Sora wakes up feeling like his body was used instead of a piñata at a child's birthday party. He groans, pushing himself from the hard floor. His brain is groggy and everything seems to be spinning around him.
"You're awake." Sora's eyes snap over towards that voice. Leon sits in a corner, sharp eyes staring him down. His eyebrows furrow. "I was starting to think you would sleep the night away. It might have been easier if you had."
"What do you mean?" Sora's senses are coming back to him. He tries to stand up only for his legs to wobble and he topples to the floor. He holds his head when he's hit with that vertigo again.
"I wouldn't try any sudden movements. I healed you the best I could but Cloud drank a lot from you. You're lucky to be alive you know that? I bet Cloud tasted your werewolf blood and decided not to finish you off." Leon closes his eyes for a moment.
"…Oh yeah. Cloud…that vampire he attacked me…" Sora frowns deeply when it all comes back to him. What Cloud said about his blood not tasting like an Occisor….he remembers how he was able to heal Leon's wounds with just his saliva….his heart twists. "I…I-Im an Occisor…" Sora sounds pitiful even to himself. "He was mistaken…just like you are Leon. I'm not-"
"Why are you fighting who you are?" Leon's ears twitch. "Is it because those Occisor drilled this lie into your head? All the signs are in your face. I know you can't ignore it anymore Sora."
"…." Sora bows his head. He hears laughter. Such dark glee….rejoicing in this misery. "Where are we?" Sora decides to ask, not wanting to talk about the elephant in the room.
"An old shack. It's been abandoned for some time. It's deep in this world's forest….a perfect place to wait out the full moon. If not for one big problem." Leon's lips quirk up in snarl. "Honestly I would have taken you from this world to get you away but those Osscior cubs have sealed off any way out of this world."
"Ossicor cubs- Riku! Ven!" Sora's eyes widen and he tries to get up again only to cry out and fall back down. His body aches too much. "I-I have to get back to my brothers! They must be worried sick about me-"
"They are not your brothers. They are a part of the reason you are like this. Disillusioned to what you truly are." Leon watches how Sora averts his gaze. "….It was those two that cut off ties to other dimensions. I suppose it was a way to make sure you couldn't be whisked away to another world. They are smart. Now while you've been out, I've had to listen to their constant screams of your name. I'm sure their throats are dry by now-"
"I have to find them! How long have I been out?!" Sora keeps trying to get up but it's no use. Those blue eyes plead with Leon. "P-Please Leon! Take me to my brothers! I've made them worry so much!" Sora can't even feel his brothers. They must be too far away. He can't sense their link.
"I won't take you to them. I've made up my mind, Sora. I won't let those Occisor do as they please. They will have to let up on the seal soon. Once they do, I'm going to bring you to my home. They won't ever see you again!" Leon says with conviction even when Sora's eyes tremble.
"N-No! Leon you can't do that! Why are you doing this?! I thought we were friends!" Sora cries. He might not know too much about Leon but this young man has helped more than he's harmed him. He wouldn't be alive right now if not for this man and what he did for him during his first Occisor mission.
"It's to protect you. They have brainwashed your mind. You are malnourished and stressed. They haven't been taking care of you properly. I can't stand by and watch this anymore! You may hate me for this Sora but it's what's best." Those eyes don't back down.
"I won't' go with you Leon. I appreciate that you're trying to help in your own way….but I won't leave my brothers! I won't leave my family!' Sora starts to yell, his face feeling hot from this feeling welling up inside him.
"Emotions like that are dangerous when the full moon is coming. I wonder….have you experienced any of your first heats? Have you transformed yet-"
"I'm not a werewolf!" Sora screams, hitting the ground with his fist.
"You can yell all you want. Nothing will change." Leon takes a deep breath, his ears going back. "….Do you feel it? The full moon has started….even though we can't see it….i'm sure you feel it."
Sora starts to feel something all right. That familiar sensation starts to creep it's way through his body….his eyes widen and he feels close to panicking. Not now…! Not here! Sora turns his back to Leon, curling on the floor. He starts to groan, feeling feverish.
The soreness was nothing compared to this. It feels like his muscles are ripping. Sora bites his lip, curling more into himself. He can feel his heart beat faster. This is different from when he would have his episodes….this is more than just arousal. There's so much pain. It feels like…he's about to break.
"That looks like agony." Leon's voice is soft…despite it sounding more like a growl than human words. Sora wonders if Leon is cramping up like him…if this full moon affects him just like it effects Sora. "…You're close to transforming. You might do it tonight and if you do…with how much damage you've already taken…this could be dangerous-"
Sora roars. He screams the loudest he's heard himself scream. His body is bending into himself. He just wants it to stop. He can't control his own movements. He screams because it hurts. He screams because of what this means….he screams because he can no longer deny it.
What he truly is.
"Hush! You're going to attract the Ossicor cubs-" Leon rushes over towards him, putting a claw like hand over his mouth, trying to muffle his screams. Leon's now yellow eyes narrow and he curses. "…Shit they're coming. And fast."
"Sora!" He feels Ven's fear and concern all at once. It's like a blow to their link and his heart. He's so close. All Sora can do is sob in response. "Please be okay!"
"Sora!" That's Riku. His body shutters from the amount of raw emotion coming from their link. So fearful…so worried….so angry….
Right when he feels both Riku and Ven right outside of the house-
"Come any closer and I'll rip off his head." Leon says with a low voice. They both pause.
"S-Sora are you okay?" That's Ven's voice. Hesitant and scared. When Sora doesn't answer, the anxiety spikes. "W-Who ever is in there! Let go of Sora! If you lay a hand on him, we won't let you make it out of this alive!" Ven snarls, his anger bubbling.
"Show yourself." Riku's voice is even. Sora thinks he might pass out from Riku's emotions alone. So powerful. "Show us Sora. We know he's in there. He is one of ours. You know what that means don't you?"
"No…do you know what it means for you?" Leon picks Sora up like it's nothing. Sora noting how Leon looks more hairier around his face and his fangs have started to grow. He keeps his claw over Sora's mouth as he trashes in his hold….his body doing it on his own from this agony. Leon kicks down the door waking outside so his brothers can see.
"Sora!" Ven cries in both relief and dismay when he sees how hurt Sora is and how he's thrashing, his expression nothing but pain.
"What did you do to him you filthy wolf!" Riku growls, getting in a fighting stance, his blue eyes burning bright. "I'm going to kill you for what you've done to him-
"Don't move." Leon opens his mouth over Sora's throat, about ready to bite down. Ven and Riku who had started to advance freeze. Their eyes widen. Ven can't hide his fear.
"Let him go!" Ven screams but his eyes tremble.
"….Stop….dont' do that…" Riku swallows thickly as Leon lets go of his neck. Sora starts letting out loud screams as he keeps trashing in Leon's hold. His body is being ripped apart! Sora can't hold it together.
"R-Riku…Ven…." Sora grits out. "G-Get out of here! P-Please leave me!"
"No way!" Ven shakes his head, his eyes getting watery. "I'll never leave you!"
"Put your weapons down or I'll rip out his throat." Sora's eyes widen when Ven and Riku put their weapons on the ground.
"Don't kill him." Riku says softly. "Don't take him wolf." Riku….he feels so lonely and scared. Sora knows he's seeing his mother right now…having flash backs to what must have happened to his mother when she died by the jaws of a wolf. Riku just said he trusts him…they've gotten so close…he's worried about Sora suffering the same fate as his mother. Sora feels it and understands.
"I won't kill him if you Ossicor stay put." Leon starts to back away.
"W-Where are you going with him?!" Ven looks like he wants to run forward but he's frozen in place.
"Away from you. I will raise him properly. Now allow me to make a portal so I-"
The emotions from his brothers and this constant pain from the full moon is too much. "Put me down!" Sora screams, shoving Leon hard. He lets go and Sora falls to the ground with a flop. He's too weak to run but he can sit up on his knees. He looks up at the full moon and screams. Both his brothers and Leon are running towards him, trying to grab a hold of him before the other can.
"I'm sorry….I'm so sorry…" Sora never wants to make his brothers feel like this. Sora feels this power build up and before anyone can touch him, it explodes out of him into a brilliant beam of light. His brothers and Leon are thrown back. All staring in awe. "…No more…..no more…" Sora mumbles as he falls on his side. The pain has stopped and he just feels numb.
"Sora!" Ven rushes to his side. He doesn't look hurt from his light. He touches Sora's cheek, those baby blues looking him over with such a deep frown. "its' going to be okay Sora! I have you now! I won't let him hurt you anymore!"
"You die wolf!" Riku rushes after Leon.
"Don't Riku!" Sora cries. "He didn't hurt me!-" In that moment when Riku turns to look at Sora from his out burst, Leon takes this time to run past Riku towards Sora. Ven makes a sound close to a hiss, his eyes turning white as wind builds around him.
