And we are back with another chapter of Souls of the Heart! Thank you everyone who has read this story so far, I am glad you are all enjoying it. Now I hope you are ready for this next chapter! Let's get to it!

Ch.12

Sora sat back in the class with a smile, everything had settled down into a peaceful routine. After all Rin had moved away a couple years back, the bully had moved a couple weeks after he and Kairi had done their drawings in the cave. His mom and dad had actually held him a small party for the fact.

And even better Kairi had made a few friends who ended up becoming his and Riku's friends as well, there was this girl named Selphi and a pair of boys called Tidus, and Wakka. Sora remembered them back in the old days, the three never really did bully him, they just stayed away from him. But they did apologize to him. Which Vanitas scorned and Ventus praised.

Sora was currently working on the assignment the teacher of their third grade class has assigned them for the day. It was the dreaded math, luckily he had Ventus to help him. Vanitas didn't like helping him out, saying instead he should learn to do it himself.

Finally the day ended and the group of friends went to play.

It was a peaceful time.

A few months passed.

Sora was playing with Kairi on the playground as Riku was at his house helping his parents with chores. Sora was a bit tense as he noticed that Rin was also there, but as the minutes wore on and he didn't seem to be doing anything. He seemed to be walking around the playground, but never once looked at or came near Sora. He just seemed to be minding his own business for once. With a sigh of relief Sora slowly relaxed as he played with Kairi.

The two kids climbed up to the top of the jungle gym and were panting trying to catch their breaths from the intense race to the top they just had. "Hey! Let's play Hide and seek!" Kairi suggested.

Sora gave a nod, "Alright."

"You can be the seeker first," She giggled, "close your eyes and count to thirty now!"

"Okay!" He said closing his eyes and putting his hands in front. He heard the sounds of someone moving on the jungle gym after Kairi had gotten off.

He was at the 15 count when he heard Rin's voice, "Well if it isn't the freak."

His eyes snapped open as he saw Rin's dull brown eyes staring at him with his mousey brown hair in a tousled up mess. He had grown since Sora had last seen him and now stood a good four inches taller than him.

'You should insult this pathetic lowlife,' Vanitas suggested.

'No you should not, just get away from him Sora,' Ventus countered.

"Rin… what do you want?" Sora asked as his body froze up against his will.

"You always ruin everything," The boy snarled, "It's because of you that my mom decided we should move to a different area. It's your fault that none of my friends won't speak to me. You are the one who always gets me grounded!"

"I-it's been two years though…" Sora stated.

"Yeah but now I have to go to a disciplinary school and it's all your fault! The older boys there always take out their frustrations on me, and this is all your fault freak!"

"None of that is my fault though!" Sora protested.

'The bully brought it upon himself by treating you as if you were inferior.' Vanitas sneered.

"You brought this upon yourself by being so mean to me!" Sora shouted repeating a bit of what Vanitas had said.

Sora heard Ventus sigh.

"I wouldn't have to have been mean to you if you weren't such a freak with imaginary friends! People like you belong in the disciplinary school not me!" He said angrily spittle flying from his mouth, his eyes shining in a fiery rage.

"Sora!" Sora heard Kairi called out to him. "You get away from Sora you big bully!" Kairi shouted up at Rin.

The bully sneered, "Oh now you need that girl protecting you! You really are just a pathetic worm!" The boy snarled and shoved Sora harshly, not giving Sora a second to react or grab onto anything.

For a brief moment Sora felt like he was flying as everything went in slow motion.

And then he was falling.

Crack!

Thud!

Sora screamed.

And then there was pain.

Everything that happened was a blur as pain burned through his arm. There was also yelling and a large pair of arms gently wrapping around him pulling him into a sitting position. He couldn't focus on anything though, the pain was too much. He couldn't see or pay attention to anything going on. There was just too much pain.

Later he was able to clearly remember what happened. Rin had pushed him off of the jungle gym and he had fallen and broke his arm. Worried parents came rushing over and pulled the enraged bully off of Sora. One of the fathers had pulled him away, being careful with his arm since he happened to be a doctor.

Now he was sitting in a hospital room, with a cast on his left arm. He sat there waiting... waiting to finally be able to go home. He sat on the hospital bed, as he stared off at the blank wall in front of him. Every once and a while his eyes would shift to his arms. He would stare at the cast on his left arm before looking over to his other arm, which was covered in various bruises from Rin's attack. He could also feel soreness and bruises on his chest and stomach. So much of him hurt, and it just made him feel awful over all.

'That child is more of a psychopath than me!' Vanitas commented a note of shock in his voice.

'And that is actually saying something,' Ventus agreed.

There was no response.

'Sora…' Ventus said not really knowing what to actually say, Sora was obvious not okay.

'Mini-me, next time you see the little psychopath you should tear him-'

'NO SORA SHOULD NOT DO THAT' Ventus shouted over whatever it was that Vanitas was trying to say. Sora flinched over Ventus's yelling, but still did not speak, he only let out a shaky breath.

'Remember Sora, whenever you see Rin, or any other bullies, you should run away to get help.'

