Flee From Our Troubles
In Which Things Get Complicated
Disclaimer: I still don't own it. Otherwise there would be more Riku and Sora action!
Author's Notes:
Sorry about the wait. Full details at the bottom. Happy Easter, everyone. As a bonus, I made the chapter extra long!
The next day I awoke before Riku. I slowly opened my eyes and gazed at the sleeping beauty next to me. He looked so peaceful asleep … I couldn't bring myself to wake him. I felt his arm around me, squeezing me tight, and I blushed. I raised a trembling hand and lightly brushed some of his hair. I gasped as my fingers came into contact with the silver locks. It was so soft! And smelled faintly of strawberries from where I was. It contrasted to his sweet smell and created a scent that was inexplicably Riku.
Suddenly he moaned and turned to his side, his arm relinquishing its grasp on my thin body. I took this as an opportunity to quietly climb out of the warm bed, stepping out on the carpeted floor next to our bags. Almost immediately after I had gotten free, Riku rolled over, clawing and softly whimpering for warmth that wasn't there. He whimpered and whimpered, all the while trying to pull the missing heat back. Confusion overtook me. Why would anyone miss me?
I nervously reached over and pulled the blankets over him, and he soon stopped whining and pulled the starch-white covers closer. I grabbed my bag and pulled out my jeans and another clean shirt, and set them on the floor next to me. I pulled off the sweatpants, leaving me in only my boxers. I blushed at the thought of what would happen if Riku were to wake up right then, and I checked to make sure that he was still asleep. He was sleeping soundly, clutching the sheets to his chest. I hurriedly put on the jeans and changed shirts, then folded the borrowed garments and left them neatly by Riku's bag. I noticed faintly that the jeans fit looser than they used to, ever since my capture. Swiftly grabbing some money, I stood up and took a step.
The floor creaked underneath the slight pressure, and I froze. My eyes shot towards the sleeping silver haired boy and watched him groan and shift around, but luckily didn't wake up.
I let out a sigh I didn't know I was holding, and quietly make my way to the awaiting door. I opened it cautiously, making sure that the noise from the door hinges wouldn't wake up Riku. Stepping into the awaiting hall, I carefully shut the door behind me. I relaxed as soon as I was alone, and with light steps went down to the kitchen.
My first goal was to go to the nearest shoe store and get some new shoes. They had been taken from me by Ansem and his henchmen, and I knew that I would need new ones if I wanted a chance to survive. I found a lost and found near the door, and I dug through until I found some used shoes. They weren't the right size; they were just too small to fit on my feet completely. Unlacing the strings, I realized that they would fit, although not entirely comfortable. Oh well. They would last until I got down to the shoe store.
I pulled them on, and went out the door. Surprisingly, everything looked the same as when I left. It seemed like such a long time ago, although it couldn't have been more than about a week ago. If I recalled, there was a shoe store just down the street here, and it didn't take me long to find it. The scent of rubber and chemicals attacked my nose for the first time as I pushed open the glass door featuring posters of new shoes. I sneezed at the new strange scent, and walked over to a side of the store. Forcing my nose to get used to the smell, I looked around. I soon realized that I didn't even know what size shoe I wore. I found the shoe sizing chart, slipped my foot out of the undersized shoe, and measured my foot against the chart. I made note of what size it was, then searched for a pair of shoes that I liked. It didn't take me long, seeing as I had no idea as to what was "in fashion" at the time.
I picked out a pair of pretty white shoes, and grabbed a box my size, then went to the check out stand. A man stood there with a bored expression, obviously not thrilled with his job. I placed the box on the counter, and looked up at the taller man. He looked down at me with the same bored expression, and scanned the label on the side of the box with the red-lighted scanner. After pressing some buttons on the cash register, he said, "Twenty-five dollars and thirty cents," he said, waiting expectantly for the money. I counted out the amount needed and handed it to the man, who took it and handed me back some change and a receipt. He pushed the cash register closed, and asked, "Want the box?" I shook my head no, and he took the shoes out and handed them to me. He shoved the box under the counter, and I left the store.
The fresh air was invigorating, clearing the smell of the store from my senses. I walked the short distance back to the hotel and reentered through the back door. I went to the kitchen and sat at the short, stubby, wooden table. I pulled off the shoes I was wearing, and snapped the cord connecting the two shoes together. I placed them in my feet, and they fit comfortably, although a little stiff, but I figured that would wear away with time. The thumping of someone's footsteps coming towards me was audible, and I looked up and saw the black haired girl that had saved me so many times before.
