Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of the other Disney characters.

Chapter Three

Reunion

-Every long separation is a test: A test to see how powerful or how weak the will of the reuniting is!- Mehmet Ildan

Yawning with exhaustion the petite female laid her head on the coffee table. With only three hours of sleep and after the morning shift at the bake shop all she wanted to do was sleep for the rest of the weekend. However, her brilliant best friend decided that it was time for a girls day out and had planned a lot of things for them to do. Oh, how was she supposed to make it through the day if all she wanted was to fall into a deep slumber. 'Stop drooling,' she was whacked on the head with a small billfold, 'and wake up.'

'Hina,' she beamed up at her fiery headed best friend as she rubbed her head.

'You look like crap.'

'So can I go home,' she asked hopefully.

'No so fast, Sunshine,' Hina reached out and grabbed her cheek to pull.

'Okay, but how about you buy me coffee and then we'll get going,' she offered after she pulled back and tried to bat her long lashes to get a free drink, she went from rubbing her head to rubbing her cheek.

'You're lucky I like you, Princess,' Hina got back up and smirked at the small female. 'Did you bring a change of clothes?'

'Yeah, but I was running late so I came here in this,' she looked down at her pastry chef attire, the pressed white coat with the logo and name of her family bakery P.A., Petite Amore. She was wearing her black cargo chef pants and black nonslip shoes, the only thing missing in her attire was the chef hat and apron.

'Well, you should go and change,' Hina looked down at the book bag that was between her legs.

'Can I have some coffee first,' she didn't want to move her body, getting up was too tiring and labor inducing.

'Fine, but we are not going out with you looking like that,' Hina turned and went to place their order.

Amaranth rested her head back down on the cool surface of the coffee table and watched as people, went out of the small coffee shop. Besides Hina and herself there was young man that had arrived before her with his back towards her. She usually wasn't as observant, but the silver haired man had briefly caught her attention. He had been sitting patiently waiting for someone to arrive and as curious as she was to see his face, she had ended up sitting with her back to him. Yet as she watched the people leave, his presence still nagged at the back of her head. It was probably because his sliver locks and broad shoulders remind her of…she stopped as her eyes widen when she saw the tall hispanic female walk in with an air of radiance. Her skin was a caramel brown that exulted health and played well against her raven colored hair. She had curves that went for day and a bosom that she even envied and the fact that her silk green floral dress showed off her long toned legs and ample chest as it was low cut, didn't leave much to the imagination. As she walked by she caught a strong scent of her citrusy scented perfume with top notes of orange blossom and under notes of jasmine and tibetan musk.

'Amore miyo,' her voice was that of honey, it sounded so nice and lovely but only meant for her loved one.

'Estella,' the deep baritone voice spoke a few tables behind her and sounded anything but cheerful and happy to see the woman that called him love.

Amaranth found it odd that not only his hair but voice reminded her of him, but it had been years that they hadn't interacted and in the four years that they lived in Chicago she's never cross paths with him. So why was she suddenly thinking of him if she had gotten over him almost a decade ago. 'One hazelnut brave for the Princess,' Hina placed the cup before her and beamed. 'You know based on the way you were looking at the woman, people would think you were into her,' Hina teased.

'You're not funny,' she grumbled as she took a timid sip of her coffee. 'I was just admiring her and wishing that I was as pretty as her.'

'Sure she's pretty, but you shouldn't put yourself down. You have your own appeal.'

Amaranth looked down at herself and didn't understand what Hina was talking about, but she nodded because if she said otherwise she would get another lecture. 'I just wish these were bigger.'

Hina rolled her eyes. For a bright, happy go luck person she had such a negative view of herself that it was no wonder she didn't have a significant other yet. 'You're perfect and any man or woman too stupid not to see that is a fool.'

'I prefer men,' she clarified.

'Are you sure, maybe you're asexual and you don't find the sexes appealing,' Hina suggested.

'Why are we suddenly talking about my nonexistent love life?'

'Your mom told me to investigate after she asked if you and I were something,' Hina watched as her eyes got big and she began to choke on the sip of coffee that she was taking. 'She was disappointed when I told her we weren't. Mumbled something about that she didn't matter if you were into females, as long as you had someone that care about you and would be there for you through sickness and health.'

'That's ridiculous,' Amaranth shook her head, not wanting to believe in her words.

'She just wants to see you happy.'

'I am,' she defended.

'I've known you for years and you've yet to ever have a man or a woman in your life.'