Leon clicks his tongue…he changes directions, running deeper into the forest. "….I'll come back for you Sora…I won't give up on you. If you know what's best for you, you'll get away from these Osscior as soon as you can! They will be the death of you!" Leon warns…and with that he's gone.
"Damn it the seal is broke! He's going to get away!" Riku growls, running after Leon.
"Oh Sora. Sora…" Ven keeps saying his name, holding him close. He looks close to crying. "W-We searched everywhere for you! I was b-beginning to think we'd never find you. I'm sorry I fought with Riku! Please d-don't leave my side like that again!" Ven keeps talking, his emotions can't be held back. " You could have died! You could have died Sora…" Ven trembles as he holds the limp Sora in his arms.
"…..Ven…." Sora makes out weakly. He feels his eyes well up with tears from Ven's emotions hitting him. "…I'm sorry I made you feel like this….I won't leave…."
"Pleae don't….' Ven rubs his cheek, trying to offer him comfort.
"…He got away…" Riku comes out of the forest slowly. Those aqua eyes dull when they see the state Sora is in. The guilt eats away at his gut. "….Sora…." He rushes over towards him. "…Are you alright?" He says softly, knowing the answer.
"I a-am…I'll be fine." Sora reassures-
"What is that on your neck!" Riku's eyes widen when he spots Cloud's fang marks. "You were attacked by a vampire?!"
"W-What?!" Ven's eyes widen when he notices the marks too.
"I-I…." Sora shuts his mouth, knowing there's really not much he could say.
"We have to call Terra." Ven gives Riku this look. Riku pauses before he grinds his teeth. "…There's going to be hell to pay. I hope you're aware he's going to hate you for this." Riku stares down Ven who tenses.
"…H-He won't hate me….he won't hate either of us…it was a mistake….a b-big mistake." Ven holds Sora closer.
"…..Sorry…" Sora can only apologize. "I just…wanted to be with you guys…" the last of his consciousness slips away. Everything getting dark.
When Sora comes too….he realizes that he's in someone's arms….It's Ven. He's holding him tightly. Sora's eyes blink open, aware now that his head was resting on Riku's shoulder.
"Looks like you woke up at the perfect moment Sora…." Teara's eyes hold no light. His voice expressionless. Axel and Roxas stand in the corner….looking anxious. Aqua looks upset. "Care to explain who's idea it was to take you out for a mission? These two only want to come up with excuses. Well?"
"Terra he's hurt. Let Aqua heal him before we talk about this-" Riku starts to argue. Terra sends him a sharp look.
"He's not getting healed till I hear the truth from your mouth. Who ever did this will have to be punished. If you want Sora to be healed….one of you has to fess up to your crimes." Terra is staring Riku down. Riku averts his gaze and sighs. He opens his mouth-
"It was my idea." Sora cuts him off, sitting himself up the best he can, getting out of Ven's arms. Terra's eyes narrow.
"T-That's not true! It was mine and Riku's idea!-" Ven starts to defend.
"No. It was all my idea. They are only lying to stick up for me…." Sora feels his heart clench. "….When Riku and Ven weren't looking….I snuck into the portal after them. I…I just wanted to get away for a bit. It's been so hard lately….so don't punish Riku or Ven. It was me. All me." Sora says with conviction.
"No it wasn't! Terra that's a lie!" Riku says quickly. "I'm the one who-"
"Silence!" Terra snarls stopping what ever Riku was about to say. Ven also closes his mouth when he was about to protest. "….so this is what you do Sora. You can't use your powers yet you disobey me and almost get yourself killed. You put your brothers in danger as well! That werewolf could have used you as a ransom and killed your brothers! Not to mention! Do you know what would have happened to this family if you died? How selfish can you be?" Terra's voice is so dark.
"I-" In a blink of an eye Terra is right in front of him. Terra grabs him by the neck and throws him towards the middle of the room. Before Ven and Riku can stop him, he makes a barrier, keeping everyone out…except Sora and Terra.
"What are you doing?!" Riku starts to pound on the barrier, his eyes wide. "He's hurt! He's injured! Terra stop this! It was me!"
"Terra don't hurt Sora! It's true it was me and Riku! Please don't hurt him! Terra!" Ven cries out.
Terra doesn't listen. He just stares Sora down with this look…a look of utter distain. Sora feels like his heart is breaking. Sora…is a disappointment….He's failed Terra far too many times and then he does a stunt like this….he just wanted to spend time with his brothers. He just wanted to have some fun.
"I'm sorry-" Sora starts to say only for Terra to punch him in the gut. The wind is knocked right out of him and he finds himself rolling on the floor clenching his stomach. There's' so much darkness radiating off of Terra…
"You feel it don't you? He hates you. He hates you so much Sora." Vantais sneers at him. "He knows you're not one of them! He knows you could never be one of them!"
"I'm sorry-" Sora starts again only for Terra to kick him in the side, sending him flying.
"Stop it!" Ven screams, pounding on the force field desperately.
By this point Riku has brought out his gloves and is attacking the barrier with everything he has. "You have no right to do this! Sora didn't do anything! He's hurt-"
Another hit.
"Stop it! " Axel growls, now attacking the barrier himself.
Another stomp on Sora's back.
"You're going to kill him!" Roxas screams, punching the barrier.
Sora feels his blood run down his throat as he looks up at Terra. He feels himself slipping again. "…I'm….really….sorry." Another kick to the gut. White bursts behind his eyelids and then there's darkness. Sora has passed out.
"Terra! Stop!" Aqua breaks the barrier, grabbing Sora with her water and pulling him away when it looked like Terra was about to kick him again. She holds the body close, looking at Terra with wide eyes ."What are you doing?! Are you trying to kill him?!"
"No I-" Terra stops and really takes in the damage he's caused Sora. That anger dies down and he slowly looks around. Ven is crying openly, looking horrified. Riku's eyes burn with a fire, those eyes so hateful that Terra is sure if Riku could, he would kill him. Axel is holding onto Roxas who is also in tears, but there's rage in those eyes directed towards him. "….He needed to be punished."
"To this extent…? You know he was not only attacked by a werewolf but a vampire as well! Your actions could have killed him!" Aqua frowns deeply when Tera turns his back to her.
"….This not only punishes him but it punishes Ven and Riku for their actions." Terra locks eyes with Riku who is shaking he's so furious. "The next time you think of taking Sora away from here, remember this." Terra points to Sora's broken body. "And decide against it. You're only hurting Sora. I won't hesitate to do this again. Remember that." Terra snarls before he walks out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
It doesn't take more than a second before all the boys are surrounding Aqua, looking over Sora with concern. The damage is worse up-close.
"W-Why?" Ven questions quietly as he looks at the bruises and the blood at the corner of Sora's mouth. "Aqua…S-Sora's going to be okay right? He'll be fine?" Ven looks at Aqua who is biting her lip. She's been studying him with her water that's wrapped around his body.
"…He's got internal bleeding. He's suffered great blood loss already from the vampire attack you told us about…and now this….Sora is in critical condition. I need to put him in the pod."
"I-It's that bad?" Ven's eyes widen when Aqua gets up and starts running to the back room. Ven's tears fall more. "N-No!" Roxas and Axel run after her without a word….Riku right with her, his face still stuck in a snarl from his hate.
"I must act quickly…" Aqua mumbles as she fills the egg shaped pod with her water, infusing her healing magic in it.
"You'll be okay Sora." Riku grabs the boy's arm as if that could ease this pain. Those eyes tremble when Sora makes a soft sound of discomfort. "You'll be okay!" Riku grinds his teeth when Aqua takes the boy from his brothers and puts him in the pod. The water swallows him and glows. Quickly Aqua shuts the pod's doors, locking Sora in. It's seethrough so they're able to see Sora's bruised face as the oxygen mask comes out from a container in the pod, surcuring it on Sora's face so he'll be able to breath as he's being healed.
"Oh no. Oh no!" Ven falls to his knees in front of the pod, his eyes wide and glossy. "I didn't w-want this to happen! I just….Why would T-Terra?...Why didn't he hit me?!" Ven hits the ground. "I should be t-the one in that pod! Sora didn't do anything-" Ven breaks off in a sob, covering his face. "Oh Sora….I'm so sorry…I couldn't do anything!"
Riku grips his fist, it trembling by his side as he stares at Sora's face. He doesn't say anything. He's worried if he were to open his mouth now he would just scream.
"Damn…" Axel snarls as he holds Roxas closer. He seems to get more emotional when Ven started to cry.
"Come on Ven, Riku. I hav to heal you two. Sora wasn't the only one who got hurt." Aqua turns her attention on the other boys. "You've been through a lot. Staying here and crying in front of Sora isn't going to make him better. Sora can feel your emoitons remember?...These emotions of anger and sorrow will only hurt him and make it harder for him to heal." Aqua locks eyes with Ven and Riku who both look at her with reliezation.
