Chapter 6:

Regret

A/N: I wanted to throw everyone a curve ball in the last chapter while still going along with the supernatural aspect of the story. The reason for all the in-fighting is that no one really knows each other well enough to trust them, that comes with time. This chapter is going to be a bit slower and more focused on introspection, expect some new characters to make appearances.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy or any characters used therein. The character Will does belong to me however.

Warnings: Blood, Gore, Violence (duh), Sexual Situations, Sex (Possibly), Offensive Language, Nudity, Torture, Objectionable Political Views, Rape (Implied) and Dark Humor.

Pairings: Zack Fair x Aerith Gainsborough. That's it for now.

Summary: In the aftermath of Will's burning the each member of the group is forced to look at themselves and make some very important decisions.

Special Thanks: CrystalMeltdown for your review of the last chapter and Jade-Eyed-Jinchuriki for your support.

The night passed quickly and soon the early rays of dawn were upon the clearing. Zack let out a soft yawn as he sat down, it had been his turn to patrol. The rotation went between Zack and Sora every couple of hours. Riku would have helped were it not for the burned 200 pound man resting on his lap. Riku didn't mind particularly, he felt somehow responsible for Will's predicament.

'I should have told Zack what Will was doing.' Riku thought bitterly of himself. He had seen the blond snatch up mosses, bird eggs and berries while they were traveling. He had tried to be secretive of it but Riku was more perceptive it seemed than his companions. Then again, he was probably the most secretive of all of them. His thoughts migrated to the illness he'd been nursing, now apparently gone entirely thanks to Will's potion.

'I owe you one. I really do.' Riku thought as he absentmindedly stroked the bandages on Will's head. Riku could feel a growling moan build in the man's chest, it didn't seem to be one of pain but perhaps pleasure. Riku had tried to roll the man off and help with camp but every time he attempted it Will began trembling terribly and clutching Riku tightly. It was strange but then again Will was a strange person and Riku felt somehow honored that after over eight years of not sleeping Will had fallen asleep on his lap. A smirk crossed the silverette's dirty lips.

"I'm sorry." Riku whispered to no one in particular but he could swear Will muttered that it wasn't his fault. Riku shook his head. In such a short time everything had changed he no longer was afraid of his secrets coming out but he did want to be the one to explain them very carefully probably to Will and Sora first, they were by far the most understanding. Riku stifled a chuckle when he thought of Sora, he'd been shooting dirty looks at Will for some time and it amused Riku that the brunette was so obviously jealous but still maintained that he was not at least attracted to him. The brunette could be very childish sometimes, it wasn't as if there was anyone left to judge them anymore. The realization made Riku feel liberated, not in the way where he did whatever he wanted as before, but a feeling of acceptance spread through him, of himself and his friends.

'My god. It makes sense now. I was just a fucking whore. I never should have done those things. I'll be better, for you guys.' Riku felt a tear slip down his cheek. It wasn't just his own life he was thinking of but the lives of his brothers and father, he'd promised them so much and fell short time and again. He'd spent his entire adult life feeling like a complete and utter failure and somehow these four people had made him look at the darkness in his heart, he remembered something Will said about a week ago.

"Darkness is just the part of your soul where the light has not shined yet. It's the part that screams out to be healed. Fear of the Dark is what leaves people full of hate, bitterness, and resentment. The only way to truly become a whole person is to realize that the Light and Dark are two halves to the whole, they need each other. The Light needs the Dark to be bright and guiding, while the Dark needs the Light so that it may itself be healed and become Light. You must first accept what you've done and then understand the reason why. After that there is a long process of healing. It may be painful but ultimately the best things in life cause pain and suffering to you. Our families hurt us even if they don't mean to. Our friends betray us even when they don't want to. But what causes the most pain is ourselves. The way we react. Do we become angry because we perceive we are inadequate or somehow flawed? That will leave us turning in on ourselves and ultimately lashing outward. The way forward is to not be egotistical but being loving. Love yourself first, then the one you want to spend you life with. Love means the whole, Light and Dark, always trying to heal yourself and your love, and avoiding judgement. Riku there is a reason we were brought together. Maybe it's so we can heal one another."

