Flee From Our Troubles

Life is a Picture Show

Disclaimer: I hate these things. I don't own these lovely boys ... although I've been considering making room in meh closet ...

Author's Notes:
Sorry for the long wait, everyone! After some serious consideration (I almost stopped writing), serious self doubting, and a near death experience, I'm back. There's some very important notes at the bottome that I would like you to read. But otherwise ... on to the fic. Reviews, please?

"Everyone hates you, Sora."

I must be dead …

"Sora, it's your fault everyone was murdered!"

"I wish you would die."

This must be what hell is …

"Leave us alone."

"Cutting yourself again? Pathetic. Why don't you just slit the big vein and get it over with? Come on, nobody will miss you."

"I hate you."

It's when you're forced to face your past … and to repent for all your sins …

"Sora, I hate you."

…And all those you left behind.

"I love you."

It's when you lose sight of the light within the dark.

"Sora, wake up, please," I heard someone whispering in my ear as I felt a hand tenderly stroking my hair. "You can't die. I know your wound was worse than mine were, but that's no reason to up and die! You're a fighter, Sora. Open your eyes, please …"

"Come on, Sora-chan, wake up!" a little voice called out, and I felt a small hand grip my own.

"Nmmmh," I groaned, slowly opening my sapphire depths. I blinked a couple of times, and looked around me. "Where are we?"

"You're at my house, silly," Minna said, smiling at me while she stood up. "Mama, Sora woke up!" There were footsteps running down the stairs, and I soon saw the kind woman who was Minna's mother.

"Finally, you're awake! I was getting worried," she fawned, pulling a chair next to the bedside.

"Where's Riku?" I asked sleepily, yawning gently.

"You're using him as a pillow," a deep voice from behind me scoffed, and I looked up into the aquamarine eyes of the boy whose chest I was laying against.

"Oh. Sorry, Riku," I mumbled, attempting to sit up and move off of him. I felt stabbing pain as soon as I did this, and cried out in pain as I fell backwards onto the older boy.

"Don't move, you goof!" Riku scolded, clutching me with his good arm. "That wound was crazy deep. You're lucky you're not dead! It was insane moving us with that wound!"

"But you were dying … I had to!" I retorted, the shock of pain from my stomach receding slowly. "It didn't matter if I died; nobody would miss me. But if you died lots of people would be sad," I murmured, leaning on the silver haired boy.

"Sora… don't say that," Riku reprimanded me.

"Come on, Minna," her mother said, grasping the hand of the younger girl. "We should let them have some alone time. Besides, we need to get some medicine," she said, walking up the stairs. "Sorry you guys are in the basement, there were no other open rooms."

"That's okay," I muttered, and she shut the door.

"Sora… don't you dare scare me like that again! I was so worried …"

"You shouldn't be worried about me," I told him, looking down at the sheets.

"Stop it. I'll worry about you if I bloody well want," he responded, squeezing me tighter.

"But why?" I asked, confusion and shock written all over my face. "Why do you care? Why did you get hurt because of me?" He got quiet for a minute before he answered.

"Because … because … because I like … being with you … When I'm around you … everything doesn't seem so … horrible," he told me, a faint blush creeping across his face. He refused to meet my eyes. "Because when I'm with you … I'm a better person."

"R-Riku …" I stammered, all words leaving my lips.

"I'm so sorry, Sora. So, so, sorry. I should have known better than to leave you on your own. This is my fault," he sobbed, trying desperately to hold back his tears.

"Riku … pl-please don't cry …" I begged, slowly turning in his arms so that we were face to face.

"Who – who said I was crying?" he choked out, swiping the back of his hand over his eyes. "I-I don't cry."

I smiled. "Of course not."

"But now you have to be honest with me, Sora," he sniffed. "Where did you get those?"

"Wh-what?"

"I know you know what I mean. Why do you have so many cuts? I know they can't all be from when he took you …" he said, as I noticed he was stroking my bare arm.

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does! I'm tired of this. I'm tired of not knowing anything about you. I want to know why you're always so sad," he whined, looking me in the eyes. "Why aren't you ever happy?"

