Yay! I hope you guys like this story, because I'm having fun writing it!
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Riku swept a long arc with the brush in his hand, making a clean sweep. That was his job today, paint the dining hall. Tomorrow he'd have to paint the lounge. Then the living quarters. (Riku had told Sora that he'd bought a LOT of paint)
He was going to make something nice...something that he'd wanted to paint for a long time. He'd paint a sunset, well...the yellow fading into the purple. And Riku actually WANTED to paint it. He'd thought it'd look very good.
---
Riku's mother put her hand on his shoulder as he was sitting on the couch playing his gameboy as he waited for the cops to come and take him. He still didn't want to go there, but at least he was going to be able to do something that he liked there. Paint. He'd never told his parents that he liked to paint, but he figured that they could tell with all his graffiti and spray paint.
"Riku, are you okay with doing this Community Service?" She asked, looking at him although he was looking at the screen. He grunted in response and she backed off. He WAS wearing a GREY shirt instead of a black one today. A lighter shirt meant more improvement.
Riku turned off the gameboy and threw it lazily on the couch, leaning back and putting his elbows on the rest. He really didn't want to be waiting here with his parents, but he didn't want to be late like yesterday.
---
Riku heard steps, and looked up. He didn't want anyone to see it until it was done, and he was ready to yell, "Hey, I don't want any one to see it yet!"
Cloud smiled, walking over to where he heard the voice, "See? Who do you think I am?"
Riku looked up and saw the blonde standing there, and he stood, wiping his hands on his pants, "You're Cloud right?"
Cloud nodded and his eyes were, yet again, staring at nothing. This unnerved Riku, because he felt strange talking to a person that couldn't see. He saw Cloud walk forward, "Where are you?"
Riku didn't know what to do, and when he saw Cloud put out his hand, he was hesitant. He eventually put his fingers so that they were just touching Cloud's, then Cloud smiled. Thte next thing Riku knew Cloud was touching his cheek with the other hand. Riku, upon any circumstances, didn't let ANYONE touch his face. It felt to foreign and weird to him.
"Lay off!" Riku yelled, raising his fist and punching Cloud right between the eyes. There was a large and sickening crack, then Cloud fell back, and yet another defying crack as Cloud landed right on his wrist.
Riku was immediately pulled back by the officers. He had actually forgotten that they were watching him intensely today. He didn't struggle, but glared at Cloud.
Riku looked angrily up as someone burst through the doors, hearing something. It was Demyx, and he took one look at Cloud on the ground with a bloody nose, and Riku standing over him with a fist, and his anger fired up like a stove.
"You sonnova' bitch!" Demyx yelled, and was about to launch at Riku with a fury, but someone held him back. He looked back at saw Sora standing there, and the rest of the residents of the homeless shelter right behind him.
"What on earth happened?" Sora asked, looking up at Demyx as he held the man's waist to try and stop him.
"The idiot punched Cloud! He beat up on a blind dude!" Demyx yelled, and then stopped when he figured he wasn't getting anywhere. He glared daggers at Riku, fire in his eyes. He heard something, then a proud Yuffie call: "Here he comes to save the day!"
Demyx smirked at Riku like he was saying: 'oh, you are so getting it now,'
"Cloud!"
Sora looked up and over to see that Leon was kneeling next to Cloud, helping him. But...Cloud was smiling.
"Leon, it's alright," Cloud laughed, waving him off, his eyes staring at nothing, "It's not like I haven't been punched before,"
Sora sighed, walked past Demyx, and toward Riku. There was reasoning needed, and Sora was always the one to do that, "Riku, why did you punch Cloud?"
Riku glared at Sora, then at Cloud, "He touched my face, no one touches my face,"
Sora sighed, then backed off. He wasn't really good at explaining things, "will you, Sephiroth?"
The man with long silver walked up and coughed into his hand, "Cloud memorized the face with his hands, so that he may know who he is talking to,"
"Woo! Go Sehpy-bunny!" Yuffie exclaimed, jumping up and down in the crowd of all the people waiting to hear what happened.
Riku just stared in a stupor, feeling worse than he had in his whole life. He just punched a blind man for wanting to remember him. Was Riku that cold hearted? Riku gasped and put his hand to his mouth, trying to hold something back. He couldn't believe it. His parent's were right all those times. All those time's they said that he needed to control his temper, sort out his impulses.
Riku felt something wrap around his stomach, yet again, and looked down to be met with a poof of brown, again. He was being hugged by Sora, again.