The monologue seemed cryptic and even naive to Riku at the time. But now it was much clearer with Will in his state and clinging to the taller male. The muddled rambles that the blond had let out that evening were processing in Riku's mind, reorganizing his thoughts and what he knew to be the truth. Slowly, his fear subsided and he embraced the parts of him that begged for attention rather than suppression. Though it was only for a few moments that Riku concentrated he felt immensely different, hopeful and eager to see where his path would lead.

"'A hero is not a person without a dark side, rather they use their dark side for the good of all.'" The quote ran through Riku's mind with such force that it made his whole body shake. It wasn't a quote from Will, Zack or Sora. It was a quote from his father. The thought of the broken man who'd left him in the care of his grandmother upon his death forced Riku to clench his jaw and bring his free hand to his mouth to keep from crying out. He did his best to keep the sounds suppressed and quiet but the looks that Sora and Zack sent him indicated that he was failing.

"You alright?" Sora asked. The brunette moved closer to Riku partly expecting a private conversation. Zack despite his fatigue collected Aerith in his arms and moved a short distance away, just out of ear shot. The tall black haired man had become withdrawn in the hours since their ordeal. Riku strained to maintain his composure but it was cracking quickly and in a panic he buried his face in his hands. Sora patted his friend's shoulder expecting an outpouring of emotion. Instead, Riku inhaled deeply and sighed heavily as he brushed his eyes with his fingers. He absently played with the limp strands of hair that hung by his face.

"I was just reminded of something."

"What?"

"Something my dad told me."

"Oh. What was it?"

"'A hero is not a person without a dark side, rather they use their dark side for the good of all.' He was always poetic like that."

"You miss your family."

"More than anything."

"Maybe we can find them. Maybe they survived. Maybe–" Riku held a hand up to silence Sora.

"No. They died a long time ago."

"I'm sorry."

"You didn't know. This whole time I've been trying to live for them and I let it consume me."

"What do you mean?"

"My father loved to travel, loved to visit America, that's why I came here. My brother Loz was a fantastic athlete, he got me into running when I was younger. Kadaj, he was the one who always the troublemaker. I adopted a lot of his personality quirks after he died to help with his loss. And Yazoo, he was the smart one, always quiet and collected. He wanted to study ancient civilizations, that's why I got into archeology. I've spent my whole adult life trying to be other people for my own sake, I don't even know where to begin being myself." Riku shook his head in disbelief. Sora pondered for a moment then his bright blue eye shone with determination.

"I'll help you figure it out. I promise." Sora resolved.

"Thanks."

"It's what friends do, right?"

"Right."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Hmm?"

"How did they die?" Sora's question was innocent enough, he did legitimately want to know so he could understand Riku's pain. Still, the silverette felt defensive and took a moment to calm his nerves.

"The short story is that Yazoo needed a blood transfusion when he was twelve, I was ten. By the time he turned fifteen he was in an ICU dying from blood poisoning. He had an extremely rare blood type and an ordinary transfusion with a common type was out of the question. He died of a massive infection to his central nervous system, he was in so much pain. Anyway, it was discovered that the company that handled the blood didn't take proper precautions to prevent infection and intentionally let dirty blood be sold to hospitals. We were part of a class action lawsuit. The executives tried to put it off on some rouge employees but it was proven to be false."

"I remember hearing about this, my mom watched the trial any chance she got." Sora blurted in amazement.

"Yeah. We were awarded what amounts to roughly five million dollars. It didn't bring back Yaz though. After that Kadaj got really depressed and he started using drugs. At first it was just some weed here and there to take the edge off but by the time he was going to start his senior year of high school he was into heroine. He died from an OD. My dad blamed himself for everything but he took it out on Loz because he was the oldest, he never touched me. Loz died when he fell down the stairs after being beaten. A week later my dad died in a bar fight. I was sent to live with my grandma. I stayed with her for three years then I came to America."

"Oh...That's such a messed up story. I'm really sorry." Sora bowed his head. Rike smiled softly.

