Disclaimer: not mine

Chapter 4

As nice as the sun was, if they stayed so fully out of the water for too long, they'd dry out dangerously. Riku was out cold but would he sleep through being moved? Roxas stroked Sora's hair, humming softly to him, hesitantly touching his mind. Sora blinked and then got to his knees, carefully slipping an arm under Riku's shoulders and then his tail, lifting as he stood. He staggered slightly but then began walking towards the water, Riku limp in his arms. They quickly followed him down to the sea, slipping in.

Axel swam to where Riku had originally appeared, finding the cave opening. He then returned and took Riku from the complacent Sora, carrying him carefully into the cave, settling him down where he'd obviously been sleeping for a while. He swam back out and took Sora, swimming with him at the surface until he reached the opening and Sora obediently took a deep breath, holding it while Axel swam fast through the tunnel to where he could surface, Roxas following him.

There was evidence of Sora at least sometimes sleeping in the cave, human bedding and towels on the ground, so it was easy enough to have him remove the wet clothing, dry himself, and bed down. He instantly fell asleep as commanded, even in his dreams they would be all he saw.

"Now what?" Roxas asked very softly.

"Let them sleep, they're both going to need it," Axel told him. "Come on, I want to scout around a bit and see where Saïx went with Xigbar, see if he's alive or not still."

Roxas nodded and they left the cave to let them sleep and recover from the stress and fear.

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Sora slept deeply, dreaming of the sea and the three Sirens. He didn't stir at all as the hours passed, unable to wake without one of them telling him to.

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Saïx was not happy, they should have killed the human. Axel and Roxas had made their views clear, they believed the pup when he claimed the human had saved him. As if that would ever happen. Humans hated them. He glanced at Xigbar and grimaced, at least he was still alive, his throat mostly sealed over now, though he'd bear the scar for life. How could he have allowed that pup to inflict so much damage?

Xemnas was not going to be happy when they returned.

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Riku woke slowly, feeling a hand gently stroking through his hair, sluggish mind assuming it was Sora…except he could feel water all around him. It took a few moments for his muddled mind to bring up the memories and he tensed.

"Easy," a soft voice murmured. "You're okay Riku. Sora's sleeping on the ground, no one's hurt either of you. The others are gone, it's just me and Axel."

"Who?" he asked sleepily, eyes finally opening to stare up at the blond Siren, who smiled at him.

"My name's Roxas. I…I'm sorry for all of this Riku. It shouldn't have happened. Saïx lied about what he saw going on, we came to save you." Clawed fingers kept gently stroking his hair and it felt nice.

For some reason, Roxas didn't feel like a threat, but he didn't know why. He felt…safe. He looked a bit like Sora, was that why? He felt so confused.

"It's okay," Roxas was speaking very softly to him, and Riku realised they were in the cave.

He forced himself to move, sitting up, and Roxas' hands moved to support him. He curled his tail instinctively to hide the wound, but a hand on his tail stopped him, claws touching the edge ever so gently. He stayed frozen as Roxas touched the area, he knew Sora had checked the wound when they'd first arrived, but he'd only been semi-conscious when he had, exhausted after everything had been removed and it had just been a very quick check, probably to make sure he wasn't bleeding or anything. He shivered at the feeling of claws against his scales and Roxas looked up at him in concern.

"Does it hurt?" he asked, and Riku shook his head. Roxas nodded, seemingly relieved, and then carefully touched the area in the depression, as if looking for something? "I don't think this will heal."

"It's missing, how could it?"

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"I've seen other Sirens with bite marks the same size from sharks, and those will often regrow to heal, but whatever did this has made it heal funny," Roxas explained.

Riku shrugged, apparently unbothered by the possibility of being permanently injured. He kept looking at him as if confused…oh. If he'd been alone so long, or at least only around humans, then he probably knew nothing about being in a pod at all. Roxas leant in and nuzzled at him, feeling him stiffen before relaxing.

"What…" Riku trembled slightly, and Roxas wrapped an arm around him.

