Disclaimer:
Riku: Save me! Please! Sue the girl! I'm being manipul… *muffling nose*
Heh. Just ignore him. ^_^ He's evil, you know? So, he's just trying to 'cause trouble.
Sora: May I remind you, though… you don't own us.
Ah… yes. -.-; I don't own them at all! So don't kill me and string me out to dry! Thanks! ^_^;;
A/N: Wee! Another Chapter! Don't kill me if you don't like it anymore. XD Just… humor me! Okay? *puppy eyes* I'll be good any try to amuse you at least! Okay? Don't string me out, yet… Hmm… string me out. XD Used that twice already in the pre-chapter… beware! *coughs* Anyway… enough stalling, ne? Oh, and I apologize XD The beginning of this chappy is cheap 'cause… yeah. O.o; Don't kill! XD Anyway… I hope it gets better… And I do promise in the future (sometime…) that there will be shounen-ai… and prolly even yaoi-ness! *gasp* So, lol, keep reading! (and yes… I have most of the Cloud/Squall hook up scene written… just… it comes later… Aww…)
_______________
Chapter 3
Can They Do That?
Sora ran up to the disgruntled satyr and smiled wide at him. The small beast looked at the kid with vague annoyance. Without speaking the goat-man waved his hand to shoo the kid along and not be in the way of all the people who were fighting right now. He turned away and glanced at his list, really trying ignoring the boy. Soon enough, though, he realized he wouldn't leave and turned to him with a 'what?' type of look.
With a giddy giggle the excited boy held out the Hero Pass that he had received from Hades. His smile was one of the biggest he had ever had. Finally he had a chance in this tournament. He saw the goat-man get very upset, but he knew well that he couldn't be denied now that he had this. "Great… now I have to let ya in…" he muttered and pouted.
He let Sora into the first round of bad guys, which, he defeated rather well. The half ling was shocked at the boy even beating the proud blond man Cloud. He just started for a little while, but shook his head and took on his 'I don't care…' look.
Since the youthful group had completed their first round and won… he sent them on to the next. After defeating all the enemies, they waited for the last one of that second set of matches. The young brown-haired boy got wide eyed when he saw whom he was to fight. Two people, actually. "Oh shi…"
"Uh… watch your mouth! There are kiddies viewing this…" Squall cut off and sweatdropped. He couldn't believe he had actually said that and rolled his eyes. There wasn't a single person in the crowd… so why did he say that? Well, maybe he was thinking Sora shouldn't be saying things like that as was? Yeah, that must have been it.
"Heh… I think it's a little late for that. I mean, I did say you deserved to get laid and I kind of used the word ass already," Yuffie commented a bit meek. She glanced around innocently, acting like she didn't mention the part of a certain someone getting laid.
"Yes, well, he shouldn't… wait… you said what?!" he cut himself off and his eyes snapped to Yuffie. His cold glare seemed to reach a new level of being frigid and he hoped he could kill the girl with a look. He wanted her dead. Now. Though, he couldn't right this moment since they had a fight of which they needed to take care.
"Heh… Well, you know… things happen," the black haired girl, said with innocence hinted in her voice. She laughed a little bit and smiled over at him with a 'you can't hurt me, I'm cute,' type of look.
"Oh, you are so dead after this…" Squall growled out and then looked at Sora. "Anyway… shall we have our fight now?" he asked trying to shrug off what Yuffie had said. Ah, this just couldn't get any better in his life, now could they?
Anyway, the three 'in-training' heroes fought against the dark looking man and the peppy little girl. With a great deal of effort and use of a lot of potions and heal techniques, Sora, Donald and Goofy managed to come out on top. They had won the two sets of fights and could be on their way back to Traverse Town to restock and the likes. They had agreed to meet up with the perky little girl and the gruff older man. Squall said there would be another person that they would need to meet that would be coming along.
**********
As the young boy stepped outside of the large coliseum, he felt those watchful eyes on him again. He felt a shiver up the back of his neck and stood completely still, trying to figure out where those haunting eyes from where being directed.
While the young boy was trying to figure this out, the owner of these eyes stood on top of the wall of the gate to the large stadium. His cold, blue eyes watched so closely to this boy. A strange shaped blade rested in his hands. As he looked on to this boy with his friends he felt this painful hatred burning inside of his body. He wanted to kill them. He wanted them all dead, even his once friend.
