Just a note for this chapter. It's set at a trial but I have no idea how a trial works so if I get things wrong I'm sorry! You'll just have to use your imaginations! Enjoy! xXx

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Chapter 8 - All's fair in love and war

As I sat in the stands, and watched my father's judgement day; all I could think about was Kairi. About how badly I wished she'd died when she hit that tree. She'd put me through so much pain. But that I could stand. I enjoyed the inner torment; it stopped me thinking about worse things... like my past. But now she was putting the ones I loved through the same torture. Fuck her. How dare she hurt Sora and how DARE she try and ruin my dad's life. He'd done nothing to her! And as I watched my formerly strong father crumble; I felt tears slide down my cheeks. NO! I tried not to let anybody see me cry. They would ask me what was wrong. And I could NEVER tell them. Because then... It made it real. At least when only I knew, I could pretend it had never happened. But it was getting herder to pretend. Once I scrubbed myself so hard in the shower... I bled for hours. But that was a bad day. A day when no-one else cared. Sora wasn't there that day. My father wasn't there that day. Tidus wasn't there that day. To save me. I could see Kairi. A symbol of every shit thing that had ever happened to me. I wished she could suffer as I have suffered. I wish she could feel the pain. As the man took the box of evidence to the judge, I knew everything was over. The photo in that box would ruin my dad completely. The judge took the box, and prepared to slowly open it. It was the longest moment of my life. I held my breath, any moment it would be over. That picture was complete proof. There was no escape.

"Excuse me," The judge sounded stern.

"But where is the evidence?" I looked up. Kairi looked up. I saw her eyes. They were filled with anger. But mine were filled with relief. There was no evidence. There was no verdict. My dad was free.

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"I can't believe it! The evidence just vanished! The judge assumed someone stole it so they've sent out a whole squad of policemen to find it! I feel sorry for the unlucky bastard who has it! But I can't feel too sorry for him because until they get it back, they can't arrest me! Ha! Isn't this great son! You've got your old man back! Dunno where that stupid Trisha buggered off to though... But oh well. She was annoying anyways! Come on let's celebrate!" He put his arm around me and we started walking home. Just talking about everything we were going to do while he was a free man. We just turned a corner when, "Oh look Riku! Isn't that your mate Sora?" I looked around to see Sora charging up to me. He was smiling so much! He ran up to m and kissed me. But then we both realised my dad was there and quickly separated, blushing and waiting for the bomb to hit. "Well boys. Looks like you've been busy while I've been in police custody..." He frowned at us. "Lucky I'm in such a good mood then isn't it. Riku's been through enough lately which is the only reason I am tolerating this. Just don't do anything in front of me for God's sakes..." He wasn't happy about it by any means but he didn't forbid it thank God! We all walked back to my house to have a great big party! And once again, I could forget about the pain.

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After the party, Sora and I went up to my room. My dad gave us a dubious look but said nothing. We were just so happy. Just kissing for as long as we could. But then Sora stopped.

"Sora what is it? Oh please God don't tell me you're having second thoughts because without this I'd just..." Sora put his finger over my lips to stop me talking. But he was staring at my left arm.

"Riku. Why is the top of your arm red?" Oh shit he had noticed.

"Um..."

"Did you do this to yourself?" I nodded. Ashamed. I didn't want anyone to find out about that - especially Sora. Too many questions I could never answer. But Sora did not ask anymore questions. He didn't know what to say. He just held my arm gently, kissed me, and told me that everything would be alright and that I should never hurt myself again. I loved Sora so much. And now I knew he loved me. I knew I never would hurt myself again. It was finally time to put the past behind me.