COR: SO SORRY EVERYONE!! That was a long wait for you guys, wasn't it? I'M SO SORRY! Jeeesh! It was like what? A week? A month? OMG A MONTH!!!
Axel: What's your excuse THIS time? Huh? Huh?!
Roxas: Now, now… Wait it was only like two weeks and so..
COR: THAT'S LIKE AN ETERNITY!!
Roxas: ….
Axel: ….
COR: Anyways, I was… uh… playing video games… I FINALLY FINISHED LUNAR SSSC! And now I'm working on Wild Arms 3and4, Perfect ending in Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy 8, that dot hack collection and enchanted arms!
Roxas: …
Axel: …

Disclaimer: If I own Kingdom Hearts do you think I'll be writing fanfictions? I'll MAKE the game into those fanfictions! But I don't own it nor do I own this plot, sad isn't it?

Addicted to You
Chapter Five: Lives of Fragile Balance

I was in mid motion of putting some plates away when a stony-faced Demyx and a passive looking Cloud opened the front door.

"Where did you two get off to?" I asked light-heartedly.

Luckily for me, Demyx and Cloud had not lectured me on today's performance in the hallway or lectured me further (in Demyx case) or began lecturing me (in Cloud case) about what happened this morning. I had just arrived home, Sephiroth rocked up then almost immediately all three disappeared. Mom wasn't home yet either fortunately though she'd be home before seven. That's why I was getting the chores around the house; the cleaner it was the less angry she'd be. I hoped. Well… it always worked with dad.

Both of my brothers didn't respond and instead headed for their own separated rooms. I looked up the stairs after them and flinched when I heard both doors slam one after the other. I looked over into the kitchen and gazed at the bench top. I wondered if either of them realized but I had seen blood splattered on both of their shirts and jeans and I'd seen how swollen Demyx knuckles were. I felt worry and suspicion settle in my stomach like a heavy weight. Turning back around I headed back to the sink and continued doing the washing up. As I put the last plate away a very sheepish looking Cloud entered the room.

"I seen you've changed your clothes," I told him without looking back up. After not receiving a reply I turned around to my older brother and crossed my arms. He looked me straight in the eye and opened his mouth. "No Cloud. Before you say anything let me get one thing clear with you. I'm sorry about this morning, I'm not quite sure what happened at school today and I'm ready to make amends for whatever harm I have apparently cause to you or mom or Demyx or anyone." I took a deep breath and readied myself. "So what do you want?"

"I was just going to ask you where you got that hoodie form."

I looked down in horror. I was still wearing Riku's hoodie! How could I have forgotten to take it off! Why didn't he remind me to give it back! Unless he didn't want it back, but that was preposterous… maybe he wanted me to give it back to him at school. Which I was most certainly going to do first thing tomorrow morning.

"Oh… this old thing? I've always had it… it belonged to an um ex-boyfriend of mine." I said quickly.

"I don't remember seeing it as we unpacked your stuff. But then again you gays are just like girls and have so many clothes I probably didn't even unpack that box," Cloud said shaking his head.

I laughed slightly and swung the cupboard open. I don't have that many clothes… "What would you like for dinner Cloud? I'm going to start now so it's ready for mom when she gets home."

"And so she doesn't get angry at you for doing what you did this morning?" Cloud asked innocently.

"Yes… do you think it will work?" I asked biting my lip.

"Probably, Demyx and I just suck it up when she yells at us. But that's hardly never so… I dunno, take her shopping or something."

"With what? I have no money, I need to get a job or something." I moaned miserably.

"The dinner will be fine then, would you like some help?"

"Naw, it's ok thanks. I better get it started then hey?"

Cloud looked up at the clokc. "Yeah, I guess. Make steak or something, that'd be awesome."

I nodded and open the fridge door. I waited until Cloud had started walking up the stairs before calling out his name. When I heard that he had stopped his ascent I asked the question I'd be dying to ask since he and Demyx came home. "Whose blood is it?"