"I will not let you live, Sora," he whispered in a low voice. His words carried on the wind and turned to faint and echoing threats as they reached Sora's ears. It was a cruel and echoing noise that hissed and burned in this boy's mind.
"Riku…" the boy moaned out as he placed his hands on his ears as if he were trying to block out this abhorred feeling. The only hint of an escape was to break down, but he just couldn't. Not here. Not now. He would never show any true weakness in front of these two animals because he didn't want to seem inferior.
The silver haired boy caught glance at the movement of lips and felt scorn. He couldn't believe he had seen Sora mouth his name, but it almost made him want to feel more hate for some unknown reason. There was something inside of him, almost driving him mad. He wasn't to be taken over by the darkness. He never would fall to it. He was so much stronger than the boy or girl could ever be. They were so weak.
Just as he knew the boy was to look up there he disappeared. He wouldn't let his old friend see him again. Leaving behind only the traces of wind he escaped from the torture of those kind and gentle blue eyes for which he once cared.
On the ground, Sora had caught a hold of himself and looked up to the gate walls. He got a glimpse of the left over mist that Riku had left behind from transporting. He knew it had to be his friend, but why would the other boy be stalking him like this and not actually talk to him? It really hurt to know this, but maybe he would be able to speak with his friend again. In time… it might be possible. If he kept hope, it would be true. It couldn't be a lie that he would see his friend again. His heart would never lie to him.
Reluctantly he headed toward the gummi ship, ignoring all the questions and concern from his two partners. They didn't really care about him, just the keyblade. They were only after finding their precious king and nothing else. People stuck in the groups they formed and he would always be with Riku and Kairi… even if he were never able to see the two again. At least Donald and Goofy had each other to turn to for friendship. He, on the other hand, would remain trapped and alone.
**********
In silence they arrived back at Traverse Town. They first headed to the shop that was owned by Donald's three nephews. They bought the supplies they needed for their future trip and paid for it all. They made short greeting with the three, but decided to head toward the small house they wished to reach.
Sora walked out as the lead, but seemed to hold himself not as high as a proud hero should. That's because he wasn't actually a proud hero. He didn't even feel like he was a hero at all. He was just doing his duty, which didn't really mean he cared about the path he took. Right now, he would give up all the worlds… just to see his friends again. That's how alone and desperate he felt. Who wouldn't in his same position?
A quiet sigh escaped from his lips as he arrived at the destined house. He stood there for a moment before he was nudged by Donald to knock or something. His hand slowly rose and he wrapped it against the door. The sound that was produced almost seemed foreign to his ears and he didn't know why, exactly. It was rather odd.
Only a few moments passed and the cold and dark haired man opened the door. He let the three so-called heroes inside the house and shut the door after them. The room now seemed smaller, holding seven people, instead of the old number of three. Their permanent residency number had grown to four. Luckily the three other numbers in the room were merely guests.
Passing a confused look as to why this blond hair man was in the room, Sora just kept staring at Squall. The gruff man just shook his head, thinking it didn't need to be explained at that exact moment and that everything would be known soon enough.
"I supposed this town had a keyhole, then, too?" Aerith asked meekly in her docile voice. She had a calm attitude about her, but certainly it could be told that she was not her normal self. Something was affecting her, and it didn't seem positive. Well, it seemed both good and bad at the same time. Sora guessed it had something to do with this blond haired stranger.
Goofy grinned wide, being the acting totally dense all the time. He really wasn't that dumb, he just didn't like pain or sadness and tried to make up for it with his silly nature. "Well, gee, you know Sora! If there's a keyhole, he'll be able to find it! I'm sure of it," he spoke out positively about the uncertain boy.
Sora merely gave a small laugh and smile. "Yeah, I guess I can," he said feeling put on the spot. "I'm going to walk outside for a minute…" he said as he looked around the room. He saw the vaguely concerned look on Squall's face and smiled a bit. "I'll be fine. I have the keyblade to protect me and I've been worse enemies than they have here while taking a walk," he assured the group. They reluctantly let him go.
Once outside, Sora felt a chill course through his body. It was a strange, but welcomed chill. It almost seemed… familiar. No, it was familiar. It was Riku's burningly cold stare. The brown haired child looked around and felt a strange, yet sinking feeling. "Riku…!" he broke out with a cracked voice. He didn't mean to, but his voice had faltered when he cried out his friend's name.