"Then I have to get away from Sora so he doesn't' feel this! I'm sorry Sora!" Ven turns and runs out of the room, Roxas close behind with Axel following them.
"Riku…" Aqua frowns when the other teenager lingers. Riku closes his eyes for a moment before he turns and leaves, Aqua following after him. She pauses and turns to look back at Sora in his pod before she shuts the door. It doesn't surpise her when Riku doesn't move from in front of the door. He's guarding it. She doesn't fight him on it. Aqua just uses her powers to heal him the best she can before she walks off to find Ven.
Aqua may not be able to feel emotions like Sora can but…her heart is heavy with greif. Her family is falling apart.
"Wow you're still here?" Axel walks out to Riku who is sitting in front of Sora's door. Those eyes narrow at Axel who puts his hands up. "Don't look at me like that. I've just come to check up on you…." Axel scratches his cheek. "…How you holding up?"
"How do you think?"
"Not great huh?" Axel leans against the wall, crossing his arms. "Ven isn't doing too hot either. He's out in the forest right now. After Aqua told him about how Sora could be feeling his emotions…he's been too scared to get close. Roxas is out there with him. He's an emotional mess." Axel snorts. "But you don't care about Ven do you?"
"No." Riku locks eyes with Axel. "It's better for him to stay away. I doubt he would do much against Terra. He'd just get in the way."
"Yeah. If Terra shows up trying to get to Sora I'm pretty sure you'd try to kill him." Axel chuckles knowing how true his words are. "Not that I can blame you. After seeing what he did to Sora, I want to hurt him too."
"He tried to kill Sora." Riku snarls. "The way he looked at him like he was a bug while he kept hurting him…I won't forgive that. Sora has done nothing but try his best. He's taken so much shit from Terra….And then he does that to him….I will never forgive him."
"Whoa! That's some real emotion coming from you Riku! I wonder when Sora started meaning so much to you?" Axel hums getting a dark glare from Riku. "I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I think I understand you the most right now-"
"You understand nothing-"
"If it was Roxas…" Axel cuts him off. "….I would rip out Terra's throat if he ever did that to Roxas. If he tried to kill him…I wouldn't hold back. I wouldn't be able to keep my emoitons in check….I bet that's how you're feeling right now….because Sora is important to you."
"…..What are you trying to say?"
"Don't do anything crazy. Sora will be sad if you get hurt trying to fight Terra. You and I know we are no match for him. Try to keep a rational mind….we will get revenge on Terra for what he's done." Axel takes a deep breath. "….And I think it's about time we talked about what we should do with Sora-"
"What we should do with him?" Riku cuts him off, those eyes narrowing.
"….Once again, Sora's eyes never changed. He was on the brink of death and not once did his eyes change to white. You can't deny that." Riku doesn't say anything. "Terra has to be aware if it by now. I wonder if that was why he tried to kill Sora? Because he's realized that there's no way Sora is an Occisor-"
"If he's not a Occisor than what is he?!" Riku snarls, standing up. Axel backs up. "What are you trying to do? Saying such a thing? Sora is one of us! He has the element of light! How can you explain that?"
"….Look I don't know what's up with Sora. All I know is that he isn't one of us. If Terra knows this he's going to keep trying to hurt Sora. We should tell Sora to leave-"
"Sora isn't going anywhere. He's going to stay right here with me!" Riku snaps. His eyes widen by how loud he yelled this. He turns his back to Axel, gripping his fists. "Sora is one of us. He belongs here. He's a special Occisor. Don't sprout such lies."
"They're not lies Riku! Open your eyes! I thought you Cared for him-"
"I do!" Riku turns around and in a blink of an eye has Axel pinned to the wall, his hand on his neck. His eyes are white. "You don't know anything about how I feel about Sora!"
"R-Riku…" Axel grabs Riku's wrist. Riku's eys widen and he lets go of Axel, taking stpes back. Axel rubs his neck, narrowing his eyes at him. "Don't tell me I have to worry about you hurting Sora now?"
"I would never hurt him." Riku takes a deep breath. "Axel, leave. If you don't leave I won't hold back."
"Fine. Threaten me. You're only hurting yourself and Sora." Axel snears before he leaves. Riku glares after him before he sighs, sitting in front of the door again. He wonders how long he's been sitting here. He's sure it's been at least a day….
Riku closes his eyes, gripping his fist. He's been guarding Sora with all he has, worried that someone will try to hurt him while he's healing. He hasn't seen Terra or Aqua.
He wonders…how Sora is doing in that healing pod….he can't get in without breaking the door since Aqua locked it….He wonders if Sora is dreaming. He hopes he's comfortable….and that he'll heal soon. Riku wants to appolgize in person. He wants to hold Sora close and swear to him that he won't let this happen again. This urge to protect….he's never experienced it so greatly before.
Riku can't lose Sora. He'll stay here as long as he needs too…in till it's time for Sora to wake up. No one could get him to leave this spot.
No one.
"Sora you are made of two beautiful parts. You are a miracle. Please don't think less of yourself because of the words of others. You are amazing. Please remember that even when you get older….even when you can no longer hide what you are to the world. When others hate you for it, they weren't worth it to begin with! You are strong baby. Stronger than I could ever be! I believe in you and I always will!"
"….Mom…" Sora's eyes flutter open, his mother's words from the past waking him up. He notices right away that he's in some sort of pod….he recognizes it quickly. Aqua's healing pod. Terra must have messed him up pretty good….Sora chuckles humorlessly as he pulls off the oxygen mask. He pushes on the pod's doors and they open, the water spilling out into the floor.
Sora wobbles out of the pod, his legs feeling like jelly. He notices that he's naked right away with how cold it is…Sora looks down at his body, amazed when he doesn't see any bruises. He freezes when something catches his eye….a quick movement, a soft brush of fur. Sora's face goes pale.
"N-No…" He rushes into the bathroom, falling on his knees in the process only to force himself back up. He slams the bathroom door and locks it. He takes deep breaths…knowing what he will see when he looks in the mirror though he hopes It's just an illusion.
"You know it isn't."
Sora takes another deep breath before he looks in the mirror. There's fluffy brown ears on the top of his head, they are back from his feelings. A bushy tail waves behind him restlessly. His nails have gotten longer, almost like claws. Sora falls to his knees, putting a hand to his heart.
"….It's true…" Sora's heart is beating so fast. What is he going to do? What can he do? What does this mean?
"You are not one of them. Your life is in danger."
Sora closes his eyes, ignoring Vanitas. His eyes snap open when he hears the door to the pod room open. It's Riku. He can feel their link. A surge of anxiety flows in him.
"Aqua! Where is Sora?!" Riku snarls.
"Sora is gone!" Ven is there too. He bust in when Riku yelled.
"He couldn't have gotten out of this room with the door locked like this….Sora dear, are you in the bathroom?" Aqua asks.
Sora quickly gets up and puts his body in front of the bathroom door to block it. He swallows when the door knob starts to move.
"…Sora?" Riku sounds unsure.
"Sora say something! Are you okay?!" Ven yells.
"Don't try to open this door! Please don't! If you do I won't forgive you!" Sora yells getting who ever was trying to open the door knob to stop.
"S-Sora what's wrong?" Ven sounds like he's frowning.
"Come on Sora….open the door-"
"I won't forgive you!" Sora yells again when he knows Riku was about to bust down the door. He stops. "I wont'! I trust you Riku! Don't break that!"
"…I won't Sora." Riku's voice is quiet. "But you trust me too don't you? I only want to help you. You shouldn't be out and moving about. If you're hurt you have to let us help you Sora."
"You wouldn't want to help me….You wouldn't…" Sora swallows down his tears, his teeth trembling. He is the very thing Riku hates. "I'm okay. I'm really okay. I just want you all to leave."
"Sora this isn't like you! Please talk to us!" Ven cries out. He can feel how anxious he is. "Like Riku said! You can't be okay! You're saying weird things and-"
"Sora. Stop making your brothers worry. Come out of the bathroom." Aqua urges. "…Or I'll break down the door."
Sora gasps, knowing there's not much he can do to stop Aqua. He bites his lip, looking around for an escape route. He can't let his brothers see him like this!
"They'll hate you! They'll know you don't belong!"
"No! please don't!" Sora screams, knowing Aqua will be breaking down the door. He rushes into the bathtub and pulls the curtain. He hugs his knees to his chest. He wills these ears and tail to go away. He wants them to disappear. He doesn't' want them to be seen…please…
The door is bust down. The curtain is pulled in a second. Sora buries his face in his knees.
"Sora…" Ven's voice is quiet as he touches his bare shoulder. "What's wrong Sora?"
"Please….leave me Ven." Sora mumbles, not wanting to get up from this spot. He doesn't' want to see how Ven looks.
