I am really sorry for the long wait. What's it been – three weeks?! And people have been saying how fast my updates are! Anyway, the reasons aren't all that special, my computers been acting weird, I've been really busy, and this chapter was such a pain. So Sorry Everyone!

I am so glad that I got so many reviews for one chapter! It really means so much. I do love answering each individual review, but I just want to get this chapter out. I think I'll just start answering question and comments that appear in a lot of reviews, but I guess it all depends.

Warning – BoyXBoy and cursing. Eventually.

Disclaimer – I am only a crazy fan girl who mind is made up of 99% yaoi. So . . . yeah . . . I don't own kingdom hearts.

This chapter has given my mind a blank for the longest time. But I've finally decided that this chapter will center on most of the characters, and they'll all have their say. Like theres, Sora, Riku, Namine, Kairi, Axel, Demyx, And Zexion. Hope you like it!

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o8: Who we are

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"I should've told him . . ." Riku frowned across the table at Namine. "But it's hard. You know that. I just can't swallow the fact that'll I'll have to see him – them again. They are the reason I'm like this . . . the reason you're like this."

"I do think he should know," Namine agreed. She wasn't sketching at the moment and all her focus was on Riku. "But I'm going to tell him."

"Huh?" Riku furrowed his eyebrows and leaned forward into the table. "Why? It's my story –"

"– And it's hard for you to tell," Namine reasoned gently. "Besides, he should get to know me too. I can explain to him about what my pictures mean."

Riku nodded hesitantly and reluctantly as he adverted his eyes. Namine smiled, "Ah, I see."

Riku cocked his head a bit and narrowed his eyes as he questioned, ". . . What?"

"Nothing," She shook her head. "Anyway, we have to be ready by Friday night. This is our grand chance Riku. We can't miss it."

"I know," He nodded in agreement and watched her as she stood up; she walked over to him and looked down at him with sad eyes that would've cried – if she'd been alive. Namine looked at her transparent hands and sighed.

"I just want it too end," She admitted. "I'm ready to move on."

Riku sat silently, and Namine looked at him wide eyed, "It's only been a year for me . . . and I'm on the verge of insanity. But you – you've been a ghost for almost a century! How do you bear it?"

"Well . . . I don't know," Riku bit his lip slightly and furrowed his brows. "I suppose I just got use to it."

Namine turned around and stepped towards the window, as she looked out it – over viewing the courtyard – longingly. Then a sudden realization came over Riku as he spotted a new picture on the wall opposite of him. He could vaguely make out a red – head and blonde girl side by side. The picture was made out blurry and fogged, as if on purpose.

Without shifting his position, and removing his gaze from the picture, Riku asked, "You know, I told you my story Namine . . . but you never told me yours."

The blond whipped around and spotted where he was staring. Then their gazes met and Namine disappeared in thin air. Riku sighed.

What are you hiding?

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Sora walked into the Twilight High court yard, in a confused daze. He yearned for answers and it bothered him to no end when he couldn't get them. He was so out of it that he vaguely noticed the bell ring. He shook his head and blinked his eyes as he walked into the building slowly. It almost seemed like his body was at school but his mind was somewhere else. Maybe an after affect?

He grabbed his things from his locker and made his way for math. Once he entered the classroom, he could swear he was becoming more dazed by the second. He stumbled to his seat, and plopped down. If that wasn't bad enough, a sharp pain came in his head – like a knife. He cradled his head in his palm and groaned softly.

Why does everything bad happen to me?

Soon the class started to file in, he tried to regain composure and ignore the dizziness and pain – but it wasn't working all that well. Then it all got worse when Kairi came in and stated, "You don't look so good."

"I'm fine," Sora retorted through gritted teeth. Kairi cocked a brow at his bitterness, then simply rolled her eyes and sat down. Sora sighed and closed his eyes tight, wishing he hadn't snapped at Kairi. When class started, Sora couldn't concentrate one bit on his work and notes, and it seemed like ages of agony as the hour dragged on. When class finally ended, he heaved a big breath and turned to Kairi.

