Thank you for stick'n in there with me, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 6
Unwanted

"Alright, who's here." She walked from behind her desk, to stand in front of it, "Roll call." Her tone pitched at the announcement.

Riku sank in his seat, reaching a hand to his forehead, he swore this was the most annoying part of his day.

"Riku!" She called at his name annoyed.

Nope, never mind... this was.

"Pay attention!" She demanded.

"Yes, Mrs. Treppe." He answered quickly.

She began to call off random names. Riku hid under his hand, that massaged at his temple, ugh woman we're all here!

"Pssst!" Came a not-so-low attempt to get his attention. He lowered his hand from his face, meeting gray eyes. His brow raised, inquisitively.

Tidus smirked, he always wore that damn smirk.

"Hey! Did you want to come over tonight? We both have those bottles to finish off" His smirk broadened.

"Tidus, you better be careful, you don't want to end up being a raving alcoholic at fifteen." The comment sounded familiar in Riku's head.

Tidus frowned, "eh?"

Riku gave a shrug.

A grin slowly and firmly spread across the blonde's face, "So what do you say?"

Riku let out a low sigh.
"I don't know..."

"Riku!" Her voice struck his ears.

The silver haired boy jumped at his name.
"What!" He snapped out of annoyance.

"Riku, I've asked you countless times to please pay attention!" Treppe's annoyance was thick in her words, "It's important for you to answer." She placed her hands to the her hips, "How am I suppose to know your here, if you don't tell me?" Her blonde brows frowned, frustration was clear on her face.

"We go through this every time, all the others answer to my calls... but you.." She crossed her arms over her chest, "I have to keep calling for you."

Riku sighed heavily.

Treppe eyed him intensely, "If you don't want to be here that's ok. It would probably do you a lot of good anyway if you just left." She let her words come slow bringing with them an icy chill that gave Riku goose-bumps.

Riku let his eyes drop from the glint of light on her glasses. They fell to Vincent's frightened brown ones. The expression on the other made Riku frown.
What's he spooked about?

"Riku?" Treppe insisted further, "Are you going to stay with the others? Or are you going to leave?"

Riku frowned, this woman seriously had it out for him.
What the hell did I do!
"Let me ask you this," Riku began, he let his words come strong and confidant, "Do you want me to leave?" He felt his smirk broaden at the fallen stillness in the room.

Treppe pushed at her glasses then let her arms cross against her chest, "Yes."

Riku stood, gathering his things, with his head held high, equipped with a strange confidant smirk he left the room.
That was interesting, and I use to have at least some respect for you. I don't know what all that was about, just cause I don't answer to my name, you think you can just tell me to leave?

"Riku.."

Riku turned to the voice, "Le.. Mr. Leon."
Great, now I get to have more static, from this guy.

"Where are you off to?" His tone was curious, though it was hard to hear through his natural unemotional tone.

Riku let his shoulders shrug, looking from Leon to the lockers.
"I don't know.. Guess around." Riku met Leon's grey eyes.

"Why aren't you off to class?" He folded his arms across his chest, bringing his white shirt to stretch across his muscles.

"Well, you see..." Riku's tone was sarcastic, "I just got kicked out of there, no point in waltz'n back to where I'm not wanted."

A moment of awkward silence past between the two in the hallway, then a displeased grunt came from Leon, stealing the moment just as if it never happened.

Riku gave Leon an awaiting expression.

"Funny you should say that." Leon's words came just above a whisper, though they struck harshly.

Riku let his expression fall to annoyance, "What does that mean?"

Leon stared endlessly into Riku's eyes. His face was expressionless, however, Riku noticed the slight displeased frown Leon wore.
"It means whatever you take from it, though, whatever it is that you get from it, won't be far from the truth." Leon stated, flatly.

Riku let his fingers draw to his palm, clenching them and releasing them. His annoyance was building and his tolerance was draining.

The... find... dominant...

No!

All...can't...

Don't do this! Leave me alone!

Find... him...

"I still can't believe Treppe was tripp'n out like that." Tidus stated, shoveling some rice in his mouth.

