-Chapter IV
Tell me a memory-

Lunch time was the busiest time for Riku. The cafeteria was packed and everyone seemed interested in having him sit with them. In the front a group of prep girls sat together eyeing him and giggling, five jocks sat in the bag laughing like idiots and waving at him, and next to the microwave was Sora and his friends.

Well that isn't to hard to pick. Riku sat down next to Tidus who was ranting about how his classes were the worst anyone could imagine.

"Hey, Riku!" Selphie shouted over Tidus who kept rambling on.

"Hey Selph. How was your day?" Riku was eyeing Sora from the corner of his eyes, noticing that the boy was blushing.

"Just great!" She put down her juice box and started canting her tale. "In English class..." Her voice faded out as he got lost in Sora.

"Sora, what's up?" He asked quietly but the boy seemed even more embarrassed then before. "You okay?"

"Yeah...I Just got things on my mind." The brunet started chewing his sandwich nervously.

Riku looked at Sora for a while longer but decided it be best to ask them when they were alone. Sora always told him everything but he naturally kept quiet around his friends.

"...I was so embarrassed. She's a real meanie huh, Riku?" Selphie hadn't even noticed that Riku turned away to talk to Sora.

"Of course. You'll get her back." Selphie smiled at that and Riku was glad he responded properly. Last thing he wanted right now was Selphie to have one of her mood swings. He ate his sandwich quietly, eyeing Sora. Selphie took out another bag of cookies and started munching them down.

O-0-O-0-O

After school, the gang walked home together and parted ways a few blocks down from Sora's house. Riku walked beside Sora quietly, unsure of what to say. Sora has been speaking very little to Riku lately and he didn't like it. He thought him and Sora were becoming best friends fast but apparently the small brunet can't yet share everything with him.

Riku was about to turn down his driveway but he stopped in mid-turn, noticing that Sora was looking directly at him. Riku came forward and Sora continued to walk forward and the white-haired boy followed. He expected his friend to turn into his driveway but the brunet kept going.

"Where are you going, Sora?" Riku broke their silence.

"I'll show you." Sora dashed off quickly, leaving Riku confused.

"Hey.." Riku started off towards Sora and the mystery destination. This was unlike Sora. Naturally, the brunet would just say what is on his mind, not show it in the real world.

Riku noticed they were running down the same path they took during the night when the man made his first appearance. He hoped dearly it was nothing related to him being back again. He never wanted to see his friend like that ever again; cold, lost and scared. It just didn't resemble the Sora he had painted in his mind. His Sora is bright and happy and without a care in the world.

Entering the small forest, Riku cautiously followed the sound of Sora's footsteps while dodging branches who threatened to scratch his face. Unlike at night, this forest was quite pleasant to walk through. He finally caught glimpse of the young brunet a few feet ahead. He was laying under a giant sakura tree where rose petals fell on top of him.

"What's this?" Riku sat by the young boy who smiled widely at him.

"This is my special place, no one knows about it but me." He picked a few petals off the ground and threw them at Riku. "Sorry, I was acting weird lately."

"It's okay." He threw some back at a laughing Sora. "If this is your secret place, why did you bring me here?"

"Because I wanted to share it with you." He smiled. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure thing!" Riku was overjoyed that Sora trusted him so fast in such a short period of time. He felt glad. Glad that he made friends and it almost felt like he never left home. Perhaps his mom was right, he'll find happiness wherever he goes.

"Have you ever liked somebody but wasn't sure if you actually liked them?" He asked quietly and nervously ripped a petal in two and started on another one.

"How can you like someone without knowing if you do?" He replied, wondering what was going on in his friend's mind.

"Oh..." Sora looked at the silver haired boy. "Riku...I.." His head bolted towards the right. He heard a snap.

"What's wrong?" Riku sounded alarmed.

"He's here..." Sora whispered getting up. The boy seemed calm but frightened at the same time. He instinctively bent himself and readied himself to run. "Run..." He whispered softly and darted off.

Riku followed without a second thought. He knew the boy was paranoid but if he said he heard something, he wasn't about to disbelieve him. He knew what the thought of Sephiroth did to him and there was no chance in the world he'd let anything ever happen to Sora.

Right behind Sora, he could hear something move quickly across the trees to the right, something was out there and it was moving quickly.

"I thought he never came out in daylight!" Riku yelled towards Sora.

