"You've gotten much faster Sora!" Ven cheers him on as he blocks another one of his sword attacks.
"Yeah I think I'm starting to keep up." Sora beams as he shoves Ven back with all he can before blocking an attack by Roxas who tried to strike him from behind.
"Your reflexes are better." Roxas muses.
"They are!" Sora gets so excited that Ven is able to come up to his side and knock the sword out of his hand. "Aw man I was doing so good!" Sora whines, falling to his knees in defeat.
"You can't let emotion get the best of you Sora. It could kill you in battle." Terra says after observing that fight. "You were doing well till you got overly excited."
"I couldn't help it! This fight was so fun and I was keeping up with them for once and...Ahhh!" Sora gets up and tackles Ven. The two boys roll around, wrestling each other till they get back up and start jumping up and down in their delight.
"He did do good." Roxas smiles at the two, chuckling when Sora is hugging on him next. "It use to take a lot longer to beat you."
"Yeah I was really impressed Sora!" Ven's eyes are sparkling.
Sora soaks in their praises, feeling his heart sore. He can sense their excitement too and it just adds to his own. It's almost too much.
Another ten years have passed. Sora has been training hard all of those years. But at least it was along side his brothers. Terra focused mainly on increasing Sora's strength and speed, while also teaching him the ways of a real sword.
At first Sora was really clumsy. The sword was heavy for him and he was slow upon swinging it. His brothers were so good at it. He was no match for any of them in a sword fight and when ever he would have to spar them he would fail miserably. Their strength and speed was way out of his league too. When running a lap, Sora would start, and most of them would have already ran one.
Now Sora is much faster and stronger. He's not as strong as them though. He still hasn't gotten as strong as his brothers but that's to be expected. They've been training much longer than he has. Ven has been training all his life. Sora isn't even sure if he would ever be on his level. Sora wants to be though. He's trying his hardest to catch up.
So just the fact he was able to fight two of his brothers and keep up- Is a huge accomplishment. It feels like everything he's been doing for ten years has paid off. He was giving two of his brothers' trouble! He was doing well and he knows they weren't holding back...at least with their swordsmanship.
The powers are a different story all together. Terra told him he wouldn't be able to know his power in till he's been a Occisor for three to five years...which is 30 to 50 in human years. Sora has only been a Occisor for 20 years...He is now a ten year old boy. He still has 10 to 30 years to go.
He hopes his powers will be known when he's 11. That would be an amazing birthday present.
"I think a few more days of training and a couple of sparring matches later and you'll be ready for the next step Sora." Terra says with a smile.
Ven and Roxas stop jumping around with him. They both give Terra a look. Sora feels his stomach clench in uneasiness.
"The next step?" Sora asks.
"Yes. The next step is the test your skills to make sure you're ready to go out in missions-"
"Ill be able to go out in missions?!" Sora yells, his eyes wide. "I could go on missions with my brothers?" Sora grabs Ven and Roxas's arm.
"If you pass the test. You will be given your own mission. If you able to complete it alone, you may start missions. If you are not, you will need to train more."
"What's the mission?" Sora asks.
"I'll talk to you more about it later. Focus on your training for the pass couple of days. Learn all you can."
"I will!"
When Terra leaves the three boys together, Sora still feels that twisting of his stomach. It feels like worry. He turns to see Ven and Roxas staring at him. He can see the concern written plainly on Ven's face.
"What's wrong? Aren't you guys happy?" Sora frowns.
"I'm happy you'll be able to go on missions with me! But..." Ven bites his lip. "I guess i'm kind of...worried about you is all. The first mission can be tough, since you're on your own."
"Stop being his mother." Roxas grumbles. "It can be hard but...it's not like you're really alone Sora. They'll give you a stone you can squeeze if you need help. We'll come running to your aid."
"Still..." Ven pouts.
Sora chuckles, getting the twins to look at him. "What are you worried about Ven? I'll be fine! I won't even need that stone. I was kicking your butt a moment ago wasn't I?" Sora grins. He can feel the mood lighten into something playful. That uneasiness is gone in his stomach.
