Hey I'm back! I'm sooo sorry for taking an age to update, it's been kinda hectic and I've only just managed to get my head round to writing up another chapter.

Oh well, I guess I will just have to try my best to make up for the wait XD

Ah! Also a big big Thank you to all those who are reading and/or reviewing this! You're lovely comments really do encourage me to write more.

Disclaimer: Sadly I do not own any of the Kingdom Hearts characters, except for my very own Chika, nor do I ever think I will do…unfortunately.

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Chapter 6

"This place is creepy."

Sora snickered, his eyes landing upon the ebony haired ninja, who was currently peering through the rusted iron gate of Guillotine Square and out towards the deserted forecourt . "Well, it is Halloween Town after all, Yuffie. It's supposed to be creepy." He explained jovially. Feeling a quick tap upon his shoulder, the brunet's smile faded and he turned to face the rest of the group, eyebrows raising gently in question.

Donald waved a feathered hand up to catch the young brunet's attention, the boy seemingly overlooked him. "Are we going to get going or not?" He quacked rather loudly, instantly catching everyone's gaze and forcing a quick silence. With an aggitated huff, the duck folded his arms and begun tapping his foot rather impatiently upon the cold flagstone floor, eyes never shifting from Sora.

Even Cloud nodded in agreement from his place between the wall and Leon, before speaking up. "Let's just get her off our shoulders now and we can all go back home." A weary look of relief seemed to etch it's way onto his features at the thought of all this pain, stress and worry being relieved from him. It had been far too long having to care for someone like Chika, someone who seemed to drain all life and happiness from him, by simply being at his side.

Silence fell thick and heavy around them as Sora finally nodded, his eyes briefly meeting those enlightened ones of Riku. He could feel his face warming as his silver haired friend silently stepped up beside him and jabbed him playfully in the ribs. "Well, off we go then." With a grin, Sora pushed open the gate, which groaned deeply in protest and he stepped out, all the while listening to the shuffling and mutterings of all his friends.

Aeris, Mickey, Goofy and Donald all took a step forward, looks of the utmost joy molding their faces at the thought of returning to their beloved homes once again. Cloud silently siezed a careful hold upon the girl's thin arm and brought her forwards too with the rest of the gorup. It didn't seem to matter anymore that they were in the town where Halloween birthed, where everone and everything was surrounded by death. Yuffie began to grin and chatter excitedly once more, as they followed Sora and Riku's lead. Even Leon sported what could be called a smile, his lips curling ever so slightly at the sides, sometimes he bothered to listen to what Yuffie had to squeal about.

Riku glanced towards Sora, a warm smile dancing across his face as the younger boy stared at the ground as they walked. "You okay?"

"Huh?" The brunet glanced up, finally realising what Riku had said. "Oh, I'm fine." He smiled widely and offered a quick nod, before his face softened to one of simple content. "I can't wait to get back." He seemed to pause thoughtfully, turning his head towards the other once again. "I...I do always wonder if everyone else was okay. I miss them so much...and I'm so lucky that I have you here."

The silver-haired male placed a hand around Sora's shoulders and smiled, noticing the blush taining the younger ones cheeks. "I am lucky to have you also, but as for the others, we can only hope for the best, hm?" He watched Sora nod before proceeding to remove his arm rather reluctantly, as they approaced and entered the narrowed passageway which led to the gaveyard.

"This is it." Sora couldn't help but grin and headed up the oversized steps; pushing open the gates and entering the cemetary, where he found Jack Skeleton crouched at the tombstone of his little pet dog, Zero.

"Ah! Sora, you made it safely I see!" The thin skeleton stood, towering to his full height over the hushed and needless to say, astonished group and spead his arms wide, before clasping his hands together tightly in front of him. The newcommers winced in unison at the cracking of Jack's bones as they made contact, although he did not seem to notice this and continued, allowing his wide, gaping eye sockets to dart towards Chika. "Thank goodness this is over." He breathed a gentle sigh of relief and clicked his bony fingers.

Leon shifted, his eyebrows furrowing as three small children, dressed up in Halloween costumes wrigged their way out from the inside of a coffin.

"Lock!"

"Shock!"

"Barrel!"

One by one, the three children jumped up, snatching the horrid masks from their faces, only to reveal their true apperances, which were just as terrifying.