"S-Sora…" Ven sounds like he's frowning. Their link is getting hurt…he can feel it. Sora is pushing himself away from him.
"Come now Sora." Aqua grabs Sora's arm and forces him up. Sora slowly looks up at the mirror….he feels relief wash over him when he no longer sees those ears and tail….his family didn't see. Sora wobbles a bit. It doesn't take much for Ven to grab a hold of him to help steady him. "You look like you've healed….i'm a bit surpised. You must have a power for healing as well Sora."
Sora walks out of the bathroom with Ven's help. He glances up to See Riku….he waited out of the bathroom even when Ven and Aqua went in….was it because of what he said? Riku looks like he wants to say something….Sora can feel his guilt and concern.
Sora swallows down this feeling in his heart. He pushes his way out of ven's hold and lays down in the bed next to the pod.
"Sora I think you should get back in the pod. You look okay but you may need more healing internally-"
"I'll sleep it off." Sora mumbles, curling into himself.
"…Okay Sora." Aqua glances at Ven who is looking at Sora with wide eyes. "…Don't bother Sora too much Ven. Let him rest soon." Aqua leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.
"…..Sora are you mad at me?' Ven approaches first. The uncertainty prickles his skin. "I-I'm so sorry about everything. I s-should have watched you better. I should have been there to protect you-"
"It's not your fault Ven. None of this is your fault. It's mine. I'm sorry I got you in this mess."
"That's not true! It wasn't your fault at all! ….Sora are you sure you're not in pain? You were acting really weird in the bathroom….like you're hiding something. If you're hurting you have to let us know! I don't want you to hurt anymore-" Ven was getting closer.
"Ven. Please leave." Silence. Sora closes his eyes when his heart sinks….knowing this is what Ven is feeling right now.
"…I….I…." Ven is trying to say something. He tries to work through his feelings only for those feelings to grow. Sora turns around to look at Ven with dull blue eyes. His heart clenches. "…I-I'll go." Ven can't hide the tears in his eyes as he runs out of the room.
"…You too Riku." Sora glances over at Riku who is frowning deeply.
"…I'll let you rest." Riku backs up slowly, those eyes not leaving Sora's for a moment. He takes a deep breath. "I kept your trust Sora….so keep your trust in me. Don't lose heart." With those words Riku leaves, closing the door.
Sora lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding. The tears fall freely now that no one is here. He made Ven cry. He made Riku's heart hurt. Sora's hurting but he couldn't stop himself. Now that he knows he's a werewolf…now that he knows he's no longer an occisor….he can't help but think what his brothers would do if they knew? Would they still treat him the same?
No. Riku would hate him for sure. He would say he broke his trust. Ven wouldn't cling to him anymore. He would be sad and he would cry but their link would be destroyed.
…..so Sora has to keep this a secret. He has to keep them at arms lengh so they don't find out what he is….becaue if they do…it's over.
Sora would lose everything.
Sora cries himself to sleep, curling into himself. He feels like it would be better if he slept forever and never woke up. That way it won't hurt anymore. His secret would be dorment with him….
He couldn't hurt his family anymore. He falls asleep hearing Vanitas laugher the whole time and his chanting.
"….Ven." Roxas puts a hand over his heart when he sees his brother, hiding under the blanket, sniffling. The younger brother braces himself before he walks over to his bed, sitting on the edge of it. "…What happened with Sora? Why are you crying now?"
"H-He hates me Rox." Ven comes out from under the blanket, those blue eyes pools of sadness. "He told me to leave and it was like he….he didn't want me around. This is all my fault!" Ven sobs.
"Ven there's no way Sora could hate you. You're being stupid for even thinking that for a second! Sora's just been through a lot. He was attacked by monsters and then comes home to Terra almost killing him…I'm sure he has a lot to think about it."
"….H-He's never pushed me away." Ven says quietly. "I know he has a lot to think about. So do I…..but I wish I could be there with him to think it through together." Ven closes his eyes, a tear falling. "…I can't lose him Roxas. Sora has made me so happy….when he told me to get out….it felt like I was losing him. And I know he can sense my feelings….I don't want him to hurt anymore but I can't stop myself from feeling this way! I just….want to be beside him. I want to help him."
"Because he means a lot to you." Roxas puts a hand on Ven's shoulder when it began to shake. "…Sora is probably your most precious person. You've been attached since the first day he's got here. We've had a lot of scares with him too. It's been an emional roller coster but you always kept your faith in him." Roxas thinks for a moment. "….I know you love him Ven. I know you more than anyone….But Sora needs space some times too. It doesn't mean he hates you. Because you know Sora loves you too."
"Sora…."Ven calms down at his brother's words. "I just wish I could take away what he's feeling right now. I wish it were me in his place."
"Don't wish that on yourself Ven. It doesn't' help Sora and I'm sure he wouldn't want to hear that. He doesn't' want you to be hurt."
"…You're right Roxas." Ven wipes his eyes, giving his brother a soft smile. "S-Sorry I kind of lost it for a moment…all it took was Sora to tell me to leave and I felt like the world was ending." Ven chuckles. "I…I'll be stronger for him next time. I believe in him. When he's ready…he'll come back to me right?"
"Right." Roxas returns his smile. When Ven hugs him, he pats him on the back to offer some comfort.
"…Thank you."
"Any time." Roxas glances over at the door when Axel walks in. He takes in the scene before him with a slight frown.
"…Sora still out?"
"Not exactly. He's still resting though.' Roxas answers for Ven.
"I figured that. Riku is still playing guard dog in front of the door. I was going to talk to him about letting me watch the door for a bit so he can get some rest but he just gave me this look that could kill."
"Riku is dealing with this in his own way…" Ven mumbles, looking down at his hands. "…He's worried that Terra would try to hurt him again…And if I'm honest…" Ven looks at Roxas with a frown. "I'm kind of happy Riku is staying there…"
"Yeah. Riku will protect Sora. Terra won't try to get close with Riku there." Roxas squeezes Ven's hand. "…Riku is prefect for this job Ven. So don't feel bad that you're not guarding the door. If anything it might make Terra angrier at Sora if you were to lose sleep like that….not that you're getting much sleep now…"
"Riku is taking it too far." Axel grunts. "He hasn't slept in three days. He's barely eaten anything either. We're all worried about Sora but you don't see us going crazy like he is. We've all been watching Terra."
"…Like Ven said, its how Riku is dealing with this. Riku and Sora have gotten a lot closer recently. I'm sure he doesn't know what to do with himself…" Roxas frowns when Ven looks down. "…We're all having trouble deciding how to feel and what we should do."
"….Speaking of Terra, Aqua told me that he's going to be gone for a while. Didn't say where he's going or why but at least he'll be gone." Axel offers.
"Good." Roxas says without hesitation. "Something is wrong with him. He needs to go away and think of what he's done." When Ven frowns Roxas offers him a smile. "Ven lets get some food okay? Sitting here Crying isn't going to help Sora or make you feel better. Lets just take it easy today and tomorrow we'll try again to visit Sora if he's up."
"…Okay.' Ven nods his head. As he walks with his twin brother down stairs….Ven tries to push that image of Sora's dull eyes out of his mind….he tries to push that feeling away.
He's got to be strong for Sora.
"You can't keep pretending to be asleep when they come to visit you."
Sora ignores Vantias once again. He knows what he's saying is true. It's been about two weeks now. Every times his brothers get close he acts like he's still healing, like he's passed out. He just….can't face them. Especially Ven and Riku. The sad thing is he can still feel Riku outside of the door…he's been guarding the door this whole time. If he leaves….it's for a spilt second and then he's back.
When Ven comes….he feels his longing and how much he wants to get close to him again. Sora is just hurting himself doing this but he…just doesn't know what to do anymore. Sora doesn't know when the next full moon will be on this world….he doesn't know when he might show his ears and tail again…intill he knows those answers he can't let his brothers around him.
"You know…." Vanitas sounds like he's smirking. "…There's' a witch in universe 5 that has strong powers…powers that could probably conceal your werewolf qualities. I've used her to conceal my own darkness so Terra couldn't find me."
"….Why are you telling me this?' Sora licks his lips but he can't deny how his heart started to lift in hope at his words. When theres' no response Sora takes a deep breath. "….Can her powers stop me from transforming? Could they even….make me seem more like an…Occisor?"
"Maybe. Why don't' you go and see for yourself?"
This could be a trap. Sora is aware of it. Vanitas could just be trying to get him away from his brothers to attack him. But…What if Vanitas is telling the truth?...This might be his only chance to make things go back to the way they were. He could be around his brother without worrying about being exposed….
All Sora knows is that it can't go on like this….Ven can't take much more. He can feel it through their link…and Riku is close to breaking. They're both so lonely. He can sense it and it hurts. There' so much that they both want to say to him but Sora hasn't allowed them to even express their feelings.
Sora wants to talk to them…he wants to be close again…
"Then you have to take action.' Vanitas's voice is sin.