"I'm happy," I smiled, "See?"

"Then why do all of your smiles look so lonely? Tell me, please …"

"I – I suppose you deserve an explanation. But I – I'm scared. I'm really scared," I cried, burying myself in his chest.

"Scared of what?" he questioned me, running a hand through my hair.

"I'm afraid … that you won't like me once you know. I'm worried you'll abandon me when you learn who I am … what I am… I don't want to be alone, anymore."

"Sora … I – I won't abandon you. You could never look bad in my eyes … I promise you, Sora," he said, not looking me in the eyes as I noticed a blush creep up on his face for the second time that night.

"R-really?"

"I wouldn't lie about this, Sora," he said with all seriousness, and I knew I could believe him.

"W-well … where should I start?" I questioned, pressing myself deeper into his chest.

"Try the beginning."
"Okay … Well … I guess everything started with my mom. She wasn't very old, just out of high school. She was a struggling musician, I think. Well, it wasn't long till she met some questionable people … and, well, I happened. I wasn't very pretty, or very smart … but my mom loved me anyways. But … because my parents weren't married … I was an outcast. I grew up on a small island, not very rich, but very beautiful. I always had time to sit around … nobody ever came to play with me. I was alone, all the time.

"I don't remember much, just that I was teased and bullied a lot. My mother had grown very ill by then. She wasn't able to do anything but stay home all day and write music. We were growing desperate. That's when she met him. He saved us, me and my mom. They fell in love. They got married. I got lonely. Suddenly, it seemed like all her attention was spent on him, instead of me. I became depressed and started to not talk to anyone. This only made the teasing worse." I reminisced, tears threatening to break at my admissions. It hurt so much …

"It was around that time," I continued, "That I met him. My light within the dark. No matter what I do, I can't remember his name. It's like it's been erased from my memory. But anyways, he saved me. He protected me from the bullies, and the dangers around me. I remember one time he saved me from being mailed to some distant world!" I could feel Riku's shirt getting damp, but I continued anyways. "We were happy together. He was my best and only friend. I was about five at the time.

"We met when his father introduced me. He find me crying on the side of the road after being bullied a lot. We spent two years together, he and I. I remember we always used to hide from his dad, because it was fun. And … and now … I can't even remember his name!" I sobbed, trying desperately to get my emotions under control. He waited patiently for me to calm down, before continuing.

"Go on," he encouraged after some time, and I weakly smiled.

"I-it wasn't long after that, that everything went wrong. Next thing I knew, the village was being burned down. I rushed home to find my parents, but I found them asleep in their bed. It … it was then that he found me … he entered the room with a sword… And he slaughtered them! Cruelly, and without any remorse whatsoever. I was left trembling between my parent's bloody bodies, and he would have killed me, too, had someone not come in at just that moment. I heard a scream, and then he came back for me. I thought he was going to kill me, but instead he grabbed me, slung me over his shoulder, and took off outside. As we passed through the hallway, I saw one of the most horrifying scenes in my life. It was my friend … he had a hole in his stomach where the sword had stabbed him. He had given up his life for mine… when we both knew that his life was more valuable than mine. If only he had stayed home! Then his life would have been spared!" I broke down into sobs again as the haunting memories flooded my mind. Blood … so much blood …

I knew Riku's shirt was soaked by now, wet from my tears. But he didn't say a word about it, and for that I was truly grateful. When once again I had my emotions and mind back under my control, he nodded for me to continue.

"Well … as he was taking me outside, I saw others being captured, just like me. We were all thrown into the backs of trucks and drugged with chloroform. By the time we came to, we all had shackles around our ankles and wrists, and slave collars around our necks. We learned we were to be sold at a slave auction, and the man that had killed my parents bought me. He took me overseas, away from my small island, and away from any chance of freedom. I was brought to a large mansion, where I was forced to work, for about seven years. I was only just seven years old at the time.

