Thanks for the great reviews guys! Hearts and I look forward to reading every one!
Shaysterr: Yeah, Kairi's pretty obsessive about Sora but we love her anyway.
Tysonkaiexperiment: Yeah, we can't wait for Squall to shove Sora against the nearest hard or soft surface either. Squall and Sora together, yeah, they are pretty damn hot. Although Hearts and I are definitely RikuxSora lovers as well. We actually like Kairi a lot, so don't worry about us making her into too much of a bitch, she's just going to be really protective of Sora.
Mistress D. Gray-Freak: Yeah, Squall and Sora are definitely yummy right now, but don't count Riku out just yet. There's still a lot more to come.
Walkin' kitten: Don't worry. Our plans are to have Sora stay strong because he is. I think a lot of people underestimate his strength of will. He never faltered in the game, and we're trying to reflect that here. Yes, it's definitely fun to make Riku work for it, he's too used to getting his own way, so we're planning on Sora leading him a merry chase for quite a while yet. As for crude and gritty sex, we're definitely planning for some of that and no, Sora is not going to fall in love that soon, although he really does have a romantic interest as well as a lustful one in Squall. BTW, Sora and Kairi are both in their sophomore/2nd years of high school, so 15 going on 16, while Riku is a junior/3rd year, so 16 going on 17, Squall is in his senior year/4th year,and we'll just say for the sake of naughtiness and underage loving, that Squall is 18.
Windyhurrice: We don't really have plans for a SephyCloud pairing, although we do have plans for both to make an appearance in this fic. Hearts prefers that pairing to LeonCloud as well, so maybe in another fic. We find it refreshing too that Sora stands up to Riku. And yes, it's an all-boys school. Read on for more about Roxas and possible visits :D
Corrosive Moon: We love SquallxSora, but Hearts and I are definitely RikuxSora lovers as well. Don't count Riku out yet, he's still in the game. As for Kairi, she's not as bad as she seems, but you'll see.
Seriousconversation: Lols, don't die just yet, we got a long way to go. Yup, a lot of people seem to like the SquallxSora pairing but we still got Riku to contend with and Sora's going to have some chemistry there as well, so you'll just have to wait and see. Thanks for the compliment. We're pretty hooked on this, too.
Becca86: Demyx is definitely adorable and I secretly think Zexion thinks so, too. Fencing starts soon, although by the time you finish this chapter, you may be looking forward to something else as well. Yes, Kairi is going to make things interesting, we guarantee it. And we love a strong Sora.
Autumnlove113: We are all for love triangles. We like things complicated like that! Although it does tend to make for challenging writing.
.Jew: We know, we prefer Kairi as just being Sora's BF as well, which she really is, despite her crush. It's interesting to kind of have two triangles at once, even if it does make it somewhat challenging for us.
Okay, now on to the story. Don't forget to review afterwards. More reviews makes for faster updates. Plus, it makes us happy, and you guys do want to keep us happy, right?
Sora was confused. One minute he had been facing off with Riku—perhaps, literally, the next, his best friend Kairi appeared, dressed as a boy in the exact same uniform he himself was wearing.
What the hell is going on?
Sora stood in the hallway in front of his dorm, thoroughly bewildered by the events of the past few minutes. Riku and Kairi stood motionless, pansy-blue eyes locked with aquamarine and neither showed any signs of backing down. Even to Sora, not known to be particularly observant, it appeared that the two were locked in some sort of nonverbal combat and silent words were being exchanged.
"Um, Kai-"
"Sora, where have you been? I've been looking all over for you?" Kairi said to Sora, although her eyes were still on Riku's.
"I-I was in the computer lab emailing Roxas." Wait, why do I have to explain myself? What is she doing here?
"Who the hell are you?" said Riku to Kairi.
Kairi's posture stiffened at Riku's tone as she said, "Not that it's any of your business but my name is Kai Murasaki. I'm a new transfer student here," she said to Riku, ice lacing her words.
Sora was stunned because he had never heard Kairi take that tone with anyone; she was always friendly to everyone, even people she didn't particularly like. She had once laughingly claimed that manners were the mark of a true lady but her behavior now was anything but polite.
As far as Sora knew, Kairi had never even met Riku, so what possible reason could she have for disliking him enough to openly show it? Not that he objected to this particular dislike. It was actually kind of nice to have someone here agree with him that Riku wasn't God's gift to the Academy. That thought reminded Sora of Kairi's present claim.
What the hell! A transfer student? What is she up to?
"Oh, it's my business, alright. Everything about this school is my business and I can guarantee that you're going to be learning that very soon," Riku said to Kairi, his tone like molten lava coated with frost.
At this, Sora could no longer contain himself, his entire being infused with frustration, anger, and bewilderment.
"Don't you dare threaten my friend! We've had this discussion before, Riku and yet you still don't seem to get it. I'm not going to let you walk all over me or my friends, so just back off! I'm sick of you, and God, it hasn't even been two full days!" At this, Riku's face closed into an expressionless mask and his eyes resembled turquoise glaciers.