"I wouldn't say you were kicking my butt." Ven puts his hands on his hips, grinning with him.
"I say he was." Roxas chuckles at the look he gets from his brother.
"He was kicking your butt too Roxas!"
"No he wasn't. Just yours."
"No it was both of you." Sora chuckles when they both look at him with this flat expression.
"That's why I knocked the sword out of your hand!" Ven pokes Sora in the stomach getting him to squeal.
"Just because I got excited." Sora's face gets flushed.
"Awww don't do that Sora! You're too cute!" Ven gushes, hugging him tightly.
"Will you ever stop being like that with him?" Roxas muses.
"Nope! Never!" Ven says while Shoving Sora's face in his chest.
"Quit it Ven!" Sora shoves Ven off of him. The three boys end up laughing before they take off running back to the house. "What do you guys want to do with our little time off before bed time?"
"Since Riku and Axel aren't here because of the mission they're on with Aqua...We could play their game system." Roxas's eyes get tinted with mischief.
"They don't really like sharing that with us...well they share it with you Roxas." Sora pouts.
"They're just stringy. They think we're going to erase their files or something." Ven rolls his eyes.
"It's fine. I've watched Axel enough to know how it works. Lets play with it Sora." Roxas grins before he runs down the stairs into the basement where the system is.
"But... Won't they get mad?" Sora asks lamely. He is getting pulled by Ven so he just lets it happen. If he's honest with himself he's wanted to play on it too.
"Who cares? Riku gets angry too easily. We won't mess anything up by playing." Ven reassures as they take a seat next to Roxas who is already holding a controller. He's turned on the tv and the system.
"This game is really hard...Axel died a lot." Roxas mumbles as he starts the game.
"I'm going to get us some popcorn." Ven gets off the couch, running off quickly.
"Ven loves popcorn." Sora finds a fond smile turning his lips.
"Yeah. He's always loved popcorn." Roxas starts to make his person for the game. "...Do you feel ready to go on a mission alone?"
"Huh?" Sora turns his head to look at Roxas. Roxas is looking at him seriously. Sora averts his gaze. "...I think so. I feel a lot stronger than I was ten years ago. I'm ready to go on missions with you guys. I want to see what you guys do...I want to be a part of it. I hate having to stay here and wait for you guys to come back..."
"As long as you think you're ready. As I said...we'll have your back." Roxas says with a small smile.
"Thanks Roxas." Sora returns the smile, feeling his chest warm. The other twin is more quiet but he shows his care for him in moments like this. Sora knows he could always count on Roxas. Through these ten years, he's gotten closer to the twins. He's spent most of his time training with them.
He's also gotten closer to Riku and Axel but...these moments he only has with Roxas and Ven. It's obvious they're closer then the older boys...
Except for Axel and Roxas. They're best friends. Just like Ven and Sora are best friends. Riku is...he still keeps himself distant. He seems closer to Axel. He has been kinder to Sora. He helped him with training more than once and they had a handful of conversations...Sora is okay with that. He knows Riku and Axel care about him too.
They're family.
"Popcorn! Now the party can really start!" Ven jumps on the couch next to Sora, getting comfortable next to him. He's smashed between the two twins and soon the popcorn is sitting in his lap.
Roxas makes a character to play, the three boys laughing about this and that. The floor is getting dirty with popcorn from the boys throwing the popcorn at each other when one would say something they felt needed popcorn to be thrown.
Ven and Sora chuckle when Roxas groans when his character dies again. "Man! If it was me I could so beat that monster!"
"Roxas is a sore loser." Ven whispers in his ear which gets him to giggle. Roxas throws some popcorn at Ven.
"Then why don't you try?" Roxas huffs, passing the controller to Ven.
"I thought you would never ask. Watch Sora!" Ven cheers.
Sora ends up cracking up with Roxas when Ven starts smashing the keys as the same monster destroys him.
"How?! I hit the button!" Ven fumes.
"Who's the sore loser now?" Roxas muses, getting some popcorn to the face.
"I'll try!" Sora beams as he takes the controller. The two twins lead on the edge of their seats as they watch Sora get farther then both of them. He's dodging the monster pretty well. It still ends up killing him though.