"It's okay. I feel a lot better with it being off my chest." Riku supplied.

"That's good."

"Sora there is one more thing I want to tell you. After all that happened I...kinda went berserk. I by 'kinda' I mean I went bat-shit crazy."

"Huh?"

'No turning back now.' Riku thought. Breathing deeply again several more times Riku thought of his new found friendships and pushed through his own psychological barriers.

"Well, after everyone died, I got into drugs too. Then I just went around fucking anything I could. I wanted to die. My grandmother had me committed, they diagnosed me with a number of mental illnesses, all of which are treatable."

"Which ones?"

"Major depression, PTSD, Insomnia, Mild Schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder."

"Wow. That actually explains a lot. I'm glad you told me."

"Last thing since I'm on a roll here." Riku joked nervously. Sora sat back waiting for Riku to begin.

"My rampage left me with a certain permanent disease that should have killed me by now."

"What?"

"HIV. I got it and was treated for it, but it was a really powerful strain. I was projected to die within two months of my last doctor's appointment and that was three days before all this. Actually, that why I've been so sick. Seems like Will's little potion cured it though..." Riku trailed off. Sora's mouth hung open. His eye darting about searching. He apparently had no clue who the silverette really was and he was confused as to how he should react. Riku didn't push his friend, instead he chose to wait for Sora to say the first word.

"I'm...not sure...what to say." Sora stuttered.

"Me either. I've seen things so differently in the last few hours. As much as I hate to say it, Will getting burned like this may have saved me from myself. I'm so sorry Sora, I should have told you everything a long time ago."

"Damn right you should have!" Sora only half-faked his anger. He had given Riku CPR after all.

"I promise I won't keep anything from you ever again. Friends?" Riku looked up hopefully his eyes misty. Sora beamed.

"Friends."

"All right now that your little homo-fest is over we can get going." The hoarse, growling voice was Will who had apparently woken during the pair's exchange. Sora shot the burned man a dirty glare as he stood. Will was much slimmer now and he seemed to be noticing it for the first time. He snorted loudly clearly not amused with his condition. He examined his bandaged hands and arms, touched his bandaged face and neck. He shook, neither Riku or Sora were sure why he shook but he did.

"I'm fuckin' freezing!" Will hissed angrily. He ran his hands up and down his torso trying to warm himself when that failed he groaned and began snatching up his possessions. He belted on Bak'frelm and his forty-five. The vest was trickier to put on and he needed Riku's help, his skin was still too tender and sore to be moved or contorted a great deal. Grabbing his rifle Will moved to grab his pack. Riku halted him and tossed it on his back himself.

"I'll take it until your better." Riku smiled softly. Will nodded quietly and gave a small laugh. Riku hadn't realized how much heavier it was compared to Sora's pack but he knew now and he could hear his back screaming out its protest. Still he grabbed his Saiga as Sora picked up his belongings. Zack and Aerith had heard the commotion and came back the short distance to do the same. They were oddly silence, no quips or taunts sounded.

"Looks like we should do an ammo check." Will said his voice raspy. Zack nodded in affirmation and they all began digging through their pouches taking carful account of all the ammunition they had. Will looked around when he was done feeling uneasy. His ordeal seemed to have left him much more on edge than before and he found himself darting his eyes rapidly anytime there was a sound nearby that was unexplained. It was always a squirrel or a bird or some like animal. Closing his eyes Will shook his head lightly trying to clear his thoughts.

"Eighty three rifle rounds and twenty eight pistol." Sora answered first.

"Fifty six rifle and forty pistol." Zack answered.

"Fifteen shotgun shells and five pistol rounds." Riku replied.

"A hundred and sixteen rifle and forty eight pistol." Aerith supplied meekly.

"Thirty rifle and twenty one pistol. Fuck, looks like I'll have to unpack the reserve." Will grumbled. The others looked at each other in confusion as Will made Riku turn his back to him so he could get into the pack. After rifling through a few things Will found what he was looking for. He tossed Sora and Zack a ammo can each and brought out a small box and handed it to Riku. He placed a few magazines in his own vest then sealed up the pack again. Riku noticed how much lighter the pack was instantly.

