Disclaimer: I still don't own KH or KH2.
Comments: This chapter maybe slightly confusing, it jumps around a little to show different pov. I will mark when this happens. Gir-Geek wow, thanks. ChaosHarbor yep, Sephy is the most bad ass bad guy of all time, so he fit for this story. I agree that the trust bridge is building steadier, but...things happen. Black Juju fight scenes aren't easy, but I was fairly pleased with it. It wasn't to much, but it still showed what needed to be showed. Midnighttrance, I would not say that Riku caused Sora to be drunk, he didn't stop him from drinking but it was Sora's doing. I don't want anyone thinking it was Riku's intention to get Sora drunk and take advantage of him. Evil Genius yeah, but he is suppose to be creepy or something like that for this story. I have read that story you were talking about too and other stories that had him in it. Some had him completely ooc, nothing wrong with that, I know not all my characters are in character. But for him, in my story, I wanted him somewhat close at least. SableRayn yes, that is why Sora couldn't remember his name. I got lots of other wonderful reviews for last chapter, so thank you to everyone. I am very happy that people like this story. Ready, aim wrench, and throw... right into the story.
Chapter 19 And It All Falls Down
"Axel? Axel, stop." Roxas shouted. Axel stopped in his tracks and turned around to face Roxas. He hadn't realized the other had been trying to talk to him again. Roxas was determined to get answers and Axel could see that in his face.
"Axel, what was that about? Who was that guy? How do you know him? Is he the reason-" Roxas was interrupted as Axel placed his hand over his mouth.
"You're asking too many questions. For your own sake, stay away from that man. I know he is your friend's friend, but he is not someone you should be around." Roxas pulled Axel hand away from his mouth.
"Why? Damnit Axel, talk to me. That guy, he had silver hair, and Sora has something against silver hair. Is he why?" Roxas asked, anger showing on his face. He wasn't really angry with Axel, just the whole situation. He wanted to know what was going on.
"Roxas-" Axel started, but was interrupted.
"Don't tell me you can't tell me anything. I don't want to hear that. In case you forgot, you don't live here. You will be leaving to go back to the other side of town soon. What then? If Sora is in danger don't you think you should tell someone that will be here. I know you want to protect him, but you can't do that from over there."
Axel eyes widened, like he hadn't thought of what Roxas had just said. Then his look softened.
"You're right, I'll just have to come stay over here for a while."
"Huh? What? Come stay over here? What about school?" Roxas asked, not expecting Axel to say that.
"I can transfer. I met Sora's dad a few times when he was still married to Sora's mom. He was pretty cool. We got alone alright. I'll talk to him, see if he'll let me stay here."
"Stay here? You're that unwilling to talk to me and tell me what is going on that you would move over here and transfer schools?"
"I've been looking for a way to move over here anyway, ever since Sora moved here." Axel said, shrugging slightly. Roxas suddenly felt sad and looked away.
"You love him, don't you?"
"What?"
"Sora, you love him." Roxas asked.
Axel sighed, "Love? Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. I care about him a great deal. I think he is the first one to really accept me for who I am. He is also the first one that ever really made me feel needed. And not needed for reasons like sex or a quick fix, but really needed. Like my just being there with him helped him survive."
Roxas looked back to Axel surprised, although he quickly thought he shouldn't be surprised at anything Axel said. He had already learned to expect the unexpected with him.
"It is hard to say if I really love him like you are implying, but I do feel this desire to look out for him. He needs me and I need him. I need him because I need someone to need me, I need someone to protect. Someone to take care of. Haven't you ever felt like that?"
Roxas thought about it, "I don't know. Maybe. Maybe that's like me and Riku."
"Hmm... maybe. But just because Riku has found someone else, doesn't mean he won't need you. And the same goes for you."
Roxas smiled slightly, "I guess. But really, will you tell me, is that guy you were fighting-"
"Yes, he is the reason Sora hates silver haired people."
"But Riku?"