"Awwww!" They all groan.
"Let me try again!" Ven takes the controller.
"Go Ven!" Sora cheers when he gets farther than him. He's going to beat the monster! Just before Ven can kill it, the beast's eyes flash yellow and it starts to go in a rage.
Those yellow eyes trigger something in Sora and he finds the noises of the Twin's cheering fade out for just a moment.
Vanitas....Sora has been trying not to think of him too much these pass ten years. It always hurts his heart and leaves him feeling worthless. He still worries about him. Where did Vanitas go?...and why does he hate him so much? Sora wonders if he's lonely without being with his family...Sora feels like it's his fault he's gone. If he never came, would Vanitas still be with his family? Or would he have left anyway?
"They were never my family." Sora winces, remembering Vanita's words. He remembers the memory of his hatred, how it burned him, how it was agony. The feeling of the worms under his skin still gives him nightmares.
Sora doesn't hate Vanitas for what he did Ten years ago. He doesn't even dislike him for trying to kill him. He just doesn't understand. Sora wanted Vanitas to be a part of their family. He wanted him to join in on their games. He even made a whole garden for him...so he could have flowers.
"Hey." Sora blinks when he is nudged on the arm. He looks over to see Ven staring at him with those big blue eyes. "What you thinking about?"
"Nothing." Sora shakes his head, giving him a smile. "Just spacing out..."
"You do that a lot." Ven smile softly before laying his head on his shoulder, snuggling up next to him.
"I thought you were about to fall asleep." Roxas muses, he's now playing the game. "I was about to say, it's not bed time yet Sora!"
"I know." Sora chuckles. They play till it's time for them to get into bed.
Sora climbs into his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He smiles when Ven pushes his bed so its right against his. Roxas does the same. Now he's surrounded by his brothers. They do this normally when ever they can. It's nice sleeping with others. Roxas does it if Axel isn't here.
Ven is the one who came up with the idea. After Sora kept complaining about not having room in his bed, Ven decided to make more room by pushing his bed against Sora's. He always moves it back in the morning.
"Good night Sora." Ven grabs Sora's hand, interlacing their fingers. "Tomorrows another day..." he says sweetly.
"Night Sora." Roxas grabs his hand but he doesn't interlace their fingers.
"Good night Ven, Good night Roxas..." Sora smiles, loving the warmth. He closes his eyes, letting them slip shut.
By feeling their warmth, that cold feeling Sora got from thinking about Vanitas goes away. Sora is put at ease and he is able to sleep soundlessly.
"Alright who did it?"
Sora had heard someone coming awhile ago but he just didn't want to get up. Now he has to with this presence looming over him...this very angry presence.
"What?" Sora rubs his eyes, opening them. They widen when he sees it's Axel. He beams. "Axel you're back!-"
"Don't 'Axel you're back' me! Which one of you did it? Was it you Sora?" Axel narrows his eyes at him.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Sora frowns.
"Axel go away. We were sleeping." Ven mumbles next to him. Only now does Sora realize that Ven is draped over him, his face in Sora's shoulder.
"You know what? I bet it was you Ven! I see you trying to hide behind Sora."
"I"m not hiding. I haven't done anything and Sora hasn't either." Ven untangles himself from Sora, sitting up. He gives Axel this annoyed look. "I was having the best dream too..."
"Do I look like I care about your dream? Just admit it. One of you erased my game. One of you touched my game system and erased my stuff. Who was it?"
Sora's eyes widen in realization. Oh no! That was them! They played with the system a couple of days ago. Axel catches how Sora's ears get red and how he's trembling. He smirks. "Sora...did you touch my game system?"
"I-I-I-"
"It was me."
Axel's smirk falls, that burning anger dulling immediately. He whips his head over to Roxas who has just woken up. He's giving him an even look, those blue eyes holding no guilt.
"Roxas...you did it. Why?" Axel frowns deeply.
"No! We all played with it!" Sora couldn't let Roxas take all of the blame. Axel gives him a sharp glare.