'Maybe you should take your own advice Ventus. I remember how you ran away from the safety of your home to chase after your pathetic friend, and you always ran straight head on into danger… and now here you are telling little Sora to run away from it. Don't be such a hypocrite.'

'But that was…' Ventus trailed off for a moment, trying to remember the memories Vanitas had referenced. But everything was still so hazy from that for him. It bothered him sometimes that he couldn't remember things about his past yet Vanitas could. But he knew getting frustrated about that was not what he should be focusing on at the moment. Sora was the main focus at the moment. 'That's different...This is different.'

Vanitas scoffed, 'You don't even remember what I'm talking about do you?' Vanitas gave a mock gasp, 'Don't tell me you forgot about those precious friends of yours?' He taunted.

'I do remember them!' Ventus shouted, temporarily forgetting that he wanted to focus on how Sora was feeling. 'I remember...just not everything…'

'Oh how sad… I guess they weren't that important to you after all… tell me… do you even remember their names?' Vanitas chuckled.

Ventus tried to think. He tried to remember. He could remember a blur of their faces, but he could not recall a voice or a name for either of them. It hurt him to realize this… that he couldn't fully remember his best friends. He was about to reply to Vantias when Sora spoke up first.

"Guys...please…" He mumbled out so quietly, it was almost not even heard. "Just be quiet…"

Ventus immediately thought that Vanitas was going to speak up to mock Sora for his request, but his darker half was surprisingly quiet.

Sora was sitting in his room, laying on his bed. His mom knocked on the door asking if he was alright or if he needed anything, but left after a few minutes and he didn't say anything. It had been almost a day since Sora returned home from the hospital, but he hadn't left his room at all. He only left his room for the bathroom and that was it. His parents would bring in food for him, but he would not say a word to them. He just couldn't bring himself to speak. Everytime he though about saying something the words just died in his throat. Soon over the course of day, he didn't even feel like saying anything at all. He didn't even bother saying anything to Ventus or Vanitas, who both had kept quiet ever since Sora told them too.

Sora was alone with his thoughts, or really he believe he was. He had learned that Ventus and Vanitas could hear every thought he had. But sometimes if Sora thought hard enough he could make is so they couldn't hear him...but this was not one of those times. "Why am I such a pathetic loser? Why am I such a stupid freak? Why… why does this always happen to me? Why does Rin hurt me…?"

'He bullies you, because he knows that in the moment you won't do anything to stop him. All you do is run off to tell your parents, you never stand up for yourself. Unless you start standing up for yourself Rin is just going to keep targeting you,' Vanitas responded to Sora's thought.

Ventus frowned, he wanted to say something… but Sora didn't want them to speak. So in the end he remained quiet. He would let Vanitas be the one to break Sora's rules. It pained him deeply to hear those thoughts from Sora though.

Sora didn't bother saying anything to Vanitas, he kept quiet again after that, not even letting his thoughts wander for his brothers to hear.

'So are you going to stand up for yourself, or are you just going to keep letting that bully have his way with you?'

"I thought I said be quiet…" Sora muttered, his voice a mix of sadness, bitterness, and tiredness.

'Very well then,' Vanitas spoke and went silent.

After that, for the remainder of the day, Sora didn't speak again, nor did Ventus or Vanitas hear any of the boy's thoughts. Eventually it became night, and after Sora had fallen asleep Ventus couldn't take it anymore. Going nearly a entire day without Sora talking to them, it really was bothering him far more than expected.

Ventus cleared his voice, 'Um… So…' He started trying to think of what to say, not even knowing if Vanitas would respond back. 'What do we do?'

His only answer was silence.

Ventus let out a long sigh, 'I thought so…' He really wanted to help Sora. He wanted to help Sora feel better, but there wasn't anything he could do. The only thing he could do was wait.

The next day was just the same as the last. Sora stayed in his room and didn't speak at all, not even to his mother or father. The only things they were able to get out from him were a few small shakes of the head and nods. Other than that there was nothing. Nothing but the uneasy silence that filled Sora's room.

Later in the afternoon Sora's mind started to wander, the terrible memories of Rin came flowing back and made Sora's heart hurt again. Not only did it hurt, but it caused Sora to feel frustration over it. Sora began to think to himself about it all, not concentrating hard enough for Ventus and Vanitas not to hear it. So his thoughts were crystal clear for them, "He always hurts me and I hate that he can cause me to freeze up! That I can't actually do anything to stop him! He just makes me feel so weak! I hate that he bullies me! I hate him!" Sora shouted into his mind, his heart was in so much pain that it felt like a part of it was breaking.

'You feel the pain don't you?' Vanitas voice questioned in a dark drawl. 'That hatred inside of you can make you stronger. Remember how it feels mini-me, and next time you come across that child psychopath… unleash it. Use that anger against him and show him that he is not the stronger one between you two. Prove that you are superior to him.'

Sora grumbled in annoyance, but gave no actual verbal response, he just sat up and brought his knees to his chest.

Minutes later a knock came on his door, his mother opened the door, her face painted with sadness. She looked over to Sora before speaking, "Sora? Your friends are here to see you."