Sora is going to feel bad for what he's about to do. He might regret it more than anything he's done. Sora sits up, touching his head to make sure his ears aren't out. They aren't. He takes deep breath, bracing himself before he calls for him. "Riku."
It doesn't take long before the door opens and Riku walks in. He looks wide eyed as he stares at Sora….his emotions are like a burst of wind and it floods Sora's heart. He swallows.
"Sora you're awake. Are you feeling alright? Is there anything I can get for you?" Riku takes a step closer. Riku is being cautious .Sora can feel it in his heart. There's more he wants to say right now.
This is Sora's chance to change his mind but…after seeing Riku he can't help but say what he does next. "Riku…I need your help."
"What's wrong?" Riku frowns, moving just a bit closer.
"…Do you have a traveling crystal on you?" Sora continues even when Riku gives him a questioning look.
"….I do why?"
Sora holds out his hand with his palm up. He swallows thickly. "Please give it to me."
"You just woke up. I should get you something to eat-"
"Give it to me please." Sora repeats. He knows Riku is trying to get him off tract but it won't work. He's filled with resolve.
"Why?" Riku is just as firm. "What are you going to do with it? You're not thinking about…running away are you?"
Sora shakes his head quickly. This seems to relax Riku a little. "I'm not running away. Trust me Riku. I won't do anything." Sora catches how he starts reaching towards his right pocket only to pause.
"…it's not that I don't trust you Sora but…it's like you're using this trust against me. You did it when I wanted to check on you…and now…. I don't want to see you hurt. So if I think that my actions will aid you rather than harm you….Just don't take advangage of the trust that I have in you Sora."
Sora feels something sting inside of him but he's made his mind up. "Sorry Riku." Sora tackles Riku head on. He didn't hold back. Riku goes down easily, not expecting the younger male to full out attack him. In his shocked state, Sora is able to grab the crystal from his right pocket. With all his strength, he grabs Riku by the wrist and throws him far enough that it will give him enough time…but hopefully he didn't hurt him.
Sora has gotten stronger and he knows it's because of his werewolf abilities. He felt how weak Riku was…only because the poor boy had been spending sleepless nights outside of this rooms worried about him.
"You might hate me but I have to do this." Sora feels the tears at the corner of his eyes when RIku looks at him with utter fear and shock. Sora uses the crystal and calls a portal to world 5.
"Sora don't!" Riku pleads.
Sora jumps into the portal and it closes before Riku could follow. Sora did it. He escaped to universe 5. The whole time he feels like he's falling vanitas is cracking up like he heard the funniest joke in the world.
"I can't believe you fucking attacked him! Holy shit! You werewolves don't play! Pussy Sora that I first met would never do anything like that! Fuck yeah! Did you see the look on his face? That fear? That sorrow? That betrayal?" Vantias keeps laughing. "How can you even believe what I've told you?! You're so fucking stupid!"
Sora ignores his words….this was the path he chose. He has hope that vanitas wasn't completely lying. He can't continue how things are at this home. He needs to be able to be close to his brothers without worrying about being exposed.
When he finally lands on solid ground….He's on a beach. It's night so the water that would be beautiful looks like waves of darkness. Sora stares at the waves before he takes a deep breath. He needs to find this witch. Sora is a bit surprised when he spots a fisherman trying his luck at this time of night.
"E-Excuse me Sir do you happen to know of a….witch that lives around here?" Sora asks even though he's aware of how strange he sounds.
"You talking about that strange girl? She lives that way in that big old mansion. I wouldn't say she's a witch but she is weird. People say that if you get to close to her home there's a chance you won't make it back home. I'd stay away from there if I was you." The fisherman warns.
"thank you!" Sora runs towards the direction he pointed at. If it's a mansion it should be easy to find! Vanitas didn't lie. This girl might be able to help him!
"you really believe my words? Have you learned nothing?" Vanitas sneers.
"I know you wouldn't just say this for no reason. Either I'll find this witch or I'll find you…either way it's a win."
"…How is finding me a win?"
"..Because I'll take you back home. I'm a lot stronger as of right now. It's actually a bit frightening."
"Don't' get cocky. The power of a mutt can not over power me." Vantias growls.
Sora keeps running towards the town. All the houses look pretty run down. Nothing like a mansion. So he keeps running till there's no houses…but one. A large mansion stands before him. It's so far away from the town that Sora can no longer see the other homes when he turns back to look the way he came. It's a the end of this hill. Sora looks up and freezes.
There's' a girl standing in front of the window. She's staring right at him. Sora doesn't really know how to react so he waves. She leaves the window.
"Don't leave!" Sora runs up to the front door and knocks. "I-I need your help!" There's a pause but Sora can hear this girl…she's getting closer till she unlocks the front door. She peeks at him with crystal blue eyes.
"…State who you are and what it is that you want."
"My name is Sora I'm a-" Sora swallows. "…I'm a werewolf. I don't want to be. I want to hide what I am and I was told you can help me." Sora locks eyes with her. " So please."
She stares at him intently for a moment before she opens the door all the way. "Come in." Sora doesn't have to be asked twice. He walks in briskly before she can change her mind. "This way." The young woman starts to lead him up a flight of stairs white as everything else in this mansion. Just pure white.
Sora muses that he thought this witch would be older as he takes in the sights, or the lack there of. Everything is white from the floor, to the carpet, to the future and ceiling. It's so white that it almost gives him a headache. She leads him into a room with a table that has two chairs at the end of it. The witch sits in one and Sora sits in the other.
"….My name is Namine." She starts, her blue eyes staying on a notebook that's laying in front of her. "It is true I have the power that you seek but….I do not understand why you would want it." She looks at Sora. Her eyes are so gentle. Sora feels himself relax. She's not judging him.
"I…I have a family I want to stay with. If they were to find out that I'm not actually one of them…I'm afraid I'll lose them." Sora swallows down his feelings. "I-I can't lose them."
"Why would they do such a thing?"
"…When I was eight years old I went through the ritual to become an occisor. Everyone thought it worked. I did too. Everyone helped to train me to get stronger and I made progress. Only when I hit puberty….did things start to change. I-I….I don't know how this happened. I was a normal human before all this so….how is it that I'm a werewolf?...and not an occisor?...after all that…" Sora trails off thinking about all the years he spent working his butt off, trying to become stronger, trying to control his element….
"You were a werewolf from the start. I can feel that something was suppressing this part of you….there's just traces. I'm sure that the occisor ritual forced your body to change to keep you alive. A werewolf can't become an occisor….I'm sure your DNA just ate away at the chemicals till there was nothing left."
"…What I don't get is that I have an element like Occiosr do. I can control light sometimes and I can feel peoples emotions. I can even look into hearts sometimes. Why do I do that? Because of this power, my family think I'm a special Occisor but….i'm not even close."
"Maybe that light doesn't come from you being an occisor or a werewolf. It might come from something else within."
"She's knowledgeable." Vanitais hums. "She was able to tell much from just looking at you. I can feel her presence in here too. She's digging information up on you as you just sit here. She's strong. I wonder if I can use that…." Vanitas words trail off in his mind.
"What else would it come from?" Sora asks. He frowns when Namine shakes her head.
"It's not my place to say." Namine holds out her hand. "Sora. I can see that you have a lot of hurt in you. Theres' a lot of pain and it's being caused by a darkness that resides inside of you. Theres' nothing I can do about that darkness….but I can help you hide what you are. I'm sorry I can't do more for you."
"No! That's more than enough! Thank you!" Sora's eyes get wide.
"Hah! So that's what she was looking at." Vanitas sounds amused. "I aint going no where bitch."
"Give me some time. Please wait here." Namine stands up. She walks out of the room, closing the door behind her.
"I'm surprised Vanitias. You really did send me to a witch that could help me….Thank you."
"Ew don't thank me. You coming here gave me data on this witch. That's all I wanted."
"Data on Namine? Why?" Sora frowns. When vanitas doesn't answer, Sora starts to fiddle nervously. "You're not going to hurt her are you?"
"And what if I am? What do you care. She's going to fix you up so your brothers don't know that you're a mutt. She's buying you time. Focus on your well being. If your brothers find out your secret….you'll be dead for sure." Vanitas chuckles darkly.
Sora wants to say that's not true but….If he wasn't scared about how his brothers would take in him being a werewolf…then he wouldn't be here would he?
"Sora I've finished." Namine walks back into the room. She holds out a white bracelet. She places it in Sora's open palm and closes his fingers around it. "This was the best I could do. Please use it wisely."
"Will this hide what I am?" Sora asks. Namine nods her head. She takes the bracelet and puts it on Sora's wrist. He…doesn't feel different.