"It's okay Riku," he told him. "It's instinct, nothing to be scared of. You know I'm not a threat, just another pup like you." He clicked softly, nuzzling him, and he felt Riku respond, heard him clicking back.

Riku wouldn't fit in their pod but maybe…they could form a new one and stay forever? Then again, with what they'd done to Sora, why would Riku want them to stay?

"Sora?" Riku asked after a while.

"He'll sleep till we wake him," Roxas told him, hand stroking up and down his back, careful of his stunning fins. He wished he had such exotic colouring instead of his rather plain and simple fins and blue/black scales.

"Want him back," Riku sounded sleepy again, and Roxas wondered how close he was, sleeping and eating a lot were indicators the older Sirens kept a look out for. Then again, it could just be a shock to his system if he'd never had proper interactions with others of his own kind.

"He'll be yours," Roxas promised as Riku went limp against him. He gently settled him back down and then surfaced to check on Sora, seeing him sleeping utterly peaceful.

He could really see similarities between them and wondered if he had any family members who had vanished into the sea. It wasn't like he knew anything about those who had birthed him, he hadn't been one of those who remained with the pod. He had drifted in the sea with some siblings until he had been found by Xemnas' pod. Few pups remained with the pod that produced them, to ensure diversity.

Sora had been sleeping a long time, so Roxas called out to him, and Sora sat up, eyes immediately finding him. Sora crawled to the edge of the water and Roxas curiously reached up to touch his face. He'd never been so close to a human before. He was so…soft, no claws, sharp teeth, fins…nothing to defend himself with. He could feel the draw of his mind, but made himself ignore it, Sora was to be Riku's, he had no right to the utter openness of the human's mind.

He wasn't entirely sure what the human needed to ensure he remained in good health, Axel probably knew more than he did, but he was off getting food. So he gave him the basic instructions to see to his needs and Sora stood, walking away dreamily. A little while later he returned and went back to sleep.

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Axel swam into the cave to find nothing seemed different and that worried him, Riku should have woken.

Roxas grinned at him and grabbed a good-sized fish to sink his teeth into. "He woke up earlier but I think I knocked him out just by being a good fellow pup. He…he didn't understand his own reactions Axel."

"I get the feeling he was very young when separated from his pod," he admitted. He swam closer, letting the scent of the fish rouse the younger Siren, Riku beginning to stir. "Hungry?" he asked as cyan eyes slowly fluttered open.

Riku sat up, blinking in confusion, hesitantly accepting the fish, staring at it before taking a slow bite before ripping in hungrily. They stayed quietly, sharing the fish among them peacefully.

Axel did notice Roxas eating more than normal and winced internally, he might not make it back to Xion. It wasn't like it was the end of the world if he spent his first season with someone else. Someone else at the moment would mean him as the only unattached Siren around and with no other humans there either. It didn't bother him; it wasn't like he was mated or anything.

They eventually finished eating, Roxas sticking by Riku's side, helping him stay calm. Riku was a lot warier of Axel which was understandable and he didn't take it personally.

"Ready to have Sora be yours?" he asked after a while.

Riku looked up at the surface and then back at Axel. "He doesn't deserve this. He was so scared when he first freed me, that this would be his fate, or I'd kill him, but he still freed me."

Axel grimaced, yeah, they had really screwed up. He would not be forgiving Saïx any time soon for dragging them into this mess. Then again, he should have done his own recon of the situation as well. "I'm sorry pup, but it can't be undone," he told him, hearing the soft sound of grief in response.

Finally, Riku headed for the surface of the cave pool and they followed.

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Sora woke slowly, feeling utterly safe, protected. His body was totally relaxed, floating limp, and he didn't have the strength to move, to even open his eyes.

"Sora, Sora please wake up," a soft, worried, voice called to him gently.

He struggled to open his eyes, not wanting them to worry, and slowly a familiar face came into focus above him. "Ri…ku…" he managed to slur the name, and Riku smiled in relief at him, the sight of sharp teeth not at all scary. His head began to clear a bit, fear creeping in as he continued to feel unable to move, but then the fear faded away into acceptance, even as in the back of his mind he realised something was very wrong.

