Well, hope you haven't forgotten me or anything! Truth to be told, I've had that much free time that I've actually finished the story, it just needs a little tweaking cos I sorta rushed the ending a little. And I do really want it good for you guys. So, the next few, and last, updates will be put up soon.
I really want to apologize for the wait, but I wrote a lot of other stuff too… The sequel to this story will be called, 'A Girl's Life 2: Second Year Shenanigans'. Also don't be afraid to check out my oneshot, 'The Day It Began', and new stories which include: 'The Paopu Experiment', 'Behind Razorback Bars' and a fairly cool one… that I don't know the name of yet. Bah. Check out my joint story with mercuryrose, 'Foregivemess costs more than a kiss' and enjoy.
The sequel will be more school based… and basically the school is running out of funds. Just check it out... when I post it. I'm adding more new characters and stuff.
Riku:A Lesson In Life
We were weaving now, down old country roads, out of sight of the local town. I continued to stare out of the window, focusing my gaze on the sheep in the neighboring fields outside the car's glassy eyes.
23 sheep, 24 sheep, 25 sheep...
"Riku. Are you upset?"
Upset? Of course I was upset! He knew damn well I was upset, he'd just taken me away from the love of my life. No... just Sora... 'the love of my life' sounds majorly cheesey.
26 sheep, 27 sheep, 28 sheep...
"Don't ignore me Riku," I heard, before feeling him smack the back of my head.
"Ow."
"Then don't be ignorant."
I smirked behind my hand. "That's not what ignorant means."
"What?"
"Ignorant. Adjective. A lack of knowledge or information on a particular topic or subject. The noun is ignorant."
He stopped the car. Shit. I should have expected it.
He got out and dragged me out of the car, fisting a hand into my once perfect hair. I stiffened, landing on the gravel outside. No one would hear me scream out here, and, unless interrupted, my Uncle would usually hit me until I passed out.
"Uncle Sephiroth... please... I didn't mean it..."
His hand collided with my face. Once, twice, busting my lips and nose. I felt tears spring to my eyes. He sometimes stopped if I started crying, because he felt like he was hitting a child. (Which, as much I hate to admit it, he was).
So, as much as I hated crying, I let the tears slide down my face, rolling hot stains down my skin. He saw this, and paused, glaring daggers at me.
"What is this? Why are you crying Riku? Are you a child? Are you helpless? No. You are merely being disciplined. Deal with it."
So I took everything. Punch after punch, I didn't say anything. Even as I felt the light slipping from my eyes and the warmth from my heart I stayed silent, slipping into oblivion, where I knew it was safe, and I would be welcomed with open arms.
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"Hey kid. OI!"
I think it was a guy. I didn't know. With a flicker of my eyelids, I blinked my eyes open and stared him right in the face. At first all I saw was red. A mass of fiery red that was his hair.
"I'm Lieutenant Axel. And you are?"
"Riku Almassy."
"The General's nephew?"
"Yeah."
"You look pretty busted up. Can I get you anything?"
I shook my head. "Not unless you can get me a cute little brunette with gorgeous sapphire eyes and a taste to die for..." I mumbled under my breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
"Lieutenant... the minis..."
The blonde that had just entered looked somewhat like Sora. His face seemed frail, but his eyes were determined. He didn't look like he belonged here at all.
"What is it Captain?"
"The Minister of Defense would like to see you as soon as possible."
Axel nodded. "Take care of the kid..."
"...Riku..." (God... honestly. You'd think they'd remember a name among all that left right left right crap...)
"Yeah, Riku. Take care of Riku."
I watched as Axel paused before he left, turning to Roxas and whispering, "Bye Captain."
A smirk found its way onto my face. There was... something going on between them. I knew it. I slumped back in the chair, throwing my feet up onto the table and crossing my arms with a smug expression. He looked at me in that way that Sora always looked at me.
"What!" He yelled, probably louder than he'd have wanted to.
"I didn't know they allowed fags in the army."
"I'm... not gay..."
I smirked. That wasn't how I had seen it. "He seems to have a soft spot for you though, regardless of your sexuality."
"You think so?"
I noticed how his face had brightened, and his eyes were full of shine now. I'd hit a nice nerve, and that was evident on his face.
"I do."
"You know... I didn't actually want to join the army."
"I kinda guessed. No offence, but you don't look like the army type. So why did you join?"
His silence gave him away. I could create the scene in my head. Roxas loved Axel and didn't want him to leave, but didn't want Axel to know about his true feelings. So, he went with him. It was just typical. A typical love story. God, there was so much undertone here. I could write a book. I could title it, 'Camo love'. Heh, cheesey... but cool.