I got no reply. Sure enough after a moments hesitation the sound of footsteps walking up the stairs started up again. And all the while the foreboding feeling in my stomach grew larger. What if it were Axel's? What if Demyx and Cloud had talked to Sepiroth and he told them about my outburst in the car so they decided to go bash up Axel? But they would never do something like that. Sure they could both be assholes and sometimes looked as if they cared about nothing but themselves but they were my brothers and I loved them…

I looked down at the four ready made meals before me. That was quick, everything was done and I couldn't really recall doing any of it. Shrugging I took the plates to the table and set them down gently. Just as I stood up and were wiping my hands on my jeans mom pushed open the front door.

"Hey mom!" I said brightly. "Just in time, I just finished making dinner."

She looked over her glasses at me and gave me a critical glare. "Thank you," she said tightly.

"It's ok," I said keeping up my brave aura. "I'll just go get the boys."

I headed up the stairs and knocked first on Cloud's door. "Cloud, dinner is ready." I moved onto Demyx's and knocked. "Dem, I've got dinner all made up if you want some." A second later the door swung open giving me a huge shock. "Holy crap! Demyx don't do that!" I shrieked.

Demyx looked at me with a look best describe as despair. "Roxas… I-I need to talk to you," he said softly.

"Sure, are you ok? What's wrong?" I asked gently placing a hand on his arm.

He opened his mouth but from across the hall Cloud opened his door. I sprung away from Demyx as if I've been hit. We both looked up at Cloud who sent us a questioning glance.

"Am I interrupting something?" he asked sounding doubtful.

"Oh just fuck off Cloud," Demyx spat and pushed past me so that he could go downstairs.

"What is his problem?" Cloud demanded of me.

"I don't know, I think he was going to tell me but you came in," I said softly.

"Fat chance of that," Cloud muttered and then he too headed downstairs.

I let out a sigh and looked up at the ceiling in despair. I think I preferred it when it was just my dad and I. I had no brothers to argue with, no mother to give me scornful looks over her rims and no problems at school about who I could and could not talk to. Pushing non-existent sleep from my eyes I skipped down the stairs and replaced my frown with a happy grin.

The rest of my family was all poking at the food that I had spent hours preparing. Well I don't really know all long it as been, hahaha…. As soon as I sat down mom spoke up.

"Roxas we need to talk," she said matter-of-factly. Before waiting for me to answer she continued, "your attitude today and last night was totally disgusting. I am very disappointed in you Roxas. I thought your father had brought you up better than this but obviously I over-estimated your father once again. Now, I'm not sure what your punishment will and should be, but as soon as I've found something that I've deemed suitable I shall inform you. I don't want you to think such rash actions will go through in this house without consequences."

I nodded at my plate. "Yes mom."

"I'm glad we understand each other," she finished.

Yeah, understand this bitch I though cruelly while mentally giving my mom the finger.

I began slowly eating my meal but was distracted by Demyx. He was staring at his food as if expecting it to talk to him. When mom got up he jumped in surprise.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked without a note of compassion in her voice. "God, what is wrong with you all tonight?"

Leaving her plate on the table she stalked off to her office and shut the door firmly behind her. Cloud got up obediently and started to clear away the dishes. Demyx didn't protest when his mostly un-finished meal was taken away from him.

"I'll do the dishes Roxas since you cooked." Cloud told me.

"Thanks," I whispered.

Demyx got up and as he walked away I followed him with my eyes. Mom did bring up a good point. What was wrong with this family? I silently stood up form my seat and followed Demyx into his room. I shut the door behind me and looked at him with a worried expression.

"Demyx?"

"I've done something bad Roxas," he whispered.

"What have you done?" I asked slowly. "Is this about why there was blood on your shirt?"

Demyx looked at me and the expression in his eyes sacred me. He nodded feebly. "I'd never done it before, I swear. I didn't mean to either… it just started out as a threat and- and before I knew it there was blood everywhere." He suppressed a sob and continued, "and-and all I could think about was wanting to keep going. Even though there would have been nothing left to hurt… I wanted to keep going…. I would have kept going…"

He collapsed onto his bed and buried his hands in his hands. I sat down beside him and patted him gently on the back. We didn't say anything and instead just sat there side by side staring into space. At ten to twelve I got up to my feet.

"I need to get to bed, But Demyx listen to me, if you apologize or- or at least don't do it again I'm sure it won't be… be as bad…"I trailed off. "Sorry, but I don't know what else to say. I'll see you in the morning."