"It's alright, you didn't know," Sora said, having seen the shock and guilt of what he just did wash over his new friends face, "No one will blame you."
Riku was going to push Sora off, but his arms were still captured by the men. Yes, that IS the reason he wasn't going to push Sora off. The ONLY reason.
Eventually, everyone had filtered into the dining hall, flocking around like stray seagulls. Every once in a while glaring at Riku for hurting their friend.
"I'm okay, I swear!" Cloud laughed, having Leon help him up. He winced and put his wrist in his opposite hand, his face contorted in pain, "I think I hurt my wrist though,"
Leon took it carefully, and Cloud gasped at the pain that swept up his arm. Leon saw this, and immediately took action. He turned his head and caught sight of him, "Auron! I need you and Cid to help me get Cloud to the hospital,"
"Hospital?" Cloud exclaimed, his sightless eyes widening, "Don't you think that's a bit over the top?"
No one else thought so, because everyone made room for Auron to get through to them.
"Go Aur-man!" Yuffie exclaimed, then saw that things weren't as interesting as she had thought. She still stayed there, though.
Cloud heard around, trying to hear what was going on. He heard random phrases, but nothing of what was going on. He didn't need to go to a hospital. But before he knew it, he felt himself being picked up. And let me tell ya, being picked up by who knows what, and being blind is like being on a roller coaster.
"What the hell!" Cloud exclaimed, kicking his legs, "Who picked me up!"
Riku stared in wonder as Auron carried off Cloud, then he noted that Sora was STILL hugging him, "Umm, Sora, you can let go now,"
Sora smiled nervously and jumped back, looking up at Riku. He blushed a shade of red, then reached up, laying a kiss on Riku's cheek, "thanks for caring about Cloud,"
Riku blushed prettily, watching as Sora nearly skipped away. Riku was left in the room with the cops, still holding tightly to his arms.
"Oo, good going," Officer Axel laughed, leaning down to talk into Riku's ear, "I'm SURE Sora likes the silent but romantic types,"
Riku wrenched his arms out of their grasp and started to walk back to his paints.
"Have a nice day," Axel said, before walking back to where he was supposed to be inspecting the dining area.
"Have a heart attack," Riku yelled back, then flipped the officer off.
---
Riku felt TERRIBLE. Every one of the people here had come during lunch and personally say how much they hated him. This was like one big family, because everyone hated him for punching Cloud. It's not like he meant to! The only one still talking to him was Sora...and Cloud. That, sadly, made Riku even more guilty.
"It's alright," Cloud said, having Leon guide him to the table Riku and Sora were sitting at, "I really don't mind. I used to have a temper too, if you'll believe that. I even punched a lady for sneaking up on me,"
Riku looked at Cloud, then back at his food, "I'm...umm...You know..."
Riku had never apologized to anyone before, and he didn't exactly know how to say it and make it sound like he was telling the truth. But before he could continue, Cloud cut in, "apology accepted,"
Riku looked at him, then smiled. It was a small and transparent smile, but he smiled. Sora was the only one who noticed that tiny, minuscule quirk of the boy's lips, but he saw it. He smiled and stared in wonder at this new kid, wondering if he wasn't such the bad boy appearance that he brought up.
Riku, actually, couldn't believe that Cloud was so forgiving. Anyone with a huge bandage on their nose, covering a nasty bruise would be THAT forgiving. Riku smiled on the inside, then thought of his parent's suddenly. Riku had once walked home with a broken nose, and his parent's didn't ask any questions. They just cleaned him up and let him go to his room. Riku still thought they were a nuisance, but that was a kinda nice thing to do.
Oh, and the painting? Everyone loved it. After they heard that Riku had apologized to Cloud, they came at him with a storm of approval. They thought it was great, everyone said that it was just what this place needed. All except Leon of course, who still stuck with his moto. But Riku noticed that at lunch Leon was actually explaining it to Cloud.
Riku was now painting door to the dining lounge, and it had huge letters on it spelling out 'Dining'. It was bubble letters in the yellow. Riku felt a hand on his shoulder and looked over to see who it was, "Hey, Sora,"
Sora smiled at him and looked at what he was doing, "I think it's great,"
Riku silently wondered why Sora was here, then noted that Sora always kept up to date with things. Weird little Sora. Riku stood and wiped his hands off, just barely finishing. The people here didn't really like Riku yet, but they were growing on him.
"Do you like it here?" Sora asked suddenly, looking up at Riku with wide pure eyes.