Yuffie cowered slightly at the sight of these thin, pale children. Their eyes bulged, hair matted upon their grey heads and teeth stained yellow, their clothes seemed worn and very much dirtied too. "Uuuh, Squall?" She clutched onto the arm of his jacket, unable to tear her eyes away.

The swordsman grimaced inwardly at the sight, but flinched when the ninja spoke his 'other' name. "Leon." He growled, correcting her common mistake. Folding his arms across his chest, Leon decided it best to refrain from shifting his arm uncomfortably again, due to her grip only tightening. With a sigh he turned his head, eyes falling upon Sora, who was muttering something quietly to Riku.

"You three..." Jack spoke up, motioned for Chika to come towards him with one simple flick of his hand, although she did not budge until Cloud forced her forwards with a strong hand to her back. Only when he had her wrist clutched tightly within his hand, did the skeleton look at the children. "I want you to take Chika to your playhouse until the professor comes back tonight, then you shall take her to him."

One of the children giggled, Sora recognised it as the girl, Shock. "Sure Jack." She nodded, placing a small, grey hand to her pale lips and laughed again.

The other two, whom were both boys nodded. "Of course." They said.

"And dont, let, her, go, anywhere!"

"You have our word, Jack." The round one, Barrel, smirked, his eyes narowing ever so slightly.

"Wouldn't dream of it, Jack." Lock shook his head, gaze drifting up to meet the sly, smiling face of Chika.

Riku scowled at the sarcastic and somewhat sneaky tone the children's voices adopted, but his thoughts instantly vanished as Sora shot forwards, a look of the utmost panic upon his beautiful face.

"No!" The small brunet cut in, in front of everyone else and shook his head, eyes widening at the thought of leaving the girl in their posession. "Don't you think you should leave them in safer hands?" He asked, head craned upwards to see the skeletons face better.

Jack managed to laugh deeply. "Of course." He answered, nodding. "When the professor gets back in a few hours, she will be taken from them and be in the professor's control."

Sora's mouth hung agape at that comment, Aerith seeing this decided to brave it and speak her mind, despite the cruel look Chika was shooting everyone with, that dared speak. "Can't you take care of her instead? It doesn't seem right leaving Chika, as dangerous as she is, with three small children."

King Mickey took a step forwards. "I would have to agree, Jack."

"Nonsense!" The skeleton ushered the children towards the beautiful, ebony haired girl and watched them take her wrists. With another wave of his hand, they began to lead her from the cemetary and out, through the cast iron gates. "I could not take her because I have to attend a meeting with the mayor." He explained, poking a finger gently into his chest and bent down slightly, not failing to notice the looks of horror upon everyone's faces. "The children are fairly powerful, they used to work for Oogie Boogie and grew very strong." He grinned and nodded, almost to himself before stretching back up to his normal height and turned away. "Now i hope you have a safe yourney back for you and all your friends here, Sora." One last glance over his shoulder he offered a quick wave to them all. "I mustn't be late...why don't you spend the night here?"

Both Riku and Cloud's bodies grew cold at that name, 'Oogie Boogie'. They could feel the chills dance up and down their spines, their breath catching in their throats as they turned to one another simultaneously, sharing the same, dubious expression. It frightened them and even more so at the realisation of how these children could warm up to someone just as evil and cold-hearted as Chika, especially if they had served Oogie Boogie so easily, once-upon-a-time. Couldn't Jack see that? Didn't he hear their mischievious tones, or witness Chika's rather furtive smirk?

As Riku growled angrilly and stepped forwards, eyes still locked upon the retreating skeleton, he balled his hands into tight fists at his side and opened his mouth to speak. However, he was silenced as Sora's soft, warm fingers curled around his hand. He paused a while, hot air only escaping from his parted lips as he held Sora's hand a little more securely. "It's a stupid idea, Sora." He muttered finally, eyes filled with concern as the other glanced at the floor, knowingly.

"She'll will be okay, Riku." No matter how convincing Sora had tried to sound there, he seemed to fail. Slowly he looked up and scratched the back of his neck, purely out of habit. "Shall we go?" Raising his voice and one slender eyebrow, Sora took a sweeping glance at all of his friends, knowing how unsure they felt about this decision just by simply looking at their faces. Only Leon appeared to remain calm and motionless, totally unphazed. Well, they couldn't do anything about it now. The decision was made final.

"I think we should spend the night." Mickey spoke first, successfully shattering the awkward and thoughtful silence. "It will rest us for the journey to the final door. From here it could take at least half a day to travel there via airship, and about an hour to walk from where we have to leave the vessel.