"Should be about 600 5.56 rounds and 200 9mm in those cans. That's fifty each for your pistols and 200 for your rifles. I got another hundred for my rifle and forty nine for my forty five. Riku should have another hundred shells in that box there. I suggest we load up before we move out." Will finished. The others did what Will instructed, he seemed to have become the de facto leader with Zack's introversion. They loaded up as many of their empty magazines as they could which was woefully short of what they had originally left with but they had to make due.

"So which way should we go?" Sora asked.

"North. I have a feeling we're close to a town. We should be able to find some supplies and maybe a map. A phone if we're lucky so we can pin down the exact location of this goddamn compound of your brother's fuck-buddy." Will replied nonchalantly and started off across the creek. He moved quickly though everyone suspected he was quietly nursing his wounds. Riku ran after him and caught up just as Will reached the opposite bank, covering himself in water as a result. It actually would feel fairly good later when the hot sun was overhead.

"What's up?" Riku asked and immediately regretted it. He sounded stupid and immature.

"Just the usual."

"What I meant to say is how are you doing?"

"I know what you meant."

"And?"

"Guess I'm alright. At least as much as I can be. I'm a fucking crispy critter now. But it's not like I was gonna win any beauty pageants anyway."

"Come on, you weren't that bad looking."

"Oh, please. I was a socially awkward fat ass that had a real bad attitude. Now I'm still socially awkward and have a bad attitude."

"You're not that bad. Just different. A lot of people don't like different."

"Yeah."

"I'm being truthful here. You were nowhere near the worse looking guy I've seen."

"You wouldn't have slept with me though."

"That...really wasn't the point..."

"Maybe it is."

"Honestly you being overweight was the one turn off you had."

"Yeah, now it's just that burned shit I used to call skin."

"Stop that! Look, I think you're a good guy, I do. I would be interested in maybe getting to know each other more. Later, at the compound." Will snorted at that.

"Yeah. And say we do fall in love or whatever. You gonna sleep with me?"

"I'm not sure. But I will heal you. I will find a way to make your skin health and undamaged again."

"Look I don't wanna rain on your parade but I've been practicing with my powers for ten years, you probably haven't even tapped into yours yet–" Will was cut off by Riku lifting his shirt to reveal a shield with a hawk being impaled by a spear head. Will's eyes went wide.

"I felt a burning in my chest when I went to help you. Sora told me about his mark a couple days ago when you were gone. I found this just a little while ago. I want to repay you. You've helped me in ways you can't imagine. The least I can do is heal you." Will shifted uneasily for a moment as they continued walking up the slight hill.

"And then what?"

"I was hoping we could have dinner together. Just as friends. If something happens then it happens. At least we can try. Just because we're in the middle of the world ending doesn't mean we can't be happy. I spent so much of my life angry, guilty and alone, I just want to have someone to share it with, someone who'll understand. I don't know if you're that person or not but I definitely feel some sort of connection with you. Sora too for that matter."

"Hmm. And what happens if you can't choose?"

"What?"

"What if you fall for both him and me? What if we both fall for you too?"

"I'll follow my heart. And right now it tells me that I couldn't choose between the two of you."

"And you think that either of us could get along well enough with the other to share you?"

"No. But maybe you could have affection for each other too."

"You're being ridiculous now."

"I know. But is it wrong to hope for the best?"

"Yes. And last time I checked shorty isn't into puff pastries if you get my meaning." Riku laughed behind his hand.

"I do. It's just that I have the sneaking suspicion that he isn't entirely being honest, especially with himself. I think he's in the same boat as I am and just looking for that special person whoever that maybe. I think you are too." Will stiffened at that.

"I guess you're right. Tell you what we make it to that compound I'll tell you everything you wanna know."

"And have dinner with me?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now we're getting somewhere." Riku smirked as the pair slid-walked downhill and found themselves on the edge of a highway. Will searched the area vigilantly. Any sign of trouble and he would be ready to respond. There was nothing but the eerie quiet of an abandoned town. They cautiously moved onto the road looking about and listening carefully. Sora, Zack and Aerith followed behind after several tense moments. There were several houses in eyesight and a small market. It was a short walk to their right.