"While you are wearing this, you won't be affected by the full moon. That means no heats and no pains or worry about your body transforming. It doesn't however block your strength. I'm sure that your strength will blend in with that of Occisor. The only down fall to this bracelet is that if it's taken off or broken, your body may change to your wolf form depending on how many full moons you have skipped. This bracelet can't suppress you maturing so as you wear this bracelet you may not show it but your wolf form will get more developed as if you had been turning. I hope that this will help you and not hurt you in the long run."
"Thank you Namine. Thank you so much. I'll take care of it." Sora smiles brightly at her, feeling his body relax at her words. No more heats. No more pain. No more worrying. As long as he's wearing this bracelet…he'll be able to hide what he is!
"Please travel back Sora. Take care of yourself but please know….You won't be able to hide what you are forever."
"….I'll keep that in mind." Sora nods. But this is bought him time. He smiles at the bracelet before namine starts to lead him out of the mansion. "I'll come back again sometime to visit Namine! If there's anything I can do for you, let me know!"
Namine blinks at the boy's brightness. She smiles. "I'll keep that in mind. Goodbye Sora. Be careful out there."
Withone last wave Sora takes out the pink crystal that he stole….He hesitant for a moment before he steers himself. He's going to face his family and appoglize for what he's done. Especially to Riku….
With that He jumps into the portal that will lead him back to his family, thinking of possible things he's going to say to his family when they question him.
Riku stares at where Sora was with his mouth agape and his heart pounding in his chest. He can't believe that just happened. No…It's that he doesn't want to accept it. That Sora would attack him to get away….to run away from him.
What if he doesn't come back? What if Terra's actions have caused Sora to be fearful here? Why couldn't Sora have said that? Why couldn't Sora have talked it out?
Now Sora's gone and Riku doesn't know where he could have went. Thinking that Riku starts to panic. He's never experienced this kind of emotion before. That panicked feeling you get when you lose something important- someone important.
Riku forces himself up and rushes out of the room. He has to find another crystal so he can go after Sora. He doesn't know where he's gone but he'll search all the universes if he has to-
Riku's weak legs give out on him and he falls on his side, knocking the wind out of him. "Damn it!" Riku coughs, cursing himself and this weak body.
"This is what you get for not eating or letting me watch over Sora so you could sleep." Axel, who had just spotted the scene from the end of the hallway grunts, running up to Riku. "Here let me help you up-"
"I don't need your help! Axel Sora's gone!" Riku yells, not able to stop himself.
"What?" Axel's eyes widen. "What do you mean- hey!" Riku stands up and pushes Axel out of the way. He doesn't' have time for this. The more time he wastes, the farther Sora will go away. The more time Sora could be in danger. He doesn't get far before Axel grabs his arm, stopping him in place. "Hey come on dude! Calm down and tell me what's going on! You running around and falling on yourself isn't doing anything!"
….He has a point. Riku takes a deep breath, trying to regain some sense. "What do you mean Sora is gone?" Axel questions again.
"….He…." Riku's heart clenches. "….He stole my crstyal off me and made a portal. He's gone."
"He ran away?" Axel's eyes widen. "Well shit. I didn't think Sora had it in him…But maybe this is for the best-"
"Don't you dare say it's for the best." Riku pushes Axel off of him, sending him a dark glare. "Sora is in danger! He can't be on his own-"
"what do you mean Sora is in danger?" Riku curses when Ven appears from down stairs. He's holding a bunch of yellow and blue roses. Roxas is next to him. They must have heard the commotion…or maybe they were both about to see Sora. Ven marches up to Riku, those blue eyes are already shaking. "Why did you say Sora's in danger? Why are you looking so freaked out-"
"Sora ran away." Axel doesn't sugarcoat it. Ven gasps, clutching the flowers.
"You lie." Ven says softly. When Axel doesn't smirk and Riku clenches his fist, Ven's eyes start to water. "You lie!" He screams before he rushes into the pod room. "Sora!" Ven yells his name. When there's no sign of him, Ven falls to his knees. "N-No…."
"Ven!" Roxas runs after him. He frowns deeply when he sees the empty room.
"Why would Sora r-run away? How did he even leave? He didn't have a crystal….." Ven mumbles to himself, his eyes wide with shock.
"He stole the crystal off of Riku." Axel watches how Riku growls at him.
"Then this is all your fault Riku!" Ven yells, getting up from off the ground, his blue eyes pools of emotion. "How could you let this happen?!-"
"Shut the hell up Ven." Riku snaps. " Enough of this! The more we sit and talk about this, the more Sora is getting away! We have to look for him and bring him back! Think of what Terra or Aqua would do if they found out he ran away…."
Ven's eyes flash and his teeth chatter. "W-We have to find him! Oh god we have to hurry! Terra can't know! He'd hurt him again and-" Ven swallows' the lump in his throat. "…W-What if Sora doesn't want to come back….What if he's…"Ven closes his eyes. He sobs. "I d-don't want him to hate me. I don't want him to leave me but he's ran away….Does that mean he doesn't want us anymore?"
"You're thinking too much into this Ven. I'm sure Sora has his own reason….I'm sure he'll come back….We just have to fine him." Roxas tries to offer comfort but the twin his shaking from his own emotions from Sora's running away.
"Alright. Lets spilt up and start looking through the universe. I'm sure we'd be able to pick up his scent from just appearing in the world. Lets get to work if we're going to find Sora." Axel's straightforward orders gets everyone to snap out of it. Axel hands Riku a crystal, all the boys making a portal. Ven and Riku going into their own while Axel shares one with Roxas.
Riku goes to the universe with their hideout first. To his dismay there's no Sora. Ven tries the worlds that they went to during their missions together. He panics when he has no luck. Roxas and Axel try random worlds, hoping they would cross paths w ith him…no luck…
All the boys come back from their searching with heavy hearts. Ven is a nervous mess while Riku looks like he's about to fall over from all his searching and lack of sleep. Roxas and Axel share a frown. Without saying anything they all know they had no luck.
"N-No one found him?" Ven eyes everyone anxiously. "It's been hours! He could be anywhere! W-We have to find him! Where haven't we tried? We can't let Sora leave! It's been awful this past month! Either Sora was recovering or he was pushing me away….It's been so lonely but at least he was here and I could hope that I'll get to speak to him again! If he's gone I…." Ven trails off, the young boy seems close to breaking.
"Sora's gone?" Everyone freezes from that voice. Aqua enters the boys bedroom with a frown on her face. Everyone looks away but Ven can't hide his shaking. "What is going on-"
"Aqua you can't tell Terra!" Ven rushes up to her, pleading. "If he finds out he's going to kill Sora! You have to promise you won't tell Terra! Don't punish him anymore please! If we find him, please don't punish him!"
"What is this all about?" Aqua puts a hand on Ven's cheek, wiping his tears. "…I won't tell Tera. So please tell me what has happened. I can't help if you won't tell me."
"….Sora ran away." Axel says when no one else spoke. Riku grinds his teeth. "He stole Riku's crystal and ran away."
"….Are you sure he ran away? Maybe Sora just needed some fresh air. He has been through a lot." Aqua tries.
"He was desperate for the he looked so sad when he got it from me…" Riku mutters, his eyes getting glossy.
"….I know this is hard for you all but I don't believe Sora would just run away. He loves this family more than anyone. He gave up his humanity for this family. I don't think Sora would throw it all away so Easily. Sora is quick to forgive. Have some Faith in Sora, that he'll come back." Aqua says softly.
"But what if he doesn't come back!" Ven frowns deeply when Aqua doesn't say anything.
"…Have faith in him…" Riku considers this. He wants to. He wants to believe that Sora didn't do that to get away from him but rather….there was another reason for his actions. "….Either way he's still in danger."
"Yeah! Riku's right! We need to keep looking. "Ven urges.
"It would take forever to serach all the unvierses for him." Axel grunts.
"We'd use all our engery and then if an emeny attacked we'd be in trouble. "Roxas adds. When Ven gives him a look Roxas averts his gaze. "….We have to think of ourselves as well. Sora wouldn't want us to get hurt looking for him….at least that's the Sora I believe in."
"yeah either he'll come back or….it wasn't meant to be." Axel rubs the back of his head when Riku sends him a sharp look.
"that's easy for you to say. Since you've been wanting this to happen from the start right Axel?"
"…I don't know what your talking about.' Axel narrows his eyes at Riku. "I've always been looking out for his best interest."
"His best interest is with us! His Family! Sora's the one who brought us closer! We can't go on without him!" ven yells into the conversation.
"More like you can't go on without him Ven." Axel waves his hand.
"Axel." Roxas warns. Axel puts his hands up in surrender.
"I'm just saying. Hell after what happened with Terra, Sora might be Safer away from us."
"No! t-that was just a one time thing! Terra just lost it! I…I won't let him do that to Sora again!" Ven grips his fist before he looks over at Riku. "Right RIku?"
"…Yeah. I'd destroy him before he had the chance."
"See? We'll all protect Sora! Then we'll have nothing to worry about and Sora will be here with us!"
