Flee From Our Troubles

Back to You

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts. Didn't get it for my birthday either ... darn!

Author's Notes:
Ta daaa! Here it is, the next chapter! And guess what? Just in time for my birthday! I think y'all will like the ending of this chapter, especially those of you who have been begging for you know who ... So, make me happy for my birthday and leave me a present! Review!

Blood. Blood everywhere. Blood on the walls, the ceiling, the chairs, the desks, the bed … everything. There were two mangled shapes in the corner of the room, the source of the red, sticky liquid. Underneath them lay a boy, quivering and covered in crimson, his eyes wide and mouth agape at the sight around him. He saw yellow eyes gleaming out at him as the bloodstained bodies were thrown off of him. He had stains on his clothes as well, but not for the same reasons as the boy had.

"Please, I'm begging you … let me go!" the boy pleaded, "I-I-I don't wanna die! Please," he cried as violent tremors shook his feeble body, curling up and crying, big fat tears rolling down his soft face. The sword aimed at his chest lowered, and the man had an evil glint appear in his eyes.

"Fine, but on one condition …"

"Huh?"

"Soooraaa!" a voice called out in the distance. It sounded like the young boy whose best friend lived here. The young boy watched as the man dashed out of the room and heard the terrified scream in the distance.

I woke up screaming as sweat drops literally poured down my body as I sat up, the sheets twisted beyond recognition as the effects of nightmares overtook my body's actions. My breathing was heavy, my chest heaving up and down as the haunting images flashed through my already abused mind. My eyes were wide as I stared into my own lap, fear evident in my dull sapphire eyes. Light bubbles danced in front of me as light-headedness overtook me and I fell back onto the pillow behind me.

Tremors of my body making me weak, I slowly stood up and yanked off the shirt, the fabric sliding off of my sweaty, sticky body as I rubbed the scars on body. They felt like they were burning, searing my flesh, as if they were recently acquired. I fumbled my way through the darkness, searching for the doorknob that I knew was there, and finally latched my shaking hands around the cool metal. Turning it, the door opened with a soft creak as I stumbled through. I reached the toilet and started to empty whatever contents of my stomach there was, the scene playing over and over in my thoughts like a song stuck on repeat.

When my stomach was finally finished heaving, I leaned against the cabinets underneath the sink and sat there gasping for air. My body was still quivering with the aftershocks, and it wasn't long before the tears came, right on cue. My stomach ached after the punishment it had just received, and I tenderly placed my hand on it. When I had caught my breath, I gingerly stood up and switched on the faucet with cold water, and splashed some onto my burning face, yet the tears kept coming.

After some time, I turned off the faucet and the steady trail of freezing water, and returned to the bed. I collapsed onto the now cool bed, my body still suffering from the ordeal.

'Why did that dream have to return to me? Why? It's been so long … yet every time I get the same exact results. Why?' I thought, gripping the sheets that were carelessly tossed to the side in anger. "Why?" I said out loud as I thought about how many times I had had that reoccurring dream. It had never been that violent a reaction before; usually I passed out almost immediately after I'm done throwing up. 'Must be the pills,' I thought bitterly as I buried my face in my sheets.

It was times like these when I really wished I had someone, anyone there to comfort me attimes like these when I just wanted someone to hold me and tell me everything is going to be okay. Times like these when I wanted … my best friend. He was the only one who ever had any time for me. Sure, I had loved my parents, but they were always so busy "making a better life" as they called it.

I sighed as I realized that no one was there, and was never going to be there. I was alone to suffer in my silence. I could taste the bile of my stomach in my mouth, the acid starting to burn my tongue. Heaving myself slowly off of the bed, I quietly went back inside the bathroom and started to drink water straight from the tap once again. When I had washed the vile taste out of my mouth, I went back to the bed and attempted to get some more sleep. After much tossing and turning, I finally fell back into a restless sleep.

The next morning I woke drowsy, sleep clogging any judgment I might have made. I was just lucky that I didn't have to make many, and I managed to get outside without any problems. The very first thing I noticed as I did so was the crisp, fresh, cold air against my skin. Sure, I wasn't as cold as I could be, since I had a long sleeved shirt on, but it was cold enough. I shivered before wrapping my trembling arms around my body as I walked, the bag thumping against my back with every step I took. With a quick look around, I realized I was in a park. It wasn't long before I noticed the clothes donation box, and an idea quickly popped into my head.

