Chapter 4

As Sora backed against the wall, thoughts swam through his head. I'm stronger.. I'm immortal.. But why? Why am I afraid? He looked at the shocked and frightened man, and noticed his glasses weren't on. Where was Alcurad when he needed him? He started to stand up when he heard a footsteps.

A tall man cloaked in black, resembled what the Unknowns looked like. Sora examined the height. He was slightly taller than Sora, but he couldn't see anything else but his body. The figure stepped closer to Sora and Valerie.

"Such a shame Sora... I always thought you were on the Light side.. What happened while I was with King Mickey?" asked the voice. Sora gasped aloud, recognizing that voice the instant he heard it.

"R-Riku? Is it really you? How did you find me?" Sora asked, quite relieved to see his best friend again. It had been 2 years since he had to lock Riku behind the door to Kingdom Hearts. Riku took off the hood. He looked the same as he did long ago. Sora came to his senses and stood up looking at Riku.

"Yes it's me. I just followed my heart so to speak. I see you went under some extreme changes eh? Never thought I'd see you on the Dark side... Thought we could have teamed up to set out for Kairi and King Mickey... but looks like that's out the picture.. And it also looks like I have to kill you..." he whispered with a slight sigh. Sora's eyes darted to his hand as he saw Riku holding the Soul Eater.

"Riku.. You don't have to do this.. I still fight the Heartless. It's not my fault I'm this way. Really, it's not. You have to understand that Riku. I didn't do this intentionally. I miss Kairi as much as you do..." he spoke walking towards Riku. He eyed the passerby who still had his gaze locked onto Sora's blood red eyes. Sora motioned for him to leave and he did as he was directed. How did I do that? Maybe Alcurad isn't telling me something..

Riku interrupted his thoughts with a sudden movement. He took out the Soul Eater as fast as he could... but Sora was faster. He grabbed it and took it from Riku, throwing it behind him into the wall, making it stick into the stone. He glanced at Riku. "Don't do it Riku.. I'm much stronger.. Do you know what I am? Do you know what I could do to you with just one flick of my wrist?" Sora sneered. He could hear Riku's heart rate rising. This would be an easy battle.. Maybe he could gain Riku's trust.. But what if he didn't? What if he accidentally killed Riku?

"I know what you are Sora... you need Kairi more than ever. You're changing, I can see it. If we don't find her before it's too late... you could forget her and take on the Vampire role. The Darkness is consuming you Sora! You know it's true!" Riku yelled. He didn't want to see his best friend die, nor go to the Darkness.

"It's not true! I wouldn't abandon you or Kairi! You're my friends! I could never harm you, no matter what." Sora replied. He turned around. "If you can't trust me, you're better off alone." he added. He put his glasses back on.

"Why are you being this way? I remember a few years ago when you were always happy, always the one that cared... now it seems that it's my role. What happened to you? Who made you this way?" Riku asked, trying to help his lost friend. Sora wheeled around to face him.

"That was a few years ago Riku. This is now. It was an accident. But if you can't trust me, or be around me... you won't hear my side of the story or what I have to say... then leave. Leave me alone." he demanded, but also questioned himself. Riku was right... why WAS he acting this way? What was happening?

"I'll hear what you have to say.. Just don't bite me... or even think about it. I'll hurt you.. I know what you hate. I've heard of vampires, but always thought of them as mythological creatures." Riku said, trying to make a truce. He didn't want to hold a grudge against Sora.

"Sora! Is this man causing you any troubles?" Alcurad asked, coming into view. He peered at Riku, trying to determine if he was friend or foe.

"No Alcurad, he's not. Riku, this is Alcurad. He's also a vampire. Alcurad, this is my friend Riku. He lived on the same island as I did a few years ago when I was still human." Sora told Alcurad, introducing the two of them. "Where's Donald and Goofy?" he asked peering behind Alcurad to not see them.

"Nice to meet your acquaintance Riku. The duck and dog? They decided to stay at a pub, take a rest. They are fond of this world surprisingly." he answered. He looked Riku over again and nodded in approval. Riku tensed a bit after hearing that this man was a vampire as well.

"N-nice to meet you Alcurad.." Riku replied as calm as he could. He wasn't sure why he wasn't his calm and collected self. But he had a bad feeling about Alcurad...

"Oh. Not like them to be fond of a world... and Alcurad? What about Valerie?" Sora asked pointing to the deceased woman on the ground.

"Leave her be. They might think it was a Howler. Now that you have a taste of blood, you'll be fond of it... sometimes if you go for days without blood you'll lose your mind, go insane, start going on a feeding frenzy." Alcurad warned peering at Sora. He nodded in a reply.

"Is Alcurad coming with us Sora?" Riku asked, breaking the short silence. He still felt unsure of this Alcurad, whoever he may be. But he also was unsure of Sora. But why? Why be unsure of your best friend?

"No, I'm afraid I won't be accompanying you this time. I need rest, I also miss my home town. I'm sure a few people here miss me as well. You will go with Sora, Riku." Alcurad said, turning around. "I bid you a pleasant night." he added as he exited the alley. Sora looked at Riku with a sadness and despair look.

"What's the matter Sora? Is there something wrong?" Riku asked, glancing at him. Sora snapped out of his gaze and shook his head with a fanged grin. He assured Riku he was perfectly fine, but something was telling Sora that something was dreadfully wrong. He stared at the alley and got up. "I think there is something wrong..." he whispered as a faint breeze came out of nowhere. Sora took his glasses off and walked slowly out of the alley. Riku watched as Sora walked out into the open. The second he was out there, something dark and shadow like attacked him.

The creature was another Howler, this time smaller than the others and more quick footed. It had a hyena laugh, making it seem more like nails on a chalkboard. Sora covered his ears as he couldn't bear the pain of how loud it was. He kicked the Howler to make it stop it's deafening cry stop. He grabbed his Keyblade and attacked with full force. Riku shook his head and tried pulling the Soul Eater out of the stone wall, but it was no use.

He hid behind the wall as he saw the two creatures of the night battle. Sora rammed his Keyblade into the Howler and smiled in triumph. There was a loud gun shot from where Alcurad ran off too. Sora immediately ran off and to search for the source of the shot. He saw Alcurad's home front door open and ran through the hallways until he saw the basement door ajar. He ran down the stairs as fast as he could, Riku trailing behind, trying to catch his breath. Sora stopped shortly and slowed his pace.

"Finally! I thought I'd never catch up to you Sora! Wh-what's wrong?" Riku asked, peering over at Sora. He kneeled on the floor leaning over something. Riku walked up and saw who the person was...