"The things that happened to me were … unimaginable. Not only did he make me work, you know, scrubbing, washing, cleaning … but he also used me. He beat me when he was angry. He would whip me, kick me, hit me, cut me … anything he could do to inflict pain. But when he was frustrated, he would use me as a release. Make me give him blowjobs, touch him … you know. Yet he never entered me. He said it was below him to do so. It lowered my "price value" if he ever sold me," I said, ashamed of what had happened to me. I felt Riku stiffen beside me as the words left me, and I faintly wondered what was wrong. "Riku?"

"What happened then?" he gritted out between clenched teeth, and, confused, I continued.

"Umm … okay, well, after that, I started forgetting things. My name, my memories, my dreams … heck, I even forgot the sound of my own voice. Even the other slaves wouldn't talk to me, like they were better than me. They thought I was lucky that my master would take me aside and into private rooms. They thought that it was actually something good. Jealousy made them crazy. And I was alone again. Nobody to be with. But I couldn't believe that my friend was dead. It was the only thing that kept me sane. A lasting image engraved in my mind. I may have forgotten everything else – his name, my name … so many things. But I never forgot that image in my mind. I had to believe that he was alive.

"Nonetheless, the solitude was lonely and painful. After about two years, I fell and cut myself on a nearby rock. I saw the crimson, and was reminded that I was alive – after all, dead people couldn't bleed, could they? The blood fascinated me. After that, I started doing it more and more, every time I needed to be reminded of my humanity. It was a nasty habit, yet I couldn't break it. I still can't." I looked down at the markings all around my arm and wrists, and smiled. I guess I'm really something, huh?

"Five years later, he finally sold me. I guess I he finally grew tired of me. He sold me to a strip bar, and it was then that I made my decision. I ran away, taking with me some money "borrowed" from the cash register. I traveled on my own for awhile and eventually I came across that gang, the one that's been chasing me. They had just murdered someone, and I was the sole witness. They've been after me ever since. Not long after that, I met you. I wondered why you took me with you, just a half starved, ugly slave that didn't deserve to live. But you did anyways, and I'm truly grateful for that. Then, after that night … after you left … I was on my own again. Xaldin and the others caught me. He – he tried to rape me … but Aerith ended up saving me. I was in the hospital because of the beating I had gotten, and stayed there for about a week. I left soon afterwards, and on the way met Minna here. She had been missing for a week, and I brought her home. In the next town, I met you again. And, well, you know what happened after that," I concluded finally, snuggling into his tear soaked shirt.

"Sora …"

"And … now that you know what I am … you're going to leave me, right? Please, don't leave me. I … I don't want to be alone anymore! Please …" I gripped his shirt in a desperate plea. "Please!"

"Sora … I … I can't believe all that happened to you … I'm so sorry …" he pulled me closer to him, if that was possible. "I won't leave you, Sora."

"Riku …" I murmured softly, my head hidden within his warm chest. 'He's so kind …' "You're warm."

"And you're beautiful, Sora. You're not ugly, you're very beautiful. I'm sorry for ever leaving you in the first place. It was selfish of me, and you got hurt."

"It's okay. You're back now. That's all that matters."

"Sora … look at me," he muttered, and raised my face towards him. "No, it wasn't okay. But I'm going to make it up to you. You deserve better than me. But I'm glad that you chose me over Xaldin or someone. Just … promise me that you won't scare me like that again!"

"I promise …" I mumbled. I felt my face heat up and turn various shades of pink as I realized how close our faces were. Did he really want this? Did he really want to kiss me? My thoughts were cut off as his rose petal soft lips descended onto mine. It was a delicate kiss, the kind that young lovers give their beloved. His hand gripped my shoulder, while I grasped his arm, desperately clawing at the muscle. We stayed like that for a moment, before breaking the kiss. We stared at each other for an instant, before coming together again, this time more forceful and feverish. Gently, he pressed me into the bed as he pushed himself up more, his tongue tracing the outline of my lips. My mouth opened automatically, and the pink muscle dipped in and out, meeting my own tongue. My free hand gripped his shoulder, pressing him closer, while the other hand was trapped underneath the older boy. Unfortunately, breathing became a necessity, and he pulled away, a trail of saliva connecting us both.