Sora felt Riku's arms around him, cradling him close, and he let his eyes fall closed again, hearing the steady beat of the Siren's heart, different to a human heartbeat but soothing…

"Sora?"

"Hmmm?"

"You can understand me?"the voice asked, and Sora slowly struggled to open his eyes again, who was talking?

"Who?" All he could see was Riku, he was so beautiful, Sora just wanted to stay in his arms forever.

"Sora please," the voice pleaded, making Sora feel sad.

He blinked dazedly up at Riku, struggling to lift a heavy arm, fingers grazing a cool cheek before his arm dropped, Riku catching it. It was hard to think, to focus, his mind foggy…Riku…he could hear Riku? As he thought that, Riku smiled softly at him. For a second he felt a jolt of terror but it immediately faded, and he knew he should know what was happening but he couldn't bring himself to care. He distantly heard noise around him, a hand touching his forehead that had him wanting to pull away but then it was gone.

"It's okay now Sora, you can sleep if you want," Riku told him, and Sora sighed in relief, feeling the darkness pulling at him. "I'm here, you're safe," Riku promised softly as everything faded away.

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Riku cradled Sora's limp body close, rocking him slightly, even as his hand stroked up and down his back. He buried his face in wet brown hair, fighting the urge to shake himself. He'd been awake and aware! It had worked, even if Sora's thoughts had all been centred on him, he had still been able to think. Riku had been terrified when Sora's heart had stopped at one point in the process, they'd almost lost him.

He looked up at Axel and Roxas eventually to find them waiting nearby without being too close. He was just glad that the two of them had been able to end their spell over Sora without needing that other blue-haired Siren there as well. As soon as they had, Sora's life signs had plummeted. He'd actually been dead for a short time and Riku had been terrified that he wouldn't come back, but he had.

For the first time in his life Riku had sung, he had poured everything he had into that song, begging Sora to come back, to stay with him, and Sora's heart and slowly begun to beat again. It had taken some time to get a response from him though, for Sora to regain consciousness, but he'd recognised him, that had to be good. He knew from his life in the lab that being dead meant no oxygen to the brain and that was very important, could cause a lot of damage even if the person came back. Even if Sora was damaged, Riku would look after him somehow. Surely it would be better than how he had been before when they'd had him completely unaware.

He shifted to rest on the ledge, still holding Sora close, just needing to feel him breath. He stroked the soft hair, leaning in to nuzzle gently. He didn't ever want to lose him which was crazy. Sora had done so much for him and when he'd needed him…Riku had failed, but never again.

"Easy pup, calm down, he's safe with you," Axel murmured, and Riku blinked, realising the threatening noises he'd been making.

He took a deep breath, struggling to calm down. Sora was alive and he would be safe, he would. "Sorry," he finally forced out, and Axel laughed.

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"Hey, you're being a lot calmer about all this than most would. Just remember, he's alive and he's yours," Axel assured the pup.

If he didn't know better, he'd think Riku wanted more from Sora than just a warm body to spend his season with…was it possible the pup saw him as a potential mate? Was that even possible? He'd never heard of a Siren taking a human as their mate before. Ugh, who would know? Maybe…what had her name been? He'd run into a much smaller pod when he was young, they'd seemed to know more about humans and how they could interact safely and all than anyone else he'd ever heard of…Aqua! That was her name. She'd had a mate, Terra, and they'd had their own pups with them, Ventus and Naminé. Maybe they'd know? They could be anywhere though; it had been years since he'd seen them. They didn't like Xemnas, maybe…they'd let him, Roxas, and Xion join them? Maybe even Riku if he would ever agree to leave the cove.

His eyes went to the sleeping human, his colour looked a lot better now, he wasn't white or blue tinged anymore. He wasn't shivering in the water either, thanks to the magic ensuring his body would handle long periods in it. He couldn't breathe under the surface but otherwise he was relatively safe now from any ill effects it could have on him. That was very good since he doubted Riku was going to want to let go any time soon.

"Let him sleep, he's got a lot to recover from," he offered, and Riku nodded.

"I'm not making him sleep," he confirmed.