"I don't really know, I guess Riku somehow broke through that. I just hope he doesn't hurt him, I don't think Sora could handle being hurt by him of all people." Axel said. He turned and started walking to the living room. Roxas stood there for a few minutes feeling incredibly guilty. His thoughts on the game. He knew Riku had feelings for Sora, but Riku denied that when asked. Would Riku stop denying them and actually be with Sora when he found out what he wanted to know? Roxas wasn't so sure. Riku had always been against love and wanted nothing to do with it, even going as far as saying he didn't believe in it.
That left Roxas wondering what he should do. He could talk to Axel, but he would probably beat Riku upon hearing about the game. There was really only one thing he could do, he had to talk to Riku. But not tonight, not when he was with an upset Sora.
Riku pov- backtrack
Riku walked towards the kitchen to get Sora another drink. Although he was slightly disappointed that the brunet had chosen that time to ask for a refill. Things had been going very well and now he had to try to make his way through all these people to get to the other room. It was no easy task either. Riku had assumed this would be a smaller party since Cloud had said he wanted to introduce his old friend to them. As Riku looked around at everyone it seemed like Cloud had invited the whole city. There were people all over the place and some of them he didn't know.
Riku had met Cloud's friend earlier that evening. The guy had seemed strange, although pretty good looking. But there was something about him that Riku didn't like and he could figure out what. Riku had caught part of a conversation that Sephiroth had been having with Leon and someone else. He had been telling them about his plans to see someone else while he was in town. He told them although the visit was a surprise he was sure that the other person would be so happy to see him they would cry out. This statement had been followed by a laugh. The laugh hadn't sounded like a normal laugh to Riku, it was more of a sick laugh. It was a laugh that could send shivers of fear down someone's spine. Something sinister. Riku hadn't liked it at all.
Riku started refilling the cups for the two of them when he heard a scream rip through the air. It wasn't a playful scream, it was one filled with pure terror. He didn't know why, but something inside him told him it was Sora doing the screaming. Not even bothering with the cups he turned and forcefully pushed his way back through the crowd, which got even harder to do the closer he got to where he had left Sora. He was able to see enough to know he had been right it was Sora. And he also noticed that Sephiroth was holding Sora. Riku felt anger fly through him.
Still trying to push his way through the crowd, he watched as Axel managed to make it to Sora. Riku was surprised to see Axel punch the other. His first thought was Axel was mad that someone else had their hands on his Sora, but quickly dismissed that thought when Sora was thrust to him and he was told to get him out of there. Riku wasn't going to argue, Sora was crying hard and he had never seen anyone as pissed as Axel was at that moment. He believed if given the chance Axel really would kill that guy like he was saying he was going to.
Riku led Sora out of the house and back to his own across the street with Roxas following close behind. Once inside he pulled Sora over to sit down and then into his arms. Riku didn't have any idea what had happened and from the looks he was getting from Roxas, neither did he. Riku had his lips once again at Sora's ear, but this time it was whispering calming words. His hand rubbed up and down Sora's arm trying to soothe him. Nothing seemed to be working though, Sora would not stop crying. Riku looked over to Roxas who shrugged, not knowing what to do either. Roxas looked back towards the door and Riku knew what he was thinking. He would wait for Axel to get there and then he would ask him what was going on. As much as Riku wanted to be able to talk to Axel too, he knew that Sora needed him.
After a little while Riku knew that the only way Sora was going to stop crying was if he fell asleep. Not wanting Sora to fall asleep in the living room Riku got up and picked the crying brunet up, carrying him to the room he knew was Sora's bedroom. Riku laid Sora down on the bed and crawled in with him, pulling him into his arms once again. Sora buried his face in Riku's chest as the tears continued to fall.
Sora pov backtrack
Sora looked up as he felt his former attacker being pulled away from him. He stopped screaming, but then the tears came. Before he even realized what was happening he was crying. Sora glanced around as he was being pushed to someone, his eyes clouded by his tears. All he could see was red and silver. The red of Axel's hair and the silver of the hair of the one who now had his arms around him. Riku.