I left his room and entered my own. Without bothering to get changed I slipped underneath the blankets and closed my eyes. It must have been bad, what my younger brother had done. Fear clutched at my heart and I sat upright. He didn't kill someone did he? I glanced over at my door and bit my lip. No, no, Demyx would never do that… nor would Cloud… would they?

I collapsed back onto my mattress and tried to get some sleep. It didn't come easily. I tossed and turned for what felt like hours – and actually was – so when my alarm clock finally went off I slammed down the snooze button and rolled over. Sunlight was streaming through the cracks in my curtains and as I watched little dust mites floating about the air I realized that the longer I lay here, the less time I'd have to get ready. And today I have to give Riku's hoodie back, I though miserably.

Immediately I leapt from my bed and fanned my face with my hands. If I was going to return Riku's stupid jacket then that meant I'd be near Axel! I'd have to make sure that I looked nice – I mean I couldn't just wear anything – it'd have to make me stand out… in a good way. By the time that Demyx knocked on the door saying he was ready to go I had all my clothes strewn over my bed… and I was still in my pj's.

"I'll be down in ten," I shouted through my door.

"What?! Ten minutes? You've been in your room all morning! What the hell have you been doing in there?" Demyx asked in a shrill voice.

"It doesn't matter," I snapped as I pulled a tight black t-shirt on over my head. "What matters is that I'll be ready in ten… now nine minutes."

I chose some pants at random and found I was putting on my favorite tightish yet still baggy black jeans with rips. If only I had a pair of chucks…Well I still got my addidas. Turning to my mirror I decided I really didn't need any eyeliner, since the coat from yesterday was still in contact, smudge but in a good way.

Finally ready I collected up my bag and opened my door. I was halfway down when I stopped suddenly.

Why the hell did I fan myself this morning? I asked mentally.

Shrugging I skipped the last few and landed gracefully right in front of my brother,

"Hey Demyx!" I waved cheerfully.

He looked at me in what's-wrong-with-you look before noticing what I was wearing with a grim expression on his face. "You might want to choose a new shirt." He said matter-of-factly.

"What? What's wrong with it?" I asked looking down to make sure there were no stains, rips, marks or abrasions in the fabric.

"The top is fine… it's just that… Roxas… you're wearing all black and eyeliner again."

I looked down at myself and 'oh'd'. "Oh well, you get that," I said simply then led the way out to his car.

"Ok I'll let you get it from Laxrene," he said from behind me.

I waited till he was in the car before I turned to him. "You seem happier this morning."

"I am," he replied curtly while turning in his seat to watch where he was going as he reversed out of the driveway.

"Did you want to tell me what you've done…? I mean… you had me pretty worried last night Dem. Even now I'm afraid what I think you may have done."

"I haven't done anything wrong Roxas. Last night I overreacted, that's all. I am fine now and let's close the subject."

"Ok, well in that case I guess you'll be wanting the shirt that had blond on it soaked then hmmm? It can't sit in your room, the blood will be sucked into the fabric and there will be no hope of ever getting it out… ever," I added sounding slightly smug.

Demyx shot me a look of annoyance. "If you must know I was planning on throwing that shirt away. It's old and I don't like it and I never really did."

"Old? You bought it the other day when you were hanging out with your friends. Remember how you asked me if it was ok and you were really worried it wouldn't impress Janice or whatever her name is?"

"It's Jackie, and no, I was wearing a different shirt."

The tone in his voice clearly said that his patience wasn't going to hold out much longer, so taking the final hint I told him I was sorry for the mix up and turned to watch things outside the window. As houses flashed by us I wondered where Axel lived. Did he drive a car to school? Did he walk? Did he catch the bus? All questions I wished I could have answers too. Yet, the main one that caught me on guard at all times was, whether he was into guys and whether he was already taken. If he was, I guess there was no point in trying. Although I shouldn't even have been considering trying after the warning I had received from people I would have call my friends. Demyx swung smoothly into the parking lot and following his lead I pushed open my door and headed for the school grounds. Riku's hoodie felt heavy in my bag and the weight of it reminded me of the weight of hope I had in m stomach. Hope that I would be able to talk to Axel. I casually made my way for the quad and when I got there I stole a glance at where the Goth's sat.

Dammit where the fuck are they? I thought angrily.