The pup had incredible control, he'd felt the draw to Sora's mind, had forced himself to ignore it once they realised what was going on and that the human would be given to Riku. How was Riku staying out of his mind? He'd obviously been gently speaking into his mind when he'd woken since Sora had spoken as if in answer to someone, but was that all he'd done? Then again, he had said he wanted Sora to be himself. Was that what gave him the strength to keep his mental distance?

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Sora woke slowly, feeling very groggy and sluggish. He could feel water lapping over his bare skin, strong arms wrapped around him…a heartbeat under his ear…not human. He tried to move, feeling his fingers twitch. He felt his breathing speed up, something was wrong…

"Shh Sora, it's okay, you're safe," he heard a soft voice murmuring to him but it felt strange…like he wasn't hearing it with his ears. "Take your time, there's no rush."

He finally managed to open his eyes, staring up at a blurry figure which slowly came into focus…Riku. His lips parted as he tried to speak, coughing instead, but then a cupped hand was pressed to his lips, water in it. He swallowed, tasting salt, weakly trying to turn his head away, salt water wasn't good.

"Drink Sora, you need fluids," the voice urged, and he found himself drinking.

His mouth should feel drier from the salt but he felt better. "R…Riku," he managed to say, and Riku smiled at him, Sora feeling claws very gently running through his hair. It felt really good, calming. "Wha's…happened?" he struggled to ask. He tried to move, to sit up, but he couldn't.

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Riku could feel Sora's confusion, could feel him heading towards panic as he tried to move, to make sense of what was happening. He hated having to make him drink, but it was important he keep hydrated. He shifted Sora gently, holding him a little more reclined. It was wonderful to have Sora able to understand him but he hated that it was because Sora was under his magic, that it was direct contact with his mind that was allowing them to speak.

He didn't want to control Sora but he was worried about his health at the moment, panicking would put a lot of stress on his body and he wasn't sure he could handle it. He leant over Sora, and pressed their foreheads together, seeing the way his eyes struggled to focus, and that scared him.

"I'm here Sora," he whispered into his mind, and Sora's eyes went wide, breath coming in gasps, as he struggled to make sense of what was happening, the truth beginning to sink in.

"Nnnooo," Sora was shaking, and Riku felt sick at feeling his fear.

"Please Sora, calm down. You…you died; your body can't take this now," he tried to explain. He stroked his hair and skin, and slowly Sora went limp, breathing becoming steadier. Sora stared up at him, fear and betrayal clear in his expression, and Riku shook his head. "No Sora, no," he crooned softly as well, nuzzling at him.

"You saved me, trusted me, I would never do this to you," he swore. "What's the last thing you remember?" He hoped Sora remembered something from that day, that would help him realise Riku hadn't done this to him.

Sora blinked at him, obviously confused, and Riku could feel him struggling to remember. Ever so carefully, he nudged Sora's thoughts, just to guide him in the right direction, finding his memories of that morning, watching Sora frown as he remembered hearing Siren Song, a glimpse of unfamiliar forms in the water and then nothing.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know they were there till it was too late. I tried to get to you, to stop them," he explained. "They thought you were keeping me here, that you were like where I was before. I nearly killed the one that held me back," he admitted, seeing Sora's eyes widen at that. He kept on gently explaining what had happened, about Axel and Roxas staying and helping. Sora shuddered as he heard how he'd actually died, and Riku nuzzled him again, reassuring them both that he was alive.

Riku was relieved when Sora moved, lifting a shaking hand to reach for him but he was weak, unable to finish the move, so Riku caught his hand gently. He could feel Sora's fear at how weak he was, at how hard it was to move. It was amazing how much Sora knew about the damage a lack of air could cause humans and it was all running through his mind, a little jumbled maybe, which didn't help calm Sora down at all.

"You're here Sora, you're alive and aware."

He didn't think he'd ever forget the moment Sora's gaze had gone from glassy fixation on Axel and Roxas to utterly empty, his body going completely inert as his heart had stopped. Once exposed to a Siren's magic, a human became dependant on it to continue living and they had all misjudged the point they could pull back to before Riku stepped in.

