HI GUYS! sorry i havet updated in a while...i had band practice since we got the 'gig'for that cool party. I have to remember my snazzy guitar solo...WOOT! Thanks to all that reviewed...i really apreciate the reviews! well here is chapter 8...

Chapter 8

Namine's POV

It had been 3 weeks since the destruction of Sabrith's Point. I had since then learned to cope with my problems, and move on with my life. Riku and I had gotten over our little issue, and Riku, Tyson and I were as close as ever. I felt like my life was finally right.

We had a lot of down time with the Organization, where we were allowed to be the teenagers we were. Tyson and I spent a lot of time training, with Riku occasionally joining in, still a bit peeved that a girl could match his strength. I had gotten much quicker in my fighting skills, and had learned many tourniquets. I had finally mastered the art of disappearing and reappearing in a different place, even though it sucked up so much energy.

"Come and get my Tyson," I said tauntingly as Tyson lunged at me. He was a solid fighter, a master of the key blades, and a tough opponent. I jumped just in time, as Tyson lunged at me.

CRACK! I disappeared, and reappeared behind Tyson. HE growled in frustration and turned around quickly taking a swing at my head. I ducked and laughed, and kicked him hard in the chest. "Ahh!" He yelped as he fell backwards. I laughed and walked away.

Suddenly I was being picked up from behind and hoisted onto Tyson's shoulders. I yelped in surprise and laughed as he began running forward with me on his shoulders. He dropped me on the ground with a laugh, and we walked back to the house.

"So Tyson, what is up with Riku?" I asked casually. It had been bugging me for weeks now. Riku always seemed a little held back, as though he had lost the true teenager inside of himself. He was so serious and cautious, it was like he was afraid that if he let the real Riku show, someone would take it away from him.

"Well..." Tyson hesitated, before continuing, "He's been through hell in that past, like you and me, but he was the one to blame for most of it. His decision to turn himself over to darkness lead to Kairi losing her heart, and the door being opened again. He feels guilty for all of that, and he just hasn't been the same since the door opened again. I think he's afraid he will lose you, or Kairi or Sora again. That's his worse fear." Tyson looked at me, a sad expression painted on his features.

"So he hides behind a mask of hard and bitter emotion. I bet there is a totally different person underneath all that..." I said. Tyson nodded. "He's totally different once you can get past that mask. He really isn't the heartless person you think he is."

I nodded as we walked into the house. I climbed the stairs to my room, and plopped myself down on the bed. I saw Riku come stumbling into his room, a shirt half pulled over his head, his silver hair poking out of the top. I grinned in spite of myself, and watched in amusement as Riku ran into the dresser.

"Shit," he muttered angrily as he pulled the shirt all the way over his head. He glanced at me, and muttered," What are you laughing at?" before slamming the door connecting our room closed.

My grin disappeared instantly and I sighed. Getting Riku to relax was going to be harder than I thought. I stiffly rolled off of my bed, cursing Tyson for working me so hard at our training session this morning. I pulled a black hoodie over my head, and slid on my sandals, before jogging out the door.

I clutched my arms around me as I entered the chilly streets. It was almost completely dark outside, meaning if I didn't get inside soon, heartless would be all over me. I jogged slightly downtown, to a small club that was positioned on a dark street corner.

I sighed as I opened the back door to the club. I had been forced to get a job to keep up with expenses such as clothing, and in case I ever wanted to have a life after the Organization. The only job that was available to a 16 year old with no working experience unfortunately, was a table waiter at this club.

I tossed my jacket into the back room, and clocked myself in. I hadn't told anyone about his job, not even Tyson. I knew he would flip if he knew I was working at a bar.

"So Mr. Asalias, what tables do I have tonight?" I asked as I slipped on my identification pin. The said man looked up from his receipts and grunted. "You have the north and east sides tonight. One of your coworkers called in sick, so you're working double." My eyes widened in surprise. I had to work twice as many tables as usual, and knowing the sleezeball I had for a boss, I wouldn't be getting payed double. I nodded and turned quickly, heading into the bar area.

"Waitress, where is my drink? I don't need to be waiting around for some scummy girl."

"Excuse me, but you got me the wrong salad. I wanted the CHICKEN salad, not the TURKEY salad. Jeez you would think you could get it right." "Sorry madam, I'll get you a new salad," I said swiftly as I took the plate from an angry looking civilian.

"Waitress! Where is my drink!" I looked up to see a man in about his twenties standing in front of me, a cross look on his face. "Sorry sir, I'll have it in a minute," I muttered as I pushed past him. He shot me a rude look, before sitting down again.