Amaranth was about to say something when the woman from before suddenly raised her voice in anger. 'Eres un estupido,' Hina watched as the woman picked up the glass of water and threw it at the male, whom had his back to her.

'Estella, calm down. You're making a scene.'

'Por favor,' she scoffed in disgust. 'I can't believe I wasted so much time with you.'

'You're being a bit drastic and you knew where this relationship was going from the start.'

Amaranth had turned her head and had watched their interaction, as the woman began to walk away the man got up, turned around and she stopped breathing. There was no way that it could really be him. No way, but no matter how much her mind denied it her body reacted to him. Her heart was racing, her hands clammy and her body began to shake. Everything began to move in slow motion, it just wasn't possible. 'It's not right to stare,' Hina cautioned, but it was too late she couldn't pull her gaze away from the handsome man following the woman. 'Amaranth.'

The man halted in his tracks and she quickly turned to stare back at her coffee. She had been right, there was no mistaking it, he had recognized her name, it was him. It had been almost ten years since she last saw him and she had run away hoping against hope never to run into him, but at the same time contradicting her hopes and desiring to see him. She had thought she had shut him out, but to no avail. The men she had been attracted to, but never pursued shared his similar traits blue green eyes with silver locks and a handsome face. Amaranth remembered how pathetic she had been after their last encounter, she had arrived home and locked herself in her room. Her mother had gone to check up on her and she had shooed her away because all she wanted to do was lay there in self pity and pain. It was as if her heart had been ripped out and crushed, by the one person in the world that she cared about. The depression had lasted for what seemed like an eternity and when she had decided to move past it she realized she couldn't.

Riku had been her childhood crush and he was the only one that made her world stop spinning out of control. The one that held meaning to her and because of that she had never gone out with anyone. Even in college she didn't find anyone attractive enough to go out with or accept when they confessed to her. Her mother had said it was a phase, but her father had summarized that it was her dedication to studying and following in his pastry foot-steps. She never contradicted them or told them the truth of the matter, that her heart had already belonged to another and that her feelings for him would never change. Now that she was twenty-seven and still single her mother worried. How could she not be attracted to anyone? Was she attracted to women? Did she not have a sex drive? Did she need to go see a psychologist? Her mother bombarded her with questions and that was why she hardly ever went to the house unless it was necessary, since at work they kept everything professional. 'Hey, Amaranth,' Hina tried to see her hung head, but something was wrong with her cheerful friend. It seemed like the life and happiness had suddenly been snuffed out of her.

'Hey, I hate to do this to you, but I am suddenly not feeling well. I need to go, can we reschedule?'

'But…' Hina wanted to protest, but her declaration, body tremors and the fact that she hid her face told her that something was wrong.

Amaranth grabbed her bag, he had turned around and gone back to his table to wipe himself off and retrieve his items. So before he could turn back and stop her with asking the knowing question, she bolted out of the cafe swearing to herself that she would never set foot in the establishment again. 'Of all the places we had to move too,' she groaned as she hailed a taxi and left.

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'Excuse me,' Hina turned from the exit door with a small gaping mouth, it was the first time she had ever see Amaranth act so strangely.

'Yes,' she turned her black gaze to the man, who had just caused a scene moments ago.

'The woman that was here, what was her name?'

She couldn't believe it. He had just broken up with his girlfriend and was now trying to hit on Amaranth. 'Why do you want to know?'

Her soft features hardened as she eyed him in question and suspicion. 'I had a childhood friend by that name. I just want to confirm that it is her.'

'Amaranth, but I don't think that she knows you,' she quickly replied.

'She's a chef,' he wanted to know where she worked at. He had gotten a glimpse of the girl when she first arrived thinking that it was his ex, but she wasn't. Therefore, he hadn't even given her a second glance. Now he was regretting his decision, because if he had he would have confronted her about what happened years ago.

'Yes,' the woman was so uptight and encrypted that he wanted to shake the information out of her. It seemed that his mellow temper got the best of him, whenever Amaranth was involved.

'I promise you that I am not trying to hit on her,' he tried to ease her worry or suspicion. 'I just want to know if she's my old friend or not.' He pulled out his business card, 'I am Riku Miyano.'

Hina took the fancy black and gold inscribed card that give all his contact information and place of business. It seemed that he was a lawyer for Keyblade law firm, a firm know to be used by the elite society. They mainly focused on divorces and corporate based lawsuits. Hina turned her gaze from the card and searched his face trying to find answers to questions she didn't know. 'I don't think that she knew you, she didn't comment anything when she saw you.'