Deciding that it was time for him to finally make an appearance with his friend he dropped from the roof and landed a few feet from him. He had landed on one knee and his head was hung down. Slowly his head raised and his chilling, blue eyes pierced into Sora's soul, making the boy gasp slightly from the pain that struck his heart.
Riku stood up and walked over to Sora, walking around him in almost a patronizing manner. He slyly smiled as his friend as he circled on his friend. His eyes examined him in almost disdain. "My, how we have changed, huh?" he asked as he poked at his friend's shoulder. He looked down at the keyblade. "So, this is what everyone is making such a fuss over? It doesn't look that great…" he said as he snorted and kicked it slightly.
"My blade, on the other hand… is much more desirable," he said as he held out his hand and his blade appeared. It looked like a black wing with red webbing. It had a green gem close to the small handle. He looked it over and smirked. "Darkness is truly beautiful, Sora. No light can exist without it," he said as he ran his finger alone the edge of his strange blade.
Sora gaped at Riku for a few moments before shaking his head a bit. "What's happened to you, Riku? Why…?" he asked in a bit of a strangled voice. He closed his eyes and shook his head. "You never would have turned your back on your friends… what happened to you, Riku?" he asked in a pained voice.
"Tch, you're one to talk, Sora," he bit out and narrowed his eyes at his once best friend. He drew around him and cornered him against a wall. As he raised his hands to the wall, his blade disappeared so he could place both hands on each side of Sora's shoulders. He frowned deeply. "I didn't abandon you for some damn duck and dog. Just because they'll come to you when you say 'heel,' doesn't mean they're better than me," he spat out.
Raising a confused eyebrow at Riku, Sora cocked his head to the side a bit. "What do you mean by that, Riku?" he asked in a chilled voice. He felt cold to the bone from every move, every glance, and every word from Riku. It hurt him to see his friend like this and now he felt at shame as if he had done something so wrong to make his friend hate him so. The problem was… the brown haired boy knew nothing of how his friend might feel betrayed by Donald and Goofy, which made his feel even worse.
Riku frowned at this and slapped Sora across the face with the back of his hand. "Baka…" he mumbled as he turned his back on his friend. He closed his eyes for a moment and then looked up to the sky. "Meet me in the green room in oh… say a half an hour. Or you'll never see that stupid girl again," he said as he faded quickly away, not letting Sora protest at all. It was either this meeting or the girl's life. He had a feeling what Sora would chose.
**********
Sora dreaded finding out what was in store for him in the green room of the hotel. He closed his eyes and breathed in and out in a threaded manner. He slowly walked back into the small house and smiled weakly at the faces. They all looked at him. They all had the same look, concern and fear. The looks almost made him angry and made him want to yell.
Walking over to him slowly, Aerith bent over to his height, treating him like a scared child. "I want to let you know… this all is such a heavy weight for such a young person such as yourself to hold and if you need my help, any of our help, just ask for it," she said in a sickeningly sweet voice. Sora was just not in the mood to be treated like a little and helpless child at the moment and just grimaced at her words.
"I'll be fine," mumbled as he pushed past her. He placed his keyblade on the table and looked at it in thought. "I'm going to be meeting with Riku at the hotel. I'll probably be there a long time. Don't come for me. Don't look for me," he stated in a sharp and strict tone. He gripped more tightly on the keyblade and closed his eyes. "Another one of my friends is at risk and I don't want you to get in the way," he said as he turned and started to walk away.
Squall grabbed his shoulder and looked at him with a slightly worried look on his face. "What if something happens to you?" he asked out in a shallow tone. He didn't want it to seem like he cared about Sora as a person, but as the keyblade master.
"Then, I guess someone else will become the master of the keyblade and you'll just have to find them," he stated as he shook Squall's hand off of his shoulder and left without giving them a chance to respond to all of this.
The room felt awfully silent from all of this and heads seemed to droop down. "I don't like this…" Aerith whispered out with a slight whine to her voice. She held her hands on her chest and whimpered a bit in fear. She was so afraid that something would harm Sora. She didn't know him really, but she had this affection for him. Maybe it was that he was so young and had such a bad fate on his shoulders. She didn't know what it was.
