I don't own Kingdom Hearts, but if I did, Sora would totally be all mine...haha. Story is mostly original, but it is inspired by Vampire Knight. I hope that you guys enjoy. Reviews and criticism would be appreciated.

NOTE: The first section of every chapter is usually told from Kairi's POV, whereas the rest is in the third person. "Stained by Sin" is only the working title. Hopefully something better will come to me.

Summery: Sora disappeared from Kairi's life for unknown reasons. A year later, he returns to her and Riku with little to say about his absence. Blood, lust, fear, secrets, friendships, reunions, and promises change their lives.

6. Untold Truthf
~ Hitorijime~

I sat in a dark brown leather chair in the main room of my father's clinic, waiting for Sora, Roxas, and Axel to come back. Daddy said that it was useless to wait for them, but I needed to know that they were fine.

"You should go home and get some sleep," Riku told me, handing me a blue blanket the color of his eyes. "I bet'cha they're coming back now and they'll be here in the morning."

I wrapped the blanket around my shoulders, rubbing the fabric to my cheek, the electric blue soft against my skin. "I want to make sure that they're okay. That Sora…comes back to me."

"You know, he's not gonna leave you," Riku answered, placing a heavy hand on my head. "You mean too much to him."

"What about you?" I questioned him. "Are you gonna head home?"

"Well, I was actually thinking about waiting for him, too." He took a seat on the armrest of my chair. "Ya don't mind, do ya?"

"No. It's fine."

An awkward silence followed. I wasn't sure what to do beside stare out the glass doors to watch for their return. I could feel Riku's eyes on mine, gently watching me as he always did during that year Sora was gone. No, even before then. He was always watching me with those gentle and concerned eyes. I never made anything of it before…that was until now.

He loved me.

I just never noticed it before because of my feelings for Sora. He had been watching me stumble through my infatuation with his best friends without saying a word.

I hurt him in the worst possible way.

Maybe if I hadn't met Sora first…hadn't been so sure that he was the one for me…hadn't known that he would be my only love, it might've worked out between us, but there was no way it could happen now. I was irreversibly in love with Sora. There would be no way I could have these same passionate feeling for anyone else.

"Kairi, are you okay?" he asked, reaching out to me.

"Riku," my voice cracked, "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For not meeting you first." I couldn't bring myself to say it. Say that I was sorry for not choosing Sora over him. It wouldn't have been true. I'm glad I love Sora. I wouldn't want it any other way.

"Was that all I had to do? Meet you before you met Sora?" He smiled tenderly, a sparkle in his eyes. "It's okay, Kairi. Just as long as you're happy. That's all that matters to me."

"Riku," my voice was barely above a whisper, "I hope you'll find happiness with the right person. You're the greatest friend I could ask for."

"Same here," he replied.

-----

Kairi awoke to the sunlight that was intensified by glass windows surrounding the room. A second blanket slid onto the floor as she stood up, clutching the electric blue blanket around her shoulders.

"Morning," Riku told her as he passed into the room.

"Good morning," she replied, reaching down and picking up the red and black blanket from the floor and placing it on the leather chair. "I guess I fell asleep, didn't I?"

"Well kinda," he answered jokingly.

"Thanks for the second blanket," she said, hoping their relationship was still the same.

"It wasn't me," he responded, pointing to a chair beside her. "Someone else was worried that you'd be cold too."

She turned around to find Sora snoozing on the chair. His head was resting on his arm, which lie on the armrest, as if he was watching her. She leaned over and brushed the hair out of his face, only for it to fall back into place. He stirred slightly, opening one eye before drifting off back to sleep.

"Get up Sora," she giggled. "You lazy bum."

He sleepily raised his head, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Oh, Kairi, it's you. G'morning."

"Mornin'," she told him.

"Good morning Riku," Sora said after taking his eyes off of Kairi.

"Morning Sora," he answered, taking a seat across from him. "How'd everything go last night?"

"Great," he replied immediately in a usually bright voice. "The Council accepted both proposals without a complaint."

"That's good," Kairi said, sitting back in her seat. "Can I ask why Roxas went with you two?"