'If you allow me to meet with her.'

'No.'

'But,' his patience was running dry. 'I promise you I mean no harm.'

'I am sorry,' she pocketed the card, she would give it to Amaranth and let her decide what she would do with it. 'I wish I could help you more, but I have to go.'

Riku watched the red head get up and leave with only a small nod suggesting her departure and good-bye. He pressed his lips together into a flat line, he clenched and unclenched his fists he had never found women so unpredictable and annoying as in that moment. If it wasn't for their unnecessary attachment to emotions and indecipherable nature he would be the happiest man in the world. All he really needed in life was a woman to bang and make him look good at family functions and work parties. He didn't need much more, unlike his best friend whom had decided it was time to settle down and hit Estella with the same bug. She had gotten it into her head that she wanted to get married too and had made many suggestions, before she finally came out and told him. He had decided to cut all ties with her, before she got more out of hand and demanding. She had let her emotions get the better of her and she had ruined his suite, if he were another person he would care but it was just water and she was out of his life. Now, he would just have to find someone to take to Sora's wedding and enjoy her womanly goodness. Yet the thought of actually having to find someone on short notice was too complicated and time consuming. Especially now that he had someone in mind, but was going to be hard to obtain. 'Damn it,' he cursed before leaving.

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'Roger, follow me,' Riku ordered his assistant as soon as he arrived at the office.

'Sir,' the young man gathered his ledger and followed behind his annoyed boss.

'I need you to find someone for me.'

'If you give me their name, I can locate them within the hour,' Roger answered as he got his pen and notepad ready.

'Amaranth Benson,' it had been so long since he last spoke her name out loud.

'To narrow down her location do you happen to know anything else about her,' he inquired.

'She was wearing a Chef outfit, but I really don't know anything else.' Riku removed his jacket and placed his suitcase down on his desk before taking a seat.

Out of all the jobs she had to have, Roger mentally groaned, there were over a hundred restaurants and bakeries. Even if her name was unique, that didn't mean that he could find her with just the bare essential what if there were hundreds of them and he couldn't locate her within a short amount of time. 'Why are you still standing there?'

'Well,' he didn't want to annoy his boss any further and based of his wet suit, he could already tell that his meeting with Estella hadn't gone over well.

'Well, what,' Riku's day had already been turned sour.

'Given her occupation it will make it harder to find her, especially if she's a ghost of the internet. Is there anything that you can tell me that might help zero in on her location.'

'Such as?'

'Where you met her, it might help narrow down the results. If she was wearing a chef uniform was there anything that stood out about it, like an insignia?'

Riku sighed in frustration, 'I saw her downtown at Eli's Cafe and I think there was a P.A. on her chef jacket.'

'Thanks,' he jotted the information down and turned away but didn't move forward. He wanted to know why the sudden interest in the female chef, if he had just gotten over a breakup. He turned his head to voice his questions, but stopped when he saw the scowl on his boss's face and decided that he rather not know and just go do as he was told. By the looks of things, he wouldn't want to be the woman his boss was looking for.

Riku watched as his incompetent assistant left and for a moment wondered if he should let his anger get the best of him or not. On the car ride back to the office he had a lot of time to think about all that had transpired in the last hour. How Estella had made a fool of him, how the red head had refused to answer his questions and how Amaranth had runaway. He wanted to say he hated women, but that was a lie because the only woman that he hated was her. She had made a fool out of him when he was nineteen and now at the age of twenty-nine she was still doing the same thing. However, this time he wasn't going to let her get away with it. Years ago he had been young with no means of finding her and locating her where abouts, by the time his anger subsided her parents had left the inn, but now that she was within grasp he wasn't going to let her leave.

Amaranth was going to pay for his humiliation. He would break her and show her who was boss and if anyone tried to stand in his way he would beat them to a pulp. He stopped and wondered for a moment if she had anyone and that fueled his anger towards her, because there was no way that she was going to be happy along side some other man. There was a knock at his door, 'Go away, I am busy,' he called, but the person didn't listen.

'You should be happy that I knocked,' Sora said as he entered Riku's office.

'You should be lucky I don't beat you,' Riku threatened, but he did need an outlet and Sora would make a good punching bag. After all he needed to make up for the beating he missed out on long ago.

'What's gotten in to you,' he corked his eyebrows in question.