Sora slowly turned to see Riku and Kairi entering his room, both of them looked deeply worried for their friend.

"I'll let you guys be by yourselves, while I bake your favorite cookies." Sora's mother said before closing the door.

Sora stared long at his friend, but wouldn't speak. He soon just looked down at his bed and sighed.

"Sora?" Kairi asked as she sat down next to Sora on one side. "Are you feeling okay?"

"We're really worried about you," Riku added as he sat down on Sora's other side. "Your mom told us you haven't spoken in over a day."

Sora sighed again as he tried to bury face into his knees. He still didn't want to talk. He didn't want them to know how weak he felt. How pathetic he felt. He just wanted to be left alone.

"Please Sora," Kairi plead, "Please talk to us."

There was still nothing from Sora.

"Have you talk to Ven or Vani about the encounter with Rin?" Riku asked, curious in general but also hoping to get at least something from Sora.

Sora slowly lifted his head and shook it back at forth.

"You haven't talked to them? Have they tried to say anything to you?" Kairi asked.

Sora shook his head again.

"They… aren't talking?" Riku asked.

"I… I told them to be quiet…" Sora finally muttered out his voice cracking a bit.

Kairi gasped. "Why would you do that?"

"I just...I just wanted it to be quiet for once. I didn't want to talk," Sora continued to mutter everything out, still not looking at either of his friends.

"And Vani actually stayed quiet?" Riku asked a bit surprised.

"Yeah...he listened to me…mostly," Sora sighed.

"That's surprising," Riku said with a slight smile.

"I guess…" Sora responded.

Kairi frowned as she scooted a little bit closer to Sora, "Sora...please. Please talk to us… we want to know you are alright."

"I am talking to you right now aren't I?" Sora snapped out before instantly regretting it.

Kairi placed a hand on Sora's shoulder, "We just want to be here for you. We're your friends."

"But...why?" Sora choked out, tears starting to form in his eyes once again, clenching his fists. "Why would you guys want to be friends with me? Rin is right...I am a loser. I'm weak...I'm a weak pathetic loser…" Sora paused for a moment before he spat out through clenched teeth, "I'm just a freak who doesn't deserve to have friends!"

Both Riku and Kairi's eyes widened as they gasped. They couldn't believe what they had just heard. Sora couldn't have just said that… could he?

"Sora!" all four of them shouted together. Riku and Kairi immediately wrapped their arms around Sora and pulled him back into a large embrace.

"Never say that Sora! That's an awful thing to say. You are a great person, not a freak," Kairi said as she rested her head against Sora's shoulder, the tears starting to form in her eyes now.

"You are not a freak Sora. We have known each other since we are little and I know you aren't a freak or a loser," Riku added.

'Rin is just a liar! You should never believe a word that comes out of that bullies mouth.'

'I hate to agree with them, but they are right if anyone is a freak it is him,' Vanitas grumbled.

"But… I'm always losing against you Riku… and I can never get the drawings of Vani or Ven right…And look where I am now...cause I am so pathetically weak my arm is broken..."

"We are still young Sora, you can still get stronger! You have beaten me a few times," Riku said as he closed his eyes. "You still have plenty more chances to try and beat me. I know you can do it."

"Riku's right. You always try your hardest, you never give up. That's one reason why you are such a great friend, you always are so strong in your heart," Kairi added.

'Ugh, such a disgustingly light thing to say, but it does have merit. If you train more then next time you can crush that pathetic child who dares try to harm you.'

The tears streamed down Sora's face as he continued to let himself be embraced by his friends. Their words reached him, they reached deep in his heart and brought forth a happier feeling. He could feel the warmth of the emcrace and light coming from them. The hug was surrounding him in light, comfort, and love. His friends. Yes… his friends. They were his friends and Sora knew that for sure. He couldn't believe he let himself ever think they weren't. They cared for him and were there for him when he needed. Not only that, but he knew the same went for Ventus and Vanitas, though from Vanitas it was more of a dark comfort.

"I'm sorry…" Sora cried out through tears. He didn't know who he was saying sorry at though. Was it at Riku and Kairi for worrying them? Or Ventus and Vanitas for telling them to stop talking to him? Maybe it was both. "I'm sorry….everyone."

'Hmpf, don't apologize!' Vanitas snapped out.

'It's fine Sora! We understand,' Ven said gently ignoring the weird feelings Vanitas was giving off. His dark half really was confused about whatever it was he was thinking over there.

"Oh Sora, it's alright, we are just glad you are okay," Kairi said, not once let letting go of Sora.

"Yeah, just remember we are always here for you, no matter what," Riku added in.

'Vanitas and I are here for you Sora! We care about you and will always help you to the best of our abilities. I promise.'

'What my idiotic other half said, only without the mushiness,' Vanitas agreed.

Sora sniffed as the tears still raced down his face, but a small smile was beginning to form. "T-Thanks… Thanks everyone."

And there it is. The end of chapter 12. What did you guys think?

Thank you all for reading again and we will see you next time!