"So it was you Sora who led Roxas to do this-"
"Yeah right." Ven snaps. "Roxas was the one who gave us the idea."
"That's true. I did give them the idea. Sora didn't want to do it." Roxas says. Axel starts to frown again. He looks like a kicked puppy.
"Why would you do this Roxas? You've betrayed me!"
"You're so crazy about that game. You and Riku would spend all this time playing it. You'd let me play a little but you'd hog the controller and you would always get irritated if I didn't do exactly what you wanted. I wanted to play the game by myself. I didn't mean to erase your game." Roxas mumbles, averting his gaze.
"...Maybe I did get a little obsessed with the game." Axel rubs the back of his head. "I just thought you had fun watching. I didn't mean to leave you out...There can only be one game at a time." Axel's eyes light up. "So let this game be our game. We'll take turns with the monsters. I'm sure we'd be able to beat it...if you don't suck so much that is." Axel teases.
Roxas's face gets hot. "I don't suck at the game! I got pretty far." He gets out of bed and runs off.
"I've never seen you with so much energy in the morning Roxas." Axel chuckles. He's done a complete 360.
"Shut up."
Axel walks after Roxas, having this smile on his lips. Sora's noticed it before but when it comes to Roxas, Axel is very quick to forgive. Sora is sure if it was Ven's idea or Sora's, he would have been really angry with them. He looked like he wanted to hurt them for a second.
"You know Axel didn't use to like Roxas at all." Ven yawns, laying back down in bed.
"Really?" Sora's attention is caught. "But they're so close now."
"...My brother use to not talk much. He was quiet and just wondered around. He wouldn't want to talk to me. Aqua and Terra were concerned that he couldn't talk...but I knew that wasn't true. Roxas just didn't want anything to do with us. When Axel came by, he was still like that. He wouldn't say anything to Axel and that in turn made Axel angry." Ven thinks for a moment. "...I think it hurt Axel, even back then. It seemed like as soon as he came here, his eyes were always on Roxas."
"How did they become friends then? If Roxas wasn't talking to him?"
"I'm not really sure myself. One day they aren't on speaking terms and the next...something had changed. Roxas was talking to him. They were talking to each other and going off to do things together. They would keep to themselves." Ven smiles at Sora. "Since you've been here...they've both been around a lot more."
"I wonder what happened to make them friends..." Sora is curious. It seems Axel was the one to start Roxas talking. Sora can sense something strong between them, a bond. It's almost visible to him it's so real. He can sense it around them, he feels it.
"I have no idea. I asked Roxas once but of course he didn't tell me. Back then we weren't on good terms either...we've gotten a lot better recently." Ven touches a lock of Sora's hair. "I never knew why Roxas hated me."
"I don't think he hated you." Sora remembers his conversation with Roxas all those years ago. "...I think he was just a bit jealous and hurt."
"Jealous of me?" Ven raises his eyebrow.
"I think...Roxas thought that you were the 'better' twin. He thought that you got more love and attention then he did."
"But Aqua and Terra love us the same." Ven frowns. "I may be a bit stronger than him...but was that really a reason to not talk to me most of our lives? All I had was our bond and...All I did was try to cheer him up."
"He appertains that. I think he remembered all you did for him and that's why he's been closer. Roxas never hated you Ven. Roxas always loved you."
"...I..." Ven stares at those blue eyes that shine brighter than the stars. He wraps his arms around him and lays his head on Sora's shoulder. "...I want to believe that. You know Sora you're the first to reassure me of such a thing?" Ven pulls away with this glowing smile. "I think I want to hug Roxas."
"Go for it." Sora chuckles when Ven jumps out of the bed and starts running down the stairs. Sora sits in bed for a few minutes before he forces himself up.
If Axel is here he's sure Riku, Terra, and Aqua are here too.
Sora can feel his body fill with excitement as he wakes up and soon enough he's running down the stairs and into the kitchen where he can smell something good cooking.
"Good morning Sora." Aqua gives him a gentle smile. "Have a seat. I was about to call breakfast."
"Riku!" Sora yells in excitement when he sees his brother sitting at the table. He rushes over to sit next to him. "How was the mission?"