Riku tried to calm himself, even if he wanted to beat the daylights out of him. Sora was getting married in the next few weeks and walking down the aisle all black and blue would be disastrous for his parents and the bride to be. 'Nothing,' he bit back what he actually wanted to say.

'Roger looks worried about you,' he took one of the seats before Riku's desk, 'I was going to ask you why, but I can already assume. So why don't you enlighten me and maybe I can help you?'

'Please, you've already been enough help,' he snapped.

'Don't tell me you actually broke it off with Estella, all because she wanted you to consider the notion of marriage?'

'Humph, I was getting bored of her,' he dismissed.

'So I did something else,' his electric blue hues looked over at him with wonder. 'What did I do enough of?'

'I would rather not say,' Riku tightened his jaw. He couldn't believe that he was still angry with Sora for being his cause of ruin.

'If you tell me, I could help you and rectify my mistake,' he leaned forward and left himself open for a good right hook, but Riku held back. He wasn't going to ruin Sora's face over his anger management issues. 'Come on,' he egged.

'I would like to be left alone,' Riku leaned back into his chair and closed his eyes trying to ignore Sora, but the idiot wouldn't take a hint.

'Are you feeling pressured by your mother, is she's telling you to get married because you're getting older.'

'This doesn't have to do with getting married, it has to do with….' he held back. What would happen if he told him about Amaranth? Would he go chasing after her, because if he recalled Sora had fallen for her? Although, that was such a long time ago and he now had someone that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, right?

'Riku, what did I do? Did I steal one of your clients?'

'Please, I am a better lawyer and lover than you,' he did't mean to say that last part.

'Lover,' Sora looked at him baffled. He had never been able to compete with Riku in that department, if anything some women still dated him to get closer to Riku. It had been a blow to his ego when he was younger, but as he got older he learned to deal with the fact that woman would always prefer Riku over him. He was just grateful that Riku never laid eyes on any of those horrible women or he really would question their friendship. The only time he had won out against Riku was with his future wife and…he stopped in mid thought and looked over at his waring best friend. The only woman to have ever made the non-caring bastard react so erratic was Amaranth, but that was years ago and from what he could remember she had lived in the mountains but moved away to an undisclosed location. Okay, he had never asked her where she was moving too, he had figured he would just head back to her family owned inn the next winter and hope she was there. But her family had sold the inn and had moved away, none of the new employees could tell him anymore then that they moved to be closer to her when she went off to college. There was no way that he could be incited about someone from the past, who lived miles away who knows where. 'You're making no sense.'

'I don't need to give you a specific reason for why I am mad, now leave me alone,' Riku ordered. 'Leave before I do something I'll regret.'

Sora got up and looked over at his friend before sighing and leaving him to his inner turmoil. Maybe Roger would be more help, 'Fine, but don't say that I didn't want to help.'

'Hn, like I'd ask you for help after what you did.'

Again Sora found it odd that his friend would be bringing up the past and lovers when the only one that they clashed about was miles away. Unless, but no he shook his head to rid himself of the thought. 'I'll come talk to you once you've cooled down from whatever this is,' he waved his hand in a circular motion.

He left Riku's smoldering office and closed the door behind him, to find Roger busy on his computer looking up a name. 'What are you doing,' he leaned over the red-head's shoulder to see.

'I am trying to locate a person.'

His assumption was right, as he stared at the name on the screen and all the people that popped up within the area with the same name. 'It doesn't seem like you'll have trouble,' Sora pulled away.

'There are thirty women with the name Amaranth Benson, but none of them have a job description that matches what the boss said.'

'What was it that he said?'

'She was a chef.'

'Oh,' he nodded, 'well, I'll let you get back to work.'

Sora didn't let him say anything instead he quickly took off with thoughts of a pretty young dark haired female. It had been so long since he last saw her, but just her name brought a vivid image of the woman that disappeared and brought a few weeks of tension and discomfort between Riku and himself. Now that she was older he was curious to see if she was even more prettier then when he last saw her, but he'd have to find her before Riku. 'Wait…' Roger watched Sora leave and frowned as he left without a word lost in thoughts.

Roger gave a heavy sigh in disbelief it seemed his boss and Sora both hated him. One sent him on a wild goose chase and the other one withheld information from him when you could clearly tell on his face that he knew the mysterious woman. 'Ugh, this is so frustrating,' Roger groaned in annoyance as he hit his head against his desk.