I bit my lip in frustration. I never really swore, only when the occasion calls for it. Just then was no occasion so I was angry at myself for swearing.

"Roxas! Over here!"

I looked to my left and saw Jess waving madly at me. I waved back and putting on a fake smile I moved over to sit with the large group that were my 'friends'.

"Hey guys," I said cheerfully throwing down my bag and sitting between Jess and Mark. A chorus of "Hey's" were my answer.

"You look nice today," Giselle remarked with a slightly curled lip. "A bit too much black though don't you think? What are you? A Goth?"

A few of the guys 'ooo'ed at her comment. I matched her gaze with a warm smile.

"No, but a lot of my stuff smells like shit from having being stuffed in a box for too long and these were about the only nice things that I could find," I said sweetly and hoping that that would deter her from her Goth inquisition.

"Oh, oh okay then." Good, it worked. "So that's why you always smell sort of funny." Stupid bitch.

"He doesn't smell funny Giselle. God why are you so stupid!" Jess snapped angrily.

"You're not stupid Giselle," said a REALLY fruity guy that I could not remember.

Giselle just sniffed and turned her attention to her boyfriend Robbie. Jess turned back to me and began a conversation about whether or not she should date this guy called Matt. I was listening intently when something caught my eye. Laxrene and Sephiroth were standing just out of hearing range and talking with very serious expressions. Sephiroth seemed to be rather jumpy and kept glancing around nervously at other students. Laxrene was obviously getting annoyed with his behavior and kept hitting his arm in an effort to have his full and un-divided attention on her. One thing I noticed was how both of them continued looking in one particular direction. In the exact direction of where Axel and his friends sat. The space was still empty.

Jess must have realized that I wasn't paying attention and she followed my eyes over to Laxrene and Sephiroth. "There's something going on there," she whispered. "Apparently Sephiroth did something really bad last night and he still hand't told Laxrene about it."

"Did he cheat on her or something?" I asked alarmed for my cousins' safety.

"No! Don't be absurd. No, I heard he bashed the absolute shit out of someone, but that wouldn't be right because your brother was involved as well and I couldn't imagine Demyx ever really hurting someone, like," she flicked her hair out of her eyes and looked at me with a raised brow, 'whatever they did," she threw a glance at Sephiroth, "I heard it was irreparable."

I took in a deep breath. "They- they didn't kill someone did they?" I asked in a hushed voice.

Jess laughed out loud and wiped a fake tear from her eye. "You're so amusing Roxas. Actually, I was hoping that you'd be able to fill in the gaps for me. You are their cousin and brother respectively, shouldn't you know every single little detail of their lives?"

I looked at her with a wtf expression. "No," I told her slowly. "Jess I don't know everything that happens in their lives. I wouldn't want to either. All I do know however is that… well… I don't know anything. I came home later on in the evening and Demyx arrived three seconds after I did."

"You were out? With who? Who else could you possibly be hanging out with asides from us? And we were all at Laxrene's house. You mean you blew us off for somebody else!"

The horror struck expression on Jess's face was laughable. But I contained myself. "No, I walked home last night."

"It was raining last night," Jess smirked.

"I would know I walked home in it. Yeah, I didn't blow Laxrene off. She invited my over but I told her I had to go home because of my mom being pissed at me. In the end I should have gone, I was late getting home anyway."

Jess nodded thoughtfully. Before we were able to continued Laxrene came over looking both impressed yet annoyed.

"Hey everyone!" she said in the falsely high voice of hers.

People greeted her accordingly and she made Mark move over (which he did so disappointedly) in order to sit beside me.

"So Roxas, wearing black I see."

"Hey to you too Laxrene," I said smiling.

"Hmmm, anyway, don't wear those two things together again ok? They look hideous together, however, if you wear them separately you'll look amazing. Together you look plain retarded. The eyeliner looks surprisingly good on you though."

I was slow to let the smile return to my face. It had gradually disappeared during her monologue as I realized yes, she was actually telling me what I could and could not wear.

"Sure, yeah ok – cool. Sorry, this is the only thing I was able to wear today," I told her reassuringly.

She gave me a nod of the head. When the bell rang we all got up and headed our own separate ways. Sephiroth – who was in my homeroom – caught up with me and we walked in silence.

"Sorry about walked out on you yesterday," I finally said.

