Sora had returned to Travers Town after locking the Keyhole in Never land. One more victory over the heartless would have called for the usual joy.

But it was different this time. Way different.

It was by no means an easy battle, and it could be said that the heartless were getting stronger. To stay one step ahead of them, Sora and his companions had to take the battle closer to home. But this time it was too close. Never did he think that his best friend Riku would ever be working against him. Recent events that had transpired in Neverland revealed too much to the poor boy, and Sora didn't know how much he could take. He even considered if he wanted to find out more.

It was these thoughts that went through his mind as his friends spoke to Cid about installing a new gummi into their ship to travel farther. He wasn't really paying much attention. But he couldn't help it, every thing seemed to take a turn for the worse, and before he knew it, things had spiraled out of his control.

Tears began to sting his eyes as he thought about Riku. His best friend in the whole world, in any world, had betrayed him. And all the hateful things he said, shot through Sora's heart like a steel-tipped arrow. It confused him as to why he would say such things. Never the less, he tried his best to talk to Riku, and convince him to stop working with the heartless.

But to no avail, and he watched powerless as Riku took his friend Kairi with him. He couldn't even protect her either.

Keyblade master. What a bunch of trash. Sora thought heatedly, wiping away the tears with the back of his hand. His usual happy demenor crumbled, and he could no longer hide the sadness that he had hid for a long time now. But he didn't care. He only had to keep up the act in front of his two companions. He had gotten really good at it, no one even suspected. No one wanted to share his sadness, or even see it. He had to be strong. He couldn't let everyone down by showing them he was weak.

Of course, once he got to Travers Town, things were too much for him to bear, and he dashed off with the need to be alone. The shouts of his companions only caused him to run harder and faster. He didn't want them to see the tears, or the pain, didn't want them to know.

Eventually all that sadness turned to anger. How unfortunate was he that when he realized what was going on, he was surrounded by the Heartless. In his sadness he ran into the third district square, long abandoned due to it's increase of heartless. Blinded by his anger, he attacked all, never realizing the odds against him.

"What good is power if I can't protect my two friends?" He raged. Sora rushed the heartless, unleashed his anger and distress upon them, shamefully, he admitted to himself it felt good, terribly good. They kept coming, attracted to his anger that burned in his heart. But he didn't realize this, and kept fighting. The hoards of heartless grew only kindling the fire in his heart, at it's height, the key blade disappeared. Some could say that the key blade was appalled with the rage and hate in his heart, but what ever the reason, the key blade vanished, and Sora was left defenceless.

Sora could feel them, could feel their cold black claws reaching for his heart. He turned then and ran, and managed to escape, but not unscathed. One of the heartless had managed to reach out and rake his back with it's claws in a desperate attempt to bring the key bearer down. Those painful marks burned and ached for awhile, Sora didn't know how long before he failed to notice the pain anymore. Everything was a blur after that, his thoughts spinning in a whirlwind of confusion and sadness.

The next thing Sora knew, the rain had began to fall.

*** A soft gentle breeze caressed Sora's cheek's and slowly drew the youth out of his dream state. Sora woke after the dream began to fade, and when darkness met his eyes, his heart began to beat faster. He tried to sit up but a sharp pain in his back caused him lie still. It was then that every thing came back to him.

"So it wasn't a dream it was real." Sora said softly into the dark room. Slowly the boy managed to sit up. His mucles protested greatly, and the boy winced in pain.

"How long have I been asleep?" Sora wondered, "And where's Cloud?" The small boy's eyes had finally adjusted to the dark and he could make out faint outlines of furniture. And that's when his eyes wandered to the doors of the balcony, where the lights of the city spilled in to burn trackless on the floor. He first noticed the doors were open, that's where the breeze was coming from. The second thing he noticed was that the doors were open. He faintly remembered closing them as a safety precaution.

"Who opened them?" Sora asked aloud. As he rose from the bed slowly he found the fallen figure of Cloud upon the floor. The young soldier was on his side, his face contorted in pain.

"Cloud!" Sora said, he knelt beside him, "Cloud! Cloud! What happened to you?! Are you okay?" The boy shook Cloud, and Cloud let out an audible groan. It was then his dark wing behind him moved. It's sudden exsitance drew Sora's attention away from the soldier for just a minuet. As Cloud attempted to move, it seemed to mimic his pain, it flapped and beat upon the ground making much noise. Sora held up both his hands trying to placate it.

"It's okay Cloud, it's okay, you're safe now, it's me Sora." The boy said, afraid Cloud would injure himself further. He seemed to settle down then and under the faint lights of the city, Sora noticed the many thin marks of blood.

No, not marks. Sora looked closer and realized that they were paper thin cuts. Just deep enough to draw a thin line of glistening blood. It seemed every part of Cloud was covered with these especially the wing.

Sora turned back to the soldier. "Cloud, who did this to you?" And it was then that he remembered the young man had left earlier to intercept his friends. Did his friends do this?

As if to answer his question a noise echoed. Though it was faint it began to get louder, and Sora immediately looked to the balcony windows. Soon he could clearly recognize the sound of running footsteps. Cautiously the key bearer rose and made his way to the balcony.

As careful as he was able he peeked around the corner so as not to be seen. It didn't sound like the heartless, for these steps were clear and precise, and heartless never moved with such speed.

From where he was he spied three figures, he wasn't able to see exactly who, for the shadows made it difficult to see. But as they neared, he was able to distinguish who.

"Leon." He said softly but managed to catch himself before he revealed his hiding spot. Sora covered his mouth as he watched Leon, Yuffie and Aerith run past without a hint.

After they had disappeared from sight, Sora let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He had so much wanted to call for their help, but..

Sapphire eyes wandered to Cloud's prone form.

But Cloud had done so much for him, and had obviously gone though a lot to keep him here. The least he could do was see what the soldier wanted, perhaps he could be of some help.

Sora let out a sigh. "What I wouldn't do for one of Aerith's healing spells." It would greatly be appreciated right now. Sora decided. He could feel the effects of Cloud's Cure spells begin to wear off. And Cloud looked like he would need some himself.

" S, Sora?" At his name the key bearer turned away from the balcony quickly forgetting about the trio.

"Hey are you okay? Who did this to you?" Sora asked as he aided the weak soldier. Cloud had bearly regain conciousness and already he was pushing himself to his knees.

"Did they, did they follow me?" He asked in a breathy tone.

Realizing that 'They' must have been Leon, Aerith, and Yuffie, Sora could pretty much piece together what had happen to bring Cloud to this state. Sora shook his head in dismay. "Don't worry about them, they're the least of your problems Cloud. I mean, look at yourself.." Sora said lighty, helping Cloud up. "I think you've caused enough trouble for one night."

Cloud was able to regain a bit of his composure when he looked back to Sora.

"Yeah."

"I can stay with you a bit longer, besides I'm in enough trouble as it is." Sora laughed. And he had a mental picture of Donald in a fitful rage. Yep, Donald wasn't going to be too happy with his disappearing act.

"You won't leave?" Cloud asked.

Sora shook his head. "After everything you've done for me? Besides with all this trouble you're going through to find your light, I'm getting a little curious to know who it is."

At this Cloud did not speak, but watched the boy with calm cerulen eyes.

Sora had a strong urge to ask her name, but figured it could be saved for later. Going to his friends now after what Cloud had started wouldn't be the wisest choice.