"Sscared," Sora told him, and Riku nodded.

"I know," he could feel it.

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Roxas stayed well back with Axel, watching their interactions. It was very obvious once Sora became aware of what had been done to him, his fear, but Riku seemed to be handling it all well. Something seemed wrong though, watching the way Sora lifted his arm, how he couldn't seem to manage it. He wished he could understand what Sora was saying, instead of only being able to pick up on the emotional tone. He sounded scared though and Roxas hoped he'd be okay. He felt so bad for his role in it all.

He knew Riku was ensuring the lightest touch he could, the only reason Sora was able to think and speak and wasn't like he'd been under the effect of their combined Song. Having to hold back so much had to be very hard but Riku didn't seem to care about the effort needed to keep from overwhelming his human.

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Sora felt his fear fade, not disappear, but it diminished, and he knew that was because of Riku. He could feel him, in his mind, but it was starting to feel like he'd always been there, like he belonged. Why had he been scared of it? It felt incredible, he would never be alone again, he was safe with Riku.

Riku stroked his hair and Sora weakly pressed into the touch, diminished or not, he was still scared that he would be permanently unable to move much, his thoughts sluggish. He would get better, he would, please…

Riku gently shifted him so that they were chest to chest, Sora's limp legs straddling his tail, his head on Riku's shoulder, one of Riku's hands stroking up and down his back. It was only then that Sora realised he was naked, not just missing his shirt, but he couldn't bring himself to care. His arms hung limp at his sides, Riku's skin cool but not uncomfortable against his own. He gasped as he felt a jolt of warmth down his spine as Riku's hand pressed in, continuing to stroke up and down, something sinking in….

"Riku?" he asked in confusion, hearing soft clicks coming from the Siren, relaxing at the sound.

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Riku stroked up and down Sora's spine, feeling him jolt in response to Riku's magic. He didn't know exactly what he was doing, trusting his instincts in his desire to heal Sora. He was glad being in such close contact with his body wasn't uncomfortable for Sora, it felt nice to him, his human was warm and soft. He felt his magic pool in his hand, moving into Sora's body, clicking softly to comfort him.

He felt Sora jolt again, his breathing speeding up, but he wasn't in pain, and Riku gently moved his hand up to cup his head, Sora's knowledge telling him that was where any possible damage likely was.

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Axel watched in awe as Riku tried to heal Sora, acting solely from instinct, it was obvious no one had taught him. He was wasting magic but it seemed like Sora was responding as his body jolted twice and then Riku cupped Sora's head in his hand.

Sora gasped, spine arching, and his arms jerked halfway up before dropping. Axel watched hopefully, feeling Roxas shift closer to him so he wrapped an arm around him in comfort. Sora let out a strangled cry, his whole body jerking wildly, Riku using his other arm to hold him steady but it wasn't enough. Roxas moved in to help hold Sora between them, Axel hanging back since Riku responded better to Roxas.

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Roxas pressed himself against Sora's back, helping to hold him steady as Riku's tried to heal him, hoping it worked. He could feel Sora's body shaking, muscles relaxing and then tightening over and over. His head was thrown back, Riku supporting it, giving Roxas a look at glassy blue eyes rolling back. Sora gave one more big jolt and then went limp, eyes closed, but he was breathing slow and steady.

"Is he alright?" he asked worriedly.

"I don't know," Riku answered, and Roxas moved back so that Riku could reposition Sora in his arms, cradling him close.

The water shifted as Axel moved closer and Roxas saw Riku swallow down his first reaction to his nearness. Axel looked Sora over from where he was. "He looks better and that was some impressive magic use."

It was very impressive! Roxas didn't think he could do that even with help. He just hoped that it had fully healed Sora and that when he woke up he would be fine again. It was weird, but he was curious to try and get to know the human, as much as he could when they couldn't understand each other anyway. Riku could understand the humans speech so maybe he could learn?

TBC….

So poor Sora's had some major trauma but things should be improving now. Should Sora be 100% fine after Riku's healing or should he be left with any damage from his time spent with no oxygen while technically dead.