"Sorry, I'm . . . not feeling all that alright," he smiled apologetically then suddenly winced as the pain in his head sharpened. Kairi frowned and put a hand on his shoulder, "Maybe you should go to the nurse."

"No," He shook his head slowly, and stood up and picked up his books. "It's my third day; I don't want to go to the nurse this early."

"Okay . . . I guess," Kairi shrugged unconvincingly, and picked up her own books and Sora could spot the white one among them. But he decided not to say anything about it. Instead he just waved goodbye, and made his way reluctantly to second period. He knew that Demyx would probably be waiting to 'attack' him and a hug wasn't exactly what he needed right now.

He cautiously made his way into the room, and plopped into his seat. As Sora looked around, He finally saw the blond sitting down, quietly. He cast a worried look in the blonde's direction wondering what was up. Demyx was never quiet, and he always had a smile on his face. He wanted to go over there, despite the fact that whenever he attempted to walk, it came out as limp or a stumble. But then class started up and it now Sora had even more on his mind that interfered with his focus.

Luckily, all they had to do was read a chapter and take notes on it. Unluckily, Sora couldn't accomplish either and now had homework for later. As the bell rang, everyone filed out and Sora watched Demyx as the blond stood up and slowly picked up his books. Demyx's face was absolutely emotionless – or maybe worse, sad. Then Demyx walked out of the classroom. Sora watched the door for a bit, pondering on how much weirder the day could get.

"Sora," The teacher called out. "Shouldn't you be going to your next class?"

Sora snapped out of the gaze, "Oh right. Sorry."

He quickly gathered his books in a messy pile and darted out of the room. He was making his way through the hall, and finally arrived to music on time. Hayner waved from his seat, and walked over to him.

"Hey –"Suddenly, the blonds' eyes widened a bit as he stared at Sora. "Dude, what happened to your face?"

"Huh?"

Hayner grabbed a compacted mirror off the teacher's desk – not caring that it was the teachers – and flipped it open. He handed it to Sora. The brunet peered at his reflection; he was pale and his eyes seemed dim. But those things weren't what Hayner was talking about, and Sora's eyes were wide too when he spotted it - There was a thin red line on his jawbone, and just beneath his chin. It was like a cut, or maybe a scar. Sora forcefully clicked the mirror shut, not wanting to see anymore. Before Hayner could say a word, the bell rang, and Sora walked over to his seat, head down.

What's happening to me?

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Something weird is going on.

Kairi knew that much as she sat down in her history class. She was still held up on Sora's odd behavior from first period. But now she was starting to feeling weird herself. Maybe it was because the party was so close – but was she really scared?

One hand was cradling her chin while the other was tapping on the desk. She was waiting – oddly enough – for her cousin to come in. She needed to clear up their conversation from yesterday, and get the information she needed out of Axel.

She watched as students came in, and kept a keen eye for Axel. When he finally walked in, and was about to take his usually seat in the back, Kairi grabbed his arm and motioned him next to her seat.

He hesitantly sat down and raised an eyebrow at her, "What do you –"

"I need you to tell me something," She interrupted. Kairi looked around the classroom and slid her hand in her book pile and pulled out the white book.

Axel sighed, "Why do you keep bringing it here? Just leave it at home."

"I can't," Kairi shook her head and held the book in a hug. "I feel like I need to protect it."

Then she let the book out of her hold and shoved it into Axel's hands. The red –head looked at her, "But you just said . . ."

"I know," She said quietly as her head lowered. "But I can't go to the party."

"You're scared?" Axel mocked, leaning back against his chair. Kairi whipped her head up and glared at him, "Shut up. You know exactly what I mean."

"Yeah, I guess I do," Axel sighed, and examined the book with both hands. He then tossed it back to her, and she glared, "Don't throw it! And I already told you –"

"Listen, you don't have a choice," He stood up. "And maybe coming will set your mind straight."