Riku laughed a bitter laugh, "You kidding? I hate this stupid community service thing,"
Riku saw the hurt in Sora's eyes, and he noticed what he just said, "No...I mean...You know...I mean,"
Sora smiled again, that hurt ebbed away. Sora reached up, pecked Riku on the cheek again, then squeezed Riku's hand a bit, "They like you, you know, you're different,"
Before Riku had time to think about what Sora had just said, the brunette was gone. Riku walked down to the lounge, opening the door. He saw the scene he saw yesterday, Jack in the corner, Leon and Cloud at the far wall, Yuffie in front of the television, and Sora on the couch, watching her. Riku felt so odd here. But...it was a good odd. He felt so...at home here. It was like he was accepted here.
"Riki-kiki!" Yuffie exclaimed, jumping up from her seated position and running to him, "just the person I wanted to see! Sor-kitty told me that you knew something about video games, and I wanted to know if you'd help me?"
Riku looked at Sora with a raised eyebrow, while the brunette just shrugged. Riku had told Sora nothing about knowing how to play video games, but dang was Sora lucky that Riku did. Riku nodded hesitantly and walked forward, Yuffie nearly dragging him. He was pulled into a sitting position by Yuffie, and a gamecube controller was shoved into his hands.
"I can't beat El Gigante," Yuffie whined. Pointing to the television. Riku almost laughed, but turned to the screen and started, Yuffie watching in excitement.
Sora smiled happily at Riku, knowing that when Riku got here yesterday morning, their would be no way in hell that Riku would play that game with Yuffie. So...he was improving. Sora like that thought, and he liked Riku. The only reason Sora was trying to get Riku to be more...loose is because Sora truly thought that Riku was different from the rest. And he really was. Sora yawned and felt the weight shift near him, making him look over.
"You beat it already?" Sora asked, looking over to see Riku sitting there. He smiled, resting his elbows on the couch lazily, "I was just kidding when I told her you were good at video games."
Riku smirked, then looked around. He saw that this was bland as well, and thought it would be bland. He was about to open his mouth and say something, when the Officers burst in and walked right over to him. Axel grabbed his arms and clicked them together with the handcuffs, dragging Riku forward, "come on, we going to the rest of the trial,"
Riku was flustered, and he stumbled after them, sending a glance to a very confused Sora. But he was gone and in that damn police car before he could say anything. But when he had the chance, he did, "What in the hell! I thought that the trial was over!"
"You're parent's took the liberty of re-scheduling another one, they say that your dad has some sort of connection with the judge and their arranging to get your service time cut down," Axel said, driving faster, "I can't believe it, but it's true,"
Riku glared out the window, and before he knew it, he was at the court house. He really didn't want to go in there again, but that stupid Officer made him.
---
"Okay," The judge sighed, "only since Mr. Nori is such a good friend of mine, I'll make Riku Nori's Sentence on Community service only eight days, no more, no less,"
Riku stared up at him in wonder, then a hand was on his shoulder. He turned and looked, seeing that his mother was smiling at him, "I'm sorry for not being able to come that other time, but when your father learned that the judge was a good friend, he pulled some strings,"
Riku stared at her, then walked past, but not before murmuring, "Thanks,"
Riku's mother stared after him in shock, then turned to his father. She smiled warmly at him, "Arthur, he just thanked us,"
Arthur looked after his son, then looked toward his wife and smiled, "maybe that homeless shelter is doing him some good,"
Riku, outside, was gonna make a run for it, but Axel caught his shoulder before he could get more than three feet, "Oh, no buddy, You still gotta go back there for three more hours,"
Riku groaned, then allowed Axel to lead him to the car, shoving him in the back yet again. But...Axel didn't handcuff him, ahh well, he had a gun. Still no chance for Riku to run.
---
"Man! Anyone wanna hear The Melting Of Tyme!" Ansem yelled, thrusting his fist in the air and showing around the CD he just bought, (he was kinda half proud since it was with his own money...being twenty and immature still) "It's a totally great independent band! It totally rocks!"
Riku dropped the book he was handing Sora and his eyebrow twitched, he must have looked crazy. He just stared, until Sora waved a hand in front of his face, "You okay? You wanna go start dinner? You know, get out for some air? You alright?"
Riku shook his head and shakily bent to retrieve the book. The guys sitting right behind him, talking about him, didn't know that his full name was Riku Nori. They just thought he was Riku. And Ansem, the guy actually talking about his band, thought Riku's name was Pichu.