Riku shrugged, taking a bite of his pizza.

"But hey, don't worry bout it, she's such a tight ass she'd tell us all to leave." He laughed.

Riku gave Tidus a small grin, "Yeah your right, but I really don't care anyway."

"Riku?" Came a nervous voice from behind the silver haired boy.

Riku frowned, turning to see Kairi standing behind him. He let his brow raise, edging for her to talk.

"Um, can I talk with you?" She questioned, timidly.

Riku let his eyes scan the cafeteria, not landing on anything particular, but moving to avoid looking to Kairi.

"Riku?" She called his name once more.

"What?" His eyes met hers, "Say what you want to say." His words came quickly.

"I um... may I speak with you... alone?" Her words were hesitant.

Riku sighed heavily, "Fine!" He rushed, standing from the table, giving Tidus one last look, before he walked with the red head out of the cafeteria.

"I thought it was about time I told you something." She said quickly.

"What?" Riku walked with her, though he kept his distance and his eyes from her.

"That I really like you!" She blurted out. "I mean... I like you..."

Riku rolled his eyes to the 'confession'.
This is all so stupid! Your so Stupid!

"Riku?" Her inquiring voice cut through his avoiding her.

His eyes quickly met with hers, "Kairi! What kind of shit is that?"

Her eyes widened, "Ri...ku?"

"What the hell do you think it is your doing? You think I don't see past all that!" He stopped in his footsteps, looking to her intensely, "Do you really think I'm that blind?"

"That... wasn't the reaction I was expecting, but, I'm not completely surprised by it." Her words flew from her mouth strong and sure.

"Alright, so I don't like you." She shrugged, a smug smile on her face, "But what gave you that idea anyway?"

Riku felt his face fill with disgust, "You know, how I feel about Sora."

"What would that have to do with me liking you?" She questioned, putting her hands on her hips.

"You don't! It's all just a big game to you!" He felt himself getting excited, "Your bored, and spoiled, you haven't anything better to do then play around with Sora!"

Kairi frowned, "I'm playing with Sora?"

"Your pretending to have a thing for me to get his attention!"

"That's stupid," she protested, "How, or, why would I do that to get his attention?"

"Ugh! I know what your doing!" Riku clenched his hands.

"Alright, so maybe I do know about your stupid little thing for him, and it just so happened I caught him looking my way." She grinned, "So I thought I'd lead him to think I like you, that way he'll always be looking for a way to impress me." She paused briefly, giving Riku a knowing glance, "I just know Sora would pick up my pieces after I tell him how cruel you were, how you let me down so harshly."

"Ugh! Your so clueless!" Riku fisted his hands.

"No, cause then I would tell him how grateful I was to have him as a friend.." She crossed her arms across her chest, "I will have what you never will."

It would take only a mere blink of an eye to miss the reaction, however, Kairi saw the hand coming towards her. His fingers threateningly squeezed her neck, his palm pressed hard against her bare skin, pushing her back to the lockers.

"Do you even realize how fucking stupid you are! How meaningless your plotting and plans are! You are so fucking useless!" Riku was inches from her face, "Your whole existence sickens me! I can't stand it, I can't take it anymore!" His shoulders started to shake.

Her hands tightly wrapped around his arm, "Your just jealous, you know Sora could never be yours!" She took a few stuttered breaths, scratching at his arm, "I'm sure it will tear your insides up, seeing him follow me like the lost dog that he is!"

"Shut up!" Riku tightened his grip on her throat. "Your so fucking stupid! Your so fucking stupid!"

She kicked at his legs, a small smile spread across her face, "He's so.. weak. I could... do... anything!" She continued to claw at his arm, "You love him so much, but he's the one who will fall helplessly to me."

Riku could feel his control slowly returning to him. He reached up, with his other hand, using it to pry his fingers from her throat, she sank to the floor, coughing.
"How do you think you can control him like that? Your not even involved... you don't know him. Your not important!"

"Yes I am!" She protested, rubbing at her neck protectively.

"What..." He paused, he felt how useless this question was, "What would make you do that?"