"He wants to join us when we go to hunt," Sora answered in his normal voice. "He's gotten permission from Axel-sama and your dad, but both Roxas and I needed the Council's approval."

"So that officially means you're part of our team?" she questioned, leaning toward him with eager eyes. "Roxas too?"

"Let's not talk about this right now," he responded uneasily, shifting away from her. "Do we have to go hunt tonight?"

"Probably," Riku replied, noting Sora's reluctance to stay on the topic for too long. "Professor's shuffling through a massive pile of paper work right now. It might actually be a while before we get a clear answer."

"Why don't we go to the park then?" Kairi suggested, the blanket sliding off her shoulders as she stood up. "It's been years since we went there."

"I'm game," Riku said, getting up from his seat.

"What about you Sora?" she questioned him. "Want to go for old time's sake?" She stretched her hand to him.

"Sure," he answered, taking her hand.

"Let's go," Kairi said, also taking Riku's hand. "Together."

-----

The dim sun was slowly climbing into the sky, casting long shadows on the ground. A cool breeze blew through the sky, causing the leaves in the trees to sway back and forth. The bird's bright song rang through the air, weaving between the colors of the flowers, a message of the new day. Sora, Kairi, and Riku proceeded on the gravel path as the butterflies approached them, only to flutter away within the next second. Clouds slowly moved across the promising sky, their shadows scattered across the ground. Sora looked up, avoiding the sun, and smiled at the eternally blue sky.

The three wandered through the park, only glancing around at the familiar scenery: the vast playing field where Sora and Riku would spar when they were little while Kairi observed as the audience; the heavily wooded forest where they would often explore mysteries they imagined; the old metal park bench that just got a fresh coat of paint so it glimmered in the sunlight.

"Look, there's our favorite spot when we were little," Kairi stated, pointing to a large tree at the top of the hill. "Brings back memories, doesn't it?"

It was an old oak tree, around even before the children were born. Its gnarled roots protruded from the ground, forming small arcs before it buried itself into the ground. The bark was lined with wrinkles, rough to the touch of another creature. Its low sturdy branches formed seats that they, when they were younger children, could climb upon and sit. Many times have they watched the sun dip below the horizon, casting brilliant pastel colors against the stars that were slowly appearing. The end of the day.

It was ironic that they visited there at the beginning of the day. Instead of saying good-bye, they were now greeting a new day. It was also where Sora said his last words to Kairi before he left and now they were both coming back together.

"Race ya to the top," Riku challenged Sora, a childish smile on his face as he positioned himself.

"You're on," Sora agreed, also bending low. "Count us down, Kairi."

"Okay," she giggled, running ahead of them. She turned around to face them and held her arms in the air. "3…2…1!" She dropped her arms, signaling the start of the race.

Both Riku and Sora pushed off the ground, running toward the tree. Normally, both of them would be neck and neck with each other until the last few feet, where Riku pulled ahead. That wasn't the cast this time.

"Wow," Kairi whispered as soon as she turned around.

In the few seconds she waited to turn around, Sora was already at the tree's base while Riku was only a quarter of the way there. Sora waved back to them, a satisfied smirk dressing his face. Kairi ran up beside Riku and the two promptly walked the rest of the way.

"So, that's one of the few things you've gained," Riku applauded, admiring Sora's new abilities. "You get anything else?"

"Yeah," he answered, leaning against the tree. "Don't like to use them unless absolutely necessary."

"Hey," Kairi said, distracting the boys from a topic that she knew Sora was uncomfortable with, "let's climb to the top. We used to be able to see the whole park from there."

"We used to think we were on top of the world," Sora remembered, looking at the top. "I guess we know better now, don't we?"

"Yeah," Riku agreed. "Our world is so small, but it's a part of something so much bigger. We're always learning more about these worlds." He looked at Sora and then at Kairi, folding his arms across his chest. "It's the Professor's dream that the vampire world could live peacefully with ours."

"Riku…" Sora said, amazed at his friend's deep words.

"Sorry," he apologized, scratching the back of his head, "I guess I've been thinking a lot since you've come back, Sora."