"Damn. I thought I'd never see the day that Ven and Riku agree on something….of course that would be Sora." Axel muses.
"All of you, please stop fighting. Sora wouldn't want this. I'm sure if you just give him a little bit of time he'll be back-" Just as Aqua is saying this they all feel a portal open in their world. The portal opened down stairs, in the basement. With hearts in throats, all the boys and Aqua take off running towards what they sensed….Everyone is holding their breath. Even Axel's heart is beating a little faster….
They're all filled with new hope.
"I ended up in the basement." Sora mumbles as he walks out of the portal, it closing behind him. He glances at the white bracelet on his wrist, taking a deep breath. He tries to calm his racing heart but when he hears the frantic foot steps running towards him he can't calm down. He braces himself for anything. He needs to take his punishment for what he's done to his brothers.
The first one down the stairs is Ven. He almost breaks down the basement door with the power of his running. He freezes when those blue eyes lock with sora's. Sora feels just as frozen. Seeing those panicked, wet stained eyes….Sora did that to him. He feels it. The emotion from Ven is too much that tears start to fall down his cheeks.
"Oh god Sora!" Ven rushes up to him and hugs him. Sora hugs him back tightly. Ven lets out a shaky breath. "Sora you're here! Y-you came back! I was so worried! Do you know how worried I was? I thought….i thought you'd never come back! Please d-don't leave me Sora! I'll do m-my best to protect you so please d-don't leave me!" Ven is spitting words from his emotions. The poor boy can't stop.
Just as ven is freaking out, Riku is the next to come into the basement with Roxas and Axel close behind…and aqua. Sora feels something clench inside of him when he sees Riku. There's such dark bags under his eyes. Maybe what makes Sora cry more out of guilt is when he feels the relief that washed over Riku from seeing him.
"I'm not going answer Ven." Sora holds him tighter. "I'm sorry….I'm sorry to make you feel like this. I'm sorry that I pushed you away-"
"You're here Sora. That's all that matters. You came back!" Ven pulls away with a small smile, his tears still falling. He cups Sora's cheeks. Sora feels their link tug.
Sora gently moves Ven off of him so he can walk up to Riku who has been watching tensely. He locks eyes with Sora, his eyebrows furrowing. Sora holds out the crystal he stole. He swallows. "I'm sorry Riku….for what I did to you. I broke your trust. I don't expect for you to forgive me but I…." Sora averts his gaze, his shoulder slumping. His eyes widen when Riku suddenly hugs him.
"Never again." He mumbles before pulling away. Sora nods his head.
"I promise. I won't ever do that again." Riku and Sora have a stare off before he nods his head.
"Man you had us scared to death Sora! You should have seen how freaked out Ven and Riku were." Axel grins, walking up to Sora and ruffling his hair.
"You almost gave me a heart attack too." Roxas glares at him, crossing his arms. "…We really thought you were gone."
"No! I'd never leave you guys! You're my family!" Sora shouts.
"Even terra?" Axel questions. Everyone gets tense. "We thought you might have ran because of him."
"No. Terra is still my family. I…I understand why he attacked me. I put you all in danger. I deserved-"
"You didn't deserve what Terra did to you." Riku growls.
"But I…." Sora trails off. He can't mention what he is but he feels like…Terra was punishing him for disappointing him…for not able to be what he needs him to be.
"Sora, could you tell us why you left?" Aqua questions breaking into his thoughts. All eyes are on him once again. "I find it strange that you would attack Riku only to come back….what were you thinking?"
"….I needed to do something for myself. I'm sorry that I can't say more than that. I won't leave again. And I'll accept my punishment for what I've done Aqua." Sora locks eyes with aqua.
"Aqua..." Ven gives her this look with his big blue eyes. All the brothers look at her, silently pleading.
"There is no punishment Sora. This will be a secret between us. But please don't run off again. Your brothers were falling apart in front of my eyes. Please remember your actions effect those around you."
"I-I'll remember! Thank you Aqua and i'm really sorry for all of this-" Sora feels his chest tighten when Aqua smiles at him gently. She doesn't hate him. She still cares for him-
"If you're really sorry for this Sora you better start by giving us all some time to give you a piece of our mind." Axel cuts in, his arms crossed. "I have a few complaints that you need to here because of all this."
"That's a great idea Axel." Aqua puts her hands together. "Sora, you should give each of your brothers a private moment to talk to you. While you are doing that, i'll get busy making us dinner. A big feast. I know you haven't been eating much lately...really none of you have."
Sora blinks back the tears. He's so happy. He made the right choice after all. He's going to be able to stay close to his brothers again. He's going to be able to be with this family now. "That sounds great!" Sora can't contain his excitement. This seems to brighten the mood. the atmosphere is more relaxed. There's still tenison of course. Still many things that have to be said but...he's going to clear that up now. With each of his brothers he will try to make his amends.
Aqua excuses herself, mumbling something under her breath about turkey or roast beef. Once aqua is gone a silence falls over the brothers. Sora feels they're all staring at him. Feeling overwhelmed by those repressed feelings he opens his mouth-
"I'm going first so everyone else out!" Axel shouts suddenly getting everyone to look at him in shock.
"H-Hey why do you get to go first?" Ven protests.
"Because I probably have the least to say out of all you guys. I know when you two have your moment it's going to take forever." Axel motions to Riku and Ven. "So i should go first then Roxas and then whoever. sound fair?" they exchange glances before reluctantly nodding. "Alright then everyone out." Ven and Roxas leave together, to wait outside of the basement. Riku lingers.
"Axel." Riku stares the taller one down.
"No worries." Axel waves him off. "I'm not trying to start anything. I'm happy he's back too you know?"
Riku seems content with this because he also leaves. Sora doesn't get what that was about. What would Axel want to start with him? Is he actually really mad about what he did? Sora couldn't blame him. These past couple of months have been a roller costar for everyone.
Axel puts his hands on his hips for a moment, Sora thinking he's about to scold him. Instead he breaks out into a grin, striding over till he's in front of him. He ruffles his hair. "Glad to have you back Sora. I thought you ran away for good."
"I could never run away from you guys. You're the only family i have." Sora says with a small smile. Axel gets a serous look on his face.
"...You know I wouldn't have hated you if you did? I get it. You have to look after yourself Sora. Don't be blinded by the word 'family'. Terra almost killed you. Don't forget that."
"I..." Sora is taken aback by Axel's change of tone. He averts his gaze. "I...it's not like a could forget it if I wanted to. I...I get why he did it though. I did put Riku and Ven in danger...I was selfish. I haven't been able to meet up to the councils expectations as well. I've just been causing trouble recently."
"Think Sora. Terra has been beating you. Terra almost killed you. It's not your fault that this happened. Riku and Ven wanted to do something nice for you...because of the way Terra has been treating you." Axel puts his hands up. "I don't want to take too much time. I just want you to know that i stand by you looking out for yourself. What Terra wants might not be what's best for you. YOu should remember that."
Sora doesn't know what to say. Deep down he knows Axel is right...but he could never be away from his brothers. He wouldn't know what to do with this life. His life now is his family. He can't be away from them...Even if he's not an occisor. Even if Terra hates him...he has to try. He has to try so they can stay a family.
Axel watches the fire in Sora's eyes. he sighs. "Welp. I told you my piece. I'll let Roxas have his turn." Axel walks up the stairs, waving back at Sora. It doesn't seem like Axel is angry with him...but it seems like he thinks he would have been better off away from here.
"Obviously." Vantias sneers. Sora jumps from his voice, forgetting about his prence for just a bit. "You're dumb as shit for coming back here. Just come to me already."
Sora shakes his head as the basement door opens. Roxas comes down next. Those deep blue eyes stare at him a moment before he hurries over towards him. Roxas hugs him quickly before pulling away. He smiles.
"I'm glad that you're okay Sora. I'm glad you're back and...that you're healed."Roxas's face gets serious. "I know things have been...well hell recently. Ven has lost a lot of sleep over what Terra did to you...He was really upset when you pushed him away."
Sora avert his gaze, a deep frown on his face. He knows. He felt it through their link. "I'm going to apologize to him. I shouldn't have done that but I-"
"I get it. You were in shock. Ven has a tendency to cling too much at the worse moments. He just gets too anxious when it comes to you. But i understand him...because i'm like that with Axel." Roxas's cheeks turn pink. "...I don't have too much to say. I know Ven is figgiting up there waiting to talk to you. I just wanted to let you know...I'm really happy your back. We...I...I won't let that happen again. The thing with Terra. You...mean alot to my brother. You mean a lot to me too. So just know I got your back."
"Roxas..." Sora's eyes get wide. He smiles brightly feeling his heart tighten. "Thank you." Roxas nods, seeming a bit shy after saying all that.
"You're welcome...Now i'll let Ven come down." Roxas hurries away.