Looking around to make sure that nobody was around to see me, I made my way over to the brown box. Not seeing anyone, I gingerly opened the lid and quickly pulled out an article of clothing. And it was … a bright pink sweater? Better keep looking. I opened the lid again, and actually looked this time, finally settling on a long sleeved black and blue hoodie that seemed clean enough to wear. Replacing the pink sweater, I set down my bag and pulled it over my head. Once it was on comfortably, I picked up my bag and turned around, only to be met by two purple eyes. It was a little girl, no older than maybe five or six, two braids of black hair behind her back.

"What do you want kid?" I snapped as the kid blocked my way.

"My mommy says it's not right to steal from poor people."

"Too bad kid, buzz off," I replied, trying to go around her, but she got in front of me once again. "Look, kid," I said exasperated, "I need this jacket more than anything right now, okay? So it would be really nice if I could get going now."

"Why do you need it? Are you poor? Where are you going?" she asked, curiosity in her little face.

"Why do you ask so many questions? Curiosity killed the cat, you know," I said, repeating a phrase my father had once been keen on saying a lot.

"But satisfaction brought it back," she retorted just as haughtily. Somebody really needed to teach this kid some manners. "Well? Answer my questions mister!"

I sighed. "Fine, in order, because I'll get cold, yes, I'm poor, and I have to find someone. That answer ya?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at the little girl.

"Yep," she squealed, and jumped on me for a hug. Her little arms wrapped around my slender waist, and she looked up at me with a wide smile on her face. "You're funny. I like you." Great, just what I need.

"Well, that's nice and all, but, uh …" I mumbled, at a loss for words. "I kinda, sorta, need to … go …" I muttered.

"Aww … but you'll come back, right? You'll come visit me, right?"

"Umm, sure kid. Whatever," I said as I pried her off of me.

"Hey! My name's Minna! What's yours?" she called after me as I started to walk away.

I paused for a moment, then said, "Sora."

"Sora, will you walk me home?" she cried. She ran and caught up with me. "Please?" she asked, giving me puppy dog eyes.

I rubbed the back of my head, flustered, as she grabbed onto my other hand. "I … I guess?"

"Yay," she squealed as she took my hand and started leading me away from the park. I was at a loss for words as the small girl tugged me behind her, skipping happily down the street sidewalk. She led me into a nearby neighborhood and towards a large, nice looking house. I immediately started to feel nervous, the grandeur of the neighborhood was beyond what I would ever be able to achieve, and the last time I had been a house this beautiful, I had been a slave. It was like a rose with the thorns.

But one look at the little girl in front of me banished those types of thoughts from my mind. She wouldn't let anything happen to us while we were here. She bounced past a couple of blocks before stopping in front of what seemed like the largest house in the entire neighborhood. I stopped in my tracks right before the house, a wave of fear washing over me.

"Huh? What's wrong, mister?" she asked, looking up at me with confusion written all over face, wondering why I had stopped. I shook my head and plastered on a fake smile.

"It's nothing. Come one, let's get you to your house," I said, stepping onto the driveway with caution. She smiled once again, and started to walk towards her front door. She reached underneath a rock by the door and uncovered a hidden key. She unlocked the door, yelling "Tadaima! (I'm home)"

"Minna?" a voice asked in the somewhere far away in the house. There was the thumping of feet running towards us, and a woman appeared, looking very happy. "Minna!" she cried, hugging what I assumed was her daughter in a tight hug.

"Hi, mommy," Minna replied, hugging her back. I smiled sadly and started to walk away, but the woman's voice called out to me.

"Wait!" she called, and I stopped and turned around. "I can't thank you enough! You brought my Minna-chan back to me!"

"I really didn't do anything …" I replied, a sheepish smile on my face.

"No, you did! She's been missing for a week! Please, let me give you something in return!"

"No, no, really, I didn't do anything …" I murmured, but the lady was already running to another section of the house. She returned with two giant cookies in her hands. "I'm sorry I don't have any money with me, but here are some cookies that I baked this morning. When I get nervous or worried I have a tendency to start baking," she said with a small laugh.