The older boy gets stiff for a second before he settles down. "The mission went fine." He seems to think before those aqua eyes are locking into Sora's blue. "...How has your training been going?"
"Good! Terra said I can start going on missions soon! He said i'll be doing a test soon!" Sora shakes his hands in his excitement.
"Really?" Riku's eyes widen. "I don't think you're ready for that-"
"Hey i've gotten pretty good! I was able to keep up with both Ven and Roxas!" Sora pouts when Riku scowls.
"I think you need much longer. I'm going to talk to Terra-" Riku starts to get up. Sora grabs his arm.
"I think i'm ready Riku. I can prove it to you. Today...after training I challenge you to a battle!"
"You challenge me to a fight?" Riku raises his eyebrow. "You'll never win against me."
"Even if I can't, i'll show you i'm at least strong enough to go on missions. I've worked really hard these pass ten years Riku. Dont just dismiss me." Sora's says with determination.
Riku stares at him sternly. He slowly sits back down. "...We fight tonight. I will see if you are fit to go."
"Fine!" Sora's determination doesn't falter. He will show Riku. He will show him all he's got.
Sora blinks when he hears a ruckus. "Ven get off me!"
"Sora told me you loved me so now I can't stop hugging you!"
Roxas walks into the room with Ven hanging off of him, nuzzling the back of his head. Roxas is pretty red. "I hugged you back! You don't have to hug me anymore!"
"Fine." Ven pouts. He runs over to Sora and hugs him. "Roxas is mean Sora."
"There there Ven." Sora pats him on the head, giggling at the pout Ven has on his face.
"He's like a dog." Axel chuckles. He seems more relaxed now that Ven is off Roxas.
"Sora why'd you have to go and say something like that to Ven?" Roxas gets closer, his eyebrow raising.
"But you do love him." Sora says it simply. He feels it. Sora frowns when Roxas has this weird look on his face. He sits on the other side of the table with Axel. Is Roxas mad at him now?
"Sora me and Roxas shared the longest hug we've ever shared! It was amazing. I think we've really gotten closer...there's an understanding now...we even had a talk and...thanks." Ven says against his ear before he pulls away. He gives him a smooch on the cheek.
"Ven don't you think you're getting a bit old for kissing your brother?" Aqua muses as she starts setting the table.
"I'll never be too old to kiss Sora!" Ven shouts,offended
"Oh shit Sora you're going to be thousands of years old and Ven is still going to be putting his wrinkled lips on you." Axel chuckles, getting Roxas to laugh.
"I won't even get wrinkly." Ven defends.
They all laugh but Riku. That's nothing new but this feeling that suddenly shoots through Sora's being makes his laughter end with a cough. Was that from Riku?...what was that painful feeling?
"Sora are you okay?" Ven frowns at the change in him.
"I'm fine. I think I just need some water." Sora takes a drink, glancing around to see if there was anyone else that looks upset. Riku doesn't really look upset either. He has the same expression he usually has. He's always calm and cool.
Class goes by quickly. All Sora can think about is the match he's going to have with Riku. During lunch time he couldn't contain his excitement and told Ven.
"You're going against Riku?" Ven frowns, pausing in eating his sandwich.
"Yeah I'm going to prove to him that I'm ready to go on missions!" Sora grips his fist.
"Whoa you're going against Riku?!" Axel sits down with Roxas at their table. Those green eyes are filled with anticipation, a smirk on his lips. "Boy this is going to be something..."
"Why are you going against Riku?" Roxas questions.
"Apparently Riku wants Sora to prove himself to him." Ven mumbles. He sends a glare towards Riku when he sits at their table with his lunch. Riku raises his eyebrow at him.
"What?"
"So talk around here is that you're going to be fighting Sora today." Axel's smile is cat like.
"I am." Riku's face doesn't change when both Ven and Roxas stare at him. Roxas with a quiet flame while Ven is blazing. "Is there a problem?"
"Nope!" Sora beams.
"Yes." Ven and Roxas grunt.