"It's not a threat, Sora. It's a promise," he said, shooting one last ice-filled glance at Kairi before turning on his heels and storming down the corridor.
Well, at least he didn't call me kitten, Sora though wryly, although he feared that might be a sign of how mad Riku really was. Moreover, he knew that there were going to be consequences for pissing him off to that extent. He believed Riku's claim and didn't have any doubts that he would follow through.
Sora slumped against his door, his thoughts in turmoil as he turned back to Kairi. She was still staring after Riku, a pensive frown on her face before she finally turned around to give a timid smile to Sora.
"Hi," she said. Sora just rolled his eyes and she giggled.
Sora and Kairi were sitting in the suite that joined their rooms; Kairi curled up in one of the overstuffed chairs while Sora occupied the nearby loveseat. It turned out that the locked door from the previous night belonged to Kairi and he couldn't believe the kind of strings she (or someone else she bamboozled, Kairi was good at that) must have pulled to have arranged to be rooming right next door to him.
"Okay, so explain again to me why you're here. I'm still a little confused," Sora said, rubbing the back of his head so that his cinnamon-colored spikes stood even more on end. Kairi giggled again before replying.
"Sor, you need me here. I mean, Roxas isn't with you and neither are any of our other friends. I can't stand the idea of you being lonely and I know you're outgoing and usually make a lot of friends but I also know you've never been around people like these. They don't think like the people you grew up with. Most of them are very superficial, trust me, I know. I, unlike you, grew up here. They would eat you alive if they got a chance. I mean, just look at that …that, Riku," she spat distastefully. Once again, Sora gave her a puzzled frown, trying to understand her instant dislike for the older boy.
"I know you want to show everyone that you can do it on your own, that you're going to be the best swordsman in the world, which I have no doubt you will," she said sweetly and sincerely before continuing, "but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a little support. Plus, did you ever think about me in this whole equation? I'm proud that you got into this academy, but my best friend was just going to leave me. Did you never think how lonely I might be?" At the question Sora looked at her and thought about this for a second before replying.
"Well, no, not really. I mean, you're the most popular girl in school. You have a ton of friends. I…I guess I just thought that you'd be fine without me," he trailed off lamely. He was really starting to feel guilty.
"It's okay," she said with an understanding smile. "But I would have been lonely without you. The rest of our friends don't even compare to you," she finished quietly.
Sora blushed beet red at that but smiled at her before saying, "Thanks, Kai."
She returned his smile and said, "Don't worry Sora. This is going to be great! And don't worry about your mom. Nami is looking after her and you know what a little caretaker she can be. And now that I'm here you'll have some support. I mean, who else could cheer you on like me?" she asked impishly. Sora laughed at that and agreed. "Just don't forget to call me Kai. My father got me into this school, but if my cover gets blown, he told me that I'd be on my own."
Sora grimaced at that but said, "Yeah, okay, I mean it shouldn't be too hard to call you Kai since I seem to do it all the time anyway."
Kairi smiled. I knew it wouldn't take long to convince him, she thought, inwardly congratulating herself.
Sora knew he was dreaming, he knew it and yet he couldn't help himself from reacting as is if it were real. He could see as he ran across the planks, a shadowy figure at first but becoming clearer as he finally reached the little island. Riku stood facing the water, his stance proud and unfazed by the wind, the flashes of light and resulting thunder. He turned to face Sora, his face arrogant and with the characteristic smirk on his mouth.
He held out his hand to Sora and said something, something that Sora could not make out, the sound of Riku's voice somehow muffled to Sora's ears. Then, as he watched in horror, shadows moved and thickened into an inky blackness, tendrils of it creeping up from beneath where he stood. He watched in shock and fascination as the tendrils curled themselves around Riku's body and outstretched hand. He could see the darkness beginning to seep around his own feet; shadows come to life to form a black pit that was pulling him under.
He looked up again, saw Riku whose face was calm, his hand still outstretched, his posture steady and sure as if the darkness weren't eating him or Sora, and Sora struggled to reach Riku's hand, please God, let him reach, just a few more inches. Their fingertips brushed as he wobbled, fighting the pull of the shadows beneath his feet. He couldn't! His feet and legs were now devoured, then up to his waist, his chest, and he was sinking, yelling a name, his name. Riku! Riku, don't leave me!
"Riku! Don't let me go! Riku!"
Sora sat bolt upright, his chest heaving, and the sweat coating his body causing an icy chill to run through him, making him shiver, and the screamed name still echoing off the walls of Sora's dorm room. His breaths panted from him in short bursts as he ran a shaky hand through his hair and then finally he curled over with his knees drawn up where he placed his forehead while he tried to steady himself. He couldn't remember the last time he'd had a nightmare, much less one so terrifying. God, Riku.