"Hey, Yuffie," I muttered at the older woman who sat down next to me.
"How are you doing, Sora?" she asked cheerfully, patting my hand on the table.
"F-fine," I stuttered, looking at the intricate design on the wooden table, my dulled sapphire eyes following the swirling patterns created by the grains. "I guess I'm just a little flustered, is all. I mean … there I was without any hope what-so-ever, ready to be sold to some brothel owner or something, and like the next thing I know, Riku's there, pulling me to safety! And when I wake up, he's there, holding me in his arms and telling me that everything's going to be alright … I just don't get it," I finished dramatically, placing my elbows on the table and my head in my hands.
"Well what exactly don't you get?" Yuffie asked, pushing a lock of spiky hair out of my face, revealing my infamous pout.
"Riku … he was just … just being so nice … it's so unlike him," I mumbled, my thoughts scattered across my abused mind. It was a wonder that I hadn't gone insane … or maybe I already had. "Yuffie … I need to know. How much does he know about me? About my past?"
"Err …"
"Tell me Yuffie … please …"
"Well … I tried to tell him, but he wouldn't listen. He insisted on hearing it from you, and only you," she finally answered.
"R-really?" I asked, slightly shocked. "He wanted to hear it from me?"
"That's what he said," she replied, waving a hand in the air.
There was a long silence, and finally I said, "Riku's still asleep, right?"
"Well, yeah. He barely got any sleep while you were gone. I … I think he missed you." Riku? Missed me? This couldn't be real. This had to be a dream, or something! Nobody ever missed me.
"N-no," I stuttered, standing up from the table and backing away towards the door. "This can't be real," I whispered, and dashed out of the building, the door closing with a loud slam behind me.
"Sora!" she yelled after me, but I was too far gone. I ran blindly through the streets, finally collapsing in a sobbing heap in a nearby park.
I was simply doing what I had always done. I always ran from my problems. Fleeing from my troubles. It was a desperate attempt to be free from whatever was wrong, hoping that it would just go away and disappear. But it never did. It always came back to haunt me, in the long run. But even with that knowledge, it was still a chance to rest my mind.
I felt burning tears running down my face, mixing with dirt and the grass. I was lying there for who knows how long, before I finally calmed down enough to stop crying. I rolled over onto my back and wiped away the tears that were still on my face. My eyes were greeted with bright green leaves, only broken in-between with little patches of blue sky underneath. I realized that I must be near a tree, and I turned my head towards the trunk.
The sound of footsteps grew louder as the grass was mashed down, and I glanced up to see familiar exotic silver hair and beautiful aquamarine eyes. He didn't say a word, only sat down with his back against the tree, and pulled me off the ground and towards him so that my head was lying in his lap.
"Riku…?" I said softly, still confused as to why he was being so nice to me. He didn't answer, just started stroking my hair. Finally, he said something.
"Sora. Promise me you won't ever do that again," he said looking at me with a seriousness that I knew wasn't fake.
"Do what?"
"Run away like that. Who knows what could have happened to you?"
"Umm … o-okay …" I replied nervously, wondering faintly in the back of my mind why he cared anyways. "I … p-promise."
"Good. Now, we should get going. Are you ready?" he asked, removing his comforting hand from its pathway in my hair. I groaned inwardly at the absence, but nodded my head yes. "Alright, let's go get our stuff and be on our way." I sat up so that he could move, and he got to his feet and helped me up. His hand was so soft …
"Okay, the hotel's this way," he said, releasing my hand and walking towards the streets. I followed him, silently brooding over the loss of contact. We silently made our way to the hotel, and in the back entrance, where Aerith was waiting.
"You headlining out boys?" she asked.
"Where's Yuffie?"
"Her turn to work the front desk …… I really wish you guys wouldn't leave …"
"I've told you before, Aerith," Riku replied, "that I'm searching for someone. I can't give up on him."
"Y-yeah …" I mumbled, pangs of jealousy making my stomach hurt. I saw her shoot me a sympathetic look before turning back to Riku.
"Well … just be careful," she mumbled, grabbing a tea cup from the table and sipping some. We started towards the hallway, me following Riku, when we heard, "Riku, can I have a word with you?"
"Uhh, sure," he said, walking back to the table and sitting down. He looked at me and said, "Sora, why don't you go get ready in the room?" I nodded and walked down the hallway, wondering what they were talking about.