The blond haired man grumbled and stood up, walking to the window to look out of it. "Like any of us really do?" he snapped at her without much enthusiasm. He didn't mean his tone to be so harsh toward her, but he just had a lot of stress and seeing her again brought up some things in his memory that he would just rather not deal with ever.
Aerith winced at Cloud's harsh tone and just nodded lightly as she walked over to the bed and sat down on it, lowering her head in sadness. She closed her eyes and placed her hands together as if she was in prayer. She was always in prayer, though. She just prayed everyone would get through this day safely and be able to fight on and survive to the next. Peace was all she desired, other than Cloud.
With this small exchange of words the house fell into a dead silence again, each afraid to say something to set off a spark that was built up from tension. Looks were passed from one another rarely, but a few had enough connection to know what another was saying through them. It just felt like the room's atmosphere had tripled. It would remain this way for some time.
********
Looking up to the dark sky, Sora felt a warm feeling rush over his body. The sky was beautiful. He could see distant hints of planets and the bright and glittering stars in the sky. To think there was such a conflict going on in all these worlds and yet everything almost looked like it was at full peace. Maybe darkness wasn't such a bad thing, but then… the stars wouldn't shine and light up the night sky.
Darkness needed life as light needed darkness. It was a painful, but true thing in life. Life begets death as death begets life. It was a circle. One could not exist without the other. They fed off of one another and just kept consuming each, hitting the innocent in the process. This was no longer a fight of good and evil, it was a fight of innocence and corruption. Strange how such a corrupt being could fight for such a pure cause.
Sora knew he could not put off his fate of meeting with Riku again any longer, as it would kill the life of a friend. He walked with a tense posture and a proud stance. He would not enter this fight with a weak conscious and soul, or so he thought. He was much more weak then he had known. He thought he could stand against anything, but how wrong he was. Riku would show this young boy how much a corrupt innocence would suffer from one who was already lost in the darkness.
It was now the beginning of the end, and the end of the beginning.
**********
A/N: Sorry this took a while to get done. I have been under a lot of stress and things have not been working out for the best in my life, but I am getting through it all now. So, yeah, sorry! I'll try to get working on my fourth chapter soon, but no promises. Things in my life always seem to be strange (that and I need to write chapter one of another fic…) but at least I got this done!!!
Riku: Save me! Please! Sue the girl! I'm being manipul… *muffling nose*
Heh. Just ignore him. ^_^ He's evil, you know? So, he's just trying to 'cause trouble.
Sora: May I remind you, though… you don't own us.
Ah… yes. -.-; I don't own them at all! So don't kill me and string me out to dry! Thanks! ^_^;;
A/N: Wee! Another Chapter! Don't kill me if you don't like it anymore. XD Just… humor me! Okay? *puppy eyes* I'll be good any try to amuse you at least! Okay? Don't string me out, yet… Hmm… string me out. XD Used that twice already in the pre-chapter… beware! *coughs* Anyway… enough stalling, ne? Oh, and I apologize XD The beginning of this chappy is cheap 'cause… yeah. O.o; Don't kill! XD Anyway… I hope it gets better… And I do promise in the future (sometime…) that there will be shounen-ai… and prolly even yaoi-ness! *gasp* So, lol, keep reading! (and yes… I have most of the Cloud/Squall hook up scene written… just… it comes later… Aww…)
_______________
Chapter 3
Can They Do That?
Sora ran up to the disgruntled satyr and smiled wide at him. The small beast looked at the kid with vague annoyance. Without speaking the goat-man waved his hand to shoo the kid along and not be in the way of all the people who were fighting right now. He turned away and glanced at his list, really trying ignoring the boy. Soon enough, though, he realized he wouldn't leave and turned to him with a 'what?' type of look.
With a giddy giggle the excited boy held out the Hero Pass that he had received from Hades. His smile was one of the biggest he had ever had. Finally he had a chance in this tournament. He saw the goat-man get very upset, but he knew well that he couldn't be denied now that he had this. "Great… now I have to let ya in…" he muttered and pouted.
He let Sora into the first round of bad guys, which, he defeated rather well. The half ling was shocked at the boy even beating the proud blond man Cloud. He just started for a little while, but shook his head and took on his 'I don't care…' look.
