Author's Note: I managed to conjure up a chapter for an update today. There may or may not be an update tomorrow, because usually I have chapters done in advance, but sadly I don't. I need time to catch up, so you may get an update tomorrow or you may get one on Wednesday.

Chapter 5

Morning

Hollow Bastion

Sora:

"You die now, Sora!" I opened my eyes and noticed two things. One was that I had lost consciousness in Hollow Bastion. The second thing was that Tifa was standing right above me with an angry look on her face. Not something I wanted to wake up in the morning that's for sure. Of course, nothing could prepare me for what she did next. Tifa sharply and powerfully kicked me in the side, launching me over the side of the rock I was on.

Though I my side hurt like hell, I managed to straighten up so that I could land on my feet. The landing still rattled my body, but there was no need to use a healing spell yet. Tifa jumped down to my level and put up her guard.

"Trying to do Riku's dirty work?" I asked.

"I owe you an ass-kicking for the last time."

I laughed. Though I couldn't remember the last fight between Tifa and me, I imagine my anti-existence had something to do with it. Tifa charged forward and launched her right fist at me. I managed to grab it, but the sheer force behind it was enough to send me back a few steps. I twisted around and threw her into the nearest wall. Tifa hit the wall and quickly recovered within seconds.

Interesting.

I extended my hand and conjured up a Firaga spell. The woman narrowly avoided the huge fireball by flipping away from it. I quickly conjured another one just as she started charging at me. It collided with her body, knocking her clear across the field.

It is not over yet.

I started after her, tapping into the unreal speed that Neoshadows had. I reached her before she could get up and pounced right on top of her. Tifa punched me in the face and pushed me off of her.

Okay…I'm getting tired of getting my ass handed to me. I just woke up, damnit.

Plus, my jaw hurt.

I got back onto my feet and pounced back onto her. We rolled around on the ground, attempting to get free of each other and kill each other at the same time.

Too bad she wanted to kill me.

I bet she would be great as a Heartless. However, she had tested my patience far too much for me to be that kind. I pinned her onto the ground and plunged my hand into her chest. Tifa swiped at my head, catching the side of my face with her nails. I grabbed one of her ribs and snapped in half. She howled/half coughed up blood. Unless she knew magic, she wasn't going to recover from this.

I carefully extracted her heart and devoured it. Strength poured through my veins. Tifa's strength was absolutely wonderful to be in control of.

What a great breakfast.

Riku:

"Cloud, you've got to help Tifa. Sora's attacking her!" Aerith shouted.

Sora…?

But I had attacked him last night. He should be weakened. Kairi glanced at me with a strange look in her eyes. After last night, I wasn't sure how to act around her. For lack of a better term, I'd say I was afraid of her. I drew my keyblade and followed Cloud right up to the large expanse in front of Hollow Bastion. Sora was standing there right next to Tifa's body.

My breath hitched in my throat involuntarily. He had murdered again. Cloud screamed and charged toward the boy, sword held slightly above his chest. I started to follow him, but Kairi stopped me.

"Don't interfere," She hissed.

I gave her a strange look. She stared back with her now cold piercing eyes.

"What has gotten into you?" I asked.

Suddenly, I wished that Axel was here instead of sleeping in the inn. Sora dodged Cloud's wide swing and launched a kick at his back. Cloud spun around and deflected it with his blade, knocking Sora off balance. With what appeared as a flick of his wrist, Cloud separated his sword into six small ones. Sora backed up and watched with wary eyes. All of a sudden, Cloud dashed forward almost too fast to follow.

He raised his sword to strike. Sora caught his blade in mid swing and flipped him fully over his head. Cloud hit the ground with enough force to shake the surface.

I had to go help him!

I started forward again and once again, Kairi moved to block me.

"I said, don't interfere," She spat.

Meanwhile, Sora had picked up one of the swords that had fallen to the ground and was heading back over to Cloud, who was struggling to get back onto his feet. Sora plunged the sword through his upper torso and then extended his hand out. Another sword flew into his hand and he plunged that one through his chest. This went on until there were no swords left and Cloud was lying in a pool of his own blood. I stared at Kairi in horror. She smiled and turned to face Sora.

"Kairi…" Sora whispered.

I gently pushed Kairi aside and pointed my keyblade at him.

"What did you do to her?" I asked.

"Nothing. Perhaps she's doing this of her own accord."

"Liar! How am I supposed to believe you when you just murdered two people!"

"They deserved to die," Kairi hissed.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"In any case, Riku, I'd love to chat, but I'm afraid I must go. You'll see me again soon."

Sora disappeared into a portal, leaving us in the middle of the expanse.

"Um…Riku, why are we here?"

What?

I turned to face my friend. Kairi gave me a confused look.

And just like that, she was back to normal.

All of this was looking bad for my health.