"I need to talk to you about Sora …"
I pushed open the door to our room and slowly walked over to my bag with awkward steps. My mind was somewhere … else. Why did Aerith want to talk to Riku about me? I knew I wasn't that important, so why were they having an entire conversation about me? It made my head spin at the dizzying thoughts.
With my bag in hand, I fell onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. Riku sure has been gone a long time … maybe I should check up on him … Leaving my bag on the bed, I climbed off and I heard their voices around the corner – Aerith's feminine, calm voice, and Riku's collected, strong one – and I pressed myself against the wall so that they couldn't see me, but so that I could hear them.
" … You sure that you don't want to know? At least a little? It could help you in the long run," came the feminine voice in a concerned and serious tone.
"I've already told you guys, no. When Sora's ready to tell me, he will. I don't think its right to tell me without him knowing. Besides, I want to hear it first-hand from him, and him only," Riku insisted, making me confused. Why hear it from me? It's going to be the same sob story either way. He doesn't have to have proof to know that I'm worthless.
I heard Aerith sigh audibly, then say, "Fine, but don't say I didn't tell you so when you finally do hear. You have no idea what that boy has been through."
"I'll find out … when he's ready." That was all I needed to hear. I stood moved from my position against the wall, and tiptoed back down the hallway. I reentered the room and lay back down on the bed, and closed my eyes.
Why did he care? Why did anyone care? I curled myself up into a little ball and turned on my side. It didn't take much longer for Riku to return, as I soon heard footsteps and the opening of the door.
"Hey, don't fall asleep on me," he said, walking over to the bed and looking down at me. He grabbed his bag off of the floor and stood by the door. I uncurled myself from my position and followed him, my own bag on my back. I took one last glance around the room before shutting the door on the place that was my sanctuary.
Before I knew it, we were at the exit of the hotel once again, and Aerith and Yuffie stood by the doorway. "Be careful, and look out for one another," Aerith said, flashing us a small smile.
"Yeah, and don't forget to eat right. Come back and visit us, alright?"
"Promise Yuffie, Aerith," Riku said, opening the door. "Bye, and good luck," he said, before exiting. I smiled at them and followed Riku, shutting the door behind us. "I hate long good-byes," I heard him mutter under his breath, and I suppressed the urge to laugh.
We traveled for most of the rest of the day, stopping only to get some food for lunch. But the journey was … weird. Riku seemed to have reverted back to his cold, mysterious self, the complete opposite of how he was acting while we were at the hotel. I puzzled and puzzled over it in silence (which, evidently, wasn't a huge problem seeing as Riku didn't say very much) and I finally came down to two very probable conclusions. Theory number one was that Riku just didn't like showing his emotions out in public, where people he didn't trust could see him. My second theory was just as sane as the first one. And it was that Riku had finally cracked. In my opinion, either one would have worked, but I decided to go with option number one and hope that it was the correct assumption.
It was nearing night time, when I kind of became lost in my thoughts. So much had happened since I met him … it was so amazing …
"Why don't we get something to eat?" Riku asked suddenly, shaking me out of my thoughts.
"Huh?" I asked, realizing that I hadn't heard a word of what he had just said.
"I said, 'do you want to get something to eat?' It's getting late and we should find food and a place to stay.
"Oh! Umm … sure, but," I paused, looking around, "where's the next town?"
"It's up there," he said, pointing towards a huge hill. Now how did I not notice that? I'm so useless …
"Right, I knew that …" I said instead, smiling a sheepish grin.
"Come on, let's go," he said, looking at me with his cold eyes before turning away and starting up the path. Well, maybe not cold per say … more like … guarded. Yeah, that was the right word for it. He just wouldn't show his emotions. "Are you coming?" he asked, a little ways away, and I became conscious that I had just been standing there.
"Coming!" I yelled, running a little to catch up. We soon arrived in town, and it didn't take me long to fully grasp where we were. This was the town where Minna lived! I guess the first time I just never noticed the hill … I guess I must have been thinking too much. I shrugged and followed the silver haired boy anyway. He seemed to know where he was going as he took confident steps down the street. We stopped before a grocery store and before we went in, Riku turned and looked at me.
"You can either come in with me or you can go down the street and rent a room for the night," he said, giving me a couple of options.
I thought for a minute before saying, "I'll go get the room."
"Okay, I'll be there in a little bit. Now remember ask for room 14. That's the good one."