Since the youthful group had completed their first round and won… he sent them on to the next. After defeating all the enemies, they waited for the last one of that second set of matches. The young brown-haired boy got wide eyed when he saw whom he was to fight. Two people, actually. "Oh shi…"
"Uh… watch your mouth! There are kiddies viewing this…" Squall cut off and sweatdropped. He couldn't believe he had actually said that and rolled his eyes. There wasn't a single person in the crowd… so why did he say that? Well, maybe he was thinking Sora shouldn't be saying things like that as was? Yeah, that must have been it.
"Heh… I think it's a little late for that. I mean, I did say you deserved to get laid and I kind of used the word ass already," Yuffie commented a bit meek. She glanced around innocently, acting like she didn't mention the part of a certain someone getting laid.
"Yes, well, he shouldn't… wait… you said what?!" he cut himself off and his eyes snapped to Yuffie. His cold glare seemed to reach a new level of being frigid and he hoped he could kill the girl with a look. He wanted her dead. Now. Though, he couldn't right this moment since they had a fight of which they needed to take care.
"Heh… Well, you know… things happen," the black haired girl, said with innocence hinted in her voice. She laughed a little bit and smiled over at him with a 'you can't hurt me, I'm cute,' type of look.
"Oh, you are so dead after this…" Squall growled out and then looked at Sora. "Anyway… shall we have our fight now?" he asked trying to shrug off what Yuffie had said. Ah, this just couldn't get any better in his life, now could they?
Anyway, the three 'in-training' heroes fought against the dark looking man and the peppy little girl. With a great deal of effort and use of a lot of potions and heal techniques, Sora, Donald and Goofy managed to come out on top. They had won the two sets of fights and could be on their way back to Traverse Town to restock and the likes. They had agreed to meet up with the perky little girl and the gruff older man. Squall said there would be another person that they would need to meet that would be coming along.
**********
As the young boy stepped outside of the large coliseum, he felt those watchful eyes on him again. He felt a shiver up the back of his neck and stood completely still, trying to figure out where those haunting eyes from where being directed.
While the young boy was trying to figure this out, the owner of these eyes stood on top of the wall of the gate to the large stadium. His cold, blue eyes watched so closely to this boy. A strange shaped blade rested in his hands. As he looked on to this boy with his friends he felt this painful hatred burning inside of his body. He wanted to kill them. He wanted them all dead, even his once friend.
"I will not let you live, Sora," he whispered in a low voice. His words carried on the wind and turned to faint and echoing threats as they reached Sora's ears. It was a cruel and echoing noise that hissed and burned in this boy's mind.
"Riku…" the boy moaned out as he placed his hands on his ears as if he were trying to block out this abhorred feeling. The only hint of an escape was to break down, but he just couldn't. Not here. Not now. He would never show any true weakness in front of these two animals because he didn't want to seem inferior.
The silver haired boy caught glance at the movement of lips and felt scorn. He couldn't believe he had seen Sora mouth his name, but it almost made him want to feel more hate for some unknown reason. There was something inside of him, almost driving him mad. He wasn't to be taken over by the darkness. He never would fall to it. He was so much stronger than the boy or girl could ever be. They were so weak.
Just as he knew the boy was to look up there he disappeared. He wouldn't let his old friend see him again. Leaving behind only the traces of wind he escaped from the torture of those kind and gentle blue eyes for which he once cared.
On the ground, Sora had caught a hold of himself and looked up to the gate walls. He got a glimpse of the left over mist that Riku had left behind from transporting. He knew it had to be his friend, but why would the other boy be stalking him like this and not actually talk to him? It really hurt to know this, but maybe he would be able to speak with his friend again. In time… it might be possible. If he kept hope, it would be true. It couldn't be a lie that he would see his friend again. His heart would never lie to him.
Reluctantly he headed toward the gummi ship, ignoring all the questions and concern from his two partners. They didn't really care about him, just the keyblade. They were only after finding their precious king and nothing else. People stuck in the groups they formed and he would always be with Riku and Kairi… even if he were never able to see the two again. At least Donald and Goofy had each other to turn to for friendship. He, on the other hand, would remain trapped and alone.
**********
In silence they arrived back at Traverse Town. They first headed to the shop that was owned by Donald's three nephews. They bought the supplies they needed for their future trip and paid for it all. They made short greeting with the three, but decided to head toward the small house they wished to reach.