"What's the member's names?" Mickey asked, taking the case from Ansem. Ansem put a finger to his chin and thought.
"Umm...Hayner Michi, Pence Ouran, and Riku Nori," Ansem said, then shrugged, "I think,"
Sora perked up and Looked at them, stepping over Riku and walking up, "Riku Nori? Our Riku Nori?"
As if that sentence was a tracker to Riku, everyone looked at him. Riku stood up shakily and turned around, shrugging and almost laughing nervously, "Sorry, It must have slipped my mind,"
Sora stood in shock, while the other five stood and walked over to Riku, patting him on the back and such.
"Wow! I didn't know you were famous!" Ansem yelled, then looked him in the eye, "I didn't know the main guy from The Melting Of Tyme was so cute though,"
Riku blushed five shades of red, and someone caught his shoulder. He looked over and saw Seifer standing there, "Nice job, I heard your music,"
Riku blushed again, and was being pinned to the wall by fans. Something he never thought he'd have happen.
Saix just slapped him on the back.
Mickey smiled at him like an old father would at a son he's proud of, then turned and walked off, saying back to the rest of them, "Come on, guys, let's go,"
The rest followed him like a bunch of baby ducks following a mother. Trailing him out to the basketball course. Riku sighed and watched after him, then saw that Sora was walking up to him, his arms crossed, shaking his head with a smiled that said, 'and-I-thought-I-knew-you'.
"Once I think I figured you all out, you turn out to be in a band," Sora said, but laughed. Riku shook his head, then looked at Sora,
"I could bring them here tomorrow,"
Sora almost didn't catch it. And for a moment, he didn't understand it. Then he looked at Riku with wide eyes and a small quirk of his lips. He lunged at Riku and glomped him, his arms around Riku's neck, his cheek nuzzling against Riku's neck. He sighed, loosening his grip, "You're too much, you know that,"
Riku actually put his hands lightly on Sora's hips, and let them linger there for a moment, before pushing the man off, scowling at him, "I'm bringing them, for god's sake, you don't have to glomp me!"
Sora laughed, then turned around and started walking toward the door, "Come, let's start dinner,"
---
Riku walked into his house and went into the living room and plopped on the couch, grabbing the phone off the coffee table. He speed dialed a number, than sat back, knowing that his person would be there.
"Hayner here, tell me why the hell you're calling," Hayner asked, his voice on edge. He wasn't in the best of moods.
"Hayner, we're gonna play for the Destiny Isle Corps. You in?" Riku asked, smirking. He actually hoped that Hayner said yes. He had a good song to sing tomorrow, and he needed Hayner, the bass guitar, there. Although Hayner was twenty nine, he still played the guitar for Riku, and he did it damn good.
"I'm in, isn't that place the homeless shelter?" Hayner asked, then sighed into the phone, "My sister, Olette, is in a homeless shelter across town. I'll be there,"
Riku sighed, then quickly dialed another number. Pence.
"Hello?"
"Hello Sam, can I talk to Pence?" Riku asked, using a hard and mean voice. He really didn't like Pence's little sister Sam, so he always sounded mean around her. The girl chirped something, then Pence was on In a second, "Pence, we going to play for a homeless shelter, you in?"
"Yeah, sure, see yah,"
Riku was off the phone before dinner, and that was a good thing. He stood lazily and stretched, pulling his arms above his head and groaning at popping joints. He'd painted all day, and he really wanted a rest. But not after a big helping of his mother's home maid cooking. Man, he loved the stuff. His parent's were STILL annoying though.
He walked into the kitchen, where he saw his mom turning on the stove, a pan of home maid lasagna in front of her.
"Mmm, Lasagna, thanks mom," Riku said, but he didn't even crack a smile. He'd start thanking people and apologizing, but he would do NO smiling. No. He had a reputation to live up to. His mom turned around and faced him, smiling warmly,
"I know it's your favorite," She said, then popped in it the oven, closing the door, "You want to eat down here with me and your father tonight?"
"Sure," Riku said, then walked up to her and looked up at her, "mom, I'll do this once and only once, okay?"
She looked down at him and stared in wonder until he reached up and kissed her on the cheek, "Thanks mom,"
She watched him leave, being the same old punk that she'd remembered him to be. But...that punk wouldn't just kiss her on the cheek. She smiled warmly and touched where he kissed her, then turned back to her cooking.
That place was changing him. No matter how much he wanted to deny it.
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Yay! Nother chap!