"I'll remember," I quipped before waving good-bye and heading down the street. I passed a couple of alleyways, before I heard a sound. Curious, I looked down it, but didn't notice anything. Shrugging off the weird sensation I got, I continued on down the sidewalk. Soon, I recognized the hotel where I had stayed before, and entered the dusty room, making sure that I held my breath, lest the dust make me sick again. I recognized the red-head at the counter as the same man from before, and I walked up to him with confident steps.
"Hey, it's you!" the red-head observed, as I stood before him. "Bet you couldn't stay away, ya?"
"Erm … something like that. I need to rent a room for the night."
"Okay," he said, searching through the list of keys.
"Umm … someone told me to ask for room 14. Is that one open?" I said quietly. He looked surprised for a moment before smiling.
"Let me guess, Riku told you? He always asks for that room whenever he passes through town."
"Yeah, it was him."
"Thought so. Here's the key, and enjoy your stay. Now I'm gonna go get dinner, so if you need anything, Lulu can help you, 'kay?" I nodded and he walked off to the backroom. Grabbing the key, I stuffed it in my pocket, and walked outside. I decided that I would go find Riku. I walked down the sidewalk once again, avoiding passing people as I went. I soon came across the alleyway again, and I heard more noises coming from it. It sounded like … someone whispering …
"Did you really see him in this town?" I heard.
I started to move on, until I heard, "Yeah, and he was with Riku." I stopped dead in my tracks. "Why do you want him so bad? It's not like he's all that."
"It's just … something about him. He brings out the worst in me, and I feel compelled. I want to make him mine. I want to dominate him. Make him belong to me, and only me."
"That's pretty screwed up, Xaldin. You need to learn to control your emotions. Just because you want something, doesn't mean you can have it. I'm out of here," one of the voices said, and I heard footsteps from around the corner. Panicking, I tried to move, but my legs were frozen where they were. No matter what I did, they wouldn't move.
I saw the red-headed boy appear from around the corner, and he seemed surprised to see me. My eyes grew wide as he went past, but surprisingly, he didn't say a word. Just looked at me and kept on walking.
"Come on, Axel, come back!" I heard one of them yell, before more thundering footsteps around the corner as the black-haired boy showed up. "You don't mean –" he started, but then recognized me. "Well, well, well. Who do we have here?"
My heart rate got faster as he stalked over to me. Damn it, legs, move! Move! "Nnnh …"
"My, my, if it isn't the slave. Let me guess, you just couldn't get me out of your mind, could you? Missed me that much?" he said in his deep voice, grabbing me and pushing me up against the wall. "I knew you couldn't resist me …" he murmured into my ear.
"Unnh …" I whimpered, at a loss for words. I wanted to yell. I wanted to scream. I wanted to run away. I wanted to be saved. I wanted … Riku …
"You want to go somewhere with me? It won't hurt …" he said, nibbling softly on my ear.
"N-no …" I mumbled, trying to summon up actual words. This was all I could manage yet.
"Aw, c'mon," he said seductively, reaching his hand into the front of my loose jeans as his other hand pinned me down. His fingers were probing the waistband of the boxers that I wore, and one by one, they gently slipped in. "I'll be real gentle like. Who knows, you may even," he paused, licking my cheek, "like it."
"Nmh!" I gasped as fingers grasped me, underneath the fabric, and I gasped. "H-help …" I couldn't manage much more than that. My voice seemed to be at a loss.
"Help? I'll help," he whispered as he started to stroke me, his fingers gliding over my soft skin. "How's that feel?"
"Let-let go …" I gasped, my voice hardly more than a whisper.
"No. I want you, Sora. I want you under me screaming at the top of your lungs. I know you want me, kid. I know, you like this," he murmured, grinding against me. The bulge in his pants was evident and I could feel it against me. A tear rolled down my face, followed my two more. He lapped them up, his eyes filled with lust. Suddenly, he kissed me, his tongue dipping into my mouth.
"Unnhh …" I whimpered once again. Riku … help …
"Xaldin! Let him go!" I heard someone yell, and he broke the kiss to look up angrily at the newcomer. "Get your dirty, thieving, murdering hands out of his pants, and let Sora go!"
"Big words coming from you, Riku," he spat at the silver haired boy, who was holding a block of wood poised at the man. "I bet the kid here doesn't even know anything about you. About what you did back then. Does he?"
"That has nothing to do with this! Let. Him. Go!"