Kairi watched him as he gathered his books and started to walk away. But then he turned around, "Oh yeah, what'd you need me to tell you?"

She looked up at him and heaved a breath, "Do you hate me?"

"No," Axel said. "I hate what you're doing."

Then he walked back to his seat in the back, and Kairi turned around and picked up the white book from her desk. She shoved it underneath her other books and took out her text book. She just stared at the words, not taking in anything.

Soon class started, and Kairi barely noticed – her mind was somewhere else. She wondered about the party, the white book, Axel, and even Sora's abnormal behavior earlier. She also wondered about herself, and if she could really step up and face her fears.

But what worried her most was what would happen if she just ran away again. What would happen to her then?

I need to be ready, She thought. I need to do this.

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No matter how hard he tried, no matter how cheerful he tried to feel . . . he couldn't smile. Demyx Mizu couldn't smile. It seemed so utterly unbelievable – as if it was a joke. But it was true. The blond felt miserable and he knew exactly why. But that didn't mean that anyone else did.

Demyx looked at his reflection in the smudged bathroom mirror and sighed. He looked horrible, his eyes were bland, and his hair was sagging a little bit. He didn't bother to try to recompose himself – that wasn't why he skipped class.

I can't believe I'm skipping, He thought sadly. I've really hit rock bottom.

To think, he had been doing so well. He was the perfect image of a happy – go –lucky kid without a care in the world. That was what people knew him as and he liked to keep it that way. But that image was pretty hard to obtain considering what had just happened to him. He groaned at the memory and slid against the wall. It was all such a blur and it happened so fast and without warning, that it left Demyx in confused pain. But the only thing that really mattered was that one phone call – the one informing him that his mother had been in a car crash.

He winced, the memory just made him want to relive all those emotions he had felt at the moment: Pain, confusion, fear, sorrow, disbelief, and hurt. He had honestly never felt so awful in his entire life. He only had his mother, and she only had him. They weren't all that well – off financially either. His mom had to work two jobs to pay for everything; it wasn't the best life . . . but it been good enough.

Demyx heard someone come in and he just couldn't force himself to pull it together. He slumped against the wall and closed his eyes, not wanting to see whoever was there. Besides it was just probably some freshmen –

"Demyx?"

Think again, Demyx groaned silently as he recognized the voice. He peaked opened his eyes and was met with Zexion. The silverette looked down at him in worry and Demyx tried to smile convincingly at him, "Hey Zexion."

Zexion skipped the greeting and went on the point, "Why are you sitting on floor crying?"

Demyx could only laugh nervously as he rapidly wiped at his eyes, "What are you talking about Zex? I'm . . . not crying."

The blond then stood up unsteadily, trying so hard to recompose himself – especially since it was Zexion. The silverette sighed, "You're a horrible liar."

Demyx sighed, "I just have a headache, that's all. I'll – I'll go to the nurse!"

He rushed out of the bathroom and once he turned the hall corner, he slowed down and heaved a sorrow breath, I'm sorry Zexion. I just can't tell anybody. Not yet.

Everyone thought that he was like Axel or Zexion – including those two – because he hanged around with them. And they were both rich – which Demyx was definitely not. He just didn't want to be rejected by his two best friends and he wanted to keep his image that he had lived by for the longest time. But that was becoming very hard because everything was changing and life wasn't working out the way he'd hope.

Demyx slid into another bathroom, and it was a one person bathroom with a lock. He locked the door and slid on the floor once again, head in hands.

What's going to happen to me now?

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"What's wrong with him?" Zexion asked himself aloud. It bothered him that he couldn't tell what was wrong with Demyx, especially since the blond was so easy to read. Zexion took pride in his ability to know everything and anything about anyone.

He walked out of the bathroom, and back to his computer class. It was nearly lunch, and the class proved to be boring and much too easy for Zexion. He logged off the computer and picked up his books. After a few minutes, the bell rang and he walked out and tried to find Axel because he had his doubts that Demyx would be out in the open. He saw Axel, amazingly alone, already heading towards the cafeteria. Zexion pushed past the crowd of students and made his way next to Axel.

