hey peoples, sorry for the wait (its been what? ... 2 weeks, i think? about? ...lemme alone, math ain't my strong point) anyway, this chapter is mostly focused on Sora and Riku, hope you don't mind (which you shouldn't cuz it says in the summary this is a Sora-Riku fic... ok so the summary also says its Axel-Roxas. and it is. just not as much in this chapter... agh, i'm rambling!)

Disclaimer: trust me, i don't own Kingdom Hearts (1 or 2). if i did... let's not go there... oh! and i also don't own the songs by Vanessa Carlton "White Houses" and "Halfa Week Before the Winter" and i didn't write all the lyrics of both songs in simply because when something happens, people pay more attention to that than the background music, so... yeah... all the lyrics won't be there. and i also don't own Mario Brothers or Bowser. nope. not all of us can be that lucky in life.

anywaysies, now to the reviewer responses:)

Arika of the Demons: that is a hilarious idea! it won't happen in this story cuz it'd have almost nothing to do with the plot, but funny nonetheless XD and no, the story won't turn ultra-religious. the plot just requires you to understand the basic concepts of holiness and demons pretty much... and it will have church activities going on simply cuz Riku happens to be a little Christian goody-goody, but the story won't have Christian morals really except that love triumphs over all in the end. ...was that a spoiler?

inuchichi: thanksies! hope you like this chappy

chosen-one4: thank you! and vampire-ish stuff is awesome, isn't it? glad to have your support

Vampire Riku: yes! aren't the plushies adorable? i'm happy you like them and this story thank you!

varda101: thanks! i'm really happy you like the story :)

Divinehearts: seriously? the only story with Sora as the vampire instead of Riku? YES! i am different! woo-hoo! (well, according to my friends i've been different for a while now... but i'm pretty sure this isn't what they meant) but wow... the only story with vampire Sora makes me feel special and kinda surprised (according to you anyway) and i guess, no problem making one of your fanfic dreams come true (i think its fun to have Sora evil instead of Riku... its just so much more fun for some reason... hurray for OOC-ness!)

Child of the Dark Wood: thanks! and of course you can have an Axel plushie. you reviewed, you deserve it.

The Yaoi Pimpette: thank you! well, i do have more chapters (this is one of them) hope you enjoy it!

xcloudx: i'm happy you like it! thanks yous!

BlueFlamesRedTears91: thanks! its ok that you're not that good with criticism, i know lots of people like that. as long as you try its fine :)glad you enjoy it

Froline el-Vasper: WOO-HOO! i've converted another one!... ok, so you're the first person i've converted, but still... and yeah, Cloud has emotion. i like Cloud with emotion. he's funnier that way and the next chapter is up (obviously) anyways, thank you so much!

wing-sama: heehee, i'm glad you like it. and i'll try to update as fast as i can, but... bleh... evil procrastination... i'll try. anyways, thank you!

"Yoo-hoo! Axel!"

"Shit, stop following me, dammit!" Axel protested as Demyx tackled him. "Demyx . . . get . . . off . . . of me . . . now . . ."

Demyx shook his head. "Uh-uh! You have to listen to me sing! I've been working really hard on a song, but no one'll listen to me!"

"And for good reason," Axel muttered. Demyx wasn't exactly known for his music skills. Rather, he was famous for his lack of them.

"What was that!"

"Nothing, now get off me!"

"Why? What do you have to do besides listen to me anyway? Sora's not back yet and Leon is reporting to the Queen and Larxene is being a bitch and–"

"Demyx, that's nice gossip and all, but I really couldn't care less. I was just going to wait for Sora to get back since it's almost curfew and he should be getting back any time now. Happy?"

"No! You have to listen to me!" Demyx insisted. Then a dangerous twinkle glinted in his eye as an idea popped into his head. "I got it! I'll sing while you wait for Sora! It's perfect!"

Axel sighed. Why did Demyx have to be such a pain in the ass?

"Axel!" a voice called

"Hmm?" Looking up, Axel noticed a young brunet vampire jogging up to them.

"Sora! You're back! Now both you and Axel can listen to my song!" Demyx cried, glomping Sora in the process.

"Er . . . no thanks, Demyx. I . . . uh . . . promised my brother I'd try reading one of those books he gave me forever ago! And I just . . . um . . . wanted to show it to Axel! Yeah! C'mon, Axel!" Sora declined, quickly dragging Axel away from the disappointed Demyx.