"Terra already said he was ready. What authority do you have to say that Sora is ready or not?" Ven taps his fingers on the table.
"Terra has been known to go easy on Sora. So have all of you." Riku's aqua eyes look at all of his brothers. "I want to make sure for myself. If he goes out when he's not ready he could be killed."
"Ohh so you're doing this because you careeeee." Axel teases, poking Riku's cheek.
"Get your hands off me Axel."
"Guys it's really okay. I want to fight Riku! I'm really excited about it!" Sora tries to reassure the twins. Roxas seems to have calmed down a bit but Ven hasn't.
"I'll fight you in his place." Ven growls. The air around the table gets tense. He feels the tension in his body and it becomes hard to breath as Riku and Ven stare each other down.
"I don't need to test your strength Ven. I already know what your level is." Riku sneers.
"What you say?" Ven's eyes flash. They're getting lighter, and Riku's eyes are changing in retaliation.
Sora wants to say something but he's rendered speechless by the overwhelming feelings. Where did all this come from? Is it from the both of his brothers? This tension? This desire to hurt one another? It's hostile.
"Ven you need to calm down.' Roxas puts a hand on Ven's shoulder when he was about to get up.
"Yeah chill out Riku." Axel gives the boy a look.
Riku stands up from his seat and leaves the table, walking right out of the room. As soon as he's gone, Sora can breath.
"That guy..." Ven growls. "He always tries to act like he's the leader. He's always questioning Terra. He may think he's the strongest here but he's not."
"Look Ven I know but you were taking that too far. All you did was piss him off for Sora to have to deal with later." Roxas says.
"Yeah and it's not like Riku is going to go all out on Sora. He wouldn't do that." Axel whispers to Ven. Sora only hears his name but not the rest.
"Ven..." Sora pushes those feelings to the back of his mind as he grabs Ven's hand. As soon as he touches him, Ven is looking at him. Those blue eyes get wide and his breathing comes out slow. Sora smiles at him. "I'm going to be fine. I'll do my best! Don't you believe in me?" Sora grins at him.
Ven stares at him for a moment before his lips wobble. "Of course I believe in you Sora!" Ven shouts, grabbing his other hand, interlacing their fingers. "Riku just..." Ven frowns before he groans. "Oh no I got so ugly in front of you. I'm sorry Sora. I shouldn't have reacted like that."
"It's fine Ven." Sora presses his forehead against Ven's. Sora has noticed when he does this, Ven gets happy or at least he calms down. It works because soon Ven is smiling. Sora can feel the warmth Ven is feeling and it causes his smile to grow.
"Yeah Ven is just super protective of you Sora. You'd think he was your mom." Axel laughs when Ven glares at him, his cheeks red.
"Shut up Axel!"
And with that the mood gets so much lighter. Sora looks towards the door where Riku left. He hopes he isn't too angry with Ven. Sora wouldn't want to be the cause of his brother's fighting. He hopes that he doesn't hold back either.
Sora wants to really show Riku what he's made of.
Training goes by slowly with Terra. All Sora can think of is his fight with Riku. He keeps playing it in his mind and thinking of what attacks he should use first. He tries to picture how Riku would fight but he's never really had a match like this against him.
"So." Terra says after they finish practicing on the dummies. Sora hasn't broken a sweat even though he's been spending hours doing non stop exercise. The perks of his training and being an Occisor. "It's come to my attention that you're going to be having a match against Riku."
"I am!" Sora beams, standing up straight.
"Go ahead and get ready for that. Riku told me he would come out once you said you're ready to face him."
Ven, Roxas, and Axel who had been doing their own training stop what they're doing and rush to Sora.
"Here Sora drink this!" Ven gives him a bottle of water.
"Let me see your sword." Roxas starts inspecting his sword and the sharpness of it.
"You got this little buddy." Axel grins as he starts massaging his shoulders.
"Yeah we're all rooting for you!" Ven cheers as Sora drinks down the water bottle. He thanks everyone before taking a deep breath. His heart is still racing but Sora knows he's ready.
"I'm ready for him." Sora's eyes burn with resolve.