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'Amaranth, you have a guest up front that would like to speak with you,' Nina the front end attendant informed her as she straightened up from her chocolate work.

'A guest,' she asked puzzled, usually no one went to visit her.

'Yeah, a brunette haired hottie, he said he was a friend of yours.'

'A brunette, a hottie,' she shook her head.

'You don't know him?'

'Yes, no, no, yes,' she was extremely confused and she made Nina confused with her answer. 'Did he tell you his name?'

'He said he wanted to surprise you. Do you want me to tell him to leave?'

'No, I'll meet with him. Just have him seated, offer him something to drink and tell him that I'll be out in a minute,' she told her as she looked down at the bonbons that she was working on and decide to finish quickly before going to meet her so called friend.

Walking out to the front area, she scanned the four little seat down tables to find the mysterious brunette and stopped in her tracks when she noticed the unique hair style on the person that was turned from her. There was only one person she knew with chestnut hair that was unruly and just as she was about to flee he turned. Electric blue hues zeroed in on her and she froze in her tracks, he got up and turned towards her. Since she last saw him, he had lost the scrawny toned build that he had and filled out a little bit more and developed muscle. His face was a little softer and round but was still striking. His eyes had always been his most breath taking feature, because not only were they a beautiful electric blue but they were so expressive. Of all the people she had the opportunity to run into and it had to be him and Riku, the last two people she wanted to see. 'Boss,' Nina nudged her, 'that's him.'

Sora smiled at the woman standing behind the pastry counter, trying to calm her but she looked like a deer caught in the headlights. It had been so many years since they last met and she still remained stunning. Any man in his right or wrong mind could fall in love with her at first glance. Her amber hues were still captivating and her pale milky skin still radiated health, remaining unblemished. She had been the first woman Riku and him and ever fought over. As he studied her he wondered if given more time with her what would have happened. 'Amaranth,' she had reached his table and was standing right in front of him.

It felt awkward and weird being before the man that she had left and blocked out of her life. She wanted to play stupid, but he wouldn't buy it. He had already recognized her, 'It's been a long time, Sora.'

'You remember me,' he asked as she ushered him to take a seat.

'I do, but tell me. What are you doing here,' she cut straight to the point.

'I wanted to see you before he found you,' he saw that she tensioned up at his comment.

'Why?'

'I have so many questions, but I can tell that all you want is for me to get up and walk out the door,' he noted and she dropped her gaze to her folded hands on top of her lap. 'What happened years ago, that makes this reunion so uncomfortable? What made what we have had, not?'

How was she supposed to tell him the truth? How could she explain to him that what they had back then was impossible and that impossibility still remained? 'Life, I was a teenager that had been caught between two friends. One that liked me and the other…well, I am not sure what was going on. But I didn't want to get caught up in the drama or fracture your friendship, so I decided to distance myself.'

'You vanished,' he accused and saw the pained expression of sadness cross her impassive face.

'It was for the best,' she softly stated.

'We could have been something,' he suddenly said realizing that he still had feelings for her and resentment for what she had done.

Amaranth shook her head, she just wanted to get up and runaway, she didn't want to have to explain to him what had happened. She took a shuddering breath and slowly lifted her gaze up to stare into his icy hues, but a sparkle caught her attention. 'Your married.'

He followed her gaze and looked down at the ring he wore on his ring finger, 'Engaged.'

'Then why are you here? Why are you asking about what could have been, when you already found happiness,' she questioned.

'I love her. I am happy, but that doesn't mean that I don't want closures for the girl that left me with lingering feelings.'

'That girl is gone,' she watched sadness slowly creep into his hard glare and she covered her face with her hands in frustration. She wasn't going to be a pawn in their game again, she wasn't going to ruin another woman's happiness either. 'So should your feelings for her.'

'You've become bitter,' he stated as he grabbed the glass of water.

'This is wrong, this should have never happened,' she muttered as she dropped her hands and he saw the glistening tears.

'I haven't come to chase after you, if that is what you are worried about? I just want to know what happened back then. What I did wrong,' he asked in a soft whisper.

'It wasn't you,' she confessed.

'Then?'

'I knew how you felt, the kiss that we shared although not deep spoke a lot and I couldn't lead you on.' Heavens, she wanted to crawl under a rock and die. 'I had enjoyed my time with you and maybe with time it would have worked, but my heart had already belonged to another and I couldn't tear away from my feelings.'

'Riku,' he saw the teenage girl again as her cheeks slightly reddened at his revelation. 'You used me to get close to him?'