Sora's mind had stopped working. He couldn't think of where he was or why. He didn't know where Riku had come from or why he was here, but he didn't care. He was just grateful that he had come. His vision was too blurred to see what was happening but he could hear yelling and a blur of voices around him as Riku led him out of the house.
Sora didn't know where they were going, just that he needed to get away from where he had been. He was crying so hard nothing was coming in clear. He was sure they had made it inside somewhere, somewhere that felt safe. He was sat down. Through his tears Sora once again saw the silver of hair as Riku sat down beside him. He felt relief as the familiar warm hands reached out for him. He felt safe as the strong arms embraced him, pulling his face to his chest. He could not stop the tears as Riku held him close, rubbing his arm in a soothing manner. His words were words of comfort to Sora.
Riku suddenly moved away from Sora and stood up causing Sora to feel a moment of fear. But the fear went away as Riku picked him up and carried him to another room. After Riku crawled into the bed next to him, Sora felt that feeling of relief again as Riku pulled him close. Sora buried his face in Riku's chest, just wanting to be closer. Not wanting the feeling of being safe and the warmth from the other to leave him. Sora continued to cry until he drifted off to sleep.
He continued to hold in the tears, not letting even one fall. Even one would bring the man pleasure, of that he was sure. The man pulled the hand that had been grasping him tightly out of his pants. Temporarily freed from his hold Sora tried to push the other away. But the man wasn't budging and the knife found his skin once again. Sora yelped inwardly as the knife broke the skin on his neck.
As he struggled to control his emotions his shirt was ripped off of him. He was pulled away from the wall and thrown roughly onto the bed a little ways away. He didn't have a chance to even attempt an escape as the man was quickly upon him, yanking his pants off with a force that caused him pain.
Within seconds his legs were spread apart and lifted up into the air. It was becoming harder and harder to hold back his tears and not cry out as the man forcefully inserted himself into Sora with no preparation. Sora bit his lip to the point of bleeding in an attempt to keep from screaming. His nails digging into his palms as the man thrust in and out until he climaxed.
As soon as he was done he lost all interest in Sora and making him cry out. Sora quickly grabbed his clothes and ran out ignoring the pain that was trying to consume him. He didn't want to stay in case the man decided he wanted more. He didn't want to be there if he wasn't finished yet. Throwing on his clothes as fast as possible he ran out the door. Sora ran as far as his shaking legs would carry him. He ran until he collapsed from the pain. Bleeding and broken he sat there crying.
Sora woke up with a start. In all the times that the nightmare had haunted him he had never seen this part of it. It had always started from the beginning and he had always woken up before he got to the actual rape. But this time had been different. It hadn't started from the beginning, but from the middle. Sora had to wonder why. Looking around he noticed he was not alone in his bed, Riku was sleeping next to him. Then what had happened the night before all came back to him. And he knew why his nightmare had been that way.
Riku must have sensed movement and slowly woke up. He became worried when he saw Sora awake and sitting up. Riku sat up and wrapped his arms around Sora, pulling him closer. Sora took in the warmth of the hand that ran up and down his back comforting him. He closed his eyes as he laid his head on Riku's chest.
"Thanks." Sora said in a low voice, just loud enough for Riku to hear him. Riku did not respond as he continued to try to comfort him. They both sat there in silence for a while, just holding on to each other.
Dawn turned into day as the silence continued. Eventually Sora moved to break free from the warm embrace. Riku watched quietly as he climbed out of bed. Sora looked over to him with a small smile on his face. Riku got out of the bed and walked over to Sora, wrapping his arms around him and pulling him close.
"Sora... are you... okay?" Riku asked. Sora could hear the genuine concern in his voice.
"I'm... I'm not hurt." Sora stammered out. Riku pushed him away just enough to look at his face. His next question asked with so much worry that it hurt Sora to hear.
"But are you okay?" Sora knew Riku was asking about his emotional, mental well being. In which case the answer was-
"No." Sora looked into Riku's eyes and Riku noticed the new tears forming. That was all he needed. Sora was not okay at all. Riku still had no idea what had happened the night before, but whatever it was was bad. Riku though about the situation as Sora once again cried on his chest. It had to have something to do with that Sephiroth guy, Sora had been just fine before that.