His brothers back up from him slowly. He can feel worry and excitement. He wonders if these are his own feelings or someone elses. He doesn't have time to think about that now though.
As soon as Terra calls for Riku, Riku is in front of him. It took him no time to run over here.
"I'm ready for you Riku!" Sora grins as he takes out his sword, getting in a stance. Riku stares at him before he starts to put on...gloves? Actually they look like metal knuckle braces...or gloves made of metal.
"Riku." Terra gives him a stern look. Axel's grin has fallen off his face. Roxas grips his fist and Ven looks like he's about had it. "Do you intend to go all out?"
"Are you going to fight me or not Sora?" Riku calls Sora out, pouting a finger at him.
"Of course i'm going to Fight you! Do your worse!" Sora lets out a battle cry as he charges the older male. Riku's eyes widen before he smirks, putting his fists up.
"Wait Sora he's serious-" Ven takes a step forward only for Terra to get in front of him.
"Don't interfere...lets see what Sora can do."
Ven sets his jaw.
Riku blocks his sword easily with his metal braces. Sora does a twist to kick him in the side- Riku catches his leg. He does a spin and throws Sora a couple of feet.
Sora lands gracefully before charging him again. This time Sora aims his sword lower even though he was acting as if he was going to aim higher.
Riku is faster. He blocks the sword once again, countering with a punch to Sora's gut. The wind is knocked right out of him. Sora can't inhale or exhale. He rolls on the ground, holding his stomach and he knows...oh he knows that Riku didn't hold back with that punch.
"Is that all you got Sora?" Riku shakes his head with that coy smile on his lips. "I haven't even broken a sweat. If this is all you can do, you're not fit to go on missions. Just give up-" Riku's eyes widen when Sora gets up and takes off running towards him. "You'll never win like this-" Riku snarls.
Just when Riku is about to punch him, Sora side steps him, getting behind him. Sora loves seeing how Riku's eyes widen, those pupils getting a bit more slanted. Sora swings.
He's able to nick Riku's shoulder before Riku does a spin and punches him in the face. The force is amazing. He's sent flying into the air, hitting the bark of a tree before falling on his feet.
Sora pants, feeling the blood dripping from his lip and his stomach coiling from the last hit. Sora wipes the blood with the back of his hand as he stares Riku down. He can feel his grin when he sees the blood dripping off of Riku's shoulder and how his eyes have gotten lighter.
Sora is keeping up. He got an attack on him.
"You think that this little wound is enough to celebrate?" Riku runs towards him, one fist up to block, the other ready to strike. "You're barely standing! Give up now! You can't beat me!"
"I won't give up!" Sora shouts as he blocks Riku's punch with his sword, only for his other fist to hit him in the rib. Sora gasps as he rolls on the ground once again. This time he doesn't jump up as fast as he did. It hurts to move.
"Throw in the towel." Riku demands.
"Hey Sora just give up!" Axel yells at him. Sora glances over slowly at his brothers. Ven is being contained by Terra, his eyes are completely white. Roxas is trembling, his teeth baring. They all look like they want to jump in. "He's out of your league."
"I..I won't." Sora forces himself up, gripping his sword. Man...He's having a rough time. The reason it's so hard is because Riku has two hands while Sora only has one Sword-
A light blub goes off in his head.
"Roxas!" Sora takes off running towards his brother, the only one who has his sword on him. "Throw me your sword!"
Roxas blinks before he nods. He throws Sora his sword and he catches it with his open hand with ease.
"You think having two swords will change anything?" Riku narrows his eyes as Sora gets in a stance.
"I think it will change a lot." Sora grins. Riku seems thrown off by his grin so Sora takes his chance to charge him.
"I warned you!" Riku snarls. This time when he punches, Sora is able to block. He keeps up with Riku's hits, blocking them with his swords. Sora has never been so focused in his life. He uses his leg to kick Riku's knee, getting them to buckle. With the unsteadiness Sora is able to slice Riku on his chest.
They jump away from each other. Riku looks down at his torn shirt before back at Sora who is grinning. Riku's eyes turn completely white and he charges Sora once again.