After the two had left the hall, Demyx mumbled, "Damn it all . . . why can't anyone just give me a chance?"

-

"What's put you in such a good mood?" Axel asked Sora in his room.

"Dunno . . . guess being full after starving really makes me happy," the brunet replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Good, cause you know I hate it when you're hungry."

Sora chuckled. "Everyone hates it when I'm hungry," he pointed out.

"And for good reason! By the way, why were you out so late? Surely it wasn't that hard to find some humans wandering around."

"Nah . . . just walkin' around . . ." Sora said vaguely. Axel eyed him suspiciously for a moment, not sure to accept that equivocal answer or not. Eventually, he just shrugged his shoulders. All vampires had their secrets, and each one knew it was rude to pry into another's.

After a few minutes of total boredom, the duo left Axel's room for the entertainment center downstairs, but not down all the stairs. That would've been too much effort to go all the way down the stairs of Castle Oblivion.

Entering the large room, they found Larxene watching TV, Demyx trying to convince somebody to listen to him sing (and failing miserably), and some other vampires just relaxing. Eventually, Axel and Sora started a game of pool.

I can't wait to see Riku tomorrow! The spiky-haired vampire thought joyfully. He didnt' know why, but he couldn't wait to spend time with the young human. It kept interrupting his concentration on the game with Axel. Sora just couldn't focus.

After being forced to admit defeat, Sora returned to his cell to sleep–or try to. Praying his anticipation for the next day wouldn't keep him up, Sora slipped under the covers and fell peacefully asleep.

-

Riku began pacing anxiously. He'd arrived ten minutes early, hoping to be there when Sora showed up, but it was only a few minutes until seven and he still hadn't appeared.

Then again, only a handful of the people that originally said they would come were there now. Pence, Olette, Roxas, Hayner, and Selphie had been the only people to come so far–save their youth group leader Wakka. Wakka was, scarily enough, the one to drive them down there and supervise the group.

"What's up with you, Riku?" Roxas asked. The silver-haired teen had kept glancing at his watch and looking around nervously.

"Oh, uh . . . I invited someone to come with us, and he said he'd be here."

Roxas raised his eyebrows. "Really? Who?"

"Um . . . remember the guy who saved me the other night? Yeah, well, I ran into him again and invited him to come with us," Riku explained.

"Oh, what was his name?" asked Roxas.

"Sora."

Sora? Wait . . . didn't Axel say that his friend Sora was a vampire like him? I wonder if Riku knows . . . Well, it's not like I can ask him. I'll sound like an idiot. Vampires aren't even supposed to exist! How can I expect anyone to believe me? But if Sora is a vampire, why is coming to a church function? Agh . . . I'll just think about this later . . .

Olette sighed, "It's such a beautiful sunset."

"I know! Isn't it?" Selphie exclaimed.

Looking over at the west, all the boys noticed that the girls were right as the sun slid gently under this side of the world. The sun was soon gone, but the brilliant shades of reds, oranges, purples, and pinks the sun's rays created took much longer to fade.

"Riku!" a voice cried as two arms wrapped themselves around Riku's neck and two legs around his waist.

"S-Sora?" Riku choked.

"Yep!" the brunet answered cheerfully, still attached to the shocked silver-haired teen.

"Riku, is this someone you'd like to introduce us to, ya?" Wakka asked. Everyone looked Sora over. He was a spiky-haired brunet wearing black cargo pants, black boots, and a black trench coat that hid everything else. Did the kid not understand that it was summer?

"Uh, yeah, everyone, this is Sora. Sora, this is Wakka, Hayner, Pence, Olette, Roxas, and Selphie," Riku introduced, pointing to each of his friends in turn.

"Nice to meetcha," Sora said, smiling brightly.

"Ok, it doesn't look like anyone else is gonna show up, ya, so let's load up," Wakka said, heading towards the van.

"Sora?"

"Yeah, Riku?"

"Will you get off me, please?"

"Oh! Sure," Sora said, letting go of his grip on the boy.

"Thanks," Riku breathed. "Sora, where's your stuff?"

"What stuff? I'm not on drugs if that's what you're talking about."