'No,' she shook her head. 'I had already come to terms with the fact that he already had another and that no matter what I did, what I wanted, I could never have him. When you told me that you were at the inn with him and his girlfriend, I just wanted to runaway. Yet you stopped and asked me out, even when I refused you still persisted and I submitted. Everything was going fine, until that day at the resort and it all got out of control.'

'That was when you saw him again,' he uttered the unspoken and saw the play of emotions on her face sadness, confusion, pain and regret.

Amaranth nodded, 'I knew what my heart felt the moment I saw him, but at the same time I knew my place and I felt guilty for what I had done to you. I gave you false hope, when what you felt was pure and sweet.'

'But something else happened,' she was hiding something, he could see it in her shifting gaze and the way that she fiddled with her hands.

She didn't want to go on, but he wanted answers so that he could move on. 'After we had lunch and I left to freshen up, he followed me. He waited until I came out and asked that I leave you be and I did.'

'You broke my heart and then abandoned me,' he snapped at the anger that was boiling deep inside.

'Please, don't be mad. He in his own way was trying to protect you,' she tried to console him. She noticed Nina jump in fright and she was grateful for the fact that there was no customers at the moment.

'Right, protect me,' he got up knocking the chair over as he did so. 'I have to go.'

'Sora,' she called after him, but his pleading name fell on deaf ears.

'Boss,' Nina rushed to her aid. Stopping her before she went and got herself hurt.

'He's going to do something stupid,' she worried.

'You can't stop him, you'll get hurt in the crossfire,' Nina hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but the shop being empty and small it was hard not too. 'You have to let them work it out.'

'No,' she shook her head and rushed to get changed. Hina had told her about her encounter with Riku three days ago and how he had inquired about her. She also handed over his card that had his business information, if she wanted to contact him. If her assumption was right, Sora would be going after him and she needed to make sure that they wouldn't hurt each other over a silly reason such as herself.

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Sora arrived at the office ready to face Riku. The jerk had interfered and had ruined his friendship, he had hurt Amaranth and it pained him to see that she might still have feelings for the Jack Ass. Ignoring all greetings and looks of concern and worry, he walked into Riku's office slamming the door behind him shut. 'What do you think you're doing,' Riku demanded as he watched Sora stock over to him and grab him by the collar.

'What I should have done a long time ago, you Bastard,' he punch Riku and he staggered back into his chair.

Riku could feel the metallic taste of blood from his busted lip and he shook off the first blow, 'I don't know what this is about, but if you really want to go so be it.'

Roger jumped when he heard the crash and banging coming from the office behind him. Cautiously, he went to the door and peeked inside. What he saw left him in a moment of shock before he realized he needed to stop them from killing each other. 'Help me,' he ordered one of the other lawyers standing around listening to the commotion coming from his boss's office. 'Boss,' Roger lunged to stop him, but was pushed off and a punch landed on his jaw.

Sora wasn't going to back down, Riku deserved the beating of his life, 'You freaking Bastard!'

'I am the Bastard?' The other man had restrained Sora and he took his chance.

'No, you don't,' after two blows to Sora, Roger had once again tried to stop him.

'Let me go,' they both struggled and two more men joined to stop them from breaking free and going at it once more.

'You shouldn't be doing this,' Roger knew his boss was strong, but never imagined him to be so strong that it took three men to hold him back.

'He's the one that started this,' Riku snapped.

'What is the meaning of this,' Mr. Miyano demanded as both restrained males turned to look at him.

'I don't know, he came at me first,' Riku answered slowly calming down.

'Sora this is an office, not some boxing ring,' Mr. Miyano told him.

'He's the one that asked for it,' Sora protested.

'I haven't done anything to him,' Riku pulled free of the grips holding him.

'Enough, both of you need to cool off, Sora go to your office. Riku don't you dare follow him and stay here,' his father ordered their time out.

'Fine,' Sora broke free and began to leave, but just as he made it to the door and saw the woman at the receptionist desk he froze. She had followed him and he willed himself with extreme force to move because he didn't what her to see him in his current state.

'Sora,' she saw the results of the fight between them and rushed to his side worried.

'You shouldn't be here,' he grabbed her wrist and began to pull her away towards his office.

Riku had been watching Sora and noticed the hesitation as well as heard the soft cry of his name spoken by a woman that wasn't his fiancee. He also heard that she shouldn't have been there and it made him curious. With cautioned he joined his father at the doorway and saw the woman, whom he had been searching for be pulled away by Sora. 'You're not going anywhere,' his father stopped him from going any further then the doorframe.