This time it's a lot harder to keep up with Riku's attacks. All Sora can do is block. If he doesn't, he'll be destroyed. How is he suppose to attack?
Riku growls, his teeth grit as he pulls his fist back and strikes...It shatters his sword. "No!" Sora shouts in horror and with all his strength he punches Riku in the face to give him some time when the opening appeared.
It doesn't do much to him. Before Sora can jump back, Riku grabs him by the face, squeezing so tightly that Sora feels like he could crush his skull.
"R..ik..u." Sora grits out.
"Give up." Riku's voice isn't teasing anymore. It's serious.
"N-No." Sora gasps when Riku lets go of him. He falls on his back, too injured to move anymore. He stares up at Riku's glowing eyes, and those pupils of a snake. He unsheathes his sword that had been on his hip this whole time. He lifts it up with both hands, his face stone. "I won't...I'm going to...prove to you." Sora wheezes out.
Riku strikes the sword down. Sora feels the bead of sweat fall down his forehead and he can feel the cool steal of the blade against his cheek from sticking in the ground right next to his head.
Riku's eyes slowly change back to aqua. They stare each other down. "You passed." With that he turns and starts to walk away.
"Riku wait!" Sora sits up only to wince. Riku stops and turns to look at him. Sora gets up to grab his hand and shakes it. "That was an awesome fight!" Sora beams. "I'll get stronger and some day ill beat you!"
Riku blinks before he chuckles. "Pff what's with you? You're barely standing and that's what you have to say to me? You're a strange one." Riku looks over at Terra. All his brothers are staring at Sora with awe. "Get him some medical attention." Riku lets go of Sora's hand before he runs off.
"Sora that was amazing!" Axel cheers, running up to him.
"You were keeping up with him!" Roxas's eyes sparkle.
"Sora are you okay?!" Ven rushes over to him, looking over his wounds with a deep frown. "I'm glad you got him a couple of times! Did you see the look on his face? I was able to jump in if not for Terra but after seeing that...maybe you didn't even need my help! I've never seen you move like that!" Ven's eyes brighten.
"Alright lets get you to the infirmary." Terra picks Sora up carefully, starting to carry him back with all his brothers following after him.
"I"m sorry I broke one of the swords. "Sora frowns.
"It's fine, i'll get you another one, along with another sword. It seems wielding two swords at a time suits you."
"IT does!" Ven agrees. "You looked super cool! I was breathless!"
Roxas nods, seeming jigger. Axel is still talking excitedly to Roxas about the fight.
Sora flushes from Ven's compliment which gets Ven to continue with his comments. By the time Sora is in a bed, and Terra has looked him all over and dressed his wounds, Sora is exhausted.
"Ven stop fussing over Sora. He'll be fine." Terra grabs Ven by the ear to pull him out the room when he kept hanging off Sora. Sora didn't mind it though. It made him feel warm knowing how much Ven was worried about him.
"Sora." Sora blinks, looking at Roxas who is the only one left in the room with him. He walks up to him with purpose before he hugs him tightly. Sora's eyes widen, too shocked to do anything. "Thank you."
"For what?" Sora asks dumbly.
"For what you did with Ven...that was the first time i've ever had a moment like that with my brother. This weight in my heart has been lifted...you've been bringing us all together. I just want you to know that you can always count on me. For the kindness you continue to show my brother, for the kindness you have shown me...Thank you." Roxas pulls away from him before he walks out quickly, his ears red.
Sora just stares after him before he smiles brightly. He giggles. "You don't have to thank me for that Roxas!" Sora shouts even though it hurts his ribs. "I'll continue to be nice to you! You're my family! Know that you can always count on me too Roxas! You can't get rid of your brother now." Sora laughs in his joy.
"I never want to be rid of you." Roxas comments with a smile, those blue eyes the brightest Sora's seen before he leaves.
Sora lays down with a smile on his face. The warmth is almost too much and he feels like screaming. This joy he feels...this sense of belonging...it's beautiful.
Sora falls asleep hurting on the outside but being warm on the inside.
Sorry it took so long! I know this one is short but next chapter will be his test. Till next time!