Riku shook his head. "No, where's your sleeping bag and change of clothes and that stuff?"

"I don't have a sleeping bag and what's wrong with what I'm wearing now?" Sora wondered innocently.

"Just . . . nevermind . . ."

"Ok," Sora said, shrugging his shoulders.

Riku got in the van after Pence–both of whom managed to get the bucket seats in the middle. Selphie, Olette, and Roxas were in the back with Hayner in the front with Wakka.

"Um . . . where's Sora gonna sit?" Olette asked, seeing as there wasn't anymore room in the van.

Everyone considered this for a moment.

"I got it!" Sora said, eyes aglow with mischief. Riku saw that look and immediately stiffened as he remembered what had happened last time Sora got that look in his eye. Just what was the brunet going to do now?

"Sora, wha–" Riku asked, but was interrupted as the vampire piled into the car and plopped himself on Riku's lap. Riku blushed at the sudden heat on his thighs.

"Everyone comfortable back there, ya?" Wakka asked.

Sora, smirking, replied smugly, "I know I am."

Riku's blush raged an even fiercer crimson as he turned his head towards the window and pretended to be fascinated by the familiar scenery. Olette and Selphie giggled. Roxas and Pence began a conversation, trying to ignore what was going on around them while Hayner made sure Wakka knew the way.

As soon as they were on the highway, Hayner turned around and said, "Hey, Roxas–you remember our bet, right? How's it goin'?"

"So far, you're winning, but I will find something Riku likes to do! The summer's not over yet!" Roxas answered, determination resounding from his voice. Hayner chuckled.

"What bet?" Sora asked.

Pence took upon the responsibility of informing Sora about the bet. "Hayner and me bet Roxas five gallons of ice cream each that he couldn't find Riku a hobby over the course of the summer. And there's only a few weeks left until school starts up again, so he doesn't have much time left."

"Doesn't Riku have a hobby already? Something he likes to do?"

Pence shook his head. "Nope, nothing he's told us about, anyway."

"Oh." Sora turned back to Riku, who was still facing the window. "Ri-ku . . ." he said, poking the boy. "Riiii-kuuu . . ."

"Hmm?" Riku acknowledged.

"What do you like to do?"

"I dunno . . ." he replied vaguely.

"C'mon . . . gimme an answer . . ." Sora said, continuing his barrage of pokes.

"I really dunno . . ."

"C'mon, there's gotta be something . . . I won't stop poking you until you tell me," Sora threatened.

"Fine, I like listening to music," Riku answered simply. The entire van stared at him (except for Wakka who had to pay attention to the road).

"Alright, Sora! You made pretty boy talk! The puppet has feelings after all!" Hayner congratulated. Riku grunted in response, but comments similar to Hayner's were made to both Sora and Riku as Hayner turned on the radio.

Roxas, however, was looking at Sora enviously. He'd been Riku's friend for how many years and Riku had never told him once that music was important to him. He always thought he was the closest person to Riku, and then Sora waltzed in like he owned the place–or more directly, owned Riku. And that wasn't right.

It should be Roxas that Riku told everything! Roxas had been there for Riku for how long and Sora could just talk to him as if they were best friends! They'd only met the other night! And Sora was a vampire, so it wasn't as if Riku could trust him anyway. Just what the hell was going on!

A silence soon befell the group as they stared at the blank scenery around them. It was quite boring. Nothing exciting was going on outside the car, nor inside it.

"I got it!" Selphie cried, clapping her hands.

"What?" Pence asked.

"We can play the Alphabet Game! Everyone knows how to play, right?" she checked.

"Um . . . I don't really know . . ." Sora admitted sheepishly.

"Ok! It's really easy, Sora! All you do is look for the letters of the alphabet in order outside of the car! You can use anything outside the car, but you can only get one letter from each sign, ok?

Sora nodded, "Ok, I get it."

"Ok! Ready, set, GO!"

For the next half hour, all the van's occupants (save the driver yet again) were on the lookout for any signs that might have the letter they needed. Sora and Pence had only managed to find an 'A' on a 'No Passing Zone' sign and were searching for a 'B'. Olette and Hayner were a little farther seeing as they were looking for an 'F', and Selphie was busy with her search for the letter 'J'. However, Riku surpassed all of them as he looked for the letter 'Q'.