For some reason he wanted to cry and instead he made an effort to take deep breaths, in and out, until the compulsion faded and he relaxed, lying back down on his pillow and shutting his eyes tight. He tried to remember details, but they were floating away on the sea of consciousness, as hard to hold onto as shadows. Shadows? Then he remembered, shadows come to life, and Riku, Riku standing there with his hand outstretched to Sora, who couldn't reach him, no matter how he struggled against the things sucking him down, down until he disappeared.
Why was Riku in my dream? Gah, I can't even escape him when I'm sleeping. Why was I so upset that I couldn't reach him, that I lost him?
Sora shook himself and sat up again, deciding that it was just a dream, a meaningless dream that probably reflected his distaste for the other boy. Then why were you reaching for him, not running away?
Sora shook his head again, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and then looking up to check his digital alarm clock. It was 6:20 in the morning, and classes started at 7:45, but he knew he would never go back to sleep, and besides that, the dining hall served breakfast at 6:30, which meant that he could just go shower, dress, and still have plenty of time left over to eat. He thought about waking Kairi but shook his head. Kairi never ate breakfast anyway and it would probably take her forever to get ready.
Food, he suddenly thought, and at the idea his stomach started to complain with a cacophony of grumbles, and Sora smiled at the idea of bacon, eggs, and maybe if they had some, doughnuts.
Demyx walked down the hall, his strides long, light and confident and his thoughts hung up on the face of a slate-haired boy. He had noticed Zexion immediately the first day of art class the year before and even then his heart had drummed in his chest, his face had lit with color and heat,and his tongue had felt like it was permanently stuck to the roof of his mouth. If only…
Demyx tried to shake away the thought. Zexion would never notice someone like him. Zexion, who displayed such a quiet inner strength and radiated with intelligence. It's not that Demyx himself was unintelligent, merely…average. Average grades, average height, average looks. His only claim to fame was his exuberance and vivacity and the confidence he had garnered from years of playing music and performing in public.
But Zexion, I can't compare myself to him. Hell, I can't even talk around him, he thought glumly.
He didn't notice the presence of another coming up from behind him, and it was too late by the time he pounced for Demyx to brace himself as the other slammed into him, then slung an arm around his shoulder.
"Hey, Demy, what's got your pants in a twist," said the deep melodic voice now beside his ear.
"Axel, you idiot, you scared the crap out of me!" said Demyx, trying to slow down his erratic breathing. He turned to look at the excitable red-head whose fiery spikes of hair moved as he tilted his head at an angle and his emerald eyes lit with amusement.
"Damn, Demy, you're a little tense this morning, aren't you? Wouldn't have to do with a certain silver-haired boy now, would it?"
For a minute Demyx thought he was talking about Zexion and his heart nearly stopped at the idea that someone knew of his hopeless pining but then he remembered his rather unpleasant encounter with Riku the day before. It had happened after class and it seemed a large part of the school had witnessed Demyx's humiliation. Luckily, Riku hadn't seen fit to physically abuse him, merely spoke to him with a huge blade of contempt that had caused him to nearly wither right there on the spot as he had hunched over, his toes curling in his shoes and the tips of his ears blazing bright red.
"I was fine until you showed up," he muttered irritably but then he sighed and straightened, Axel's arm falling away from him. "No, I'm fine. I'm not worried about that bastard Riku, I'm just thinking about breakfast."
"Riiiight, breakfast," said Axel with a knowing smirk, obviously not believing Demyx's explanation. "I heard though that Riku has a new target this year, some transfer student."
Demyx brightened a little before saying, "That must be Sora. Yeah, Sora stood up to Riku so it wouldn't surprise me if Riku's got it in for him. But my money's on Sora. For such a little guy, he's got a lot of guts."
Axel raised an eyebrow at this before murmuring under his breath, "Interesting. So when do I get to meet this Sora?"
Demyx heard him and said, "He might be in the dining hall. I thought I saw him earlier in the showers, so I'm pretty sure he's already up. I was headed there anyway so if we see him, I'll introduce you."
"Huh, and how did you meet this paragon of courage?"
Demyx flushed red before saying, "Yeah, uh, he kind of, uh, got in the middle of Riku kicking the crap out of me the day before school started."
At that piece of information, Axel's eyes gleamed and his smile widened. "This year could be verrry interesting then." He's either brave or suicidal, maybe both. This is going to be fun to watch either way.
Sora sat at one of the long tables in the dining hall, a plate heaped with food in front of him. He looked up as he felt the table move as someone sat down across from him. Sora, whose mouth was filled with a chocolate éclair, saw Zexion settle into his chair, with a small plate of toast and scrambled eggs and a cup of coffee in front of him.
"Mmmney," Sora mumbled through his stuffed mouth.
Zexion's lips twitched in amusement as he noticed the plumped out cheeks and lips coated in chocolate."You shouldn't talk with your mouth full, taking smaller bites is better for your digestion, and haven't you ever heard of a napkin?"