"Hey Zex," Axel asked casually, as he looked around, "Where's Demyx? He's usually glued right next to you."

Zexion rolled his visible eye, and decided that Axel wasn't the best person to talk to about what had happened between him and Demyx. So he simply shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know."

Axel frowned a bit and remained silent until they reached the entrance to the cafeteria. Then the red head grinned and waved his hand up as he called forward, "Hey, Sora!"

Oh yeah, that Sora kid, Zexion remembered as he followed Axel. He lived in that haunted house were going too.

The brunet looked over at them, and no offense, but he looked horrible - or at least, much different from his appearance yesterday. Sora looked over at them and smiled wearingly, "Hey guys."

As they met up, the two older stared at the brunet oddly. Zexion was a bit astonished to find that not only did Sora have the tired and drained look; there was a scar on his jaw bone now. Sora furrowed his eyebrows until he finally realized what they were staring at and quickly covered the scar with his hand, " I tripped," he immediately said. "And I didn't get a lot of sleep! In fact, that's why I tripped . . . because I was so tired!"

Sora broke into nervous laughter which faded away as his face grew red. Then he quickly changed the subject by looking past them and waving exuberantly, "Roxas!"

Zexion didn't break his stare on Sora, knowing exactly that the brunet was trying to cover up his awful lie. But Axel turned and waved too – apparently knowing the person Sora was waving at. But Zexion finally tore his eyes off of Sora as a blond who looked greatly alike to Sora – except not tired or drained – hesitantly came up to them. He smiled shyly and said, "Hey."

Sora looked past him and asked, "Where are the others?"

"Well Hayner has to finish up some homework, which Olette is helping him with. Pence is having a photography club and Kairi's in the art room," Roxas stated. Sora shrugged, then looked over at Zexion and Axel, "Hey . . . where's Demyx."

The two looked at each other, shrugging. Axel said, "We don't know. I think he was here today."

Zexion frowned, wondering where Demyx had run off to. He had his doubts that the blond was really at the nurse's. He, for once, was at a loss of what he should do. He hoped the blond wouldn't skip another period and meet up with Axel, but, that wouldn't solve much. Something had happened and it must've been really horrible for Demyx to act in such an uncharacteristic way. Zexion silently contemplated his thoughts as he followed the others into the cafeteria line. Zexion was taking notice to how cheerful Axel seemed talking to the two lower – classmen – especially Roxas. It was rather obvious how there was some sort of a bond between the two, and Zexion thought that maybe that was a good thing, considering how his friend was like a ridiculously powerful magnet that attracted just about anyone.

Axel needs to stay put with one person. It would do him good. They all gathered their food and sat down at a table in the center of the lunchroom. While the others talked, Zexion ate quietly, thinking. It wasn't really that abnormal; he was always like that - though he still followed the conversation, which just proved furthermore the bond between Axel and Roxas. Even though no one else would ever even think about it, Zexion just knew.

But I want to know what was wrong with Demyx, He thought glumly, stirring his food aimlessly.

I need to know.

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Today is turning out to be really weird . . . Axel just couldn't help but add up all the facts: Sora's appearance, Demyx's absence, His talk with Kairi, Talking with Roxas, and the fact that an odd feeling was looming over him. Something urged him to think it had to do with the upcoming party, and the old mansion. But that was just plain stupid to think of such a thing – ghosts are not really and that mansion is not haunted. Even if it was, Sora and his family would have never moved there in the first place, or they would've moved out quickly.

Axel shook his head, sighing. It was best to just drop the thought and continue on through the day. Lunch had ended, and they had all parted ways, and now Axel had all his books and materials and was heading towards the chemistry classroom. He was relieved in a way to find Demyx in the classroom, sitting at their table quietly.