Nah... I don't think I was intelligent enough to write a book. Plus, I think I'd get bored halfway through. Hey, maybe I could get Sora to write it for me. He's probably good at stuff like that. I think he is actually... I overheard the teachers talking and the hot English teacher, Aerith... (Or 'Aeris' for short) was saying how good he was getting, and at this rate, was aiming for an A star. Well... it's what I expected. My little Sora was good at stuff like that, and I was proud of him.
"So... Captain... What do you do for fun around here?"
"...Push ups?"
"You've gotta be fucking kidding me..."
"Wait..." He stood and walked to a small set of drawers. He rummaged through them, mumbling to himself. "I think there was some playing cards in here somewhere..." He pulled out a small pack of playing cards, along with some leaflets for joining the army, and a small maroon passport.
"What's that?" I picked it up and flicked it open.
Fuck me. (Not literally of course... screaming fangirls... nuh uh... screaming Sora... fine.)
The photo slapped me straight in the face. (Also not literally. What kind of a dumbass would I be to hit myself in the head with a passport?)
It was of a small boy, around 12 years old. He looked kind of like a deer caught in the headlights of a truck. His hair was matted, and stuck out in so many different directions, I couldn't count. It resembled an obscure blonde hedgehog. He had several freckles dotted here and there around his nose, and his eyes were seriously about half the size of his face. His mouth was open slightly in shock and his head was tilted to the right. It was an official army passport, and yet, something stuck out to me like a sore thumb.
'Cloud Strife.'
"What's wrong?"
I pushed past Roxas without another thought. (How rude of me... I really should have said excuse me...). I needed to know what was going on. I barged into my Uncle's office and threw the passport on his desk. Before he had even said anything, I noticed how he smirked slightly and touched the photo with his long pale fingers.
"It's none of your concern."
"How do you know him?" (Also, once again being rude. I was surprised he didn't drag me over the table and beat me with his desk).
"Like I said Riku, it's none of your concern. We should, however, be discussing something of relevance."
"No."
I knew exactly what he wanted me to talk about. My Mother. That's all he ever wanted to talk about. Ever since she had died, he and my Father always dragged me inside to talk about it. And it wasn't in the nice sense either. They didn't actually seem to care that I had witnessed my own Mother die and I may need psychiatric help. All they cared about was what she had left behind.
"Your Mother, Riku."
I remember it like it was yesterday. A winter's day, with the rain pounding the pavements in a vibrant pattern, and the wind just gently whistling through the drenched trees. Me and my Mother were walking to the park. A beautiful haven among scores of rushed scenery. We loved to go there. Sometimes we'd feed the ducks, sometimes we'd just stroll down the little gravel path. The only thing that really mattered was that I was with my Mother.
My Mother had been a beautiful woman, with flowing blue hair that cascaded down past her slim waist and a smell that always made my tummy feel light and happy. Her deep aqua eyes looked just like mine, only more mature, shrouded in experience. These glowing orbs were framed by thick black webs, concocted by a devious spider, that wanted to create something perfect. Her lips were a flushed pink, a rounded shape to contrast with her jagged lashes. She always wore cotton dresses. Even though it was winter, she would finish off her look with a light blue cardigan. Her cotton dress had started getting wet around the bottom, and her sandals had been clogging up with water.
I was the apple of my Mother's eye. We did everything together. Every time I used to look at her, the warmth in my heart used to fill me up and spill over, drenching my insides with a sweet loving feeling. I used to look to her for everything. When I was hurt, or lonely, (Which I was because all the other kids used to make fun of my hair and eye colour), she'd lift me into her arms and say, "Riku. Look at all the other children. Look at how they all look the same. If no one was different, we'd all be the same. Every single one of us would want the same things, and would look the same." Then, she'd lift my hand to her heart and place it there, so I could feel it softly beating like a bird on a lone summer's day. "Can you feel that Riku? It's my heart. It's what makes me love, and feel. Now look," and she'd lift my hand to my own chest, so I could feel my own heart pounding. "Does it not feel the same? Does it not sound the same? Riku, there is not such thing as different, or 'weird'. You are who you are. And there will always be someone who loves you for that. For whom you are. And no matter where I am, I will always love you." Then, she'd scoop me up into her slender arms and lightly kiss my forehead, letting me know that what she said was true.