Sora scowled at him, still chewing furiously and then he finally swallowed, begrudgingly picking up a nearby napkin. "The sun's barely up and already I'm getting picked on," said Sora with a pout. "You sound like my brother." Zexion's lips twitched again before he silently started on his own food. Suddenly they both felt the table move again as someone pulled out a chair next to Zexion. A hesitant voice said, "Is this seat taken?"
Sora looked up and saw Demyx across from him and then smiled widely before gesturing with his hand and saying, "Sure, Demyx. Take a seat."
"Am I included in this invitation," said an amused voice from beside Sora. Sora turned and saw a flashing pair of amused green eyes and the reddest head of spikes he had ever seen. He was very good-looking, with smooth features and two small triangle tattoos underneath each emerald eye. He was also extremely thin, but he held himself confidently and moved with a brisk, sharp grace. The red-head's smirk widened as he looked at Sora, and he didn't wait for an answer before settling down in the seat next to him.
"Hey, I'm Axel, that's A-X-E-L, got it memorized?"
Sora's lips widened into an answering smirk as he looked up at Axel. "Hey nice to meet you. My name's Sora, S-O-R-A."
Axel merely smiled at this before slinging an arm around the back of Sora's chair and leaning in closer.
"You're really cute. I can see why Riku wants you so bad."
"H-How did you know about that?" Sora asked, confused.
"Kitten," Axel said, emphasizing the word, "you guys were pretty public yesterday at lunch. You're quite famous already."
Sora's face flamed in response to this statement before he turned to look back down at his food, saying, "I don't want to talk about Riku. It'll ruin my digestion for sure."
Axel's laugh echoed through the dining hall and then he smiled at Sora. "Fair enough. You can just go back to stuffing your cute little face."
Sora shook his head, but refused to be bated as he picked up his remaining éclair and took another bite. Sora looked at Demyx, who he noticed wasn't touching his own food, too caught up in looking at Zexion out of the corner of his eye in a not-so-subtle manner. Zexion was focused fully on his plate in front of him, as if he knew he was being watched, and his movements had gone from his normal economical grace to somewhat stilted jerks.
Sora finished chewing and was about to say something to break the sudden awkward quiet when he looked up and noticed the gray pair of eyes trained on him from across the hall.
Squall was sitting with Seifer and the auburn-haired jock from the day before. He was dressed like everyone else in his uniform but with the bright yellow band on his arm standing out against the dark jacket. Sora returned Squall's gaze and smiled self-consciously, then made a waving motion with his hand. Squall's eyes merely flickered in acknowledgement and then he picked up the mug in front of him, bringing it to his mouth.
The sight caused him to remember Squall doing the same thing the night before to a cup of tea, which prompted him to remember the fantasy of Squall's mouth on his body. Sora didn't realize he was still staring at him as his face began to flush and his body gave a single shudder, but Squall did, in addition to noting Sora's uncontrollable response, because his eyes flared with heat before he visibly controlled his expression, his face returning to its normal calm visage.
"Whew, man, I love fire but that look nearly singed my eyebrows off," said a whispered voice in Sora's ear. Sora jumped a little and then turned to look into Axel's eyes. Sora opened and shut his mouth, his face hot and his thoughts scrambled.
"That's okay, kid. He is pretty hot. Not my type, but I can see the appeal." Axel's face suddenly went from amused to solemn as he looked at Sora, saying, "Be careful though, cutie. He's friends with Riku, and from what I hear, Riku won't appreciate Squall's interest in you, or yours in him. Riku's not the type to share."
Sora couldn't think of anything to say. He wanted to express his outrage at the statement of Riku's perceived claim on him but he knew that it would be futile to argue something he didn't have any control over. Riku's delusions definitely fell into the category of something he couldn't control.
"I'll be careful," was all he could say. Axel just nodded.
Sora had just finished his classes for the day and was now seated in a secluded corner in the now vacant library figuring that he could get some math homework done.
I hate math, Sora thought to himself. He was already worried about flunking math and it had only been three days. It wasn't a good sign. Sora sighed dramatically, shoulders slumping slightly. He stared at the burgundy-colored carpeting mumbling about how he'd never been good at math, and that it was boring and useless to his life. Geometry was going to be trouble.
It was a good thing that Sora had come prepared to the library and had brought lots of brain food. Assortments of cookies were in his bag and he couldn't help but think that some munchies would do him some good. He needed the energy…so that he could study. It was time to get to work.
"Mmmmm." Sora moaned to himself as he bit into an especially delicious cookie. It was a buttermilk cookie with raspberry jelly in the center, soft, sweet, and crunchy.
Sora was unfortunately so taken with the sweets he was jamming down his throat that he was completely oblivious to the presence behind him. Sora finally noticed the shadow that had fallen over him and quickly spun around.
"Squall!" Sora cried out in surprise.
The upperclassman stood behind him, one eyebrow raised, leaning against a desk with his arms crossed, the dying rays of the sun through the nearby stained glass window casting a glow over his amused face.