A pause of silence followed.

"C'mon," Sora said, reaching his hand out to Kairi and Riku, "let's climb to the top."

Sora climbed onto the lowest branch without much effort. The whole climb up wasn't much of an effort because of his vampire strength and agility. He slowed down his pace in order to allow Kairi and Riku to keep up with him.

"Sora!" Kairi called when she encountered a branch too high for her.

Turning around, he reached down and grabbed her hand, pulling her up onto the upper brand. They both waited until Riku climbed up with them.

"You okay?" Sora asked Kairi before continuing up the tree.

"I'm fine," she answered, nodding.

Sora reached up for the next branch and pulled himself up. Kairi proceeded to follow him, but Riku grabbed her hand before she could climb up.

"I know I said that I'd be okay as long as you were happy," he told her, pulling her toward him. "But you know what; I'm only lying to myself."

"Riku…" she tenderly said, avoiding his eyes.

"Don't worry," he replied, holding her to his chest, enclosing his arms around her. "I just wanna know how it feels like. Could you at least give me that?"

"Riku…" she repeated, unmoving in his arms. "Okay." At first she hesitated, but she slowly touched his back, pressing both hands on the small of his back. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," he told her, releasing her. "Thank you."

"Yeah, I think I'll be fine…with time," he answered, turning his head away from her. "Can I try one more thing?" he asked after a brief moment.

But before Kairi could answer, Riku cupped her chin in his hands, placing his lips gently on hers. His lips captured hers in a short innocent kiss. Kairi didn't know how to react other than pull her head away slowly.

"I-I'm sorry," he apologized, his face completely red. "I didn't…mean to…actually…"

"Riku! Kairi!" Sora's voice called from above somewhere in the leaves. "Where are you?"

"We're coming," Riku replied, reaching for the next branch. He needed to get away from Kairi quickly before any other urge took control.

Kairi watched him climb the branches quickly, allowing or him to gain some distance. She knew that he needed time away from her to get things settled. As for the kiss, she could let him get away with that. It was the least she could do for him. Who knows, it might help him let go.

-----

"It's still as beautiful as I remember it," Sora commented, perched on a branch as he gazed out over the horizon. He looked over, expecting Kairi. "Riku?" he asked. "Where's Kairi?"

"Right here!" she answered, pulling herself onto the branch. She looked over at Riku, who was sitting against the trunk of the tree, gazing away from her over the horizon. His eyes were intent on a single point.

"Is something wrong?" Sora questioned her, noticing the serious look on her face.

"No, I was just thinking about something." She lowered herself back onto the lower branch below, her forearm level with the upper branch. Using the upper branch for support, she walked over to where Sora was sitting, standing beside him.

"Is something wrong with Riku?" he asked, worried about his best friend's quiet behavior. "Did something happen between you two?"

"You could say that," she responded, placing her head on Sora's lap. "The view from up here is still amazing."

Sora noticed how she changed the conversation. Instead of pursuing the topic, he agreed with her, running his fingers through the red strands of her hair, holding the tips for a moment before letting them slip from his fingertips. "It's just like when we were little."

"Yeah," she answered, breathing in the scent of his clothes, his smell. It was so familiar, how she laid her head upon his lap. Nothing was different, except back then, her feelings for him weren't as strong.

Sometime later, Riku got up and took a seat above them. When they were little kids, all three of them could sit on a single branch. They wouldn't dare to try placing the weight of three teenage children on one branch. But still, having the three of them together brought memories of their childhood, of simpler days. The morning passed by in silence as the three of them remained at the top of the tree. The worries of life disappeared in their little sanctuary, reminiscent of their younger care-free days.

-----

"Where have you been all morning?" Naminé asked when they returned to the clinic. "The professor was gonna send a search party after you guys."

"We were all just catching up with each other," Kairi answered.

"Well," Naminé responded, "Kaito-sensei wanted me to tell you three that you're going out tonight. He wants you all to prepare yourselves."

"I'm gonna start by getting something to eat," Riku declared, walking toward the kitchen. "Haven't had anything to eat all morning."

"Same here," Kairi said. "Are you coming Sora?"