Sora walked out as the lead, but seemed to hold himself not as high as a proud hero should. That's because he wasn't actually a proud hero. He didn't even feel like he was a hero at all. He was just doing his duty, which didn't really mean he cared about the path he took. Right now, he would give up all the worlds… just to see his friends again. That's how alone and desperate he felt. Who wouldn't in his same position?
A quiet sigh escaped from his lips as he arrived at the destined house. He stood there for a moment before he was nudged by Donald to knock or something. His hand slowly rose and he wrapped it against the door. The sound that was produced almost seemed foreign to his ears and he didn't know why, exactly. It was rather odd.
Only a few moments passed and the cold and dark haired man opened the door. He let the three so-called heroes inside the house and shut the door after them. The room now seemed smaller, holding seven people, instead of the old number of three. Their permanent residency number had grown to four. Luckily the three other numbers in the room were merely guests.
Passing a confused look as to why this blond hair man was in the room, Sora just kept staring at Squall. The gruff man just shook his head, thinking it didn't need to be explained at that exact moment and that everything would be known soon enough.
"I supposed this town had a keyhole, then, too?" Aerith asked meekly in her docile voice. She had a calm attitude about her, but certainly it could be told that she was not her normal self. Something was affecting her, and it didn't seem positive. Well, it seemed both good and bad at the same time. Sora guessed it had something to do with this blond haired stranger.
Goofy grinned wide, being the acting totally dense all the time. He really wasn't that dumb, he just didn't like pain or sadness and tried to make up for it with his silly nature. "Well, gee, you know Sora! If there's a keyhole, he'll be able to find it! I'm sure of it," he spoke out positively about the uncertain boy.
Sora merely gave a small laugh and smile. "Yeah, I guess I can," he said feeling put on the spot. "I'm going to walk outside for a minute…" he said as he looked around the room. He saw the vaguely concerned look on Squall's face and smiled a bit. "I'll be fine. I have the keyblade to protect me and I've been worse enemies than they have here while taking a walk," he assured the group. They reluctantly let him go.
Once outside, Sora felt a chill course through his body. It was a strange, but welcomed chill. It almost seemed… familiar. No, it was familiar. It was Riku's burningly cold stare. The brown haired child looked around and felt a strange, yet sinking feeling. "Riku…!" he broke out with a cracked voice. He didn't mean to, but his voice had faltered when he cried out his friend's name.
Deciding that it was time for him to finally make an appearance with his friend he dropped from the roof and landed a few feet from him. He had landed on one knee and his head was hung down. Slowly his head raised and his chilling, blue eyes pierced into Sora's soul, making the boy gasp slightly from the pain that struck his heart.
Riku stood up and walked over to Sora, walking around him in almost a patronizing manner. He slyly smiled as his friend as he circled on his friend. His eyes examined him in almost disdain. "My, how we have changed, huh?" he asked as he poked at his friend's shoulder. He looked down at the keyblade. "So, this is what everyone is making such a fuss over? It doesn't look that great…" he said as he snorted and kicked it slightly.
"My blade, on the other hand… is much more desirable," he said as he held out his hand and his blade appeared. It looked like a black wing with red webbing. It had a green gem close to the small handle. He looked it over and smirked. "Darkness is truly beautiful, Sora. No light can exist without it," he said as he ran his finger alone the edge of his strange blade.
Sora gaped at Riku for a few moments before shaking his head a bit. "What's happened to you, Riku? Why…?" he asked in a bit of a strangled voice. He closed his eyes and shook his head. "You never would have turned your back on your friends… what happened to you, Riku?" he asked in a pained voice.
"Tch, you're one to talk, Sora," he bit out and narrowed his eyes at his once best friend. He drew around him and cornered him against a wall. As he raised his hands to the wall, his blade disappeared so he could place both hands on each side of Sora's shoulders. He frowned deeply. "I didn't abandon you for some damn duck and dog. Just because they'll come to you when you say 'heel,' doesn't mean they're better than me," he spat out.
Raising a confused eyebrow at Riku, Sora cocked his head to the side a bit. "What do you mean by that, Riku?" he asked in a chilled voice. He felt cold to the bone from every move, every glance, and every word from Riku. It hurt him to see his friend like this and now he felt at shame as if he had done something so wrong to make his friend hate him so. The problem was… the brown haired boy knew nothing of how his friend might feel betrayed by Donald and Goofy, which made his feel even worse.
