Wuaah! Hello everyone, its been a while hasn't it? I apologize for taking so long to update! Lot's has been happening these past couple months, and I just hadn't had the time, nor the inspiration, to write. But it's back! So expect and update of something at least once a week :D

Chapter Seven: Darkness in the Light

Riku arrived at school, feeling totally exhausted. He hadn't slept well, his divided feelings followed him in his dreams. He shuffled into his homeroom, head hung slightly as he headed towards his space. Girls gasped and started whispering; gossiping. They had never seen him like this, he usually was able to keep himself together. He could care less what all those girls thought of him, only one really kinda sorta mattered. Namine. He groaned, his head felt like it was splitting apart, right in half. Why does she do this to me when I think of her? He thought.

Riku's fist connected with the ledge where his space was located. Some of the girls looked over at him, but he didn't bother to even glare at them. All he wanted was to be alone in a quiet space so his head could feel better. He heard the girls talking, a bit louder this time. He heard a few snippits: "What's wrong with Riku?" "I've never seen him like this..." and "He looks.. well.. kind of horrible..."

He pushed those away; they didn't matter to him. He put his head lower, trying to block out everyone and everything. It was then that he felt it. A static shock, all the way through his body. He looked up, and there she was, standing just as the edge of the barrier to his space. Namine.

• * ~ * ~ * ~ * •

Roxas couldn't wait till Composition class. He didn't really plan on going to Sadies with Yuna, him and Sora had had a traditional plan of alternating between going with Namine and Kairi. It kept the four close, no doubt about that. But.. a change of pace could be a good thing sometimes... I'll check with the S-man.

He thought about the pattern of Sadies. It was his year to go with Kairi. Kai.. He shook his head of beautiful (as he was frequently told) locks, clearing his head. We're just friends. There's no way she feels that way about me. Although...

He continued to daydream (he was too much of a "gentleman" to call it fantasizing) about Kairi. He even brought in the "What-If", a classic. He thought about her eyes, her hair, her- Wow, I thought I had gotten rid of that song yesterday. Oh well. He thought about their childhood..

~Flashback~

"Roxas, wait for me!"

Roxas had finally convinced Kairi to come on a forest adventure with him. He had raced ahead of her, trying to get to his favorite spot faster.

"Just hurry up! We're almost there!"

Roxas raced up the path and out of the foliage of the trees. His eyes were showered with colors and textures; the sun reflecting off the rocks, the leaves, the water. He was dazzled every time he saw the magnificent waterfall that he had claimed for himself. He heard Kairi's deep, labored breaths; she had finally reached the top. Roxas kept staring at the waterfall, waiting for Kairi to say something. When she didn't, Roxas turned around. Kairi's face was in awe; tears were in her eyes.

"Kai, what's wrong?"

She sniffled, and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "It's so beautiful, Ro. Thank you for showing me your secret place."

She hugged Roxas tightly. He whispered to her, "It's our secret place now Kai. Both of us."

~End Flashback~

No. I don't want to remember him. He almost ruined everything. Everything...

• * ~ * ~ * ~ * •

Namine had seen him from the doorway. Riku looked.. horrid, to be blunt. It was like he hadn't ate or slept for days. The sight of him made her cringe. Not in horror, but in pity. She never wanted to see Riku like that. She took a tentative step forward into the room, feeling ethereal, like it was all just some dream that she would soon wake up from. But with each step, the nightmare seemed more and more real. Until when she had reached the barrier. That was when she knew it was real. She felt the stares; she heard the whispers. "Does she really think she can get away with going into the Riku Space again?" or "Is she crazy? Has she even

She stepped through his barrier again. But this time, she had more confidence. He looked up and met her eyes, attempting a glare. It was a reflex, he told himself. But he could tell that she knew; his eyes were pleading for help. He wanted to talk to someone about it. Not Axel, he wasn't one to talk about these things with. No, he needed a kind, understanding soul to release his story to. That soul was definitely Namine. She took two steps toward him, and placed her hand on his lightly. She whispered, "I'm sorry..."

Riku shook his head. He told her one thing before leaving his space. "The tree, in front of the school. Meet me there later."

• * ~ * ~ * ~ * •

Axel's headache was gone when he woke up that morning. It came right back when Yuffie clung to his arm like a vine.

"Axel! I missed you!"

"Yeah, yeah," he said, shrugging her off.

The look of hurt on her face was so obvious, a pang of guilt hit Axel in the stomach. But he didn't let it bother him for very long, he was really concerned for Riku. He had a sense that this was one of his worst days in a while, and Axel wanted to be there to help.

He decided to apologize. "I'm sorry Yuffie, I'm worried about Riku. Just... leave me alone for a while." He walked away, this time feeling nothing. He locked his emotions away in an iron cage, preparing himself for Riku's despair.

• * ~ * ~ * ~ * •

Sora had witnessed the whole, albeit brief, exchange between Riku and Namine. He wanted to believe that it was only Nami's kind heart that made her want to help Riku, but he knew deep down that this was not the case. She clearly had feelings for Riku. But, they were just friends, so why was he taking it so hard? We're... just friends. Nami had the right to l-like whoever she wants...

He needed another opinion, preferably a girl's opinion, on the matter. Kairi was the perfect candidate, but he wouldn't see her till later. He wanted to tell Roxas, but Roxas never really analyzed situations as in-depth as Sora, so he wasn't much help. And right when I was going to ask Nami to Sadies too...

Sora walked past people, some calling his name, which he ignored. All he wanted to do was sit and think while he waited for a chance to talk to Kai. Because Sora was lost, and he needed someone to help him find the light.

And there we are! The ending is... eh. Trying to write in class is hard ;w; And yay for typing this up in class! 8D I'll be finishing up a chapter of The Ultimate Host Club soon, so stay tuned for that! And please point out any typos, AND DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! :D