"Okay. Fan out. Zack and Aerith take the market. Sora you and Riku take that big green house on the left. I got the white one on the right." Will instructed authoritative. Each group quietly made their way to their prospective location methodically. Zack and Aerith went in the back door to the small, white brick building. At first there were no signs of anybody and the two made their way up and down the aisles gabbing anything that could be of use or comfort to them. The sound of several guns cocking had them frozen in place. They were faced down by five people all angry looking. They did what they had to and surrendered rather than start a fight they could not win.

Across the way Riku and Sora entered the open door to the green house. It was filthy on the inside with pictures, clothes and personal affects strewn all about. They were careful to avoid the broken glass so as to not alert anyone to their presence. They moved deliberately, clearing each room of any potential threat before searching. To the chagrin they found only a few items of use: matches, an axe, a book on food preservation and a pair of binoculars. Dejectedly the went back up the road to meet up with Zack and Aerith.

"Hey guys! Our run was a bust." Sora called. They came up the small hill and saw their two comrades tied up to a car. They had been beaten and gagged. Riku and Sora had their guns up in a heartbeat. At that moment the five made their appearance. They were all dressed in hoodies, though each one was a different color: black, grey, white, blue and green. Masks covered their faces now and they wore blue jeans and brown boots.

"Drop your weapons!' A voice called. Sora recognized it the second it sounded.

"Tidus! You asshole its me!' He called in return.

"Sora? Holy shit man! Guys put your guns down. Yeah I'm sure. He's one a' my homies from way back." The apparent leader instructed the others, he was the one in green. Sora and Riku lowered their guns and strode forward to meet them. Zack and Aerith were cut loose and their belonging were returned to them. The green hooded figure, second smallest in all the hooded group, but roughly the same size as Sora walked forward taking his mask off to reveal bright blue eyes, blonde hair and tanned skin. He threw his arms around his friend.

"Man I thought I'd never see you." Tidus sighed into Sora's shoulder.

"I know. Shit. It's been two years." Tidus released his hold on Sora and stepped back.

"Yeah. Hey what happened to your eye?"

"Minotaur got me."

"Minotaur? What the hell is that?"

"Big ugly bastards. Half bull, half man. Nothing?"

"No. You tellin' me there's worse than the fuckin' dead heads to worry about?"

"Yeah. Unfortunately."

"Fuck. Well, better get everyone introduced. The one in black is Wakka you might remember him. Blue is Selphie my sister. Grey is Leon." A glare came from the grey clad figure.

"Oh. Sorry Squall. Drama queen. Anyway the one in white is Marluxia." Riku's blood went cold at the very mention of the name. He knew Riku remembered the feminine male, he always kept his hair a pink, nearly bubble gum color. He eyed the figure angrily in return. The white hood was pulled back and the mask withdrawn, the scowl on the male's face could have killed a minotaur by sight alone. Riku didn't let his emotions explode in a fury, though he wanted to.

'Kill him. He'll ruin everything if you don't.' A voice in the back of his head called over and over again. Riku wanted nothing more than to strangle that arrogant fool. Then again, maybe he could use him for his own purposes once more. The others withdrew their masks and hoods as well, the others were a tall brunette with a nasty scar across his face, a short brunette girl with bright blue eyes and a kind smile and lastly a large orangish haired man with a stubble on his chin and a very deep tan.

"Tidus this is Riku. I see you already got acquainted with Zack and Aerith." Tidus laughed lightly as Zack grumbled under his breath. The group took a moment to fully acquaint themselves taking the time to learn where everyone was from and how they had come to this small town of Sweet Home. Sora told his tale quickly, leaving out the more mystical parts. The newcomers were left gawking at the story, not sure whether or not to believe it. The look in Sora's one eye dared them to say he was lying. For their part Tidus' group had gradually come together. Originally it was just him and Selphie. They had been driving up to Seattle when everything started. They were trapped on I-5 about fifty miles north of where they were now and decided to head South. They met Wakka first in a gas station. Leon was next, they found him in Lebanon, another small town in the police station there. Marluxia had been the newest addition they had only met him a day ago on the road wandering aimlessly.