Riku frowned at this and slapped Sora across the face with the back of his hand. "Baka…" he mumbled as he turned his back on his friend. He closed his eyes for a moment and then looked up to the sky. "Meet me in the green room in oh… say a half an hour. Or you'll never see that stupid girl again," he said as he faded quickly away, not letting Sora protest at all. It was either this meeting or the girl's life. He had a feeling what Sora would chose.
**********
Sora dreaded finding out what was in store for him in the green room of the hotel. He closed his eyes and breathed in and out in a threaded manner. He slowly walked back into the small house and smiled weakly at the faces. They all looked at him. They all had the same look, concern and fear. The looks almost made him angry and made him want to yell.
Walking over to him slowly, Aerith bent over to his height, treating him like a scared child. "I want to let you know… this all is such a heavy weight for such a young person such as yourself to hold and if you need my help, any of our help, just ask for it," she said in a sickeningly sweet voice. Sora was just not in the mood to be treated like a little and helpless child at the moment and just grimaced at her words.
"I'll be fine," mumbled as he pushed past her. He placed his keyblade on the table and looked at it in thought. "I'm going to be meeting with Riku at the hotel. I'll probably be there a long time. Don't come for me. Don't look for me," he stated in a sharp and strict tone. He gripped more tightly on the keyblade and closed his eyes. "Another one of my friends is at risk and I don't want you to get in the way," he said as he turned and started to walk away.
Squall grabbed his shoulder and looked at him with a slightly worried look on his face. "What if something happens to you?" he asked out in a shallow tone. He didn't want it to seem like he cared about Sora as a person, but as the keyblade master.
"Then, I guess someone else will become the master of the keyblade and you'll just have to find them," he stated as he shook Squall's hand off of his shoulder and left without giving them a chance to respond to all of this.
The room felt awfully silent from all of this and heads seemed to droop down. "I don't like this…" Aerith whispered out with a slight whine to her voice. She held her hands on her chest and whimpered a bit in fear. She was so afraid that something would harm Sora. She didn't know him really, but she had this affection for him. Maybe it was that he was so young and had such a bad fate on his shoulders. She didn't know what it was.
The blond haired man grumbled and stood up, walking to the window to look out of it. "Like any of us really do?" he snapped at her without much enthusiasm. He didn't mean his tone to be so harsh toward her, but he just had a lot of stress and seeing her again brought up some things in his memory that he would just rather not deal with ever.
Aerith winced at Cloud's harsh tone and just nodded lightly as she walked over to the bed and sat down on it, lowering her head in sadness. She closed her eyes and placed her hands together as if she was in prayer. She was always in prayer, though. She just prayed everyone would get through this day safely and be able to fight on and survive to the next. Peace was all she desired, other than Cloud.
With this small exchange of words the house fell into a dead silence again, each afraid to say something to set off a spark that was built up from tension. Looks were passed from one another rarely, but a few had enough connection to know what another was saying through them. It just felt like the room's atmosphere had tripled. It would remain this way for some time.
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Looking up to the dark sky, Sora felt a warm feeling rush over his body. The sky was beautiful. He could see distant hints of planets and the bright and glittering stars in the sky. To think there was such a conflict going on in all these worlds and yet everything almost looked like it was at full peace. Maybe darkness wasn't such a bad thing, but then… the stars wouldn't shine and light up the night sky.
Darkness needed life as light needed darkness. It was a painful, but true thing in life. Life begets death as death begets life. It was a circle. One could not exist without the other. They fed off of one another and just kept consuming each, hitting the innocent in the process. This was no longer a fight of good and evil, it was a fight of innocence and corruption. Strange how such a corrupt being could fight for such a pure cause.
Sora knew he could not put off his fate of meeting with Riku again any longer, as it would kill the life of a friend. He walked with a tense posture and a proud stance. He would not enter this fight with a weak conscious and soul, or so he thought. He was much more weak then he had known. He thought he could stand against anything, but how wrong he was. Riku would show this young boy how much a corrupt innocence would suffer from one who was already lost in the darkness.
It was now the beginning of the end, and the end of the beginning.
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A/N: Sorry this took a while to get done. I have been under a lot of stress and things have not been working out for the best in my life, but I am getting through it all now. So, yeah, sorry! I'll try to get working on my fourth chapter soon, but no promises. Things in my life always seem to be strange (that and I need to write chapter one of another fic…) but at least I got this done!!!