"Sora... please talk to me. It was that guy wasn't it?" Riku asked. Sora pulled away from him, breaking free from Riku's hold to sit on the bed. His eyes on the floor the whole time.
"You really want to know? You will probably hate me when you find out." Sora's voice came out strained. Riku knelt down in front of him and pushed Sora's chin up gently so he could look at him.
"I want to know. I want to help you. I am not going to hate you." Riku said. Sora sighed and looked to the side. He couldn't look Riku right in the eyes and say what he had to say.
"It happened two years ago. That guy was my tutor. Somehow he figured out that I had a crush on him and... and..."
"And what, Sora? Did he do something to you?" Riku asked. He didn't want to rush Sora but he was afraid if he didn't prod him a little Sora would stop talking. Sora looked over to him again, his eyes filled with tears and nodded.
"He raped me." Sora whispered. Riku's eyes went wide. He had not been expecting that at all. Now so many things were starting to make sense. Why Sora sees a shrink, why he hates silver hair, why hw aas screaming the night before, and probably why he was with Axel. Although he still wasn't completely sure about the last one. But by the way Axel had acted towards Sephiroth at the party he must know what happened.
"He raped you?" Riku whispered back. He wasn't sure what to say at this point. Once again Sora nodded and tears rolled down his face.
"I had to go to his house for lessons one day and he had a knife and he did that. He cut me, he bit me, and he raped me. Axel found me outside afterwards. He took me to his house and took care of me. He called the police, but he disappeared so the police never got him. Axel's been taking care of me ever since."
"Oh, Sora, I am so sorry. I'm sorry that happened to you. I'm sorry that I gave you a hard time about going to a shrink. I had no idea it was something so bad."
"You hate me now, don't you?" Sora whispered.
"No, why would I? Why would anyone hate you for that? I wasn't your fault Sora." Riku said as he hugged Sora.
"He was going to do it again. He said he wanted to go and play. That's what he said." Sora said, his voice low and laced with fear.
Riku moved so he could look Sora in the eyes. "He isn't going to do it again. We won't let him. Axel, me, no one is going to let him touch you again. He is not going to get the chance to hurt you again."
Riku hoped more than anything that he was telling Sora the truth. He hoped that they could keep him safe.
There was a light knock at the door before it was opened by Axel. Riku could see Roxas behind him peering into the room. The two must have stayed the night. It wasn't uncommon for them to crash at someone else's house on nights that there was a party.
"Just wanted to see how you were doing, Sora." Axel said. Sora looked over to him from his place on the bed and smiled a sad smile.
"I'm okay, thanks to you guys." Sora said, somewhat quietly. Axel nodded.
"Sora... your dad is on the phone with the police. He came home earlier and I told him what happened last night. Sorry, Roxas was there when we were talking so he knows now too." Axel told him looking guilty. Sora shrugged.
"That's okay. I told Riku about it too. So dad called the police? You think they will be able to catch him this time?"
Axel looked away and sighed before looking back to Sora. "I don't know, Sora. I really don't know. He is pretty good at disappearing when he wants to. I hope they can get him this time."
Axel didn't tell Sora that he wasn't sure if Sephiroth would disappear completely this time. He may hide so that the police can't find him, but he wasn't sure if he would leave. He had seemed determined to get to Sora and he had not been able to do that the night before. Would he leave before he got to Sora, when Sora was so close? What he also could not understand was why he was after Sora. Sora just didn't seem like the guy's type. That blond friend of his seemed more his type, so why Sora?
A little while later the police came to Sora's house to question him. They also had questions for Axel. While Sora and Axel were talking to the police Riku and Roxas went outside. For a long time neither one said a word, lost in thought about what had happened as they walked around the house. Finally Roxas spoke up.