"It's no fair, Riku," Sora whined. "Where'd you find a 'B' anyway?"

"There was a billboard a while back that was for Bob's Diner."

"What about 'E'?"

"I found that on an exit sign."

"'L'?"

"One of those 'adopt a litter' signs. At least, I think that's what it said . . ."

"You mean you don't even remember?"

"No, I wasn't paying enough attention."

"Then it shouldn't count!"

"What? Why not?"

"You don't even remember what the sign said, so it shouldn't count!"

"I saw the letter–that's enough!" Riku retorted.

"Nuh-uh!"

"Yeah!"

"No!"

"Selphie?"

"Yeah, Riku?"

"Do I have to remember what the sign I got a letter off of said?"

"Nope, it'd be too hard to memorize twenty-six signs. If we had to that I would'a lost a long time ago!" she said with a smile.

Riku smirked at Sora as the vampire stuck his tongue out at the silver-haired teen. Everyone laughed, and eventually even the sulking vampire giggled along, too.

"Hey, Wakka?" Olette called to the front.

"Ya, Olette?"

"Can we put one of my CDs in?" she inquired.

"Depends, who's da artist?"

"Vanessa Carlton," she replied.

After a moment's consideration, Wakka obliged and Olette passed the CD up front. Hayner slipped it in and the first track began playing. A calm spread throughout the van as everyone listened to the song they'd heard on the radio many times already.

Crashed on the floor when I moved in

this little bungalow with some strange new friends

Stay up too late and I'm too thin

We promise each other it's 'till the end

now we're spinning empty bottles it's the five of us

with Pretty eyed boys girls die to trust

I can't resist the day, no I can't resist the day

Jenny screams out and it's no pose

when she dances she goes and goes

beer through the nose on an inside joke–

"If I find any beer tonight nobody's gonna be happy, ya!" Wakka called from the front. When everyone laughed, he said, "Not kiddin', ya! No joke!"

It's alright, and it's nice not to be so alone

But I hold onto secrets, in white houses

maybe I'm a little bit over my head

I come undone at things he said

he's so funny in his bright red shirt

we were all in love and we all got hurt

I sneak into his car's cracked leather seat

the smell of gasoline in the summer heat

boy we're going way too fast, it's all too sweet–

"You guys do anything like that and we go home early!" Wakka yelled.

"Don't worry, Wakka," Sora said smoothly. "We couldn't even if we wanted to, this car doesn't have leather seats."

Everyone laughed as Wakka roared that that wasn't what he meant. It was a relaxing car ride as people dozed off listening to the music.

Soon, Sora had leaned back into Riku while the silver-haired boy unconsciously wrapped his arms loosely around the vampire's waist. Olette and Selphie leaned against the windows, lightly snoozing. Pence was reading some book or other on the supernatural, and Hayner was busy playing his gameboy. Roxas was the only one awake after a while. Bored, he examined the way everyone looked right now–memorizing the moment. A mental camera clicked in his head.

Half a week before the winter

the chill bites before it comes

and I'm a child of the pleasure

that he brings before he runs

Roxas sighed. Vanessa Carlton was still singing strong throughout the van. Not that he minded all that much. He thought she was a very good musician in her own right–he just didn't care.

He sits behind a desk of mahogany

he whispers dreams into my ear

though I've given him his empire

he delivers me my fear

The unicorns are riding high

Powerful in coats of white

I turn to look and burn my eyes

I carry on, I carry . . .

All the weight of empty promise

As I stand swallowed by the light

Flickering above the highway

I hold my head and know the streets are mine tonight

Roxas's interest turned to Sora. He was a vampire, Roxas was sure of that. Surprisingly, he actually found himself believing Axel. He didn't know why. He just had an instinct that told him he could trust the redhead.

The vampires are growing tired

The coats of white all turn to red

My heart burns with desire

I carry on I carry on

Sora whimpered as the song went into an instrumental break. Was he . . . crying? No way . . . why would Sora be crying?

"Sora . . . are you ok . . .?" Riku asked softly. So Roxas wasn't the only person who noticed.

"I'm fine," Sora replied. But actions speak stronger than words, and Sora's glistening eyes completely gave him away.

"No, you're not. Sora, tell me what's wrong," Riku pleaded.