"Wow. Small world huh?" Sora joked nudging Riku in the ribs.

"Yeah..."

"Wait. Wasn't there another one of you guys?" Wakka pipped up his thick Carribean accent rolling through the small conversations.

"Oh. Crap. We forgot about Will." Zack smacked his forehead.

"Shouldn't he have come back by now?" Aerith asked.

"Yuffie and Shelke probably have him tied up." Tidus chuckled.

"Come on. Let's go check on him." Sora laughed. Riku had an uneasy feeling and fell behind the rest of the group. Marluxia saw him and they both darted away while the others were too distracted and disappeared uphill.

Will stood panting lightly, his breath raspy. At his feet lay the bodies of two young women. The black haired girl was around twenty and the auburn haired girl was perhaps seventeen. They had thought they had the drop on the burned man, the black haired one held a gun to his head. He feigned surrender, dropping his rifle. In and instant he whirled about, snatching the unprepared girl's gun. He deftly forced the slide back to prevent firing and punched her in the neck with his off hand he grabbed her by the shoulder and twisted the pistol from her hand as he threw her down as hard as he could. She struck the floor, her head cracking open on impact. She let out a few gurgling coughs and then expired her dark eyes staring up at him in shock. The younger girl had attacked him with a knife then, he threw his gun at her head throwing her off balance and stunning her. He grabbed her arm angrily and forced the knife into her own chest, he covered her mouth as she tried to scream for help. He felt no remorse.

'You had it coming.' Will thought.

'Never fuck with the big bad wolf.'

'Two more for the record.' Will felt the familiar grin spread across his lips. He felt an intense pleasurable sensation spread from the base of his spine all the way up to the top of his head. He laughed quietly, manically. He cut them then. Small designs at first, stars, circles and the like, then he increased into all out mutilation. He cut off their ears, gouged their eyes and removed their appendages one by one until there was nothing but a pile of gore. He was coated in blood. Needing fresh clothes Will made his way through the house. He found himself in a teenager's room. The posters and general unkempt nature of the black space gave it away.

"Ooh." Will cooed with childish glee. He found a trench coat and black pants. Knee high, clasping boots were his next find along with fingerless gloves that had spikes on the knuckles. He noticed a broad brimmed hat similar to that worn by Van Helsing and immediately put it on. Admiring himself in the mirror Will felt like a true post-apocalyptic anti-hero. He felt many more things as well, some good, most bad. Sighing he made his way to exit the structure taking one last look at his grim display.

Upon exiting the house Will saw a large group coming toward him. He could see Zack, Aerith and Sora but saw no sign of Riku. Fearing the worst Will darted to the left before they could see him. They were too caught up in their own conversations. He had warned Sora that he talked too much. He skirted far to the right, driven by a combination of rage and despair. He could sense that Riku was in danger. He ran up the hill as fast as he could ignoring the searing pain all over his flesh.

Cresting the hill Riku turned around to face Marluxia. The male had given chase expertly, never falling more than twenty feet behind. They glared at one another, neither willing to make the first move. Riku could have pulled his pistol or a knife easily, but he wanted to hurt Marluxia, make him feel as powerless as he did.

"You ran pretty good for a bitch." The pink haired man spat.

"Fuck you!" Riku growled.

"Got that the other way around don't you? I fucked you. Mmm. You had such a sweet ass too."

"Piss off you perverted freak." Riku moved closer ready to strike.

"Not so much when I had you tied up suckin' my dick. Or when I pounded your ass 'til you passed out. How bout the time I brought my friends over you remember that one?" Marluxia teased. Riku leapt forward his fist colliding with Marluxia's face. The initial shock was short lived however as Riku doubled over gasping. Marluxia was a despicable human and didn't hesitate to kick Riku in the groin with all his force. Riku was thrown to the ground and Marluxia sat on his chest forcing Riku to agonizingly breath laboriously. He felt a rib break then another.