I rushed into the back to correct my orders, and ran straight into another waiter. "Watch where you're going bitch. Can't you do anything right?" I scowled at him as I walked around him. I sighed and brushed a piece of light blonde hair out of my face. This was a tough night, all evening I had gotten nothing but complaints from people and I was getting sick of it.

I rushed back out into the bar, to see to my relief that it had emptied out a bit. I walked quickly to the complaining man, thrusting his fifth drink into his hands. As I turned to walk away, he grabbed my arm to stop me.

"You wouldn't be with the organization would you?" He asked suspiciously. "Cuz if you are, you better watch yourself." I narrowed my eyes slightly, and pulled my arm out of his grasp.

"Its none of your business as to where I come from," I said gruffly, my temper rising.

The man glared at me, before turning to a friend that sat with him. "See I told you Urishu, these damn Organization people are nothing but trouble. All they do is stir up darkness and create mayhem." Urishu nodded in agreement.

I tried desperately to control my temper, as people from other tables turned to look at the scene. "At least I do something worthwhile with my life," I said in a low tone, and the man turned to me, his eyes blazing.

"What did you say bitch? You think you're so special huh? Because you can kill those stupid heartless things? Well here's something for you, you're just causing trouble, and if you and the rest of your little buddies don't stop having your little games, there's gonna be some issues." He smirked, and leaned back in his chair. "Besides, it doesn't even seem like you guys do anything. Why your blonde haired friend can't even ward off more than one heartless."

"Don't you DARE speak about him like that. You think we do this for FUN? You think we like seeing people get killed every day, get posses by heartless? We have tried everything in our willpower to save people, even worthless people like yourself. I don't think that deserves to be ridiculed. You probably don't even know which end of a keyblade to hit a shadow with!" I hissed at him.

SMACK. I felt a sharp pain in the side of my face, and my head turned away. He had smacked me, and now stood before me. He held a knife to my throat, and said gruffly, "You bitches better leave Twilight Town the hell alone, or there WILL be trouble." I kicked him hard in the groin without thinking, and turned and ran as soon as the knife left my throat. I ignored the calls of my boss as I pounded down the dark streets.

My jaw stung like crazy where the man had hit me, and my heart was beating wildly in my chest. I fought back tears of anger as I fled into our house, and up to my room. I slammed the door shut forcefully, and walked into the bathroom.

My reflection in the mirror was a disaster. My hair was wet and tangled, my left cheek flashed red and purple as it swelled. I grabbed a tissue from the counter, and ran it under cold water, and stuck it to my face. I sat down on the toilet, resting my head in my hands.

I hear a faint knock on the door, and quietly muttered, "Go away Riku." I heard him sigh and push the door open. He stuck his face cautiously, as if afraid I would throw something at him or something. His brilliant green eyes widened in shock and concern when he saw my face, and he stepped fully into the room.

"What...what happened? He asked, concern written on his face as he knelt in front of me on the bathroom floor. "Did somebody hit you?" He looked agree now, almost protective.

I nodded slightly, and Riku sucked in a breath of air. "Who? Who did this to you?" Anger blazed in Riku's eyes, and I said quickly, "It was a man at the store. He was kinda out of his mind. It-its no big deal, really." I looked at Riku and saw his anger grow. "No, nobody should hit a girl, especially you. Where was this man?" I shook my head frantically. "No Riku, just drop it okay," I said a bit desperately; Riku looked irritated, but sighed and disappeared for a moment.

When he reappeared, he was clutching a small glass container of a lavender cream. He knelt beside me, and pulled my hand away from the now forming bruise. His soft fingers lightly stroked the bruise, and I felt a blush forming on my cheeks. I didn't know what had gotten into me, but somehow, I liked having Riku's gentle hand on my face.

"What...what is that?" I asked shakily, indicating the jar. Riku said simply, "Bruise balm. It helps get rid of bruises quicker, as well as ease the pain. I got it from Maleficent surprisingly," He chuckled lightly and dipped two fingers into the cream.

I felt a hand come up to the other side of my face, and gently turn it to the side, and Riku carefully rubbed the cream on my swollen face. I marveled at how gently he was being, I never pictured Riku as being the gentle type.

"Thanks," I muttered while looking down. I felt embarrassed under Riku's scrutinizing gaze.

"Is everything okay? It seems like you're not telling me something." Riku asked quietly, while he looked deep into my eyes. "No..." I said simply, before standing up. Riku, showing caring? That was something rare for him. He was always acting tough, putting up a mask. It was a nice change.

I gave Riku a quick hug, and walked out of the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I heard Riku get up a moment later and return to his own room. I sighed slightly, and fell asleep in a chair by my bed.

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