"I will in a minute. I wanna take care of something first," Sora answered. "I'll catch up with you guys, so go ahead without me."

Sora and Naminé waited until both Kairi and Riku were out of hearing distance before saying anything.

"Roxas says that you've been acting weird ever since Xemnas-sama had a private conversation with you," Naminé stated. "Is something that matter?"

Sora hesitated to answer, but someone other than himself and Xemnas had to know about the power holding his will. "Xemnas is using me to get to Kairi."

"What?" Naminé questioned, unbelieving in Sora's words.

"Xemnas is trying to fulfill an ancient prophecy," Sora clarified. "The marriage of the human world and the vampire world. The marriage between a pure vampire and a human which will grand indescribable powers to the vampire race."

"What is this nonsense, Sora?"

"But no ordinary human will do," he continued. "Only a human with blood much like a pure vampire. That human was Kairo, Kairi's mother."

"Okay, let's say I completely understand," she gave up on stopping him. "Why would someone kill Kairo if she was the destined human?"

"Xemnas isn't the only one thirsting for power," he answered. "Many vampires are also against having the prophecy fulfilled. Kairo got caught in the cross-fire."

"So Kairi, Kairo's daughter, is the next destined human wife of the inter-world marriage?"

"Yes," he replied in a restrained voice. The effects of Xemnas' power were slowly fighting Sora's will.

"Why are you telling me this now?" She seemed convinced about Xemnas' plan. "Why aren't we protecting Kairi from potential danger?"

"Because," he struggled, "I'm the potential danger."

"What?!"

Sora fell to the ground, Xemnas' curse upon him taking full effect. His eyes glowed crimson, the manifest of power unnatural to his status. He stood up, taking Naminé's shoulders in his hands and forcing her to look at him. In a deep voice, he spoke.

"You are to take all the information I supplied you with about the prophecy or any related subject and lock it deeply in your memories, somewhere you can access it."

Naminé's eyes reflected the same crimson color of Sora's as she obeyed the command. As soon as Xemnas' bidding was done, his control over Sora slowly loosened its grip, draining Sora of any will to fight. Again, he collapsed to the ground, gasping heavily for the air that was knocked out of him. Naminé was released for the manifested power, returning to her normal self.

"Sora!" she cried when she saw him struggling for air. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"What…" his labored breathing caused him to stagger his words, "what was…the last…thing I said?"

"Ummm…something about taking care of something before joining Kairi for something to eat." She looked over him, wondering how he ended up on the floor without breath. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," he answered. "I guess I'm a little winded from hunger." He paused to allow transition. "Does Roxas know we're hunting tonight?"

"Not yet," she replied. "Do you want to tell him?"

"Yeah. I do."

"Okay, I'll leave it to you then," she said, still uncertain. "I'll see you later then." She weakly waved bye and walked away, her eyes lingering on him until she left the room.

Frustrated, Sora fell back into one of the chairs. Xemnas didn't have to hold Sora' will to stop him from ruining his plans. If Sora decided to tell someone, he himself would take care of it. That was why Xemnas chose him. Because he had a strong will. He wasn't a normal transformed vampire. He possessed a power that Xemnas wanted, that Xemnas craved. Xemnas was going to take anything to his advantage, take anything to achieve his goal. That included both him and Kairi."

------

After grabbing a pepperoni-and-cheese sandwich from the fridge and placing it in the microwave, Riku scavenged through the refrigerator, looking for a bottled water. Kairi walked into the kitchen, noticing the towel draped on the back of his neck.

"Hey Riku," she said nervously, unsure of how their relationship stood at the moment. There was no need for her to be nervous, but she didn't want to lose him as a friend.

"Hey," he answered, still shuffling through the contents of the fridge without pausing to look at her.

"What's with the towel?" She took a seat at the kitchen table.

The microwave started to beep, meaning that his sandwich was warmed up and ready for consumption. After he found what he was searching for, he stood straight, closed the fridge, and crossed the kitchen for his meal. "Gonna go work out." He took his food, blowing off the heat and started for the door.