"You finally found out what he has been hiding. Is that enough for you? Will you stop your game now? He has been hurt enough already without you adding more to it. After everything he has been through, if he were to find out this has been nothing but a game to you--"
Roxas stopped what he was saying, his face going pale. Riku looked up about to respond when he saw the look on Roxas' face. Riku turned to see what Roxas was looking at behind him. Sora and Axel were standing at the corner of the house and the anger that appeared on their faces told Riku that they had heard what Roxas had just said. Riku went to say something but didn't have a chance as Sora ran over and punched him right in the face.
Covering the side of his face that had been hit, Riku righted himself and looked at Sora. He had deserved that and he knew it. He also knew whatever he said at this point would not make any difference. Sora was far to angry for it too.
"You bastard!" Sora spat. "You were just playing me this whole time. I should have known better. I should have known an asshole like you couldn't be trusted. I hate you. I hate you more than I have ever hated anyone. Not that you care. You've already gotten what you wanted. Get out of my yard and don't ever come near me again. Either one of you."
Roxas pov
Roxas looked over to Axel and felt his heart sink. Axel looked disgusted by him. He had not been the one playing with Sora, but he had known about it and that was almost as bad. Roxas quietly walked towards the front of the house to leave as Sora had told them. He glanced behind him once to see Riku standing there looking at Sora briefly before following.
Riku walked to his house in silence. Roxas took the hint that Riku wanted to be alone and went to his own house. But he watched as Riku entered his house before going in. He felt bad, really bad. He had wanted Riku to stop playing. He had wanted Riku to admit that it wasn't a game to him anymore, but he had never meant for Sora to hear. Axel either. He had been surprised when Axel didn't make a move to hit them, but he guessed Axel decided to let Sora handle it himself. And Sora had quite well.
Riku had never been that good at hiding things from him and he had seen every word that Sora had yelled at him cut him deeper and deeper. He could see the pain in Riku's eyes, even though he tried to hide it.
Roxas had been hurt too. He had had a good time with Axel at the party before Sora had started screaming. Roxas was really starting to like the red head. He had fallen asleep the night before sitting on the couch in Sora's living room leaning on Axel. And when he had woken up this morning Axel's arm was around him and Roxas' head was on Axel's chest. But now any chance he might have had with him was gone. Out the door when he had opened his mouth. This was his fault. He never should have tried talking to Riku at Sora's. He just hadn't wanted to see Sora get hurt again.
Riku pov
Riku sat in his room on his bed. He had immediately turned on his stereo and turned it way up when he had come in. He wanted to drown out everything. Any other sound around him and his own thoughts. He didn't want to think about anything. Not right now.
Axel pov
Sora stood watching as Riku and Roxas walked away, anger covering his face. As soon as they were out of eyesight, Sora ran back into the house and into his room. Axel sighed and followed him. He watched as Sora made his way to his bedroom and slammed the door. Axel stood outside the closed door, leaning against it. He could hear the sobs coming from inside the room. In the past he would have entered the room and pulled Sora into his arms, not wanting to see him cry. He still didn't want to see him cry, but he could not bring himself to go into the room. Things had changed. In the span of a night, things had changed. No, things had been changing slowly for a while. Since Sora had moved here.
Axel knew the tears Sora cried now were not about Sephiroth, but Riku. That was why Axel couldn't comfort him this time. It wasn't because he didn't want to. It wasn't because he was jealous. Neither of those were true. It was because if he comforted Sora now then they would fall back into the way things use to be. The two of them would become lovers again. Not that he minded the thought of having his little kitten back. But last night when Sora was with Riku, for the first time it had looked like Sora was finally moving on with his life. That he was finally overcoming what had happened to him. Seeing that had pleased Axel. He had always known someday this would happen. That Sora would find someone else. He had never thought he was good enough for Sora. Sora didn't realize that even after what had happened to him, he was still an innocent. Maybe he had changed some, but not as much as he thought he had. Axel cared deeply about Sora, more than Sora realized he did and more than he had ever cared about anyone. He would still be there for him if he needed him, he would not allow Sora to be all alone.
