Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, its characters or storyline. This storyline is mine. This chapter is just what the title says. Reviews are love!

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Chapter Ten: Riku Snaps

Tomas let Riku go home a few days after Dr. Young ran her tests, although he suggested staying close to home. From what Riku told us, Dr. Young's tests had merely been staring at ink blots, taking a few x-rays of his head, and other general check up-like routines. All of his cheerfulness seemed to have been drained out after the ordeal, and he was obviously glad to be home.

Sora and I visited everyday, often together, staying for hours at a time, talking about anything that would make him smile. That was the promise we'd made: do anything to make Riku happy and keep his mind off Dr. Young and her Schizophrenia mumbo jumbo.

"So…she slapped you, and you started making out with her?" Riku lifted an eyebrow.

Sora shrugged, grinning, and shot me a playful look, "Something like that." He winked.

The three of us were parked in Riku's living room. It was snowing steadily outside and Tara had made three mugs of hot chocolate for us, drinking coffee herself in the kitchen while she wrote up an agenda for the August Destiny Islands Council meeting. It felt like the middle of January, not the end of July. I sipped at the chocolate and sighed as the warmth spread down to my toes, filling me up inside.

"Remind me again," I asked, glancing at the window, "what month it is?"

"Almost August! Two weeks 'til my birthday!" Sora punched at the air triumphantly.

Riku lifted a hand, "No, don't get too excited. Didn't you know, when it snows in July, birthdays in August don't count. You won't be sixteen until next year. No wheels for you. Sorry."

Sora's eye twitched, "Don't screw with me, man. I've been waiting all year for this!"

I laughed, "You two crack me up."

There were three light knocks on the door. Riku rocked himself off the couch and set the hot chocolate on the coffee table, "I'll be right back."

When he had completely vacated the living room, Sora leaned towards me, suddenly concerned, "He was just kidding right?"

I laughed again, knocking his shoulder, "Of course, silly. You'll have your license in two weeks. That is, if you can pass the driver's test."

"Hey, I put up with enough criticism with Riku. That driver's test won't know what hit it. I'm gonna drive all over it and then back over it and drive over it again! You'll see; I've got mad driving skills!" He said, bouncing up and down in his seat in agitation.

I patted his hand, "Whatever makes you feel better."

Tara stood up in the kitchen, a frown gracing her features as she walked towards the front door. Then I heard it too, voices. One calm voice and one disgruntled voice; Dr. Young's voice was calm and Riku's was disgruntled.

"What are you saying?" Riku was asking.

Dr. Young's voice drifted in, "Are your parents home? I think it'll be better if—"

"Who—Dr. Young? Can we help you?" Tara asked, joining in.

"Oh, Tara, hello. Is your husband home?"

"No, why?"

"I—I think it would be better if you were both home before I—"

"What? Before what? Spill it!" Riku snapped.

"Riku!" Tara snapped, "Please, come in, Dr. Young."

"Call me Sue."

Sora and I exchanged looks as Tara led Dr. Young into the den through the kitchen, Riku trailing after them, looking upset. Sora stood up, but Tara glanced back.

"Give us a couple of minutes, guys." She said.

I almost suggested leaving, but the look on Riku's face killed that idea. He needed us here, regardless of the outcome of Dr. Young's tests.

Tara closed door behind the group, blocking us off from overhearing the conversation. Sora, on his feet, started shifting back and forth.

"I don't like this." He muttered, more to himself than to me.

Headlights shining into the window made me look up. Riku's dad's pick up had pulled into the driveway. The light also showed me that Dr. Young had come in an ambulance, which was idling on the curb. Why? Were they taking Riku somewhere? If so, why did they need an ambulance?

Don walked through the front door, stern faced and narrow eyed. Don was a tall, barrel-chested man with a shaved bald head and beady brown eyes. Riku didn't necessarily resemble his father physically, but there was a similarity in their gaits, and a shared audacity and boldness in their gaze and the lines of their jaws.

"What happened?" He asked us curtly in greeting.

"That Dr. Young woman showed up. She's talking to Tara and Riku in the den." I answered, because Sora was just pointing and making inaudible sputtering noises.

Without preamble, Don marched through the kitchen and into the den, tossing the door closed behind him.

Sora groaned and slumped down onto the couch beside me, "I really don't like this."

No sooner had he hit the couch than the den's door flying open made us both spring to our feet.

Riku stormed out, red faced and stormy eyed.

"Riku—" I started, lifting a hand.

Don and Tara fanned out after their son. Dr. Young trailed behind, looking solemn.

"Riku, calm down." Tara asked, tears threatening to break free from her eyes.

"I can't—she's not—there isn't—Shehca—Imnot—" Riku's speech was slurring together like a word salad. "Dontlet—"

"What? Riku, what, man?" Sora asked, color draining steadily from his face. That was strange, because I was sure all the blood in my body was rushing to my head.

Riku threw an arm in Dr. Young's direction, "She—sheslying—shesaidiwas—" He was raving.