"It's okay," he replied airily.

When we enter the hallway I saw the first Goth I had seen all morning. My hand moved straight to my bag to the lump sitting there that was Riku's hoodie. It was Sora. He was spinning the lock on his locker and bobbing his head to a tune he obviously was playing in his head. I was about to tell Sephiroth I'd see him in class when something stopped me. Another Goth rushed up and grabbed Sora's shoulder. Sora spun and smiled when he saw who it was. I slowed my walking speed as I saw the smile on Sora's lips falter then form a large and anguished 'o'. His friend turned and headed down towards the other end with Sora going to follow her. I stopped dead in my tracks; the expression in his eyes terrified me.

"Roxas?"

My attention was reverted to Sephiroth who was watching me with a slight frown on his face. I looked back to where Sora had been standing and saw that he had gone leaving a bunch of juniors standing where she'd previously been.

"Sorry, I just got a bit of a stich," I lied.

Sephiroth deepened his frown and looked over to where Sora had been. Upon seeing no one there he looked back at me and shook his head. "Whatever, let's go."

I followed him like a dog follows its master and together we took our seats quietly.

-

Axel looked up as he heard a couple of people enter the room.

"Oh hun," he said as Sora rushed into his arms and started sobbing. "It's okay Sora, it's going to be okay."

"They-they wouldn't l-let us see h-him," Sora hiccupped into his shoulder.

Axel looked over helplessly at Namine as he rubbed Sora's back fondly. Namine shook her head and sat down angrily in the plastic chairs provided in the cold waiting room.

"Fucking doctors, what the fuck do they know about Riku," Namine spat out. "He'd get better if we were there by his side. Fucking pieces of fucking shit!"

With her last statement she piced up a nearby vase and threw it at the wall.

"Namine please! Just stop it!" Kairi cried out leaning against the door. "Please! When Riku wakes up he'll want us all there, if he finds out you've been kicked out he'll be upset."

Namine flexed her hands but obliged. When a nurse rushed into the room asking what the smash was she just shrugged.

"Sorry about that, I moved and knocked this table here and it fell off," Axel told her gesturing to the table beside him with his head. He shot the nurse such a gorgeous smile that she blushed a pretty shade of pink and said she'd instruct a janitor to clean it up as soon as possible. After she laughed Namine laughed.

"You're a regular charmer Kaji," she said.

Axel smiled and laughed too as he heard Sora giggle. "You okay?" he asked as Sora lifted his head and nodded smiling. "You know me I jump back soon." Both boys smiled and Kairi appeared behind Sora, wrapping an arm around his neck as she looked up at Axel.

"Why would they do that Axel? Why would those motherfuckers touch Riku? What did he ever to do them?!" Kairi demanded, tears welling up as she rested her head against Axel's chest. Sora nodded a bit timidly.

Axel glared at Namine. "You told them who did it!" he accused angrily.

"Of course I fucking did Axel! You expected me not to? What exactly do you take me for? I was there when we found him Axel, not just you! Do not for one second think it is your right alone to decide who and who doesn't hear about what those fucking preps have done! This is the last straw okay! The last fucking straw!"

"Okay… calm down Minny1."

Namine spun on her heels and glared at Sora who 'eeped' and hid behind Seifer and Leon who just entered the room with coffee in their hands. "Don't call me that Sky2."

Sora flashed her a ghost of a smile (relived that he wasn't going to die), grabbed the two coffee's out of Seifer and Leon hands to placed on the table and went over to rejoin the hug that Axel and Kairi was still in.

"Where are Tidus and Paine? They do know right?" Leon asked.

"Of course they know, I saw Paine and told her to get Tidus and he could drive them up here. Sora was anxious to leave by the time we found him," Namine said waving a hand.

"Here you go," Sora said detaching himself from Axel and passing him and Kairi a steaming cup. "I got coffee for you guys since I know you'd need it."

Leon just shrugged but Seifer opened his mouth then closed it, looking like a fish out of water. "Fine! But you owe me a cup!" He huffed finally sitting down.

Kairi giggled slightly and reached for the cup and sat down into a seat. "Thanks guys," she said quietly.