Sora had been hurt bad. He had been scarred. Not his physical being but emotionally. He needed to know that someone cared. He needed to feel loved. All of this Axel had realized a long time ago. He was even willing to be that person for Sora, but he knew that wasn't really what Sora wanted. Even if Sora himself didn't realize that.
Axel had heard what Roxas had said. He understood the anger that Sora felt, he had felt it too. It had been some type of game they were playing, at least Riku had been playing. But Roxas had known about it and not stopped it. Sora had responded before Axel had had a chance to. Which was probably better, for Sora anyway. Axel sighed again as he continued to listen at the door. He couldn't help but wonder, what would happen now?
Roxas pov
Roxas sat in his bedroom not even paying attention to the television that was on. He had turned it on when he came in, but couldn't seem to focus on it. His mind kept going back over what had happen a little while before. Both Sora and Axel had looked so mad. Sora's words had been harsh, but deserved. He could not deny that. They had deserved them. He had not been playing with Sora. He had also tried to stop Riku from doing that, but had failed. Even still, he couldn't take the 'it wasn't my fault' approach. There were probably a lot of things he could have done, but didn't.
What he wanted to know now was- was there a way to fix all of this? Or was it really to late? Would Sora be able to forgive them? What was Riku going to do? Why did it seem that every time that he started to really think about things lately, he could only come up with questions he couldn't answer? But when everything was in Sora's hands that was expected. All he knew for sure was that he did care about his new friend and he cared about Axel. He didn't want to let go of him before he knew if they could have something between them. Right now it didn't seem like he had a lot of choice though. Axel would not choose him over Sora and he couldn't ask him too. Not after earlier, not when Sora needed him so much. He would just have to try to think of a way to make things better.
Riku pov
Riku pounded his head in frustration. The music wasn't working, it wasn't drowning out his thoughts the way it was suppose too. He could not keep from thinking about all the things he didn't want to think about. Sora kept popping up inside his mind. Sora's smiling face as they joked around. Sora's slightly angry face as Riku teased him. Sora's red face when Riku had licked the shake off of him. Riku smiled at the thought of that, but the smile quickly went away as Sora's crying face came into his thoughts. And the face that showed fear. The faces he had seen last night and this morning. Those faces caused him pain.
Riku thought about how Sora had looked after he had heard what Roxas had said. There had been so much anger on his face, but also a trace of something else. Hurt maybe. Even if it was that didn't really mean anything, it could have been there because of everything else that had happened. Riku had never imagined that what caused that darkness he had seen that night at the club would be something so serious and bad. He had never imagined that Sora had suffered that kind of torment. He had wanted to find out what Sora was hiding, innocent little Sora that had fooled everyone for so long with his act. But he hadn't fooled Riku, Riku had always known that things were not as they seemed. He had wanted to make Sora fall for him and then break him. But Sora had already been broken in a way that was much worse than Riku would have or wanted. He had never wanted to hurt Sora that badly.
Riku saw the things in his thoughts that he didn't want to see. As his memories played before him like a movie he could see the truth in it all. The truth that he had been denying the whole time because he was to scared and weak to admit it and accept it. Sora had not been the only one covering things from everyone, Riku had been too. Now things were so screwed up and he had hurt Sora, so the truth probably wouldn't even matter anymore. Sora hated him, he had said as much. He didn't want him anywhere around him. Riku couldn't blame him, he couldn't blame anyone but himself. He would have to live with this pain he felt now because he had been the cause of it.
Sora pov
He had been a fool to believe they could even be friends. He had been right in his first thoughts concerning Riku. He was bad, he was mean, and he should not be trusted. Riku only wanted to hurt him. He had hurt him the first day they had met and he had continued to try hurting him. But Sora had let him, unwilling, work his way into his life and then into his heart. He had actually started to believe that maybe, just maybe, they could be friends or more. Especially the or more part.
He had tried for so long to tell himself that he hated Riku, that he would always hate Riku. He knew though that he hadn't hated Riku after a while. It probably started changing when Riku had protected him from Seifer. That probably wasn't the truth either. He remembered times before that when Riku had touched him and feeling the shiver run through him. He had been attracted to Riku even if he had denied it. There was also all the times Riku had kissed him and he didn't slap him like his mind said he should, he had even participated in some of them. He had come to like Riku touching him and spending time with him. He liked that Riku seemed to know him better than he thought and understood things about him that he didn't think anyone except Axel would.