"It's just . . . the song reminds me of someone," the vampire admitted helplessly.

"Who?" Riku wondered as his hands began cupping Sora's own and stroking them gently.

"My . . . sister . . ." he confessed.

"How?"

"I don't really wanna talk about it . . ." he said hastily.

". . . Alright, if you're sure."

"Thanks, Riku," the brunet said gratefully.

Roxas looked at the two sitting there. It seemed so natural, for some reason, to see Sora in Riku's lap like that and for Riku's arms to be comfortably placed around Sora. Roxas didn't know why, but the atmosphere seemed to relax as Sora's tension slipped away in Riku's arms.

The blonde had a fleeting feeling of wondering what it would be like to sit in Axel's lap, but shoved the idea away quickly. It was stupid to think things like that. A) Axel was a vampire. B) Axel had already tried to molest him. C) He didn't even know the redhead that well. Not that he wanted to! He was like a creepy stalker or something. Seriously, how could he have found Roxas's home if he hadn't been stalking him? Oh wait . . . he said he was following Leon . . . So was he stalking Leon? Damn, things just kept getting more confusing by the minute.

I'll stop thinking for a while. Yeah, that'll do it. I'm thinking too much and my brain is coming up with crazy stuff from lack of rest. Yep, I think I'll just take a break, Roxas thought before leaning his head forward and falling asleep.

And he would have remained blissfully unconscious as well as several other people in the car if Hayner hadn't screamed, "YES! FINALLY! I BEAT MARIO BROTHERS! TAKE THAT, BOWSER!"

"HAYNER!" everyone shouted, thoroughly annoyed.

"Whoops, sorry . . ." Hayner apologized.

"Do that again and you're walking, ya! I gotta drive safely, and I can't do that with people screaming, ya!"

"Sorry, Wakka," Hayner said, sinking in his seat.

Driving made Wakka irritable. And whoever became the unlucky victim would feel the sympathy of everyone (and their gratitude that it wasn't them).

"–and you can't disrupt the driver, ya! I could get us in a car accident and no one wants that, do ya!"

"Wakka . . ." Olette said softly.

"Do you!"

"Wakka . . ." Pence warned uneasily.

"What!"

"You're gonna miss the turn!" Hayner cried spontaneously.

"Wha–oh crap!" Wakka said–turning the van sharply into the right exit. Riku's grip on Sora tightened as the van nearly went sideways, raised on two wheels.

After a few seconds of everyone catching their breath as Wakka slowed down by about twenty notches, the dangerous driver asked, "Everyone ok back there?"

Mutedly, the van's backseat occupants nodded. Wakka sighed and they continued their journey–gameboy safely removed from Hayner's hands.

Not much later, the youth group arrived at the church camp. The main lodge was a remote mansion surrounded by a luscious forest. The building looked old, worn down, but it was a church camp. And most of those camps never did get the proper funding necessary.

The building was still intact though. Running bathrooms, showers, clean beds and a working kitchen. That's all they could ask for really. Besides, Wakka was a much better cook than a driver.

"Ok, everybody out! Grab your stuff and let's get settled, ya!" Wakka ordered, stepping out of the car.

Sora groaned. That meant he'd have to get off Riku, and he'd been so comfortable, too. Reluctantly, the brunet slid off the boy's lap and looked around. He could see hints of the long-gone sunset above the trees, but just barely.

Everyone grudgingly piled their stuff over their shoulders like pack mules and trudged to the main lodge. Well, everyone except Sora, that is.

Inside, things were tidy. The carpet was blue, but in some of the rooms the floor was tiled (the kitchen, for example). The walls were all a shade of off-white with a few paintings of Jesus or a cross adorning them. There was some worn furniture spread haphazardly around the large room.

"Hey there! You must be Wakka, am I right?" a cheery man asked, crossing the room in long strides which appeared to be quite easy for him with his lanky legs. With his balding head and boniness, Sora thought he very much resembled a crane or heron. Not that he'd ever seen either one. Hmm . . . maybe a dying flamingo . . . Sora thought.

"Ya, who are you?" Wakka inquired.

"Jerry, well met," the man–Jerry–said, offering Wakka his hand who shook it roughly.

"So, Jerry, are you the director of the camp?" Wakka asked.