"I don't think I will. You see, unlike you, I would never abandon him like you did. He'll be my fuck toy for as long as he lives," he said, swiping his tongue over my ear.
"Riku … help me …" I cried, his hand still in my pants, touching me.
"Get away from him, you bastard!" Riku yelled once again, dashing forward and whacking him with wood. The boy holding me screamed out in pain as the wood connected with his back. "I would hit you in the head, but it might hurt Sora," he explained, turning round to face us again.
"That fuckin' hurt!" Xaldin yelled, finally removing his hand from my jeans. I sighed in relief somewhere in the back of my mind, but I knew that I was far from safe. I watched as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a knife.
"Don' you dare! Fight me like a real man!" Riku yelled, figuring out what the other boy was planning on doing. I felt the blade against my neck, gently pressing in. I hissed out in pain as blood slowly bloomed around the sharp edge, and trickled down my neck. "That's low and you know it!" Riku snarled, gripping the wood tighter. I could tell he was worried about hurting me further if he attacked.
"You think that's low? Then try this," he said, and I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. The wind was knocked out of me, and I tried desperately to breath. "I guess we'll just have to find each other some other time, love."
"Sora!" Riku screeched, jumping at the boy. I collapsed as the knife was removed, coughing and panting on the ground. Blood was pooling underneath me as the battle raged on, both Riku and Xaldin throwing punches at each other. I felt myself getting closer to fainting. But I couldn't. Or at least, not yet. I had to make sure Riku was okay.
I watched as a helpless observer as Xaldin grabbed for the knife, which had fallen out of his hand when Riku tackled him. I stared in utter horror as the knife once again flashed and was embedded into Riku's chest. As it was pulled out, it was now covered in two people's blood – Riku's and mine. His anguished cries rung through my ears, and I was helpless to do anything. Breathing heavily, Riku grappled for the knife as they rolled around on the ground in front of me, and I heard the gasp of someone as the knife was shoved into another person. The pair stopped moving, and I was shaking as I watched Xaldin slowly stand up with wobbly legs.
'No! Riku has to be okay!' I thought in a panic. My eyes grew wide when the black-haired boy suddenly fell over, the knife protruding from his back. I looked at Riku with shocked eyes, and found him lying on the ground, panting heavily.
"R-riku …" I whimpered out as I stood with shaky steps and made my way over to him. "Riku say something," I said as I collapsed next to him. "Riku …"
"Sora … are you okay?" he breathed out, grasping my hand.
"Don't ask about me! What about you? I have to get you to the hospital!" I cried, surprised at his concern.
"No … hospitals," he whispered forcefully.
"But – but your wounds," I protested, looking at the bloody gashes on his chest and arm. He might bleed to death …
"No … hospitals!" he said more forcefully, before closing eyes. "Please, Sora … no hospitals … unh … I feel so weak …" His grip on my hand relaxed and I immediately searched for a pulse. It was there; just weak and broken. What was I supposed to do? What?
Yes, we're friends.
You're welcome back anytime, Sora.
Minna! She wasn't too far … I just hoped I could make it. I weakly stood up, grasping Riku's hand. Using all of my strength, I heaved him onto my back, his weight overwhelming at first, and I stumbled. "Come on, Sora, you have to be strong for the both of us," I muttered, and took a step. Then another. And another. Before I knew it, I was slowly walking out of the alleyway and down the street. It seemed the journey to the large neighborhood was much longer and harder when you have a hole in your stomach and a dying companion on your back, but nevertheless, we made it. I sought out the house, and dragged us towards it. Collapsing in front of the door, I sat on my knees and weakly banged on the door.
"Please be home," I murmured, my hand falling back into my lap. Everything was hazy …
The door opened, and I heard the sharp, shocked cry of a little girl. "Sora…? Mommy! Help!"
"Help us … please …" I breathed out, and finally fell forward and passed out.
"Mommy help Sora …"
Author's Notes:
Hey, long time no see! Yes, I know I'm a horrible, horrible person for doing that to them. And also for making you wait for so long. See, the problem is, I've been really depressed. I just got a really mean email from someone, criticizing my writing. Now I'm not going to start a email war, so I'm going to ignore it, but it still really hurt. I'm wondering whether or not writing is really worth it. Also, not to mention the fact that I'm questioning who I am to people and where I actually belong with my friends. They all seem so ... connected, and I feel left out. But I'm not here to gripe, or complain, so I'll stop now. Just thought you guys deserved an explanation. Laterz.