Riku had always been able to see passed his mask. Riku had always known Sora wasn't how he tried to seem to be. And after this morning when he had told Riku the truth about what had happened and Riku had reacted that way and said those things, Sora thought that he had finally found someone who would really love him. He thought Riku would love the real him and not the shell of his old self. He had been happy that it was Riku because he had come to have feelings for him. That was why it had hurt so much to hear that it was all just a lie. Just a game that he didn't understand. What was the purpose of this game Riku had been playing with him? Did he really feel nothing for him? Had everything he said all been a lie?
He wanted to know the answers to those questions, but at the same time he didn't. He was afraid of hearing it had all been a lie, that Riku had never felt anything for him. He didn't want to think that Riku was sitting around somewhere having a laugh at his expense after finding out what Sora had been through. He found it funny how he should be thinking about whether or not the police were finding the man who had attacked him before, but all he could think about was Riku.
He had fallen for him. He had never wanted that to happen, nor had he ever imagined it would. But it did. It was ironic how he could love someone so much that he hated so much. Life truly was unfair. Something like this should have never of happened. He should not allowed Riku to get so close, he should have pushed away like his mind was screaming at him to and ignored his heart while doing it.
Sora shook away the thoughts from his head. He didn't want to think about this anymore, not right now. He would see what was going on outside his bedroom. He walked into the other room to find Axel sitting on the couch watching a movie. Axel looked up as Sora sat down beside him.
"Feeling better?" Axel asked. Sora shrugged.
"Not really."
"For what it is worth, I'm sorry all of this had to happen."
"Nothing for you to be sorry about. You didn't do anything except be great. You helped me when I needed it, getting me away from him and to safety. Thanks."
"You're welcome. I'm just glad he wasn't able to do anything this time."
"Me too. Have you heard anything, I mean do you know if he has been caught?"
"Haven't heard. The police haven't called. Your dad said he was tired of waiting on the police to find him, so he went out looking for him. Asked me to stay here with you, but I was going to anyway."
"I'm glad you're here Axel. I don't know what I would do without you." Sora said and leaned over towards Axel, resting his head on Axel's shoulder. Axel frowned, but didn't say anything. This wasn't that much, but he would make sure it didn't go any further than something like this. Friendship was all they could have now. Nothing more, nothing less.
Sora was sound asleep on the couch, or so the other two thought, as he heard his father and Axel talking. From what he had heard they had not found Sephiroth or any leads as to where he was. He could also tell his father had made a side trip to the bar.
"I would like it if you would let me stay here." Axel said.
"Why?"
"You have work and that man is still out there somewhere. I talked to him, he is after Sora. Sora shouldn't be left alone right now."
"Do whatever you want."
"Alright, then tomorrow I'll go back to my place and get the things I will be needing. Monday I will go in and enroll in the school here."
"Your parents going to be okay with that?"
"Like they give a shit, they're to busy dealing with their own lives and the company to worry about what I am doing."
"It is probably not the way you think it is."
"It is. They have said so. I don't care, I can take care of myself and I don't have them and their problems in my hair."
"I guess I can understand how you feel, it was like that with my parents too. Never wanted anything to do with me until I said I was going to get married, then they suddenly decided they should be parents and let me know they didn't think my decision was a good one. I think they even told me I was making the biggest mistake of my life."
"Do you agree with them now that you are divorced?"
"No, I don't regret marrying her. There are many things I regret, but marrying her and having Sora are not one of those things. I regret letting that man anywhere near my son, I regret that I was unable to keep that from happening to him, and other things. But, whether he knows it or not, he is the most important person to me. I know I probably don't act like it, but it is true."
"Besides, when I told them I was getting divorced they said that was the biggest mistake I could make, so it seems they can't make up their minds. Funny how things work out."