"We are far away from anyone, we'd never be able to hide in here." Sora yelled his answer back. "Turn right."

"That's where he is!" But Sora ignored him and went right and Riku followed without hesitation.

Riku noticed why Sora wanted to the right. Up ahead of them was a river and he heard splashing. He out ran them and hoped to catch them in the river. How was Sora so good at this? This must be affecting his daily life more then the boy let Riku on.

They reached the edge of the wood and Sora took normal walking speed when they reached the sidewalk. He turned around to look at Riku.

"Thank you." He took the boys hand and walked beside him nervously.

Riku took a final look at the woods. He saw silver hair float behind a tree.

O-0-O-0-O-0-O

Once again, Sora had to answer questions from Riku. He didn't mind telling the boy about it but he didn't enjoy speaking of his stalker. The police can't catch him for he never leaves a trace and apparently has no physical proof that he exists. They searched but found no record of his existence except for his name but only because Sephiroth once accidently shouted his name when he received a hit to the head when a can of paint fell on him. The cops got the information off from a bum who witnessed the scene. It was pretty hard not to remember him as very few men had silver hair.

"He shouted his name?" Riku asked curiously.

"Yeah, no one understands why he did." Sora smiled a little and let go of Riku's hand when they reached the boy's house.

"Hey, look at the mailbox." Riku pointed out. The mailbox had a large envelope. "Maybe it's for me." He laughed and grabbed it and pointed at his name on it.

Sora followed the boy into his house, curious why the envelope was so big.

"It's from Larxene..." He pointed out after ripping it open. He tilted the envelope and a small card fell out. It had a few scribbles Sora couldn't make out and Riku was reading the letter quickly.

"What does it say?" Sora asked smiling but he stopped when Riku glared at him.

"Get out." Riku muttered and started walking away.

"Huh?" Sora blinked. "What's wrong?"

"I said get out!" Riku yelled this time and Sora got up and left the house, stomping. "Fuck.."

Riku watched his friend walk away and he felt like crying. He shouldn't of snapped like that and he already regretted it. He sat down on his bed and reread the letter carefully. Maybe it wasn't so bad.

Hey Riku,

The boss is still fuming about you abandoning the project but we all forgive you. Well perhaps not Marluxia but he does complain a lot about your replacement. It really isn't the same...

The boss would kill me if he knew I was telling you what happened the night you left, but you deserve to know, you did put all your heart into the project. I hope this actually reached you without being first read by someone else...

The operation went well, we shut off the main generator and the whole city blacked out and we successfully got passed the museum's guards and retrieved the book. But Axel got caught and was thrown in jail, but don't worry, we'll get him out.

I just thought you should know. Don't expect any more mail nor try to send us messages, Boss would have a fit and punish us... We miss you.

-Larxene

P.S. Zexion misses you a lot, started talking about it not being worth going to school anymore since you are gone. We all miss you, even the boss.

Riku dropped the letter and fell to his bed, crying. The letter was to vague, it didn't give him any details on what the book lead them to nor if Axel really is gonna be safe. He should be there and finish what they started. He sighed at the thought of running away to go back with them. But he couldn't. The boss would kill him for abandoning the project and coming back to get back in.

He got up and marched out the front door. First things first, Sora needs him and he needed to apologize. He found Sora throwing rocks at the ground on his lawn.

"Sora?" Riku approached the boy cautiously.

"Yeah?" The boy didn't even look up and threw the next rock even harder.

"Trying to kill something?" He stood next to Sora and watched the rocks hit the ground.

"No..." Sora sighed.

"I'm sorry..." At that Sora turned, dropping his hand full of rocks and hugged Riku tight.

"Please, don't be mad at me." Sora held tight and cried. Riku wrapped his arms around him.

"I'm not mad at you, and I shouldn't of snapped at you, especially since Sephiroth just made another visit." Sora grunted. "It was news from home and it made me homesick."

"Bad news?" Sora pulled away and looked in Riku's eyes.

"More or less. I promise I won't yell at you again." Riku smiled.

"Lets go to my house, got a new card trick I want to show you." With that, sora was happier then ever and Riku was glad he hadn't broken their friendship.

O-0-O-0-O-0-O

After reporting to the police that Sephiroth was seen in the woods, Yumi made some sandwiches and gave them to the two boys. She sat down beside them and joined in their game of crazy eights as she wasn't about to let Sora out of her sight. She never really could but he needed his freedom but whenever this happened she couldn't help herself but to stay with the boy for a few hours even after he has fallen asleep.