And when I felt like dancing, and eating lots of sugar, we'd bake cookies and cakes and dance around the living room to the music that streamed out of the radio. We'd roll around on the deep fluffy cream carpet that was on the living room floor. My Dad would come in occasionally and laugh at us, saying that one day; he'd take a photo and post it around town, so people could see what we were really like. Then my Mother would pull him down on the carpet with us, and we'd all roll together... not so much my Dad though.
And when I fell in love with the girl next door, I asked my Mother for advice. She'd supported me every step of the way. Even when the girl had laughed in my face and told me she thought I was a freak, my Mother held me as I cried. She said, "No matter who you love Riku, love them until you can't love them anymore. And even when some of those people slip away from you, just remember that you have all your life to love. Then, maybe when you are older, you'll understand better, and meet someone. And then, this someone will take your heart away, and even though you don't know it, you'll do the same to them. When you find the one, you'll know it. I promise."
Then, when my Grandmother had died, a small tear had escaped her perfect eyes, and I remember reaching up to wipe it away. That time, my Mother had needed me. And I tried to help out as much as I could. I'd draw pictures for her to put up on the fridge, and make necklaces for her out of my bead set. And, what still surprises me is that she always used to wear them. And when she went out with her friends, she'd put her special amber one on, and they'd say, "Wow... Iris... that's unusual... where did you get it?" And she'd always smile and reply, "My little Riku made it for me."
On that day, I was running ahead, dancing as my Mother followed, her navy umbrella bobbing when she walked. The cars flew past in a hazy blur of colour, and the traffic lights seemed to glow through the mist.
"Mwummy, Mwummy! My fweet won't stwop dancing!"
I heard her laugh then, a chuckle that made me feel so happy. Whenever my Mother was happy, so was I, and when she wasn't, I tried my hardest to make her cheery smile return to where it was supposed to be.
"Watch out for the road Riku. Look both ways... remember? Stop think and listen."
I had nodded, furiously.
And headed out into the road.
"Riku! Look out!"
Everything goes a little haywire after that. I don't recall everything clearly. I had started to cross the road when I heard my Mother shout. The car was too close, I had stopped dead, my eyes widening. I had thought that it was over. Everything in my life flashed before me. There was just one little thing.
My Mother.
She had flung herself in the way, pushing me far to the other side of the road, where I rolled over, hitting the pavement. The car just sped off, like nothing had happened.
As I sat up, I saw her crumpled against the sidewalk. I had shouted her name, but I don't know whether anyone could hear me. Hell, I don't even know if I had shouted loud enough to be heard over the pounding of my own blood in my ears.
I had tried to lift her, but I wasn't strong enough. So, instead, I had wrapped both of my arms around her head, watching her eyes flicker open.
"Riku... my beautiful Riku..."
"Mwummy... are wou hurt?"
"Riku... you remember the old man?"
That one had made me think. I paused, before realizing what she meant. It didn't occur to me then that she was avoiding my question.
"Yes..."
"The old man has Mummy's treasure. I want you to help the old man look after it. Don't let Daddy or Uncle Sephy get it... okay?"
"Mwummy... why can't wou hwelp the wold mwan wook after his tweasure?"
"Mummy... has to go away sweetheart."
"When will wou bwe back?"
"I don't know, but even if you can't see me, I'll always be with you."
"How?"
She'd smiled at that point. Her fingers reached up to my hand, and placed my hand on her cheek.
"Some things you see with your eyes, others, you see with your heart."
And her hand had fallen. Her eyes had flickered, slowly closing, her breathing slowing, and finally, stopping altogether.
I had screamed. I turned around frantically, screaming, shouting and crying for someone, anyone to help me.
When the authorities finally came, they had to pry me from my Mother. I went to the funeral, even against my Uncle's wishes. My Father knew how close I had been to my Mother, and that's probably the only thing I like him for. I'd ignored all the preaching's, my Mother never was the religious type. I had written a poem for her in school, and I was to read it out. My relatives were surprised I wasn't crying. I had stood up to the stand, and looked at the paper I held in a shaky grasp.
'Mother,
When I was happy, and when I was sad,
When I was good, and when I was bad,
Whenever it rained, or the sun shone bright,
When lightning struck, or it turned into night,
There was a part of me,
Or maybe three,
That stayed inside your heart.
And even though you have moved on,
You will not fade away,
And I love you Mother, most of all,
And I just wanted to say,
I wish you were here today.
To hold my hand and hold my heart,
Together, we'd make oceans part,
So here's a rose, from me to you,
And soon we will be with you too.
I hope to touch the stars someday,
I hope to one day, hear you say,
My little Riku, 'I love you',
So I can say, 'I love you too.'