Axel laughed, "That sounds like something my parents would do."
"Take care of him, Axel."
"Don't worry, I will."
Monday morning came and Sora found himself standing in front of the school alone. He had wanted to go with Axel, but Axel had said no. He would have to go back to their old school and withdrawal then come and enroll here. He had insisted that Sora just go to school like normal and he should see him sometime during the day. Sora was not looking forward to this.
Sora made his way into the building and headed towards his locker. On the way he noticed as people stopped what they were doing to stare or whisper. Some would break out into giggles or just all out laughter as he walked passed. He heard words like party and screaming scattered throughout the hallway. So word had gotten out about what happened at the party the other night.
"I wouldn't have been screaming if I had that sexy guy holding on to me." he heard one girl he didn't know whispering to another. The other girl nodded in agreement. They were stupid, they had no idea what they were talking about. They had no idea what he had done to him. They had no idea what that guy was capable of. If they did, they wouldn't be laughing and carrying on like they were. Screw them, damn them all to hell. He didn't give a damn about any of them. Let that man do to them what he had done to him, then they wouldn't be like this.
Sora got his books out of his locker and closed it. He saw Riku looking at him from a little ways down. Riku was just standing there staring at him for a few minutes before he broke his gaze and continued down the hall passed Sora. He didn't say anything as he walked passed, but Sora noticed something, Riku wasn't laughing and whispering to others. He had not looked happy at all. Sora watched after him and saw as people quickly turned away or moved back as Riku walked passed and looked their way. It was like they were afraid of continuing for fear that he may hurt them if they did. This confused Sora.
Sora turned to go the other way to his first hour class. Now he saw Cloud, Seifer, and Leon headed towards him. Cloud shot him a glare as he walked passed and Sora quickly looked down.
"Don't worry about him, he'll get over it." Leon said. Sora hadn't even realized Leon hadn't walked away with the other two. Sora looked up and saw Leon standing in front of him. Leon did not look mad, just concerned.
"I guess he hates me now. I caused problems at his party the other night." Sora said, feeling a little bad.
"No, that isn't the problem. Cloud doesn't hate you, honestly he isn't even mad at you. He is angry, but not at you and he is having a hard time venting that anger."
"Huh? I don't really understand."
"The police stopped by his house looking for his friend on Saturday. Se-- he had already left, and Cloud doesn't know where he went. He tried defending him, only to find out that he is a ...wanted criminal that they have been trying to catch for a couple of years."
"..." Sora didn't know what to say. It was obvious that Leon knew what he had done and was trying to be careful with his words so that he would not upset Sora.
"Needless to say, Cloud feels bad that he put you in danger. And that he didn't let your friend kill him the other night. He said he should have known that you wouldn't scream like that for no reason."
"Then why was he glaring at me?"
"He figures since he was the reason you were in danger and he did nothing to stop it or protect you that he doesn't deserve to be your friend. Or something alone those lines."
"That's stupid, he didn't know. I didn't tell any of you what had happened to me and even if I had, Cloud wouldn't have known his old friend was the one that did it. I couldn't even remember his name."
"I know, he knows too. Sometimes he can be really stubborn. He feels he has wrong you and that he has to make up for it now. He has been trying to figure out where he went to help the police."
"He would do that, I mean he has known that guy longer than he has known me, so why would he want to help me?"
"I told you, he feels like he is to blame for it, well the other night anyway. He wants to help you before he has a chance to get to you again. Seems like there may be more to it than that, but I don't know. Just know that he doesn't hate you. If you need anything, let me know. I have to get going. See you later."
"Thanks Leon." Sora said as Leon walked away. He had to wonder who else had found out about what happened two years ago. He would soon find out, Tidus was in his first period class.
TBC
Lovely, don't you think. I spent so much time building everything up between Riku and Sora just to tear all down again.(That was what I meant in my opening comments when I said something about throwing a wrench into the story.) But, Riku can't get off that easy. Next chapter, Cloud destroys the world on his hunt for Sephiroth. He must find him. Something about light. I'm just joking.