"Hey Dem," Axel walked over to their table and set his books down and leaning on them. "Why'd you skip lunch? I thought it was your best subject."

Demyx smiled and laughed a little at the joke, but it wasn't like Demyx to be subtle in any of his actions. The blond then replied, "I guess I wasn't hungry."

Axel was taken aback, and raised an eyebrow. He hesitantly sat down on the stool and dared to say something else, "Are you . . . okay?"

A smile that was just too fake formed on the blonds face as he said, "Yep. I'm a – okay! Why do you ask?

"No reason," This day just got so much weirder. Axel adverted his eyes and looked towards the door, watching as the class filed in. At some point, Kairi came in and simply sat at her table without ever looking at him. She pulled out a book, but it was just a chemistry book. Sora then came in, waved back to them, and then sat down beside Kairi. Luckily, class started, and it gave Axel something else to try to focus on. Key word: Try.

Axel could plainly see that Demyx wasn't himself. It was that smile – it was so fake. Demyx was a loud, happy, fidgeting, exuberant, excitable, and beaming kind of guy who could always lighten up a situation . . . or make it a hundred times worse. But that wasn't the point. Something happened, and it had to be pretty bad.

It turned out it was going to be yet another lab day, and that forced Axel to try to make some sort of contact with the blond. Demyx had already gone to get the ingredients, and as much as he dreaded the thought, he went to talk to Kairi again. His cousin was working at her table alone, and when he approached, she sighed and stopped her work to turn to him.

"Don't you have work to do?"

He shrugged and simply replied, "Yeah. But I need to ask you something."

Kairi cocked a brow, and waited for a couple seconds. Then she said, "Well ask."

Axel quickly turned back to make sure that Demyx was still busy with ingredients, seeing as he was, he turned back to Kairi and heaved a breath, "Something's wrong with Demyx."

Kairi leaned over to looked at the blond, "What? He isn't being a complete airhead today?"

"Seriously," Axel narrowed his eyes, and Kairi yet again rolled hers.

"Why should your friends be my business?"

"But . . . it's not just Demyx," Axel added hesitantly. "What about Sora? Or you? This whole day is turning out to be really weird."

Kairi finally understood her part in the conversation as she nodded in agreement, "I think it's because the party's nearing. Today has actually been kind of bad . . . what if tomorrows worse? Maybe Friday will be completely and utterly horrible."

Axel scoffed, "Way to be optimistic Kai."

She shrugged, "It's just a guess. I'm probably way off anyway." As she finished her sentence, Sora came back with beakers at hand. He smiled, "Hey Axel. Demyx is waiting for you."

Axel turned to see his lab partner already at their table, working. He said bye to the other two and walked back to his and Demyx's table in back. The blond either didn't acknowledge his presence, or decided to ignore it. Whatever the reason, Axel decided to ignore it and work on his own project. It was beyond awkward not speaking to his best friend, but he did survive the period. Demyx cleaned up his mess and left without a word.

If he's going to lie, he should try to make it convincing, Axel scoffed and cleaned up his mess. He picked up his books and headed towards his last period of the day.

Please let this day end with a bit of normality,

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I look like a wreck, Sora mourned, just wanting the day to end. It was gym, his last period, and people were continuously staring at him. A teacher even asked him he needed the nurse. Though she meant
well, Sora felt insulted. The only good part about the day was that gym went by quick and fast due to the fact it was a free day. He and Roxas just played some 'basketball' which Sora completely sucked at. Finally as they arrived back into the changing room, Roxas brought out a thought that Sora had been thinking too.

"You know," The blond said. "Today has been kind of weird. Is it just me?"

"No," Sora pulled his shirt over his head, then smoothing it out. "I . . . was sort of thinking the same thing."

"Really?" Roxas put his gym clothes in the locker and snapped the lock closed. "I wonder why."

"Yeah . . ." Sora really was eager to get home and ask Riku about it. At first it was just him, and he had thought it was because Riku had entered his dreams. But now everyone else too . . . Did it have to do with the party? Sora felt completely stupid for blaming a party that was in fact two days away, but, what else could he blame?