"Oh." She didn't know how to answer. "Ummm…." The conversation had died. The air between them became awkward. "Can we talk? About…well, you know." Her eyes followed him as he passed her.

He paused, standing at the door frame. He turned around and looked at her. "I'm fine, Kairi," he told her. "I mean it this time." He smiled.

"But still…" She wanted absolute confirmation he was better, that they could be friends again without the awkwardness between them.

"We can talk later," he stated, turning to continue to the gym.

"Alright." She watched him walk until he took a turn into another hallway. Something told her that things were going to be normal again.

-----

Night fell quickly as the sun plunged below the horizon. They sky settled into a deep starless violet-black with only the light of a new moon to guide the citizens through their nightly passage. Streetlights stood as the only hope for those stumbling in the dark. Even under the aid of these beacons of light, some fell victim to creatures lurking in the very substances of shadows, watching and waiting for a lost soul too foolish to listen to reason to get within their reaches. Many lost voices were drowned in the endless abyss of ongoing darkness. Night cloaked the existence of those who fed on lost souls. It also concealed those who hunted them.

Riku walked into the Briefing Room, drying his blue-silver hair. The majority of his day was spent in the gym, running on the treadmill, pushing his body to its limits. The feel of adrenaline rushing through his blood helped him think. It was true that he finally released his feelings for Kairi. The only thing bothering him was how he would explain the reason for the kiss.

"So," he said, placing the damp towel on the back of a chair before settling into it, "you're really coming with us tonight?"

"I thought that maybe I'd take a walk in your shoes," Roxas answered. "Find out why you enjoy hunting my kind so much."

"Wouldn't it be like killing your own family?"

"I guess you could say that," Roxas agreed, a smile on his lips, "but to lump me together with those creatures is a little insulting."

"I guess my work is done then," Riku stated, enjoying the little taunting between himself and Roxas. "Where's Sora and Kairi?"

"They're probably on their way. She went to his room to get him."

"Well," Riku leaned back into his chair, "they better hurry before Professor blows a gasket."

"Before who blows a gasket?" the Professor walked into the room with two manila envelopes. He gave both Riku and Roxas an envelope. "Where are Sora and Kairi?"

"We're coming!" Kairi's voice drifted from the hallway. Both Sora and Kairi ran into the room, breathless from running. "Sorry we're late," she apologized.

"What were you two doing?" Riku asked. "Making out in his room or something?"

"What?!" Kaito slammed his hands on the wooden desk.

"No, no. It's nothing like that," Kairi explained, waving her hands in protest. "Demyx demanded that I listen to his new song. He slowed us down."

Her father stared at her, unbelieving in her story. "Moving on," he glared at Sora quickly before continuing, "I've got two cases for you four tonight. One in the north side of the city, the other in the east end."

"How are we gonna do two cases in one night?" Kairi questioned.

"You haven't told her yet Sora?" Roxas asked.

"I didn't want to."

"Well," Kaito said, clearing his throat, "since Roxas decided to follow Sora's lead, I let him join. There was no way he was hunting alone and other teams wouldn't allow for a vampire to join them. A team of four seemed foolish, so I have to split you four into two teams."

"Which are?" Riku asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Kaito replied. "You and Kairi were always my best team. It's gonna stay that way. Since Sora and Roxas joined around the same time, they'll be another team."

"So who's going where?" Sora questioned before Kairi could object.

"Riku and Kairi are northbound. You guys are supposed to search an abandoned factory. Someone called the police reporting that bodies of cats and dogs were found dead and void of blood. You know what to do. You, Sora, and Roxas are going to east to track down the Renegade that got away from another team a few days ago. You're both rookies at this, so be careful."

"Of course," Roxas answered coolly.

"Alright then," Kaito pushed his glasses up to his face, "I'll leave the rest to you."

Without a word, Sora left the room with Roxas following behind him. Kairi watched him leave, feeling the same vibes from him that she had on his first day of school. It must've meant something happened to make him need to avoid her again.

"You know," Kaito announced, "I was going to pair you with Sora, honey. But he came to me saying that he'd be partners with Roxas. I couldn't argue with him."