Dr. Young was talking to Don, "We really should take him to the hospital."

"Yehmean the asylum!" Riku glared at her, panting and out of breath, "I'm not crazy. Doyouhear me? M'not crazy!"

"No one said you were crazy, dear." Dr. Young said, approaching him slowly, with her arms held out. "I just need you to come with me so we can—"

"No!" Riku backed up sharply from her reach, knocking over an end table and leaning against the sofa.

"Riku, it's okay." I said reassuringly, though choking back tears myself.

"What did she say?" Sora asked, facing Don.

Don's mouth was a straight line, his lips pursed white, "Schizophrenia."

That one word drained all the remaining color from Sora's face and turned my knees to jelly. I sank onto the couch, my mouth hanging open dumbly.

"He—She said—what?" Sora stammered.

Riku was running one hand repeatedly through his hair. His other hand was clamped around the back of the sofa, shaking uncontrollably.

My heart ached seeing him so upset and confused. I leaned over the couch towards him, but he slapped my arm away. I withdrew, emotionally hurt and a little stunned.

Don was immediately behind his son and gripped his upper arm. "That's enough, Riku. Calm down."

"Yeah, we're your friends, man." Sora asked, moving in front of me, like a shield.

A shield from what? Riku? He wasn't crazy. He wouldn't attack us or hurt us. My wrist ached and I could see the skin turning red where he'd struck me. He hadn't meant to. He was just upset.

Riku struggled against Don's grip, "Lemme go. Don't let her—I won't go—I'm not crazy!"

Sora walked over to Riku and lifted his hands, "Riku, we know you aren't crazy. Dr. Young just wants to help. You're not going to the asylum. None of us will let that happen."

Riku wasn't listening. He jerked free from his father and his hands snatched Sora's collar, almost lifting him off floor. "I won't let you take me again! Not this time!"

"Riku!" Tara yelped, beside herself.

Don grabbed Riku's arms and pulled him back. Sora regained his balance and stepped towards his friend. Riku wouldn't have it. He twisted free from Don and lurched at Sora, tackling him to the floor.

I screamed and rounded the couch, but Tara grabbed me to hold me back. Dr. Young was unzipping a medical bag in haste.

Riku and Sora rolled across the floor, Riku barking threats and incoherent noises. After a few seconds, they rolled to a stop, Riku pinning Sora to the floor.

"Why are you here?!" He barked, sweat beading on his face now.

Sora coughed, trying to pry Riku's hands from his throat, "What are you talking about?"

"They killed you! You can't be here!" Riku snapped, punching Sora across the face.

Even Don had frozen. I gasped, "He thinks Sora is Xehanort!"

Sora gagged, "Riku, it's me! It's Sora!"

Riku punched him again, "Don't mess with my head!"

This time, the impact from the blow caused Sora's head to collide with the floor. His body sagged against the floor and his neck went slack. Unconscious.

"Sora!" I cried out loud enough for Riku to look up. For a moment, I wondered what he saw me as in his frenzy, because the look in his eyes was one with which he'd never looked at me before, like I was some demon from his nightmares.

His pause gave Don an opportunity to drag Riku off of Sora, who didn't move. I scrambled free from Tara and dropped beside him. Dr. Young moved towards Don and the thrashing Riku. I didn't see the needle until Dr. Young had pushed it into Riku's neck, depressing the capsule on the syringe. Riku's struggling immediately slowed and then stopped altogether, until he was limp in Don's arms.

Dr. Young set the needle aside, "We need to get him secured." Her tone was all business now.

She called in a few paramedics, who quickly moved Riku onto a stretcher and wheeled him out. Tara followed after them. Don made to follow, but glanced back.

"Hey, this boy in here's hurt." Don thundered as Dr. Young made to leave.

Dr. Young was fastening her coat, "One of the paramedics will stay here—" Don made an angry noise and she faced him, "Sir, right now the most pressing matter is stabilizing your son. Sora has a concussion at worst. Now, one of the paramedics will see to him." She snapped, brushing past him out of the house and into the snowy air beyond.

Don cast an unbelieving look at me. I just knelt beside Sora, who was stirring already. I could see the worry in his eyes for Riku, but he was also concerned for Sora.

"I-I'll stay here. It-It'll be okay. Go with Riku." I stammered.

He opened and closed his mouth, "I'll call both of yours parents." He said apologetically.

He passed a paramedic on his way out as the paramedic crossed over to us.

Outside, the snow kept falling, undisturbed by the drama taking place around it.

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A/N: (fidgets) From here on out, the intensity doubles.

Time to give a big shout out to all those who've reviewed this story! (whips out scroll) This includes, in no particular order: Shiba-X, ChibiFrubaGirl, Smiley Smackdown, Catemonster, Kairi1624, Exylim, Sora788, Kiss of the Breeze, DragonMaster Reborn, chibi heishi, Kanpa, and DarkEriksRedRose.

You guys are great. If I was rich, I'd buy you all entire pie shops! But, as I am not, I can only thank you. (bows) Thank you!