Sora looked up at him, silent, wide blue eyes wide as excited butterflies began fluttering in his stomach. He realized suddenly just how quiet it was and that there was no one else in the library but the two of them. A flush worked its way from his cheeks to his ears and down his throat. Squall apparently noticed it, his eyes following the passage of the blush before raising his eyes to meet Sora's. Squall felt heat pass through his own body in response and gave Sora a look he hoped could pass as disapproval. He's looking at me that way again.
"Sorry to interrupt your obvious…pleasure, but some people actually come to the library to get their work done. Not to mention the fact that eating in the library is strictly prohibited."
"I was hungry." Sora said simply, his lips turning up slightly in a smile.
"You're always hungry. Every time I see you, you're eating," Squall remarked with a smirk.
"Am not! Or maybe you just don't see me enough," claimed Sora, looking at Squall from beneath his lashes.
The glance caused Squall's body temperature to heat up several degrees and he suppressed the urge to shudder. He was always cold, so cold, and the nightmares didn't help, but somehow when he came in contact with Sora he was able to forget, at least for a little while. He couldn't help the stab of guilt that pierced through him at the thought.
"Just keep it down." Squall turned to walk away, but Sora quickly stopped him.
"Wait…what's wrong?" A distressed look passed over Sora's features, mouth turning down at the corners, eyes inquiring and concerned. Sora crossed over to him, grabbing a hold of Squall's hand.
Shit, Sora was far too close for comfort. He could feel his body tighten unbearably. How long had it been since he'd felt human contact? The heat from Sora's hand made him shudder slightly. He'd nearly forgotten the feeling of such warmth and the sensation served as a reminder of what he'd lost.
"Nothing."
Sora looked up at him, eyes staring intently as he said in a slightly apologetic tone, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked, but you looked so…never mind. Let's just forget about it. Why don't you sit down?" Sora asked gesturing over to the cushioned leather chair.
Squall seemed to consider it a moment. "I should get going," but he found his feet gravitating towards the chair anyway. "Only for a moment," Squall seated himself and leaned comfortably back in the chair.
"Nice, huh?" Sora leaned over slightly to peer down at him before taking a seat across from him. The sun had diminished completely, its warm glow gone now so that the library lamps were the only light source.
Squall made a slight grunt of approval. He hadn't slept well the night before, not that he ever did, but for some reason contentment now filled himt, gently lulling him into slumber. Just for a while.
Sora stared at Squall as he dropped off to sleep. His head was slightly tilted back and to the side, lying quietly on the chair. He looks so peaceful. His features were unguarded and soft and Sora couldn't help the sigh that escaped his lips. How was he going to get any work done?
Moments later a gentle snore, barely audible, reverberated through the air and Sora couldn't help the smile that crept up slowly on his lips. He supposed that was Squall's way of telling him to get to work and to stop procrastinating.
About an hour later Sora had accomplished about four problems, half of which he doubted were right.
"Damn proofs." He muttered to himself as he glared at the textbook and the way it only supplied answers to the odd numbered questions. A sudden noise jolted him from his grumbled complaints and he looked up to see that Squall had woken up.
"Could you keep it down?"
Squall's softened grey eyes belied the harshness of his words and Sora found himself grinning warmly and chuckling softly.
Squall glanced over to see what Sora had been mumbling on about only to see a math textbook and an open notebook with doodles running along the sides.
"I see you've been very productive with the time you've spent here. Is that your homework?" Squall noted, gesturing to Sora's open notebook with the doodles of small black creatures with antennas and large beady eyes marked yellow with a highlighter pen.
"Um, yeah. Kind of," said Sora with a grin.
Staring at Sora's smiles was a little like looking into the sun—bright and kind of painful. Squall shook away the thought before replying.
"I'm sure your teacher is going to appreciate the visual aids to your math problems," he said dryly, pointing a finger at the drawn creatures.
Sora shrugged sheepishly and said, "Yeah, I suck at math and don't really have any interest in it all, which means it takes me forever to get through. My brother, Roxas, usually helps me and hits me upside the head when he sees I'm not focusing."
"Well, I wouldn't mind the hitting you upside the head part," said Squall with a smirk.
Sora fake pouted at that, exclaiming, "You're so mean!" and then a light bulb visibly went on over Sora's head as he said, "Wait a minute! I don't suppose you're any good at math, are you?" The look in Sora's eyes made Squall feel extremely wary.
"I get by. Why?" said Squall cautiously.
"I don't suppose you'd be willing to tutor me?" he said with big eyes and a pleading expression. This is perfect. Time with Squall and my math homework done at the same time. Please say yes.
Squall blanched visibly at the idea but he felt his body tighten at the thought. God, spending five minutes in this kid's company is challenging enough. Is he trying to kill me? "I don't think that's a good idea," he managed to get out.
"Awww, why not? Pleease, it can't be that big a deal. I can pay you a little," he said, eyes still big and hopeful.
With your body? thought Squall before he could stop himself. Down boy, he told his unruly cock, which had hardened slightly at the thought. Do not go there.