"Yes sir! I run this place, and I'll give you the rules once you're all settled in. Your rooms are downstairs, first two doors on either side–you can figure it out from there. Oh, and before I forget, we're hosting a last-minute group from Traverse Town tonight," announced Jerry.

"Thanks," Wakka said gruffly before leading them through a door to the downstairs area.

"Thank goodness we got the downstairs," Selphie sighed happily.

"Why?" Sora asked, curiosity getting the best of him.

"'Cause that's where the awesome stuff is!" Selphie said.

Sora saw what she meant as they entered the downstairs area. There was a huge room with two doors on either side–one for boys and one for girls. The room connecting the two however, was enormous and had bright colored bean bag chairs, inflatable chairs, and reclining chairs as well as a long and luxurious sofa. Also in the room was a ping pong table, a shelf full of board games, and badminton equipment.

"Hey, Selphie?" Sora said.

"Yeah, Sora?"

"Not to be rude, but how can this place afford this stuff?" Sora wondered.

"That's simple, Sora! Jerry simply uses most of the money on stuff like this for the visitors," she answered brightly.

"Oh . . ."

"Hey, any idea where the other group is hangin' out?" Hayner asked anyone and everyone.

"They're on the other side of the building, ya," Wakka said.

"Let's go meet 'em!" Selphie said enthusiastically.

"Selphie, everybody, it's too late to meet them. You can see them in the morning after breakfast, ya?" Wakka said strictly.

Selphie just pouted. "Fine."

"Calm down, Selphie. You'll live. We still have Sora to get to know, remember?" Olette comforted.

Selphie's eyes lit up. "Oh yeah! I almost totally forgot! Hey, everyone!"

"What?" everyone responded.

"Tonight we're gonna play Group Truth or Dare! Ok?" Selphie said happily. But under the innocence you could see the look that said "it is final–with your consent or without it."

So everyone just shrugged their shoulders and went to unpack. Except for Sora, that is, but he followed Riku in the boys' room anyway.

In the boys' room, there were bunk beds squished in the small room. Well, it wasn't exactly small, per se, just smaller than the main room. (Not that that said a lot, seeing as the main room was huge.)

Riku randomly picked a bed and threw his stuff on the bottom. He'd sleep on the top like he usually did when they came to the retreat. He just liked the change in altitude when sleeping every once in a while. After all, he didn't have a bunk bed at home, so it was kind of nice to have a little change occasionally.

"So . . . you like the top?" Sora asked as Riku unrolled his sleeping bag on the top bunk.

"Yeah," Riku answered, completely unaware of the thoughts that had entered Sora's mind. "Why? Something wrong with that?" Riku asked, not unkindly.

"No, I can live being the uke."

"W-what!" Riku sputtered.

Sora chuckled. "Nothing . . ."

"Uh-huh . . ." Riku said disbelievingly.

"Can I have your attention, guys?" Jerry called.

In a few seconds, everyone was out in the main room. Everyone knew he was going to explain the rules–that was the way it always went. They just hoped he'd get through it quickly so they could do other stuff.

"Alright guys, I only got a few rules for you. No going outside after midnight and clean up any mess you make. Anything you break you pay for. Ok . . . that's it–just follow the Ten Commandments and the laws and you're golden," Jerry informed. With that, the director headed back upstairs to who-knew-where.

"Ok, guys, I gotta make breakfast tomorrow, so I'm gonna go to bed. No disturbin' me or anyone else in the building, and go to bed before two in the mornin', ya," Wakka said before going back to the boys' room.

A few minutes later, obnoxious snores echoed throughout the building.

Hayner shook his head, waving around his weirdly spiked blonde hair. "And he told us to be quiet . . ."

ok, this chapter was mostly filler... very fluffy filler... heehee... fluff is fun to write... well, not really filler, just an introduction to the next chapter... kinda setting it up or something like that...

oh, and i won't be able to update for a few weeks cuz i'm goin to New Mexico for a week or so right after school gets out this week, so i'll be gone for a while... sorry, but its for a good cause.

so... reviews for a recording of Demyx singing, ok? no wait... that'll sound terrible, so ... aw, i can't think of anything, so we'll just go by request, it'll have to be a plushie though, cuz you really don't want me to cook something (if you read my Sora, Sugar, and Libidos Oh My story and my notes before it, you would know why its not healthy for me to cook)