Disclaimer: They.. Still aren't mine. They still belong to the bandwagon makers, Sqeenix and Disney. Dammit...

Warning: Shounen ai. Boys kissing boys. Sexy boys. Yes. If you've gotten this far though, I wonder if you didn't already guess... :P

--------------------------------------------

Chapter 3

Belonging

The day passed like it were moments washing away in a neverending tide. And for once, Sora felt content.

While sleeping soundly in the soft, warm sunlight, his thoughts not once drifted to the horror that was his life not two days ago. But only those few, lost moments in that day were left to him for peace and relaxation. When he opened his eyes, to see the setting sun dipping quietly, cascading it's honey glow over the wide span of the ocean, he remembered..

"You're the worst lover I've ever had." His mind spoke, Arien's voice echoing in his head.

"I'm sorry.. Sora, but I love her. She just chose me over you.." Another voice.. His so called friend.

"You're a disgusting child! You ran away, and now you come crawling back? You wanted to leave so badly, you have exactly what you wished for! Get out, I don't have a son!" Screamed his mother, while his father simply turned his back to him.

"It's okay..." Another voice said. A softer one.. What? Sora sat up quickly, looking around for that voice. Nobody caught his eye, save Wakka and Tidus trying pathetically to set up the fireworks for the welcome home party they were holding to Sora and Selphie's return.

"...Who was..."

"Sora.. It's alright. It's all over now..." That voice spoke again. This time Sora shot up to his feet, looking around frantically. Who the hell was talking to him? That voice simply chuckled, bemused at Sora's forgetfulness. "...Did you forget me already? And here we're joined at the hip."

Sora blinked, and relaxed, bringing a hand up to his head. His fingers brushed through the cinnamon locks, cupping his forehead thoughtfully. "...Do.. Do I know you?" He whispered, closing his eyes.

He frowned when he received no reply. The voice was silent, and he stood there, as if he were only speaking to himself.

"Hey there." Came another voice, deeper, behind him. Sora reeled around quickly, only to find someone was actually standing there. It startled him a little bit, but he relaxed quickly. A silver haired boy stood before him, dressed in a simple yellow cut off shirt, and a pair of baggy blue jeans. His hair was tied up this time though, and Sora had never seen it that way before. A few strands of his bangs floated over his pale cerulean eyes, only accenting the beauty they held. The rest was bundled up in a high pony tail, spikes and threads sticking out making him look more sexy than he already did.

Sora blushed at that thought.. did he just think Riku was sexy..?

"Hey, look sharp! You look like you're daydreaming again. What did I say about thinking too much?" Riku smiled, folding his arms lightly in front of him.

Sora just smiled back, rubbing the back of his head. "Ah sorry.. Wait. Isn't that what I always said to you?"

"Well it's my turn now. The party is starting soon, are you going to wear those clothes forever? It's been two days."

Sora blushed lightly, downcast his eyes a bit. "Ah.. I have no money, since I left my job."

"Come on Sora. You're so dumb." Riku walked over, slinging an arm around the shorter boys shoulders. "Tomorrow we'll go shopping. You and me, alright? We'll find nice things for you to wear. This crappy half-assed business suit doesn't really look all that well on you."

"Oh so you're the expert on fashion now?"

Riku laughed. "You bet! I used to teach my boyfriend everything I knew about how horrific he looked in sandals and a kilt. Ew..." He shuttered at the thought of those hairy legs wearing a weird looking skirt..

Sora cocked his head. "That's right, you have a boyfriend don't you?"

"Ah.. Had a boyfriend, is more like it. We broke up a long time ago. Go on now! Borrow something of mine. You're not wearing those things another day!"

"Alright, alright!" Sora mumbled half-heartedly, inside feeling a strange tinge of pleasure. It had been so so long since someone was so attentive to his personal well being. It felt so nice...

It didn't take him long to get dressed. He found a plain band t-shirt with the title DBSK scrawled on one of the sleeves and a picture of Hero on the back, and a pair of black cargo shorts. Shoes were optional, always on this clean beach. So he chose to wear none. When he was finished, he slipped quickly out of the home and back to Riku. Though, Riku wasn't there.

Sora looked around, staking a few steps forward here and there, a frown touching his almond lips. "Riku?" He questioned, folding his hands criss-cross around his stomach. Where did he go all of a sudden? Suddenly darkness hit him, warm hands covering his eyes. At first he was scared, but the voice was familiar, and most welcome. "Don't look. Okay?" It said.

"Riku, what are you doing?"