'You don't understand,' he wanted to protest, but the cold glare his father gave him stopped him in his tracks. 'Fine,' he'll just have to wait for his opportunity.

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Sora closed the door behind him, he hoped Riku hadn't seen her but he was sure that whispers and gossip would soon reach him. He had to get her out of there before it was too late and he came crashing through the door. 'What are you doing here?'

'I came to stop you from doing something stupid,' she answered as she reached up to touch his face softly. His nose was bleeding, his left eye was red and starting to swell, his right cheek was red where he had taken a blow to his jaw and his bottom lip was cracked. 'Why?'

Her soft fingers taunted his skin, there was a knock on the door and a female carrying a first aid made her jump and pull away. 'Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude but I thought you could use this,' she handed the kit to Sora and took her leave without another word after he thanked her and closed the door again.

'Come on, I'll help you,' she took the kit from his hands and led him to his chair.

He watched her and saddened even more when he felt his heart constraint at the loss and realization that he still found her to be the most fascinating woman in the world. 'You shouldn't look at me like that,' he didn't like her downcast lips and the sadness that her eyes easily expressed.

'How can I not be upset, when I am the cause,' she cleaned the blood before she began to sterilize his wounds.

'Yeah, well it was bound to happen sooner or later,' he winced as the alcohol hit his open wound.

'But fighting over another woman that was not her will hurt her beyond compare,' she finished treating him and pulled away.

'I,' he wanted to deny the truth, but couldn't.

'You should never have come looking for me,' she stated as she put all the items back in the kit and threw the trash away.

'I know,' he couldn't help but observe how pure and innocent the white summer dress that she changed into made her look.

'You have a woman that you love, yet fight for another,' she shook her head in disappointment. 'Why does it seem that we are back to being teenagers?'

'Closure,' he admitted. 'I've always been mad at him and once you told me what happened, I lost it and let my emotions get the best of me.'

'Sora,' her frowned deepened and she was about to reach out and console him when there was a rapid knock on the door and it flew open to reveal a short haired brunette in a whirlwind of worry.

'Sora, I heard what happened. Are you all right?' The woman rushed in to his aid, not taking her eyes off him.

'Yeah,' he smiled softly at his fiancee as she looked over him trying to reassure herself that nothing was broken or out of place.

'Are you sure,' he nodded and before Sora and Amaranth had time to react she whacked him over the head. 'How could you do something so stupid? Do you know how worried I was when I heard that he beat you to a pulp?'

'Kairi,' he grabbed her hands before she could hit him again and looked over at Amaranth.

'What,' she turned to look behind her at the woman pressed against the wall. 'Who are you?'

'Amaranth,' she answered worried that she might be next on the hit list.

'What's going on,' she saw the first aid kit and the look of bewilderment on the woman's face. 'You guys aren't having an affair and this is the reason you and Riku got into a fight?'

'No,' he shook his head, 'I am not having an affair. She is an old friend that came to visit. I would never imagine betraying you.'

'Really,' she cast a glance at the other woman.

'Really,' he reassured her.

'How come you didn't tell me about her,' Kairi still had her suspicions.

'I wanted to speak to her before, I introduced you to her,' he tried to save. How was he going to tell her that he wanted to confirm his feelings and get answers to questions left pending years ago? He pleaded with his gaze for her to believe him and not ask any further questions. 'Plus, she just got here so how could I have told you?'

Kairi eyed the woman one more time before turning back to Sora and accepting his reply. 'Fine, but when we get home you're going to have a lot of explaining to do.'

'Okay,' he conceded, 'but why don't you let me properly introduce you two? Kairi this is Amaranth an old friend and Amaranth this is Kairi, my fiancee.'

'Friend,' it was a hard concept for her to accept considering the startled woman was stunning. Never had she been so insecure about her looks before until this moment.

'I know these aren't the best of circumstances, but it is a pleasure to meet you,' Amaranth said as she held out her hand and offered a small smile.

'My Heavens, you can't tell me that you aren't having an affair with her,' Kairi was in denial now.

'He's not having an affair with her,' the door opened and Amaranth retracted to the wall when she saw who had entered the room.

'I am confused,' Kairi saw the woman's eyes widen and she pressed herself against the wall as if she wanted to disappear. She began to worry now, 'What's going on?'

