

"Oh well, lets see. How about everything?" Riku grumbled a reply that made Namine sigh slightly before shuffling over to Roxas' other side, and then swinging her legs over the side of the trampoline.

"Well, fill me in.."

"Well first of all, it's finally happened." Namine broke the air of somberness with that cheery smile that had Roxas somewhat confused.

"Eh?"

Turning, she leaned over to whisper something in his ear, something that had Roxas bearing a deadpan.

"You're not serious." He stated, and Namine chuckled a little.

"Ask him yourself."

So he did, even though he drew back at the slightly snappy response he received.

"Roxas– just..Quit it. This isn't the time." He growled at Roxas' expression of surprise.

"No, seriously!"

"What! I would like to think so, Okay? But he doesn't seem like he's even fully aware, and furthermore, now that Sephiroth– " He trailed off at the recollection of that horrid night and sighed while falling back onto the trampoline's bed.

Roxas cast his confused glance to his friend as he sprawled out, and then up to Namine questioningly, but she shook her head to show that it wasn't a good conversation topic, and catching the hint, Roxas quickly quieted.

"Well where is he now..?" He asked somberly.

"With Sephiroth." Came Riku's growled reply.

But as if on cue the double doors swung open then after, alerting the three to the presences in the doorway.

"Well, well. Just the girl I wanted to see." Sephiroth called rather cheerily while shoving a rather sick looking Sora into the room.

Upon noticing, Riku quickly took it upon himself to dart over to the two, just to catch the boy before he stumbled.

"What do you want now, asshole?" Namine called as she walked up behind them, thin arms sliding across her chest as she glanced off to the side to avoid that piercing stare.

"Hmph. Since when did you have such a foul mouth, and to me even, girl?" He hissed though no sooner then after did he pass that thought off. "In any case. I didn't come down here to quarrel with you. Merely to drop off the boy and have a civil conversation regarding your stay here, which I might add is one of the only few that is required."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Your creative genius of course." He snickered, while holding out the printed papers of Kingdom Hearts she had sent to Roxas. "I enjoyed this much, and will allow it to be presented. Though since there was no ending I took it upon myself to create one."

She reached up to take the offered papers back, but upon hearing he had created his own ending, she laughed a tad sarcastically.

"Well that's all well and good, but we got the ending. It was emailed last night."

Sephiroth appeared to be deep in thought, but in the end he shook his head.

"I'm sure my ending would be much more suited..." He trailed off when he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, Sora huddling in Riku's arms. "Just, start rehearsals immediately, and Sora.– " He turned to fully face them, and that younger one's gaze snapped up to attention. "You better be back at my room by ten sharp."

He hadn't waited for an affirmation from the younger one, and instead merely slammed the doors after his dramatic exit, leaving the startled four behind.

Though once he was safely gone, Riku turned Sora around to face him, and with gentle hands on his shoulders, he shook him a little, just to snap him out of his apparent daze.

"What happened?" Roxas asked, stepping up besides Namine who had also turned to face the two with a concerned look.

"Sora? Sora!" Riku continued to shake gently, until finally the younger one seemed to blink out of his trance. Curiously, his eyes wandered around the vastness of the familiar room, taking in the nearly-forgotten sights.

"Wh-what?" He asked rather apathetically, causing Riku to draw back slightly surprised.

"Are you alright?"

"Uh.."

Truthfully, he seemed unfazed, unaffected, but it was something that should've been expected. Call it mild shock brought on by seeing him again, or a defense mechanism meant to block out the painful memories that his face brought on through the use of Sora's apparent indifference that greatly different from his reaction that night.

Tilting his head to one side curiously, he watched Riku's expression change from one of confusion to a calmer one, but then he'd lunge forward with an arm around his back when Sora suddenly jerked forwards, a hand moving to his clothed stomach as he yelped with the tiny sting that flared just barely with his slight motions.

"What the hell!" He cried, though as recollection came sweeping back he calmed and shook it off, despite the fact that he felt that familiar coloration in his cheeks. Of course, by then curiosity already ruled over them all anyway, but he ignored it while small arms slid over his chest.

"What's wrong?" Riku asked while reaching out to grab at the hem of the t-shirt of his, but Sora quickly batted his hand away.

"Nothing! It's nothing. Just got a stomach pain." He asserted, and was then at ease when Riku appeared to believe him.

"Fine.." He murmured while idly strolling behind him, looking innocently enough. Though no soon after did he lunge forward, hooking his arms around Sora's despite his startled cry. "Quick, look!"

Complying, Namine quickly moved forwards to take hold of that once-abandoned hem and she lifted it fast, pulling the fabric to just below his chest.

"Get off!" He growled and pulled, even though the tighter arms around his held him firmly in place.

"In a second" Riku snickered before bowing his head down to nudge against Sora's affectionately, despite the forceful hold he had him in. "What's there, Nami?"

Sora winced slightly at the feel of the bandage, slightly above his navel, being pulled back by small fingers, but once noted, it was replaced, and Namine's face fell in utter bewilderment.

"Wierd.." She murmured, much to Riku's confusion.

"What is it?"

"It's a belly piercing.."

"..."


note : Thank you Abbandon who remembered the movie Lost and Disturbed when I couldn't! great movie by the way, and where I borrowed the "I'm Riku falling in love with Sora" line x3