"Err … thanks, I guess," accepting the offered cookies. I looked at the little girl who was hanging onto her mother's arm. "Bye, Minna-chan," I said, with a small smile.

"Wait. Tomodachi? (friends)" she asked me, looking up at me with her amethyst eyes.

"Yes, we're friends," I replied, starting to walk away for the last time.

"You're welcome back anytime," the girl's mother said, and I waved to acknowledge that I heard. I heard the sound of the door shutting and I didn't look back again. Stuffing the cookies into the pocket of my hoodie, I walked out of the neighborhood, still wary as ever, the expensive place making me nervous as I walked out and towards the street. I retraced my steps to the park, and just beyond that was the exit to the city. Walking towards the entrance, I stepped out of the city gates and was soon on my way.

Walking along the deserted pathway, I found myself thinking about the little things. It amazed me how Minna could show her emotions so easily, without a thought. I wished I could be like that. But I had to hide everything, all of my emotions so that I didn't lose to my weaker self. I always had to be so cautious … I wished I could go back to when I was a little kid again. Things weren't as complicated then as they were now days.

I faintly wondered in the back of my mind where Riku was, and whether he was okay, but it was short lived as I heard police sirens behind me. Like a rabbit I bolted, running towards the nearest form of cover. I dived into some bushes, my heart pounding with terror. "Please don't catch me, please don't catch me," I chanted to myself over and over again. The sirens were ringing loud, a constant reminder of what I was. A slave, a fugitive, worthless.

I don't know how long it was before the sirens died down. I was rigid with fright, and only when I was sure that they were gone did I crawl out of the bushes. Luckily no one saw me, and I rubbed the forming bruise on my arm that I had obtained when I fell.

Miserably, I started walking again, sure that I was nearly to the next town. I looked out to the horizon, and I saw the outline of a city. It was about noon by now, and I couldn't wait to get there.

The only thing that I was regretting was that I wasn't with Riku. I felt so fucking stupid for screwing things up with him. If I ever see him again, I'll tell him I'm sorry … that he doesn't have to love me … I just want to be near him …

It didn't take me long to reach the city. I guess I had gotten faster since I started out. Not that it mattered. I had all the time in the world to wander around and mope. By the time I reached the place it was after noon. Only feeling a little hungry, I took out a cookie and a couple bites off of that before I felt full. It was strange; I had been eating less and less since Riku left, and now I felt so thin … But I didn't think much of it. I walked along, staring at the ground, my mind wandering.

Before I knew it, I was singing again. I hadn't sung in a long time since … well that.

A faded silhouette that wanders aimlessly
Ghosting over my cold soul
Loving eyes stare over me
Breaking my icy heart in two

Smiles haunt my mind
Warming my frozen soul
Words without sound
Are spoken to me
Leaving me in utter silence

I turned the corner and started walking, singing so softly that nobody except those with exceptional hearing could hear me. This was a song I really liked, one of the ones that my mother wrote a long time ago. It's funny that I couldn't remember much about her, but I always remembered her songs.

Impatiently,
Waiting for your love
To come back to me
I wonder why you left me
I want to hold you in the flesh

These wounds will not heal
Scars that will not disappear
Trembling for your love
Surrounded in the dark

Scattered thoughts
Broken memories
Don't let me down
I just want you to come back again

It wasn't long before I heard footsteps behind me, following me. I started to quicken my pace in a hurry, and the footsteps got faster as well. I decided to act like I didn't hear him, and kept singing.

Your smile haunts my mind
Warming my frozen soul
Words without sound
Are spoken to me
Leaving me in utter silence

It's not long
Until I can finally say
Goodbye.

The footsteps kept following me until I felt a hand grab my shoulder and pull me into a nearby alley way. I took a deep breath, intending on screaming, but a hand clamped over my mouth before I could. They turned me around and I came face to face with two beautiful aqua colored eyes, silver bangs covering them. The hand let go of my mouth and my breath caught in my throat.

"Riku …"

Author's Note:
So, did you guys like it! Make the birthday girl happy, she worked on her day off to get this done for you! Please, please review! If I get over 145 reviews, I'll update!