"Sora—" he began, but the younger boy interrupted again asking in a more solemn tone, "Please Squall, I could really use the help."
Stick a fork in me, I'm done, thought Squall with an inward sigh.
"Alright, fine. But you will pay attention when you're with me, no doodling or daydreaming, otherwise I really will hit you upside the head, and probably with more force than your brother uses." Squall tried to ignore the feelings of apprehension, excitement, and barely restrained lust at the thought of spending so much time with Sora. Yup, definitely trying to kill me.
Sora's smile was brighter than the sun and twice as warm when he said, "Thanks, Squall, you're the best." Squall merely shook his head and closed his eyes. I hope I don't regret this.
Roxas stared at the computer screen in front of him. Something was wrong with Sora. If there was one thing he knew, it was his brother. Oh, there was nothing wrong in and of itself with the email that Sora had left. The words were okay but aside from that, everything was wrong with it.
First of all, Sora was something of a rambler, especially when it came to emails. Most of the time he was forced to skim them just to get to the real point of the message (if there was a point) as his brother had a tendency to pour everything he was thinking into it. So the fact that Sora's email was barely four lines made Roxas worried. Furthermore, the idea that the only thing he had to say about his first day was that he was worried over math…well, that just said everything. Sora should be rambling about all the people he had met, how excited he was about fencing, where his room was, what he ate for dinner, blah, blah, blah.
Math? Since when does Sora care about Math?
He had been worried from the beginning about Sora going so far away from home. He knew he was being a hypocrite. It wasn't like Twilight Town was all that close, being two hours further away than Radiant Garden from the Destiny Islands. But unlike Sora, Roxas was by nature a rational creature, even if he did have a temper. He could be very practical while his brother was something of a dreamer, with his head constantly in the clouds, eternally optimistic and with an innocence that it seemed he would never outgrow. Roxas didn't want him to outgrow it. It was one of the things he loved best about his brother. But it also meant that Roxas felt the need to protect him from the shadier side of life.
Roxas, in contrast to Sora, felt like he had been born with the knowledge that the world was seldom if ever fair, that things didn't always turn out for the best even when you tried your hardest and that people at heart were not always good. He was also by nature, very suspicious. This meant that despite Sora's words of assurance that his day had been great and that he had met some interesting people, he wanted to see Sora and confirm for himself that his brother was okay.
Interesting? Since when does Sora describe people as interesting?
He had initially been planning on going to Destiny High School with his brother but when the recruiter had offered Sora the opportunity to attend Radiant Garden Academy for his sophomore year, Roxas hadn't liked the idea of going to the local high school by himself. It wasn't that he minded the people of Destiny Islands, but at the local school, he would always be compared to his brother and probably found wanting.
Roxas wasn't jealous of how popular Sora was; he loved his brother and was very proud of him. But for Roxas's entire life he had felt like he had lived in his more outgoing brother's shadow. His brother, who seemed to shine in the presence of other people, while Roxas was undoubtedly more introverted, the moon to Sora's sun, with a keen mind and quiet presence that was belied by his occasional bouts of temper.
With those thoughts in his head and with Sora's decision to enroll in the Radiant Garden Academy, Roxas had applied to Twilight Town Academy where he could start over again as an unknown student with an unknown name. It didn't mean that he didn't miss Sora. In fact, he missed him every day, but he was also grateful for the opportunity to be on his own, meeting new people and new friends that were all his own. In this environment, although he would never shine as Sora seemed to do, he managed to display his own glow, in its way just as appealing as Sora's shine, and he reached a contentedness with the friends he was making and with the resulting boost in confidence, found out for himself that he was finally his own person in truth. However, this didn't mean that he didn't worry for Sora.
Roxas got up from the computer and wandered from his desk back to his bed and sat down on it, a frown pasted to his face.
"Hey man, what's wrong?"
Roxas looked up at his roommate Hayner, a slightly taller wiry boy with tawny brown hair and brown eyes with whom he had become quick friends.
Roxas frowned again before saying, "I'm a little worried about Sora. There was something off about the email he sent me, like he's trying to hide something. I don't think his first day went so well." Roxas talked about Sora all the time to Hayner, so he already knew that Roxas had been worried about him being so far from home.
"Seriously man, it was his first day. How bad could things be? Besides, wouldn't he have said something to you if something had really been wrong? I mean, I thought you guys told each other everything," Hayner said, trying to reassure him.
"I don't know. I know Sora, and if things weren't going so well his first day then he probably wouldn't want to tell me and worry me."
"Well, looks like that was a complete failure," Hayner said wryly from his bed across from Roxas.
Roxas smiled back at him ruefully before saying, "I think I might go visit him this weekend, just to make sure."
Hayner looked over at him to see if he was serious before saying, "Well, if you think you really have to, but I say you give it a few days before deciding. I mean, he could just need to settle in, get used to things. If he doesn't email you again and sound more like himself then yeah, maybe you should go and see him. But don't be so hasty."