He and Roxas split ways, and Sora grabbed his backpack and randomly shoved in it a few books. He began his walk home, and was more than ready to try to fix himself up – he would start with that scar. That was by far the worst. The walk home wasn't long, and Sora went right into the kitchen to consult Leon.

"Leon, I'm home," Sora said as he opened the kitchen door. "And, do we have anything to cover up cuts or heal them . . . really fast."

Leon was sitting in the same spot as always at the kitchen table. He looked up at his brother, "Why? Did you hurt yourself?"

"I guess . . ." Sora sat down across from Leon. "But it's so obvious and ugly . . . I just really want it gone."

"Where is it?"

Sora stared at him, eyes wide, "Uh, right on my face! Duh!" He jabbed a finger at his jaw bone.

Leon leaned in further and examined Sora's face. He finally leaned back, sighing, "I don't see anything."

"Huh?" Sora quickly got up and went to stand in front of a small mirror on the wall. He could not believe it. He looked normal. He was no longer pale and distraught looking, and the scar wasn't on his jaw bone anymore. Maybe . . . Riku did it? Whatever the reason, Sora was relieved, he grinned at his reflection and after a moment or two, and Leon piped up, "Sora, do you need to lay down or something?"

The brunet stumbled as he quickly turned around, he smiled nervously and nodded harshly, "Oh yeah, I think I'm sick! Delirious maybe! I'll go lay down right now!"

He practically darted out of the kitchen and up the stairs like an idiot. Finally he relaxed and walked to his bedroom to put his stuff away, then he sat down on his bed. Sora sighed heavily, I think this is only the beginning; things are bound to get weirder.

But Sora didn't know how much he could handle.

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He's home. I have to tell him now; Namine sighed and figured she should tell Riku, so he wouldn't have to bear overhearing. She had no clue where he was, they hadn't talked since she had disappeared on him this morning. She felt bad, Riku had shared all the pain and sorrow he had endured in his lifetime . . . and she hadn't shared a thing about herself. But it was so hard, and she wasn't strong like Riku was. But she knew that everything would have been revealed eventually, and the past would never leave her.

"Riku," She whispered, as she stood in her white room. "Can I talk to you?"

A silver mist appeared, and Riku's figured formed. He smiled sincerely at her, despite their previous encounter, "Hello Nami. Are you okay?"

Namine felt beyond lucky to have Riku as a friend, she had always dreaded the possibility of being all alone in the mansion, and she would of really been miserable. She nodded at Riku, "Oh yes, I'm fine. But Sora is now home."

Riku smiled widened, "Really? I should go greet him."

"Yes you should," Namine agreed, but added. "But please wait. I still need to tell him the story."

"Oh," Riku frowned, obviously bothered by even the mention of his past life. When he had nothing more to add, Namine tried to comfort him, "I'm not going to tell him everything, just the main idea. You can fill in the gaps yourself when you're ready."

"I know," Riku retained his smile and started to walk out of the room, he was in front of the door when he turned around again, "Good luck."

"Thank you." They smiled at each other, and Riku disappeared. Namine took a look around her room, and smiled slightly.

I hope you're ready Sora.

She began to walk out of her room, and into the hallway. Then she walked through the middle door, above the stairs, and down that hallway.

Everything's going to change.

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Once again, I am so sorry for how ridiculously long this chapter took. I personally don't even think it's that good, and it's the longest one. But hopefully it'll be good enough until the next chapter – which should be really good, it's Riku's story!

I personally think that Demyx's part was way too sudden, but don't worry; he'll go back to his goofball self again. I just made that event that happened to him happen to give him a bit of depth. Because I personally think that Demyx has a sadder side to him. Doesn't everyone?

Oh, and one more thing, none of Sora's friends know that his parents died. It just never came up.

Reviews rock so much! Thanks you guys! Tell me what you think about this one.

See you =D