People cried. I threw a blood red rose into the ground, and watched as it spun, slowly, falling down and down, and landing softly on the rich mahogany of the coffin. I hated it. I felt sick as other people began throwing more roses down, but none was more beautiful than mine. We had buried her where she wanted. By the school she went to as a child. My Father had suggested the yard, but I knew my Mother better than him. She loved her freedom. So, I said she should be buried in the wilderness, where we found a perfect clearing.
When everyone was getting back into their cars, ready to go back to their own families, and their own Mothers, I sat and stared at the ground where she was hiding. It had started with a single tear. An aching tear that slid down my face. I cried more tears after that. Tears of rage and fury. I clenched my fists and pounded them on her grave.
"No! How could wou! Wou pwomised we'd always be together! Why? It shwould have bween me! Why mwummy...why...?"
I had collapsed in the dirt, my hands picking it up and squeezing it so it ran out from between my white knuckles. My Father was stood behind me, tears running down his own face. He had knelt down beside me, ignoring the mud and lifted me into his own arms. For once, my Father's form was comforting. He held me close, and I clung to him, seeing nothing beyond my own hate. I'll always remember what he had said to me.
"Riku, it's not your fault. You're Mother did what she did because she loved you. She'll always be watching over us, so don't blame yourself. Shhh... It's okay..."
It wasn't okay. He didn't feel her die, right there in his arms... feeling her heart collapse and her happy smile crack. He wasn't pushed out of the road by her. He didn't love her like I did. He didn't lose the foundation of his heart. The script that had his entire life written on hadn't been torn up and burnt. He hadn't watched his life crumble in front of him.
I felt so torn, so weak, like the oxygen I had to live the rest of my life on had suddenly been sold from under my nose. I wanted to pull her from where she lay and stroke her hair, making her seem alive. I wanted to tell her what she had left me with, and make her feel bad, so she'd come back to me. I wanted to cry upon her body and hold her close, like she'd always held me. There were so many unanswered questions, so many threads left untied.
But she was gone. And she wasn't coming back. Not today. Not ever.
She was smart, my Mother. All the family inheritance had been hidden, and only I knew where it was. She knew full well that my Father would drink it away, and my Uncle would waste it on weaponry that she hated.
"Riku... Your Mother?"
"I'm not talking to you about it,"
I should have expected the slap I got for that. I was disobeying a direct order. But I didn't deserve the kick I got to the ribs, leaving me clutching my chest on the floor. I knew he was sneering. I didn't even have to look. Though it didn't matter how much he threw me around, trying to get his own way, I was never going to betray my Mother.
"You remind me of him."
I froze. The statement threw me off guard. I thought my options through. I could either ask who, and risk getting beat up, but, on the other hand, I was going to get beaten up anyway.
"Who?"
"Cloud Strife. He also refused to tell me what I wanted to know. He stayed here for six years, and he never once told me. Do you really want to end up like him?"
"Cloud's happy..."
"Oh yes... you know why? Because he doesn't actually remember any of it."
I didn't understand. I mean, sure he was a little strange... but I'm pretty sure he'd remember being with my Uncle for six years.
"So come on Riku. It's what your mum would have wanted."
I snapped. I saw nothing through the red mist that clouded my sight. Before I even knew it, I had thrown myself over his desk and was clutching his collar. I sat over his stomach and yelled in his face.
"How dare you think you know what she wanted!" I spat at the top of my voice, "You never even knew her! You didn't hear her final wishes, or her dreams! You think I'm going to tell you where to find the money so you can spend it on weapons and guns to kill people! My Mother hated violence, and hated everything you stood for! She'd never want her money to go to you!"
He just smiled. When I just slightly loosened my grip, he turned over, so I was beneath him. I tried to turn, but he was too heavy. He held both of my wrists and put his face so close to mine, I could feel his hot, sticky breath on my skin.
"Is that why Riku? But... you don't know me... so how do you know I'd spend my money on that?"
I wriggled uncomfortably. I didn't like where I was right now. He was right. I DIDN'T know him. I didn't know what he was fully capable of. I was in the perfect position for some sort of sick form of submission. I prayed he wasn't sick enough to do that sort of thing.
"You know nothing, Riku. Nothing."
I gritted my teeth. "Really? So... what would you spend it on?"
He sneered again. "For starters, I'd lock you away so you could actually make something of yourself and stop seeing that pathetic Sora kid..."
I spat at him. "How dare you call Sora like that..."
But he carried on. "And then I'd make sure you never saw him or his twisted family again. Me and my brother would move you away and we would live as a family. Like we should be doing now."