He collapsed beside me on the bed, breathing a little faster than normal, but a satisfied look on his face. He looked at me and smirked. "You're blushing."

"I know that!" I exclaimed, looking away. 'What is this feeling I'm having? My heart is getting all hot and lonely …' I thought.

At just that moment the door opened, and Minna came skipping in with a paper bag in her hand. "Sora! Tadaima!"

"Hey, Minna. What you got there?"

"Medicine to make Sora-chan and Riku-chan feel better!" she yelled happily, her mother coming through the door. "Let's fix Sora, mommy!"

"Okay, okay. Come on, we have to get those shirts off," she ordered, coming over and helping me get the fabric off. Riku helped get it off before removing his own and lying back in the soft bed. She sat on the nearby stool as Minna climbed up on the foot of the bed, watching carefully. Opening the bag, she extracted a small glass bottle with a green paste inside. Setting it aside for a moment, she undid the bandages around my torso, revealing a large gash that had barely scabbed over, and was already breaking in places. Quickly unscrewing the top of the bottle, she grabbed a rag out of her pocket and dipped it in the minty smelling paste, brought it to the cut. She smeared it over it, and I hissed at the painful sensation.

"What is that stuff?" I gasped, as a burning sensation made the wound hurt. I felt a strong hand grip mine, and I squeezed it gratefully, relieving some of the pain.

"It's a paste I got from the hospital. It cleans the cut better than I can, and it helps it heal faster and without a huge scar. It looks like you have enough of those already." I looked away sheepishly, staring at the blankets next to me.

"How do you know this stuff?"

"I'm a part-time nurse. I'm on my vacation right now, so don't worry about anything. Just get better," she reassured us, setting the rag and bottle aside again. She rewrapped the bandages around me, and tied it off with a knot. Next, she moved over beside Riku, and treated the wounds on his arm and chest. He didn't say a word the entire time, just gripped my hand during the contact with the paste. After his bandages were wrapped once more, she put away the paste in a nearby cabinet, and told Minna to take the rag up to the sink. The little girl wrinkled her nose at the fowl smelling rag, and ran it upstairs.

"I think those should be healed in a couple days after a few more treatments with that. But really, I think you should go to the hospital and get things checked out …" I felt Riku grip my hand harder, and he stiffened. I looked over and his eyes had the same guarded expression as they did out in public. It hit me; Riku doesn't like strangers much.

"Umm … no hospitals," I said, since Riku had made it clear that he wasn't going to say anything or go to any hospitals.

"Fine," she said, exasperated, standing up. "Well, it's getting late. You two need your rest in order for that stuff to work. So good night," she sweetly said, turning off the light, leaving us in darkness, save for the window in the corner that let in a little of the moonlight. I felt Riku relax next to me, and his hand loosened, although it never left mine.

"Riku …" I murmured softly, "why won't you go to the hospital?"

"I don't like them. Bad experiences," he stated simply. I wanted to ask more, but then he said, "I don't want to talk about it."

"Oh … okay …" I mumbled. I snuggled closer to the older boy, basking in the heat that he gave off. His lips somehow made their way to mine, and he gave me a soft, chaste kiss.

"Goodnight, Sora."

"Goodnight … Riku," I whispered, "Sweet dreams."

Author's Notes:
Yesh, yesh, they kissed! Twice! I hope that makes up for the long wait between chapters ...
And now ... I'm going to bother you with a little story. The other day my friend asked where Sora got all the time to change his clothes in Kingdom Hearts 2. So I'm all like, "Well, when Riku comes into the room ..." You should have seen his face. It was hilarious.

I also have two new fics out and I changed my profile alot! One fic is a brand new story that I actually got help with from meh english teacher. I'd love to here what you guys think. It's called Underneath This Smile.

Note to all of those who read the fic Silver Haired Savior: Diary of a Broken Boy has been deleted, and in its place the sequel, For an Angel to Cry has been posted. Check it out, m'kay?