Sora takes a deep breath. He's trying to get his nerves under control. He knows ven will have a lot to say. Well...Sora has a lot to say to him.
Soon enough he hears frantic foot steps down the steps and then there's Ven. Those blue eyes are still watery and red, proof of how much he's been crying. Sora feels like someone punched him in the gut. This feelings...they're so overpowering. The relief, the happiness, the worry...All this love that Ven has for him is holding him still, breathless.
"Sora!" Ven runs to him, tackling him into a hug. Ven holds him tight, so tight, like he's worried Sora's going to disappear if he doesn't. Sora holds him back with the same energy. Sora feels tears fall down his own face. He missed this. He missed Ven.
"Ven!" Sora holds Ven as he sobs in his shoulder.
"I-I thought you were gone! I thought I might not see you again! I-I was so worried you were going to be hurt or trapped or lost! I can't do this without you Sora! I can't b-be without you!" Ven cries out. "I-I'm sorry I was being pushy! I'm sorry I let Terra hurt you! I'm sorry I couldn't stop that werewolf from attacking you! I'm sorry for fighting with Riku! Please d-don't leave me-"
"Ven!" Sora pulls Ven away from him so his brother can look him in the eye. Ven is a wreck. Tears streaming down his face, his nose runny. His breathing is erratic. Sora can feel his panic. His fear of what he's about to say. Sora cups his cheeks, Ven's breath gets caught "I would never leave you! None of that was your fault! I was the one who wanted to go on the mission with you guys...I was the one who couldn't make my way back to you. I took the blame because i Couldn't forgive myself if Terra was angry at you."
Sora places his forehead against Ven's. He hiccups.
"Y-You shouldn't have done that Sora! I never want you hurt! You should have let Terra get mad at me! I should h-have been the one...It wasn't your fault Sora. I couldn't p-protect you and then i kept bothering you when you were just waking up from being beaten by Terra and-"
"Ven...breathe. I'm here. I'm not leaving. I'm okay." Sora feels their link tug. Sora rubs Ven's cheek, keeping his head close to his. Ven takes deep breathes. Soon he's breathing normally. That panic feeling dies down.
"You...You won't leave? Even after everything? You're really not going to leave?" Ven asks queitly.
"I would never leave Ven. I promise." Sora locks eyes with those blue pools. "Ven...I'm the one who should be appogizing. I...I was very mean to you. I pushed you away when you were just worried about me. I'm so Sorry Ven. I hated myself for hurting you. I hated that I caused you to lose sleep...That I'm the one whos causing these tears." Sora wipes Ven's wet cheeks.
"N-No! You don't have to say Sorry Sora! I'm just so happy...so happy you're talking to me and letting me hold you again. I'm so happy you're here." Ven wipes Sora's tears in return. he smiles, his cheeks turning red. "But...i guess you can feel that through our link?"
Yes. Sora can feel his emotions. How strong they are. The bond they have is deep.
"...Why did you leave if you don't mine me asking?...Were you thinking about running away? Because of Terra?" Ven looks down.
"No...I just had to do something. I felt like...if i didn't do it I would just cause you all more pain. Now that i've done it, I can be clsoe to you Ven. So don't lose anymore sleep Ven. I'm here. I won't leave."
Ven lets out a soft laugh. He smiles at Sora and he doesn't pry anymore about his reasoning. Maybe Ven is just content that Sora is going to stay with him. The air between them is so light. Ven gives him a kiss on the cheek before giving him one on the forehead. He holds sora again and sighs, smiling every so sweetly.
"...Maybe tonight we could sleep together like we use to? It might help me sleep." Ven fiddles with his shirt, after letting go of Sora.
"Sure! Anything to help you sleep Ven. I'll even play with your hair." Sora beams.
"Wow! I can't wait for tonight! I'll play with your hair too Sora! I'm sure you need sleep just as much as me." ven giggles. Sora's glad Ven looks bright again. Ven forgives him. They're still close. he was able to save their link. Ven hugs him again and sighs. "Man...I really don't want to let you go...but i guess I should let Riku have his moment. He...He watched the room the whole time you were in their. He protected you from Terra...I...I want to get along with him. I know he cares about you too Sora. So i'll try not to fight with him. I know you don't like it too."
"Thank you. I'd really like it if we could all get along! It will be funnier! I'm sure Riku would like that too." Sora smiles but he's starting to feel anxious...Riku. He really hurt Riku. Sora wouldn't be surprised if...Riku didn't want anything to do with him.
"I'll go get him! Remember Sora! You're going to play with my hair tonight!" Ven hums before he runs up the stairs. Sora takes a deep breath.
In contrast with Ven, Riku walks down the stairs slowly and calmly. When he gets down to the basement he stops. They lock eyes.
"Riku..." Sora avert his gaze. He feels ashamed. "I'm...I'm so-"
Riku puts his hand up and Sora stops talking. He bites his lip. He braces himself when Riku walks till he's standing in front of Sora. The younger hangs his head. He waits for Riku to yell at him. He waits for Riku to sneer at him. He holds his breath...waiting for their link to break.
Sora gasps when Riku hugs him. It's tight and warm. Sora swallows as he slowly hugs Riku back, burring his face in Riku's board shoulder.
"I thought for sure you were running away. I know you said you weren't running away but...I didn't believe you. I wanted to. I had to believe you when you were gone. It would make me go crazy if i thought you were gone." Riku mumbles, still holding him.
"Riku...I'm sorry I attacked you. I'm sorry for using our trust...I feel awful about it. I hope I didn't hurt you!" Sora pulls away, looking at the arm he grabbed when he threw Riku. It's a little red. "oh no!" Sora pulls the arm up and licks the wrist where it's red without thinking.
"It's alright. It doesn't hurt. This will be fadded by the morning." Sora peeks up at Riku. His heart skips a beat when he's smiling at him. There's no anger on his features. Sora can't feel any either...their link is still intact.
"I'm sorry for hurting you Riku-"
"You don't have to keep appolgizing...You came back Sora. It must have been important...You looked panicked when you left. What did you do?" Riku locks eyes with him. Sora has to put his trust in Riku...just a little bit to pay back his kindness.
"...I had to get this." Sora shows off the white bracelet. Riku blinks, touching the bracelet. When he tries to take it off Sora snatches his hand away. "Sorry! this can never come off!"
"What is it?" Riku frowns.
"It's a charm I got from a witch. It's going to help me get stronger...and it's going to help me control my emotions every month...I shouldn't have anymore freak outs every month. You don't have to worry about that anymore Riku." Sora smiles even though Riku is frowning deeply.
"A witch? Sora what if it's cursed? Why would a witch help you-"
"Riku this can never come off. I trust the witch. I know i don't deserve it but please believe in me once more...You're the only one i've told why i left. You're the only one who knows the truth. I don't want anyone else knowing about this." Sora mumbles, averting his gaze for a moment. he feels their link tug. There's happiness... Sora looks over at Riku to see that he's staring at him with wide eyes. He's smiling.
"...Thank you Sora. I don't know what you're getting yourself into but...I'll support you. I won't tell anyone what that bracelet is...I also won't let anyone take it from you...but even if that doesn't work and you still have those freak outs...you'll still come to me won't you?"
"Of course!" Sora nods his head quickly. Riku is...pleased. Sora can feel it. Their link is strengthen.
"Good." Riku pats Sora on the head, getting the shorter to grin. "Aqua should be done with the food soon. Lets just do something to relax."
"
"Yeah you look like you're about to fall over Riku. I'm-" Sora frowns, remembering how Riku was standing guard all those days-
"Don't say sorry anymore. I'ts fine. You've come back and you've promise me you wouldn't leave. That's all I need. Lets watch a move or something Sora." Riku gives him a smile. Sora thought Riku would never smile at him again after he attacked him. Despite everything, Sora can't help to feel like everything he's done is worth it.
his brothers never have to know what he is. They'll always think he's one of them-
"How sad." Vantias sneers. "You do realize how sad that is right?"
Sora ignores him. "That would be great."
Sora spends the next hour watching a movie with all his brothers. Ven on his left and Riku on his right. Ven hugging on his arm while Riku's pressed up against him. Axel next to Riku with roxas. They're all smushed on this couch but it felt so nice being so close with all of them. Laughing at the movie, seeing Ven's blue eyes glancing at him with joy. Seeing Riku grinning again. It means so much to him.
He's happy to be here, to be apart of this.
Then Aqua calls them all to eat...Sora has to hold back tears. He really is too emotional. At least he doesnt' have to worry about his emotions exposing him now...befcause of this braclet. Namine really helped him out.
He wants to enjoy many more dinners with his brothers. He never wants to be away from them. He always wants to belong. Sora just hopes he can bring Terra back into this circle. He has to try harder. He may not be an occisor but...Sora can try. This element of his is the key.
He needs to make Terra proud so they can all be a family again.