"Why you..."
"Spitting isn't nice Riku. I only ever wanted what was best for you...you know I love you Riku."
I moved my head to the side as he loomed towards me.
"Stop."
And to my surprise, he did. He stood up, slapped my face and sat back down.
I held my cheek in one hand. I felt it burning and stinging. It was rare that he would slap me. It was always punches, and the occasional kick now and then. But I didn't like the slaps.
"Go and find Roxas. Baby sitting's all he's good for these days..."
That was it. Not that I actually wanted to sit there longer with him, but I felt like I was actually getting somewhere for once. With fury etched on my face, I threw open his door and almost ran into Axel. He said he'd take me to where I was going to sleep for the next... however long my Uncle planned to keep me here. When we wandered into the bedroom, it was like something from a 1960's school documentary. The beds were all the same, sickly off-white and were all lined neatly, the same distance away from each other. It was only when I saw steam rising, seeping in from a neighboring room that I noticed Roxas, stood in the doorway, a faint blue towel around his waist, and a red puffiness surrounding his eyes. I guess it looked like he had been crying. Did he hear what Sephiroth said?
"I can't help it you know..." So he DID hear... "I know I'm no good at this army thing..."
Axel wore a frown on his brow that not been there a minute ago. "Then why did you join Roxas?"
"Curiosity... I guess..." He stuttered. I raised an eyebrow. Axel frowned, but before he could question him more, the door flung open, my Uncle striding in, annoyance apparent on his face. Axel and Roxas pulled quickly into a salute, which would have been picture perfect if Roxas's towel hadn't slipped down past his waist and tumbled down to the floor in a damp, tangled heap. His face became shrouded in blush and he automatically reached down to pull it back up, only to be stopped by Sephiroth's glock under his chin.
"Well well... looks like the Captain is more 'equipped' than we gave him credit for... right Axel?"
Axel didn't move, or speak. He glared at Sephiroth, unwavering. If looks could kill... eh? God how I wish that was true...
He moved the glock away, gave Axel a small letter from the Minister of Defense and stalked off, leaving Roxas to pick up his towel, and the room in an awkward silence. I jumped on the bed, desperate to break the quiet.
"Bed's bouncy..."
All I got was a glare. From both of them. Oops.
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I'd been reading the same sign for about an hour. 'Do Not Jump On The Beds.'
So what if I had? Ah well... it didn't matter now... what DID matter was that Axel had left about five minutes ago with Roxas, the Captain wanting to tell him something important... and NOT army related. And me, being the good little boy I was, was about to go and eavesdrop.
I got to the door, and saw that there was a small, if not frosted window in the wood. I leaned over outside the door and peered through. It was like some weird Shakespeare play, taking place right in front of me...and the door... or course...
"Axel... there's something... I've been meaning to tell you."
"You didn't want to join the army...so why did you?"
"Well... I ...didn't want to be left alone..."
"There were lots of people at home you could have stayed with."
"No... I mean... without you..."
Roxas was stammering, his hands shaking. I felt sorry for him in a way. He clearly wasn't the sort of person to be good at this. Axel was stood, his arms crossed, a frown on his face.
"What... are you trying to say?"
The blonde's face recoiled for a minute, before showing sudden courage.
"I'm trying to say that I have feelings for you... and I don't care if you return them or not! I just wanted you to know so I wouldn't have to hide it anymore! I hate being in the dark about you, I hate being away from you, and I can't stand it when people say I'm no good at the whole, army thing, because I know that I'm no good... I just wanted to stay with you... even if there was no chance of being with you!"
Axel froze, his arms dropping to his sides. I saw the way his face softened for a minute, and knew, without a doubt that there was something there. A small spark of something that could be the start of something. Just... something. I don't need to explain myself, do I?
"You... don't need to say anything... Axel... I ...understand..."
He was giving up. I could see his face falling, thinking Axel didn't want anything to do with him again. I saw this on a movie once... only with a guy and a girl... obviously. Television was a damn homophobe in itself.
Then it happened. Completely to Roxas's and my surprise, the red head took hold of Roxas's hand. The picture on his face showed that he wasn't one to show emotion. Roxas looked at him quizzically. Axel let go of the hand quickly, like a kid, suddenly thinking he had done something wrong.
"I... have... feelings for you too Roxas... but... I ...I just..."
"What?"
"I don't know how."
"How to what?"
"How to love."
Roxas smiled. "We'll soon fix that."