So he's avoiding me, she silently noted to herself. "It's okay, daddy. We're gonna go now."

"Be safe," he told her.

"I will," she responded, starting out the door.

"Watch over her," Kaito asked of Riku as he got up from his seat.

"Like always," Riku answered.

-----

"So, our guy is someone smart enough not to hunt humans, but stupid enough to make it look like animal abuse," Kairi concluded as Riku pulled over in front of the dilapidated building they needed to stop at.

"What kind of Renegadeis that?" Riku questioned as he stepped out of the car.

"Dunno, but this place sure gives me the chills. It's so dark and spooky," she commented.

Without the light of the moon, the building seemed to be a dark wall of blackness. The broken windows could be barely made out against the structure's face. The sound of chains rattling echoed from the corners of the building.

"Do you still wanna go in?" Riku asked her.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," Kairi answered, starting for the building.

The two of them proceeded to the door. Its hinges creaked loudly as Riku pushed the door open. Riku pulled a flashlight out of his back pocket and switched it on, illuminating a narrow path for them to follow. Their footsteps ominously echoed on the wood floor, filling the empty building with their presence. Rats scurried across the floor, running for the light as it shone on them, reflecting red in their eyes before they disappeared.

"Are you okay Kairi?" Riku's voice emanated from the darkness. "Do you want to turn back?"

"And what? Run like chickens? I don't think so," she answered. She waited a few seconds before speaking again. "Are things okay between us again?"

"I guess," he replied. "I just needed time to myself to think things over. I realized that I can't keep hoping that one day you'd have the same feelings for me. There's someone out there for me. I've just got to find her. What I should be doing is supporting you, not causing you grief over my problems. Life doesn't always go how you want it."

"I'm sorry," she told him.

"Don't be. It's because of you I've rethought about my life. If anyone should be sorry, it should be me. I didn't think I'd actually do that."

"Let's just pretend it didn't happen," Kairi replied, understanding what he meant.

A gust of wind passed behind them in an unnatural fashion. Both of them could feel another presence in the room, but with only the light of Riku's lone flashlight, nothing but themselves could be seen.

"We've found the human bride," a voice called out. "Looks like we can stop the charade now."

"Seems so," another voice spoke. "I wonder if it's okay to take a little bit of her blood before we give her to Xemnas-sama?"

"I don't think Xemnas-sama would mind if we took just one bite," the first voice answered.

"Riku?" Kairi called out, her voice gripped with fear. They had to be talking about her. No one else was in there but them and Riku certainly wasn't a girl. "Riku? Where are you?"

"Hush now," a withered hand covered her mouth, "we don't wanna hurt your little friend." The voice was feminine, high and airy in tone. "Unless he tries something to hurt us."

"How come you get to go first?" the second voice asked. This one was male in tone, deep and raspy. "I thought of it first."

Kairi tried to break lose, but one of the vampires had taken a hold of her hands and pinned them behind her back. She couldn't reach Flowering Strength.

"I'm the one who caught her," the female snapped back. "Besides, I saw her first."

"Kairi? Where are you?" Riku called out in the darkness.

"Tell your friend that you're okay," the female ordered her, uncovering her mouth. "And don't think about trying anything, or else he's going to be our meal."

"R…Riku…" she hesitated, scared more of his fate rather than her own. "…I'm okay."

"Where are you?" he questioned.

Kairi answered before she was told to. She wanted him safe at least. He found something to strive for, something to live for. She was only chasing after someone who was always pushing her away. "I'm trying to find my way out. Help me."

"Alright," he replied. The light of his flashlight was distant now. She watched it wonder aimlessly toward the door.

"Good job," the male spoke. "Way to get rid of him."

"Now," the female tilted Kairi's head to the side, "this will only hurt for a second."

Closing her eyes, Kairi prayed for it to end quickly. Funny, she thought, I wouldn't be as afraid if Sora tried to take my blood. I never got to tell him how I felt. I wonder if Riku would tell him for me.

Thanks for the reviews!!! They make me happy. Anyway, what will happen to Kairi? Who will save her? Find out in the next chapter: The Renegade's Eyes