'Nothing that you should concern yourself about,' Riku walked in and grabbed Amaranth's wrist and began to pull her way. 'We'll leave you two lovers alone so you can talk.'

'Riku,' she now was becoming protective of the woman that could be having an affair with her fiancé.

'Yes,' he stopped and pulled Amaranth to his side.

Sora nudged Kairi, 'We weren't done speaking to her, could you please leave her with us for a bit?'

'No,' his grip on her tightened in order to tell her not to do anything stupid or say a word.

'You can surely leave her with us for a moment,' she saw the silent wince the girl expressed and noticed the tight hold Riku had on her.

'She has the first aid kit and I need to be attended too,' he made to leave.

'I can treat you,' she offered as Sora nudged her leg again and she scowled.

'Thanks, but no thanks,' he told her as he left without stopping as she called out again.

'We should go after them,' Sora voiced.

'No, first tell me what is going on,' Kairi put her hand on his shoulder preventing him from getting up. 'Why are you two really fighting and who is she?'

'What if he hurts her?'

'He won't.'

'She needs our help.'

'Look, give him a few minutes with her and then we'll fly in and rescue our damsel in distress,' Kairi offered, 'but in the mean time explain to me what's going on.'

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Roger looked at the frightened woman following behind his boss, 'Roger make sure that no one interrupts us,' Riku ordered.

'Sir,' he nodded and soon realized whom she might be.

Amaranth wanted to cry out for help, but knew that it would be in vain and as of yet he really hadn't done anything to hurt her besides hold her wrist a bit too tight. However, the thought of being in an enclosed space with him was too much for her to handle. He pulled her inside, releasing her further into the room and locked the door behind him. 'It's been a long time,' he stood before the door, blocking her only source of escape.

She tightened her grip on the first aid kit, looking at anything and everything that wasn't him and wanted to say something but swallowed as words got stuck in her throat and finally she said, 'You wanted me to treat you.'

'That's all you have to say,' he studied her and saw how much she had grown since they last met. Standing before him wasn't the little girl of four years, or the teenager of seventeen but a woman of grace and elegance. A woman that could have any man she wanted at her beck and call and without any hesitation they would do as she said. Her golden amber hues had always been alluring, her long jet black hair a soft curtain of silk curls begging to be caressed. Her skin a pearl white that remained unblemished and lips so attractively red that he wondered how they would feel pressed against his own.

'What would you like me to say,' she softly answered as she dropped her gaze. Even in his current state he was attractive, but frightening at the same time and it made her feel small and insecure to be scrutinized by his piercing aquamarine hues.

'Look at me,' he ordered, his baritone voice cold and commanding.

Reluctantly she did as told and felt a chill run down her spine as he walked towards her battered and bruised, his wounds wiped but still slightly bleeding. Sora had done a number on him and she instinctively reached up to touch the cut above his left cheek. He halted her hand and pulled her to his seat where he sat before her, 'Treat my wounds as I am sure that they are your doing.'

It was a low blow, but he watched as she set the kit on his desk and opened it to do as told. She remained silent, her hands lightly touching him so as not to cause more harm. Her scent a sweet mixture of chocolate and baking spices, he had never cared for baked goods as he got older but with her it would be an exception. 'Aren't you going to say anything?'

'I am sorry,' it was barely above a whisper.

'Why?'

'For being the cause of this fight.'

'So you came here to stop him,' he bitterly reproached and she took his right hand and began to treat the damage he had done to his knuckles.

'Yes.'

'So you still care for him,' he challenged.

'I didn't want you two to fight,' she couldn't tell him that she came here in order to prevent Sora from hurting him.

'Hn, that doesn't answer my question,' he grabbed her wrist with his free hand.

'You're hurting me,' she cried out.

'You think being punched unexpectedly didn't hurt. That being made a fool out of didn't hurt,' he wanted her to suffer as he had.

'I,' she stopped apologizing when she realized that wasn't what he wanted.

'You what,' he yanked her down to her knees before him and glared down at her.

'I'll do anything to help rectify this mess. If you want to belittle me and humiliate me so be it, but leave Sora out of is.'

She looked up at him with such conviction that he couldn't help but feel some sort of pity for her. Nonetheless, the fact that she wanted to protect Sora made him mad and he wanted to hurt her beyond that of his own suffering. 'You'll do as I say.'

'Within reason.'

'You will do as I tell you,' he ordered and released her hand so that she could continue to treat him.