She looked at Sora's closet nervously. Sora said he often came out of there even thought there is no possible way he could get in without someone noticing him sneak upstairs. She felt so helpless. As a mother she should be able to shield him from the pervert, as a rich woman she should be able to buy security but both fail every time.

"He isn't there, mom." Sora muttered and placed down a card. "I change it to diamonds."

"I know, sweetie." She placed down a jack. "Reverse."

"Darn..." Sora still seemed upset about the event but he was glad his mom stayed with him after his bedtime and played with him. He thanked Riku too. He picked up a card.

"Thank you, Riku." Yumi whispered as she looked at him.

"I'm glad I was there." He starred back, understanding what she was thanking him for. They both understood that Sora was dear to the other.

"Riku, your turn." Sora whined, not understanding what was going on between the other two.

O-0-O-0-O-0-O

The next few days past them swiftly except for a certain red-head who could only talk about Yuna Summer. Wakka received the official Yuna Summer T-shirts for her concert this weekend and made everyone wear them. Riku felt like a loser for wearing it but Wakka seemed delighted that he was able to convert someone into "Yunaism".

Lately, Cid seemed to be picking on Riku for he never could answer most of his questions but the boy didn't mind for Cid kept giving him good grades and it made the class lose a good half hour with him yelling at him and Squall. When the bell rang, a blond boy grabbed his arm as he was about to leave.

"Hey, Riku." Riku turned to see the slender Zell Dincht. "You wanna come and grab a bite with us?"

"I, uhh..." He looked over Zell's shoulder to see Squall and a few other people waiting by the door for Zell.

"Please?" Zell smiled cutely, knowing it'd work just like it always did on Squall.

"Sure." Riku sighed and gave up and let himself be dragged by the blond to his friends.

"Riku this is Seifer, Squall..." He started pointing them out.

"Leon..." The lion let out coldly.

"Right, 'Leon' and Quistis and Yuffie. Everyone this is Riku." He finished, smiling at Squall.

"Heya." He waved a little, feeling awkward.

They greeted him back and started walking for Quistis' car, all waiting to get away from the establishment known as school or hell for most students. They were those kind of students. Riku found himself being squeezed into the last vacant spot in the back, right next to Zell and Yuffie in front of him.

"So where are we going?"

"Checkers!" Yuffie turned her head around smiling widely. "You know it?"

"Sort of." He remembered going there with Sora and felt a little guilty for abandoning him and his friends. "it's wacky ain't it?"

"Yeah!" The girl giggled and smiled. "Aren't those little kids gonna be sad when they notice you abandoned them?"

"Little?" Riku raised his eyebrows.

"Only kids get that excited for Yuna Summer." Commented Seifer without turning his head.

"Yeah, but you guys seem to get along great. Are you a little boy?" Yuffie laughed.

"Stop it you two, their is nothing wrong with it nor them." Quistis scolded them but they just laughed at her because they knew she liked Yuna too.

"Shut up, all of you." Squall's voice stopped them all as they were about to argue and both sat down and looked out the window. Riku got the idea that Squall was, in sort, the leader.

All six of them rode quietly through the town knowing it wouldn't be any fun if Squall lost his temper with them. They learned that the hard way and Riku figured he better stay quiet too. Only the music coming from the radio broke the silence.

"We're here!" Zell jumped out of the car before it was even turned off, lighting the mood up and everyone became light-mooded once more.

Riku tried to join in the conversations but kept backing out a lot. It was just like he thought, Getting friends was going to be hard. He guessed he was lucky when he made friends with Sora's friends so easily. Upon entering, Seifer growled, making everyone turn back.

"Not you again!" He growled upon the figures sitting at their usual place.

"We got here first, so buzz off." A familiar voice swept by Riku and he looked over Seifer's shoulder. Tidus.

"Do you really want to stay on the soccer team?" Seifer threatened the boy as he knew he'd do anything to stay in the sport.

"You can't kick me out."

"True, but I can easily spread a bad comment about you here and there." The tall blond sneered.

"Leave him alone!" Wakka got up and went in front of Tidus.

"Boys..." Quistis walked closer to both of them hoping to cool them down but Riku interfered.