"Just don't look. Walk forward.. I'll guide you." His voice was so close to his ear. Soft, almost whisper touching his senses all over. He could feel a cool shiver run up his spine, though the feeling was also quite welcome.

He did as he was told, walking in the directions Riku had instructed him to go. The beach sounded further and further away, the waves tireless lapping fading into yet more water like sounds. The sound of a waterfall.. Something familiar. Ah, this must be the waterfall pool near the cave he and his friends used to tuck themselves away in as children. Sora smiled, almost giggling a little. "Riku, where are we going?"

Riku smiled, leaning his lips ever so slightly closer to Sora's ear, deepening his voice so so slightly. "...A little further, Sora. Trust me.."

Sora nodded, nearly melting at that voice. Gods... was Riku always this.. Gods! Sora was beginning to feel things he thought he'd never feel again..

Finally, after walking for a few moments that seemed like an eternity, Riku stopped, as Sora did as well. "...Now..." He said quietly, slowly slipping his hands away, taking a few steps back to allow Sora the room he'd need for this. Sora opened his eyes, and they met with a sight that stole the breath from his beating heart..

Before him lay the waterfall that poured endlessly into the pond, next to the cave, as he'd guessed. But it was much different now. Vines grew all around it, framing the rushing water delicately as they sway with the neverending ocean breeze. The scent here laced with water lilies lead his eyes to the pool of water, where many flowers floated quietly, beginning to open as the sun sank. The pool itself was shimmering, like the new moon threw dust lazily into the clear blue water. It shone, and it was brilliant. Sora put a hand over his mouth, not even knowing where to begin.. This place. This place had become nearly a garden over water.. And it glowed, in the moonlight that touched it so perfectly.

Suddenly he felt something slipping around his neck, and a small click behind his ear. His hand reached up, and touched something that was very similar to those lilies in the water. A necklace, with a flower pendent, violet and glowed slightly in the moonlight. He turned around, looking at Riku, shocked beyond words. He could barely breathe!

"...Saint Luna Iris.." He said quietly, reaching his own hand to touch the flower. "These always reminded me of you. In the darkness, they always shone.. no matter what. When enough light was around, they'd sleep for a while... but when the darkness came.. they bloom and show their vibrance to the entire world..." He smiled, looking down at Sora with soft, loving eyes.

Sora was shaking.. he could feel his body shake very slightly, but still uncontrollably. This.. this was so much. This wasn't a slap to the face.. a verbal assault.. some kind of horrible surprise. This was.. beyond words. Without even realizing it, he felt tears slipping down his cheeks. One after another, after another... They wouldn't stop. Riku simply raised a hand to Sora's cheek, wiping away a few tears near his eyes. "...Sora..." Was all Riku could say. I wish your heart would return.. he wanted to say. But nothing came out. Seeing Sora like this.. it made him happy somehow.. Seeing him this happy, overjoyed him.

Sora said nothing. He couldn't. The words were totally gone now and he had no idea what to do. His mind was lost, his voice was gone, and his senses were overloaded. Without thinking he touched his hand to Riku's chest, and lent up, whispering something soft and tender, something so gentle only Sora could have spoken it.

"I want to embrace your darkness..." He said, his lips so close to Riku's it was almost painful.

Riku slowly wrapped his arms around Sora's small frame, his eyes half way closing at the heat he was feeling. "...Give me your light.. Sora. Come back... Come home..." He whispered back, his eyes closing, eliminating the final inch between their lips. It wasn't quite a kiss, yet it was. His lips pressed against Sora's, though he whispered still to the young man. "...Your heart is so beautiful.. Sora.. don't abandon it... Give it to me.. if you don't want it..."

The brunettes eyes fluttered, and his cheeks reddened more. A hand touched Riku's cheek, very softly, as if testing the skin. A slip of the fingertips, and a soft touch was enough.. Sora simply closed his eyes, and released himself into the darkness, as their kiss lasted long, endless moments, in the flow of the eternal sound of the ocean.

(To be continued)

---------------------------------------------------------

Authors Notes: I had so many ideas, and honestly, this story was supposed to be angsty. I don't know what happened, but I think I like it better this way. :3

I think I'm improving.. very slightly. Maybe barely at all.. But I am more confident at least. I'm very happy. I've gotten a lot of support from my friends at deviantart. And now the support of the people in fanfiction make it even more pleasurable. Thank you again, everyone! I hope you keep reading. bows low

PS. DBSK is a japanese boy band. I'm particularly attached to Hero, as he is a sexy god second only to my beloved Miyavi