Axel took a seat beside her and looked up at Sora and gave him the coffee, indicating that he doesn't want it. The younger boy gingerly took it with a small smile and watched the black brew distractingly. Axel brushed a lose spike away from his eyes and gave Sora a small relief smile. He's taking this incident rather well besides the meltdown when he first came in, but that was to be expected, he and Riku being so close and all.

What had Riku done to piss off Demyx and Sephiroth Lovell? He'd known that the preps would probably give Riku a black eye one day, after all, he did ask for it sometimes. But bash till he in this close to stopped breathing? Axel was amazed that Riku was able to tell him and Namine who had done it. Though there had been no second guesses there.

The janitor strolled in and upon seeing a room filled with pissed off and anxious Gtohs quickened his pace and hurriedly swept up the shattered glass on the floor. He left and felt relived to have six pairs of eyes off him. He'd been gone a second when Paine and Tidus rushed in.

"Where is he? Why aren't you all demanding to see him? Tidus asked gesturing frantically with his hands.

"Settle down Ti," Paine sighed.

"Well? How long had he been in pain for? How long was he found?" He pressed.

"We found him this morning when we went over to see why he hadn't picked Axel up for school," Namine said.

"We? Who's we?"

"Namine and I. Riku's been giving me lifts to school seeing as my car is still in the shop. He was supposed to get me at eight and when he didn't I called his house and after no one answered I called Namine to come get me so that we could go check out his place."

"It was horrible," Namine whispered. "There was blood on the front porch and when we tried to open the door there was something in front if it so we pushed and-and it was him, we'd just pushed his body aside like a bag of rubbish."

Sora let out a loud sob and Axel quickly pulled Sora down to the seat next to him so he could wrap his arms around the shaking boy. "Okay, that's enough," he said in a firm pitch. The group sat in silence and each pondered how Riku was doing. At why they weren't allowed to see him. At how they would get back to the people who caused them and their friend so much pain. After what felt like years a strict looking doctor walked in and surveyed them all over the top of her clipboard.

"You all here for she asked in a displeased tone. After receiving a suitable amount of nods she looked down at her paperwork.

"Well?" Tidus demanded after a moment's silence. "Is he going to be okay?"

The doctor gave him an annoyed glare. "Yes," she said finally. "He's been stabilized."

Everyone breathe out audible sighs of relief. Kairi and Sora started to cry again. Namine and Paine clasped each others hands and tried fighting back tears. Leon and Seifer sunk to the floor side by side and looked at each other with small grins. Tidus wiped his eyes and punched the air and Axel kept staring at the doctor. She didn't realize how much those words meant to all of them. She didn't realize that just because everyone in the room but her was wearing black meant that they did have feelings. She just didn't realize. Tears escaped Axel's eyes as he kissed the top of Sora's head in happiness. Riku was going to be okay. They all were going to be okay. For now.

-

1 Theres a Min in Namine and she is a tiny bit on the small side. Hense Minny.
2 Sora means Sky.

COR: WOOO It's DONE!
Riku: Aww, everyone loves me!
Kairi: Are you crying?
Riku: Yes! (cries)
All: …
Riku: Least I'm man enough to admit it.
Sora: So like… what's wrong with me? First I was crying, then I'm a bit playful, and then I was full of angst?
COR: Ah well… You are… a bit Bipolar.
Sora: Really?!
COR: Just a bit!
Sora: COOL! It's like girls on their months, but daily! PMS POWER!
All: 0.0?!

Here's a preview of next chapter!

"I'm going to give him a ride home," Axel sighed. "Doesn't he live like on the other side of town Ri?

"He lives. At that place. That I showed you months ago." Riku told him without opening his eyes.

"That's a good fifteen minute drive," Kairi mused.

"Ha! Don't offer Axel, it'll be good for him to walk home for an hour or so," Namine giggled.

Axel narrowed his eyes at her. "No, it won't. I was an asshole to him anyway, I guess I should apologize and Riku, I'm using your car."

-

Roxas turned around in surprise and Axel smirked when he saw his eyes widen. They quickly reduced to their normal size and were accompanied by a snarl.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"I'm giving you a ride home, now get it," Axel told him. He watched him look down at his feet then look up again.

For God's sake dude, I'm just offering you a ride home he thought grumpily asRoxas cast a look over his shoulder. What is the huge damn deal?

There's the preview, sorry it sucks.