"I wasn't finished whore. I remember filling you so full you didn't eat for days. I stretched your ass so loose you could fit a horse cock. You were my slave. You still are and I will make you pay for giving me your filthy disease. Now suck!' Marluxia whipped his member out onto Riku's face and rubbed it getting himself hard. Riku struggled but could not break free, his arms were pinned. He held his breath, vision blurring and with a sadistically smirking Marluxia on his chest he was nothing less than shocked when a black whirlwind tackled the pick haired man off him.

It took a moment for Riku to recognize the figure as Will with his new attire. Marluxia tried to fight back but was taken by surprise by a very angry Will, Riku could see the red aura surround him indicating he was using magic as he beat the taller male. The sickening pops and cracks of breaking bones were soon replaced by the ragged gasps for air through blood filled lungs.

'You okay?' Will asked Riku who gave only a slight nod. Will bounded up and put his hands on Riku. Within a few seconds his ribs were mended. Riku sighed in relief.

"What should we do with him?" Will asked. Suddenly Riku felt a deep sadistic urge fill his heart. He wanted to make Marluxia pay dearly for his treatment. He knew what he wanted.

"Let's rape him. Then kill him. He needs to be taught a lesson." Riku's smirk was demonic when he looked into Will's eyes. Will nodded quietly. He couldn't agree more. Marluxia went wide eyed and tried to fight but it was two on one and he was far too injured to put up much of a fight. They made him experience more pain, suffering and humiliation in the span of half an hour than he'd subjected anyone to in his whole life. He cried, begged and eventually fell into rambling prayers begging anyone to end this. Finally they finished, climaxing in him and on him.

When they were done Will tied the broken man to a log. Riku did the honors of lighting him on fire. As they walked back toward the town they could hear the distant calls of their company. They had probably discovered Will's handiwork and Riku's absence. Now they were headed to find out what was going on. Neither knew how they would explain all this but in the moments after their bliss they didn't care all that mattered was the other.

"He didn't hurt you too bad I hope." Will stated.

"Nah. Thought he was gonna force me to give him head."

"Who was he?"

"Ex-boyfriend. Real creep but he got me things I needed, so he got my body."

"I see. And I'm guessing you departed his company on very bad terms."

"Gave him HIV. Fucker deserved it."

"Humph. You're clean now. That potion removed it."

"I thought so. Listen I'm not the person that was up there, I was just so angry I had to do to him what he did to me."

"I won't judge you."

"Thanks. How 'bout you? Why did you go along with it?" Riku asked suspiciously.

"You wanna know the truth?" Will asked darkly.

"Yeah."

"I wanted to see your junk." Will smirked.

"Oh. See anything you like?"

"Yes."

"Good."

"This may work out after all."

"Glad to hear it. But how do we explain all this?"

"I found them like that and chased after a wraith. Found you being attacked by Marluxia and the wraith. Together we killed them both."

"That's a good story."

"Wouldn't be the first we told, now would it?"

"No." Riku felt somehow at ease with Will at his side. He couldn't explain it but he felt fantastic and even the way Will seemed to bounce with each step suggested the same was true for him. In truth Riku didn't care if they were questioned or ridiculed, so long as Sora and Will were his friends he was happy and nothing else mattered. He felt the shackles of his regrets ebb and he was left with a euphoric sensation all throughout his being. Despite what he'd just done, he didn't regret it in the slightest nor did he feel any sympathy for Marluxia.

'Sometimes you have to let out the dark in order to be light.' Riku thought to himself satisfied. He could see the angry look on Sora's face from where he was, slowly he walked onto the road, ready to face whatever retribution came his way, he knew Will was too.

A/N: Ok. I know I did some really bad things with this chapter. But hey it is a dark fic in general so I think it shouldn't come as too much of a shock. I'm slowly revealing more and more about Riku, Sora and Will because they're the main characters, I won't use 'protagonist' because that implies they are the good guys, that distinction is for you the readers to decide. Anyway, thanks for reading and any feedback is welcome. Thanks again.