He reached up and took Axel's face in his palms and placed his lips to the others, with no hesitation at all. After a few seconds, Axel gave up the shocked look and surrendered, giving in to Roxas's sweet kisses and eventually, returning them. Axel didn't know here to put his hands, completely new to the feeling of another guy so close to him. Roxas snaked his hands up and entwined his fingers with Axel's, running his thumb over his taught skin.
I smiled, before feeling a horrible tug pull my heart. I thought I'd be okay without Sora for a few days... or even a week... but I guess I was wrong. The likeness of Roxas to Sora made me feel sick, my head spinning, my feet losing their footing. Everything seemed to fade away at the sight of the new couple. I just wanted everything back to the way it was before... back to when I could see Sora, and everything would be better. I lost control, falling to the ground and alerting the couple inside. I only saw a mass of red, before everything went black.
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"Ngh..."
I shifted, feeling a comfortable warmth on my chest. I opened my eyes slowly, adjusting to the hazy light that poured in from the window. I looked down.
OH MY GOD! I'VE GROWN 4 INCH CHEST HAIR OVERNIGHT!
Wait a minute... that wasn't my hair...
I grinned. Led on my chest, legs entangled with my own, was Sora, curled up like an extremely cute kitten. An extremely cute... almost NAKED kitten. Wow... who was the lucky guy today?
"Riku... stop breathing..."
I laughed, making my chest bump, knocking Sora's head about. He sat up, a pout on features. I prodded his bare chest, and he did so to mine. I smirked, grabbed his hips, and started to tickle him mercilessly. He wriggled, laughing and giggling like a little schoolgirl. (...How ironic!)
"No... nuh... uh... ngh... stop...AH! Riku! Lemme... lemme go and I'll kick your ass!"
I let go, just in time most likely, before he wet himself. He growled, and lunged towards me, attempting to give me a dose of his own terrible tickling. I grabbed both offending hands and pulled them towards me, so he was led fully on top of me. A lustful look glazed over my eyes and he pushed our foreheads together.
"This is a dream..." I said... still smiling. "When I wake up... you're not going to be here."
"Shhh..." Sora whispered, his gaze flickering down to my lips, "Then don't wake up." He nuzzled his nose against mine and touched our lips together, teasingly. It WAS a kiss... just. I leaned up and kissed him, when he pulled away slowly.
"What a hungry kitty."
I tilted my head and pulled him closer. "Sora... with the way you look right now... and where you are... I suggest you don't tease me if you don't want me to fuck you right here..."
He gasped, probably at my use of the word 'fuck'. Heh... ah well... it was true.
I leaned in close, and kissed him. Softly at first, but my appetite for his taste grew, and I found myself rolling over on top of him, my hands flying all over his smooth skin. My fingers danced around his waistband and the bottom of the back of his boxers. I could feel him moan in my mouth, and the vibrations and noises made me want him even more. To my surprise, he didn't pull away at all. Dream Sora was a little more lenient than real Sora. I moved my hips, rocking them against his in a slow, but steady rhythm.
I kissed his neck, the skin underneath smooth and warm... and so... inviting. I left a trail of hot kisses down to his collarbone, where I tugged at the skin there, sucking it harshly. When I pulled back, I gazed in satisfaction at the sweet cherry mark I had made, claiming him as my own. He threw his head back and moaned loudly, gasping when I reached his navel, dipping my tongue inside it and swirling it around. His hands found my hair and I let him hold onto it, as I liked the feeling of his fingers in my locks.
I sat up, pulling him with me, onto my lap. Although I had thought Sora was small, there was so much to explore! There was just one place I hadn't been yet. I kissed him roughly, and let my hand wander underneath the silk of his boxers.
"What the fuck?"
Sora pulled away, an expression similar to confusion and amusement fresh on his face.
"What is it?"
"Sora... you have no penis..."
"Neither do you."
"GAH!"
He was right! No... no... no ... this couldn't be happening! My penis... my perfect penis... my pride...
I broke down sobbing... noticing Sora's hand on my shoulder... and a troop of soldiers goose-stepping past.
"GIVE ME MY PENIS BACK!"
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I woke up, smothered in cold sweat. I breathed heavily, before lifting the covers and my boxers, to find my perfect penis there, exactly how it was supposed to be. I heaved a sigh of relief and collapsed back down on the rough sheets. With a wide mouthed yawn, I swung my feet over the side of the bed and hauled myself up. I guess I had just had a stressful day.
Okay. I had to be good for now. I met Axel and Roxas and a couple of other guys in Sephiroth's office. A tall man with hair a little deeper then Axel's, known as Wakka, another guy that looked a little like Tidus called Zidane, and a girl. She stood next to the others, but no expression crossed her face. Her fiery red eyes glared into my own, and it was only then I realized I was staring.