"Can't we all just sit together?" He smiled at both parties idiotically. "There is more then enough room." The lounge table could have up to 15 people and anyone could have it as Checker's business never attracted much people.

"Sounds good." Zell and Quistis agreed together and hopped into the free seats. Squall took the one in the corner without any argument. Yuffie sighed and blew a raspberry at Tidus. Seifer growled and sat beside Zell. Riku sat down beside Sora and stared at the boy. Sora smiled.

"Hey, Riku. I was wondering where you went off to." The brunet didn't seem mind that Riku has come with another group. The silver haired boy was relieved.

"Yeah, I'm sorry I blew you off..."

"It's alright." Wakka tuned it. "To bad it had be with these five..."

"To bad he had to start hanging out with you brats first." Seifer chimed in.

"Shut up!" Quistis muttered loudly, tired of the bickering. "Lets just all order something." And at that everyone gave the waitress an order. She quickly wrote down what they wanted in fear of having to stay in front of them while they fight again.

Through out the lunch, Riku found himself telling to his new potential friends where he came from and what he listens to. Unlike Sora's friends, they all seem to know and enjoy the music he listens to except for Squall who still hasn't said a word. He told slightly about his friends back in Hallow Bastion but held back a lot, knowing it's best to keep certain things secret. He was pretty much the main topic until Zell asked him if he played an instrument.

"No, but I do have vocals." He laughed. "Why?"

"No reason, our old vocalist left with our bassist." He smiled inside his coke cup, eyeing Riku's reaction.

"Oh." Riku looked at the other members who seemed eager for his answer. "You want me to try out?" He asked shyly.

"Sure, why not?" Seifer sighed. "Chicken boy here doesn't seem to be brave enough to ask you up front."

"Who else is in the band?" Riku laughed as Zell punched Seifer in the arm for calling him chicken boy.

"I'm the drummer, Seifer is the guitarist, Squall is lyrics, Quistis is manager." Zell chirped happily.

"Yuffie isn't in the group?"

"No, I'm just the advertiser." She glared at the blond boy for forgetting her. "Nothing important."

Riku smirked and looked at Squall who seemed bored out of his mind. He noticed the boy was following someone with his eyes behind the glass. He turned to see who it was but the figure didn't seem familiar. A tall blond with spiky hair passed by the window, staring back at Squall.
Riku was about to ask who it was but he noticed everyone fell silent when they noticed the blond.

Guess there is something I don't know. Riku sighed and ate his fries quietly.

O-0-O-0-O-0-O

At the end of the school day, Riku fell on Sora's bed and closed his eyes. Sora sat down beside him and examined him. Long silver hair, toned body and a tormented soul. He wished Riku would tell him what is troubling him but he wouldn't dare ask because the boy would of told him if he wanted to.

"Sora?" Riku asked with his eyes still closed. "Who was that blond boy?"

"Riku..." Sora whined.

"Sorry." Riku muttered and opened an eye to see his friend starring shamelessly at him.

"It's alright, guess you should know..." The boy laid down next to the other and started telling him a story.

"All of us, me and my friends and Leon's friends, used to hang out a lot. We were two different groups but we were together often with Cloud, the blond, Aerith and Rinoa. Everything was going great even when Cloud was dating Aerith and Leon dated Rinoa, even though, it was more like she just barged in his life all the time but he didn't seem to mind." He smiled at hid own memories of the two. "Zack, Cloud's brother, just came back from his grandparents where he went to school for a few years before coming back to Destiny Island. He started dating Aerith and Cloud fought with him a lot. After a year, they both disappeared and Cloud found out by a letter on his bed that they had eloped."

Cloud was beyond furious and started locking himself up in his room and barely ever came out, 'till Leon went in and made him happy again. No one knew what he told him or did but it worked and even Leon seemed happier then usual. After a month, we figured out they were dating. We accidentally walked in on them and Rinoa was fuming mad. She got into a car accident and got amnesia. Her parents sent her to her grandparents where she could recover in peace but before she did get into the accident, she told Cloud that Leon talked about the eloping to Aerith and helped her make a decision. Ever since then, we all split up for some reason and that's the way things stayed.

"All of that happened two years ago." Sora finished and found himself crying a little next to Riku's chest. The taller boy had him arm around the boy and seemed to be dozing off.

"Night, Sora." Riku muttered.

"Night..." Sora felt weird being hugged like that but he felt comforted and thats all he wanted at the moment.