Roxas nodded his head, his brow furrowing for an instant before saying, "Yeah, maybe you're right. I'll wait and see how things go. But if he doesn't sound better by Friday, then I'm going to go see him on Saturday. It's only a few hours from here by train."
"Well there goes our plans for the beach," said Hayner with a little disgruntlement.
"No, we can still go. I'll go see him afterward," Roxas said.
"Cool," Hayner replied with a smile.
As Sora was exiting out of his second class the next day, he was thinking about the announcement he had heard in class that fencing would start the next week on Monday. His body had quivered in excited anticipation at the news and he couldn't wait to tell Kairi. He had made plans to meet with her at lunch, and he knew she would be almost as excited as he was. Then Sora frowned, remembering his best-friend's strange behavior, the worry that she had shown him the day before when they had been sitting in their suite going over the events of the day.
She seemed nervous lately, had told him yesterday that some guys had been giving her strange looks. She had laughed as she said it but Sora could tell that she was uneasy by the quavering quality of her voice. Her worry made him worry. Kairi had an imagination, yes, but not about stuff like that. His brow furrowed but he shook away his apprehension with the thought that he would be with her, that nothing would happen to her with him there to protect her, against what, he still wasn't certain. As he stepped into the hall leading to his third class he overheard the excited murmurs of a group of boys' voices echoing through the halls.
"Yeah, I know! I heard it's some transfer student. Kai Mura somethin' or other. Ha ha! I'm gonna go check it out. It should be fun. You should come too!" one voice said as he slung an arm around his friend. He heard their laughter resonate through the hall.
Wait, what about Kairi? Sora suddenly felt something unsettling form in the pit of his stomach.
"Hey, wait up!" Sora shouted at the group of boys. They turned startled faces to him but paused in their progress.
"What's going on? What about Kai?" Sora said as he approached the group. The feeling in his stomach was getting increasingly worse.
The group of boys' gave him an excited look as the one who had spoken before replied,
"Some new transfer is getting beat up, its-" before he could even finish the sentence Sora grabbed his collar dragging his face close enough to see the blemishes and nose hairs of the boy, slightly choking him in the process before he demanded powerfully,
"Where!"
"Behind…Holl-ow..Bas-tion..Hall," the boy choked out.
Sora was running down the hall before any of the boys' could even react.
Kairi, I'm coming.
There were six of them, all surrounding her, closing in. Laughing faces, shady silhouettes looming darkly. The way the inky shadows cloaked their skin caused a frightening effect. Dark creatures with no distinct features. Kairi had never felt scared like this before, never felt actual fear for her physical safety.
God, Sora where are you?
"Pretty little boy, come out to play."
"We don't need pansies like you at our school."
"You should go home already and spare yourself the aggravation-"
"—And we're definitely planning on being aggravatin,'"
One of them shoved her and then another, a circle of demons surrounding her. She was shoved from figure to figure, until she finally collapsed at the center, and she could feel them closing in, their eyes alight with barely restrained violence.
Riku, this is because of Riku, she thought. What have you done? What are you doing? What will they do to me? What will you do to Sora? Sora, please…don't come…it's a trap!
And, as if she had conjured him from her thoughts, Sora was suddenly there, breaking through the circle and standing in front of her in a defensive stance she recognized from many of the fencing tournaments she had been to. He doesn't have his sword.
Sora was thinking the same thing. With his sword he had every confidence he could make these guys wish they were never born, but without one…He had learned some defensive maneuvers, how to stick and dodge and he could probably keep them at bay, keep them from completely beating the crap out of him, but that wouldn't help Kairi. He needed to get rid of them, to scare or beat them away. But how?
"Awwww, look guys, he's got a little boyfriend."
"Just what we don't need, more fucking fags at this school."
"Looks as if he wants some of this too."
"Sure, why not, there's plenty to go 'round."
Sora was standing poised, his posture crouched defensively, back hunched a little, swaying lightly on the balls of his feet, when he noticed a large stick out of the corner of his eye, under the lone oak tree in front of the Hall. Sora didn't even pause. He ran for the stick, breaking through once again, the circle of faces startled as Sora dodge rolled toward it in a somersault that ended with him back on his feet, scooping it up in the process. He turned back around to face them, his expression set into a determined frown, stick held to his right side, once again crouched and ready. His movements seemed to have drawn attention away from Kairi, and Sora shouted at her to run.
"Go Kairi, just go! Run!"
Kairi didn't want to leave him, her heart broke a little at the thought, but she knew that if she didn't she would only be a distraction for him, that he would worry for her safety and end up hurt.
I can go for help! Please Sora, be okay. Please. It was her last thought before she darted into the Hall's nearby doorway.
Sora turned to face the six disgruntled boys, now deprived of their original prey.
"Man, Riku's gonna be ticked," one of the boys hissed.
"Yeah, but we can still kick the shit out of this one so it's not a total loss. We can go after the other one later."