"What do you want punk?"
I frowned. "My name is..."
"I don't care what your name is."
"Well... for future reference then, my name is Riku and I kinda don't like it when people talk down to me like that."
"Get used to it."
"Whatever."
My sudden change of mood made her eyebrow rise. We held strong eye contact for a few more seconds before Axel pulled us apart.
"Hey hey. Riku, this is Paine. She doesn't really associate with... anyone really."
I held out my hand. "I don't have anything against you... yet... so no qualms... eh?"
She reluctantly took my hand as Sephiroth walked in.
"Now now. I suggest you pair up..." At this point, Axel and Roxas suddenly moved a little closer together. "...Because today we are doing outside training. In B Terrain."
Everyone stiffened at that. I crossed my arms. "And what's that... sir?"
"It's bombardment training."
I had no idea what that was.
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Okay. NOW I had an idea. It was a bare field, and the only thing to be seen was a well. At least, I thought it was a well, until we got there and saw the ladder. The whole course was underground. A strange scent hit me as soon as I peeked over the top. I didn't know what it was, but it wasn't like anything I had ever smelt. It made a sickly stinging sensation in the back of my throat. Paine put a cold hand on my shoulder and turned me around.
"Now. Listen to me. I've done this test before, so I think I should warn you about what's going to happen." She glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was listening. It was my guess that she wasn't supposed to be telling me this. "When we get inside, we'll be just ducking and covering until an alarm goes. When it goes, you need to get to the nearest station and get a gas mask. It's a difficult task. I don't even know why the General gave you this assessment. Even if you are with me, until I help myself, I can't help a soldier until I have affixed my own gas mask."
I felt my eyes widen. "Surely they don't use real gas?"
"Yeah. That's why you are motivated. You do or you die."
"...Uh..."
"Come on then"
She gave me a smile, then her head of choppy grey hair disappeared down the hole.
"Well..." I mumbled, "Guess I'm going down the hatch... haha... hahaha!"
I gripped the slightly damp, mossy ladder and swung my legs over the side. It was a good thing that the boots I'd been given had rubber grips. The ladder grew colder towards the bottom, and I soon realized that the course was in a sewer, and that I could see my own breath. My boot clad feet landed in a puddle of murky green water, and my gloved hands let go of the filthy steel. I headed down a narrow corridor towards Paine and zipped up the black jacket over my white tank top. I was handed a telescope type thing, and a compass, along with a rucksack. I frowned at her.
"Why can't I have one of those?" I exclaimed, glancing at a M16 rifle mounted on her back. "Or those," I added, spying the two 9mm hand pistols tucked in her holster. She grinned.
"You just carry the accessories. Wouldn't want to ruin that pretty face of yours."
I just looked at her. Was she hitting on me? I didn't actually have any idea because I didn't know her at all.
I followed behind her, when a loud shot was heard in the distance. I froze. "What was that?"
"Overhead shots. I suggest you grab onto something. Now."
I grabbed onto a pipe that ran along the wall behind us, but no amount of warning could have prepared me for the 'bump' that came next. An impact struck the whole sewer, and I would have gone flying across the floor if I hadn't had been holding onto the pipe like it was Sora's hand.
"W-What was that?" I panted, just recovering, whilst Paine looked fine.
"Shells. They fire one before the alarm goes off. You'd better be ready."
I felt a shiver rip up my spine. Then, the most horrible sound I'd ever heard rang out through the silence, drilling my eardrums.
"Move move!" She shouted, pushing me in the direction of the nearest station. I grabbed a cold plastic gas mask, and tried to put it on. I wrapped the strap the wrong way. Shit. I turned it around and pulled it through the other way, feeling that weird smell floating near my nostrils. I forced it on.
Paine was having problems, as far as I could see. She was pulling on her fourth gas mask. The other three had not been her size. I pulled it down around her ears, and heard it slide into place with a pop. I yanked hard on the straps that held it in place and saw her eyes relax in relief. There was a musky yellow gas seeping in through a vent on the wall next to us. The side of her face started to turn a deep red. I breathed hard and turned to her.
"What's that on your face?" I breathed out, loud enough so she could hear me.
"Not now."
She grabbed my hand and tugged me towards a wall, when another shock hit us. I fell to the side, unintentionally pulling her with me. We landed on the wet floor, the green water soaking my combats. I heard her cry, and I looked up.
And the ceiling fell on us.