Riku sighed, running a hand though his silvery hair. "What do you think, Sora?"

The brunet slipped off his black jacket and threw it onto the floor, his wide curlean eyes refusing to leave Riku's slender form stretched out upon the bed, stomach down, his head resting upon his folded arms. With a sigh, Sora kicked off his boots and approached the bed, carefully laying himself down beside his love, to find Riku's eyes half lidded. "Hey." He whispered, brushing a silky stand of hair from the other's peaceful face.

Feeling Sora's fingertips against his cheek, Riku slipped from his daze and opened his eyes fully a small smile gracing his features. Silently he turned, so he was laying comfortably upon his side, one had propping his head up, the other finding Sora's waist and pulled the boy closer until their bodies touched. "Everything alright?" He asked quietly.

"Hm." The brunet nodded as best he could and closed his eyes, turning so he was laying on his back. A comfortable stillness surrounded them both as they lay together, each simply enjoying one another's company. "We can go back home tomorrow, isn't that great?" He spoke wearilly, but the excitement was evident in his tone.

Riku grinned, his voice soft. "Yea, it will be great." For a while he just watched Sora, the silence reigning once more, but eventually after a few minutes gave in to temptation and leant over slightly, pressing their lips together in a gentle kiss. Soon he pulled back, not failing to notice the wide grin Sora had plastered to his face. Riku could feel his stomach flip at the beautiful sight. "You're beautiful, you know that?" It was a statement rather than a question. A frown prelaced the smile as Sora began giggling, his cheeks tinging pink. "What?" He asked defensively, one eye narrowing.

Sora tried to calm himself rather quickly and prised one eye open, a smile still played upon his full lips as he shrugged. "I don't know." He opened the other eye and pouted at the expression Riku continued to wear. "Hey! Stop pulling that face." He muttered, reaching up to gently force the elder's lips into a smile, only for the frown to deepen almost defiantly. Sora couldn't help but giggle. "Fine! You stay grumpy then. I'm going back to sleep." With that, he folded his arm across his chest and closed his eyes, attempting, an failing mind you, to keep his face straight.

The silver-haired one smiled then. He loved the childish side of Sora as much as any other side, whether it be happy, sad or even sometimes angry. Usually with any other, a child-like nature to an adult would annoy him to no end, but then again, Sora was different, Sora was special, Sora was...well, he was simply Sora. "Back to sleep, huh?" Riku spoke gently, running his thumb tenderly over the brunet's bottom lip, following it up with another chaste kiss. Sighing, feeling quite at ease, he laid his head back down, his sea green eyes meeting those sky blue ones as the other turned his head.

Outside the door, someone ran past their hotel room and a long silence ensued.

"Riku?" He sounded uneasy.

"Hmm."

Riku, what are we going to say?"

There was a pause as Riku tired to figure out what Sora was talking about. "Sorry?" Puzzled, he gazed gently into his partner's eyes.

Sora looked down, his hand finding Riku's and intertwined their fingers. He was slightly worried about bringing up this subject, but it had been bothering him today. "I mean Kairi. When we get back to the Island, what are we going to say about us?"

To be truthful Riku couldn't care less what Kairi could possibly think or say about him and Sora being together, but then again, he knew Sora would mind. "We'll figure something out at the time." He smiled gently, bringing up his and Sora' s linked hands to kiss the tanned skin of his love. "Remember..." A loud knock at their door interupted him and he sighed as thy both seperated. "I love you." He finished. With a grunt, Riku stood up and headed towards the door.

Sora blushed at the comment, but he didn't get to reply because the silver-haired one had already opened the door. At seeing a very tearful Aerith on the other side , he jumped up hurriedly and joined an equally bewildered Riku. "What's wrong?" He asked quickly, eyes wideneing with concern.

Aerith sniffed and bowed her head. Clutching the little red handkerchief tighter in her delicate hands, she pressed it gently beneath her teary eye. "We...aren't going home tomorrow."

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Uuh, this was tough to write! Stupid writers block. I appologise if it's kinda bad, and as for any spelling mistakes...It's late and there is no spell check on this thing, so I've had to try and go through myself T-T.

Just knew I had to get something written down sooner or later though:) As for the next chapter...who knows what the hell is going to happen!Well, we'll see. Heheh. I'll try and get that one up quicker than it took to get this one up for sure, promise!

Anyway, I think I hear my bed calling me:)