Sora dimly registered what they had said about Riku, that Riku had put them up to this.
I knew he wasn't going to let it go. Riku, you're going to pay for this, he thought just as one of the boys lunged at him.
Sora dodged away once again before whirling to his right, crashing the stick into one boy's gut, causing him to hunch over as he gasped for air, then whirling again to the left, smashing the heavy wood into another boy's face, the smack audible as the boy screamed and blood began to pour from his nose. Sora didn't pause in his assault, slashing upward and catching a third under the chin then following it with another blow to his stomach. The boy went down as Sora turned around to face the fourth who was sneaking up behind him. The boy's face had formed a menacing grimace as he approached and Sora feinted to the left, then dodge rolled behind the boy's right side and swept the stick at the back of the boy's knees. The boy went down and Sora whacked the stick into the boy's face, his nose becoming a splatter of blood. Sora turned to face the remaining two, but they saw what Sora had done to their companions and were already making their escape, their footsteps pounding away, their faces white with shock.
"Alright, that's enough," said a familiar voice from his right.
Sora whirled around and saw Riku standing there with a slightly stunned expression on his face before his face went blank and then formed its usual smirk. Sora saw red, his body trembling as wrath filled him at what he knew Riku had done, put these boys up to beating up Kairi to get rid of her. Sora lifted the stick again, ready to hit Riku across his smug face but Riku made a placating gesture, taking a step back.
"I said that's enough. I'm not going to attack you," he said, then continued. "I didn't know you had fencing experience," Riku commented with interest.
"What you know about me wouldn't fill a thimble," Sora replied with a snarl.
"Admittedly. Still, this could make things even more interesting," said Riku in a musing tone.
"What the hell are you talking about, you bastard!" Sora shouted, Riku's calm causing Sora's ire to flare further.
"What if we make a deal?" Riku said. Before he could continue an approaching voice yelled his name.
"Sora!" Kairi shouted, running toward him, then once she reached him, crouching over, her face flushed and her breath coming in pants.
"Help's coming," she said, then looked around at the groaning boys, most of them still on the ground or huddled over, another vomiting on the far side of the tree. Kairi's face broke into a delighted grin before saying, "Looks like you don't really need it though. Good job, Sora!" Sora couldn't help but smile back, but it faded when he remembered the presence of Riku.
Riku was looking at Kairi, his eyes glowing with malice before turning back to Sora.
"I'll make you a deal," he repeated, "if you beat me in a fencing duel, I'll leave Kai alone. No more harassment or bullying." He paused as if waiting for Sora to comment, but Sora remained silent, his mind too stunned to react. Riku continued, saying, "But if I win, Kai has to leave the school, he has to drop out."
"What!" Kairi exclaimed from beside Sora. "You bastard, you can't ask that!"
"You still don't get it, do you? I can do whatever I want. You don't have any power here," Riku stated with a sneer. He turned back to Sora, dismissing Kairi as if she were a bug. "He has to leave, and you," he paused, "you belong to me. For however long I want you."
Sora's face turned red and his body flushed with heat at the terms of Riku's deal. He closed his eyes tight before reopening them to focus on the silver-haired boy. He took a deep breath before saying, "If I win you have to leave me alone too. No more harassment, no more bullying, no more…coming on to me," he finished in a rush.
Riku shook his head. "No, your freedom isn't one of the terms. Kai will be free from bother but not you. You're still up for grabs."
Sora's face flamed at that before he said loudly, "But that's not fair. Kai has to leave and you get me if you win! If I win, only Kai goes free. That's not fair!" he repeated.
"I never said I was fair. I hold all the cards here, Sora. I could've just demanded you outright in exchange for Kai's safety but I'm giving you a chance to win. Those are the terms, take them or leave them," Riku stated, his face expressionless.
Kairi stood frozen next to Sora, her eyes dark and wide. Sora, what are you going to do? God, he set this whole thing up. I knew it was a trap, he intended this all along. Sora…
Sora stared at Riku, then his eyes narrowed and his face set in a determined mask. "Fine. I accept." Kairi cried out in dismay at his answer but Sora turned to her and said, "Don't worry, Kai. It's going to be alright. I'm going to beat him and you'll be safe."
Kairi shook her head, opening her mouth to say, "But Sora—"
"No, Kai. Please, just trust me. I won't let you down."
Kairi stared at him, at the determination radiating from him, and nodded slowly. "I trust you," she said.
Riku took in both of their expressions, his gut tightening into a jealous knot before his face closed into a featureless mask.
"Then the terms are set. The duel will take place tomorrow after school in the fencing arena. I assume you have a sword?" Riku asked.
"Yeah, I've got a sword."
"Good." Riku replied, turning around and walking away. His steps had barely faded before a voice came from behind Sora.
"What the hell is going on here?" Sora turned to the newly arrived teacher who was staring down at the still-groaning boys on the ground. Sora's eyes rolled and he let out a sigh.
Well, this just sucks.