Or... it would have if Paine hadn't pushed me out of the way.
"NO!" I screamed. It was all happening again. She lay on the ground, breathing hard. I ran to her side.
"My... my leg.." She panted. I took a glance. It was caught under a rock, about the size of my own torso. I pushed it to the side, using all of my strength to lift it. With each heave, it felt like my arms were being yanked out of their sockets, the joints threatening to pop. I didn't like the way her leg was pointing.
"Riku... you... have to go ... and find help."
"I'm not leaving you."
"The filters in the gas masks can only block out the gas for about 40 minutes. That's it. Then the filter becomes clogged and excess gas seeps through."
My mouth fell open slightly. "Why didn't you tell me this before?" I yelled, shouting in my frustration.
"I didn't want to worry you."
I'm not going to leave her. I'm older than six years old now. I have the power to change things. I wasn't going to let her die for me. Not like my Mother. No. I was strong enough to change it.
I slung an arm over her shoulder. "Help me out here."
She tried to stand, and I caught her just as she was about to fall. "You... can't carry me..." She whispered.
"There's no such word as can't."
I kept close to the wall, dragging her feet along the floor, trying to keep her off the ground as much as possible, so she didn't hurt herself too much. It took about 30 minutes, but we eventually reached the ladder. I shouted up as loud as I could, just hoping someone would be able to hear me.
"Help! Is anyone there?"
"Soldier... down..." she coughed, the gas obviously starting to leak through the mask.
"SOLDIER DOWN!" I yelled.
For a moment that seemed like eternity, there was nothing. Then, a tiny head popped over the rim.
"Hold on!"
I sighed. Thank God. If you are up there, I won't complain the next time you tinkle.
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I saw her. Lying on the hospital bed. Luckily, her leg wasn't broken, just dislocated. The tendon damage would take a while to heal though. I sighed, about to leave, when she called me.
"What is it?"
"Come here."
I sat down at her bedside and waited.
"I... wanted... to thank you."
"It's nothing."
"What made you stay? The rules say you have to leave me."
I shifted uncomfortably, wondering to tell her about my Mother or not. I decided that it would be the easier explanation. So, I told her.
She nodded all the while, giving an understanding look on her usually expressionless face.
"So what is that mark on your face?"
"It's a side effect of the gas. Sometimes it burns tender skin."
"I see."
Everything went into an awkward silence. God, I'd had enough of them.
"Riku... I hope you realize... that if it wasn't for you, I'd be dead. I wouldn't be here."
I nodded, my throat suddenly dry. "I know."
"Thank you."
I smiled, held her hand, comfortingly for a second, before leaving the hospital wing. I never did like the smell of hospitals. Ugh.
I decided it wasn't in my best interest to see my Uncle just yet, since he had Paine's insurance paperwork to deal with. As I glanced out of the small, dusty window in the dormitory, I saw it was twilight, growing dark. I snuck into the bathroom and stripped off. The water in the shower was steaming hot, running through my hair, making it limp, letting it fall down past my tanned shoulders. I closed my eyes, feeling the soft pounding of the water on my back, enjoying the sweet relief that an escape like this can give.
My mind flew back in my chilled state, floating through all my memories. Like the day I first met Sora. I thought a lot about Sora for a while... the little things, like his pout and the way he was so defensive when he was lying. Then it trailed back to when I found him outside the bathroom, his face flushed and his breathing labored. It was so obvious he'd been masturbating, but he wouldn't admit it. And the thought of Sora doing something so dirty to himself made me feel... I guess you could call it aroused...
I shuddered as a slight problem I had noticed before started to creep up again, growing. I let my hands snake to my erection, and wrap around it, my face straining as it grew painful. Thoughts of Sora flooded my mind, and I began to pump my hand slowly, throwing my head back into the jet wash, my excitement growing and growing. I moaned at the feeling I was giving myself, and let a few distinct words escape my mouth.
"Ngh... Sora..."
All I thought about was how much I wanted my little bubbly brunette back. It made my heart ache, but my pleasure greater.
"Uh... ngh... Sora..."
I sighed loudly as I released into my hand. I washed my hands; feeling refreshed, and doused my hair in a bright orange shampoo, loving the feeling of it seeping through my hair.
After being washed and cleaned, I slid on a pair of boxers from my suitcase and tucked myself in bed. All I wanted was to go home to Sora, and be happy. At least I had made a few friends whilst I was here, and I don't think I'll ever forget anything.
I certainly won't forget Paine. And I hope she doesn't forget me.
I could make an adventure out of this yet.
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