She eyed him from the floor, almost as if she were casting a spell on him, her brows frowned as she began to explain.
"Because I can, because I hate you that much!"

"I don't care how you feel about me, why would you do that to Sora?" He asked lowly.

"I..." She lowered her eyes from him, "When we were younger..."

Riku scrunched his face at the remembrance of growing up with this person in front of him.

"You two were always... together, even when I was there, I didn't feel like I ever fit in." Her words came out low, in a attempt to emphasize the sadness that she felt.
"I tried so hard to go on your little adventures, to build castles, even that stupid raft." She paused briefly, "Had the storm not come, we were going to leave you behind. We were going to have an adventure to ourselves... but.." Her eyes met Riku's, "He wouldn't leave you behind, it's like he... couldn't. I could feel how strong you both were connected, all I wanted was to be apart of it." Her eyes lowered once more, "But after the storm, after our raft was destroyed... everyone changed."

"Your the one that changed!" Riku shot at her.

She shook her head to deny it, "You two ended up leaving me behind, no matter how much I tried to fit in. The both of you were always... together." A tear fell from her eye, "All I wanted to feel was like I had that same connection as the both of you." A small, unconvincing smile curved her lips, "Now, you would never believe that the three of us use to play together... grew up together..."

"I cant believe this.." Riku started, "Your worse then I thought."

She shot hateful eyes to his aquarium calm ones, "Your the one that drove me away!" She accused.
"You couldn't stand to share him! Your the one that made it this way! So I'm only doing what's fair!" She stood, "I'll rip you away from him, I'll show him how cruel and selfish you are!"

"I'm cruel and selfish?" His tone was dangerously low, "I never hurt him!" His words were loud.

...you've been avoiding me!

Riku frowned to the words that rang in his head.

"You've been keeping him all to yourself! You're afraid to let him go!" She argued.

I've been... avoiding him. I did let him go, and he found... "Cloud."

"What?" She rushed.

Riku shook his head, "He's not going to follow you anymore. He found him." His words were calm, "Leave him alone." Then with that he walked from her.

Maybe I was selfish too. No... not like her. I'm not like her!

"Riku?"

Aquarium eyes met gray ones, "Tidus."

Tidus frowned, "Where'd Kairi go?"

Riku took his eyes from Tidus, "She's not here."

We have to find the dominant one.

No!

They all can't be...

Don't do this! Leave me alone!

Find...him...


"Alright, in the end, King Edward found out the greatest offense against his kingdom, was himself." Leon paced in front of the chalk board, "Now, who could tell me why that was?" The older man halted his pacing to glance around the room, "Anybody at all?" His brows frowned, crossing his arms on his chest, "Did anybody read this story?" His eyes fell on, "Sora?"

Sora fidgeted in his desk, "Yes, um.." Blue eyes glanced quickly around the room, then fell back to Leon's grey ones, "Well, if the King was the kingdoms greatest enemy, then wouldn't that mean other kingdoms didn't have enough power to run against the King?"

Leon stood silent for a moment, "I can see how you managed to come to that conclusion, however, that's just the conclusion some might come to if they didn't read the story!" His tone was thick with annoyance.
Leon eyed Sora heavily, "If you read the story, you would've known King Edward brought the ultimate downfall to his kingdom." Leon continued to pace again, "He didn't fall to any army, nor did he simply gamble it away." A quick pause, "He allowed the destruction to began by taking out the source of life within the kingdom." He ran a hand through his brown locks, "He was a great king once, he loved his people, and protected them." Leon seated himself on top of his desk. "But, love is what corrupted him."

Riku walked through the front door, Vincent following close behind.

"Glad to see you home." Sephiroth greeted them at the door.

"Hi dad." Riku acknowledged the silver haired man, then walked past him to the living room.

He could hear, behind him, some words being exchanged. He sat on the couch, turning the television on. He flipped through the channels, but not paying close attention to what appeared on the television.

"Really, she.. did?"
Vincent's voice caught Riku's attention, he focused more on their conversation.

"Just a note."
Sephiroth's tone was low but Riku caught the few words.

"So... it's time.."
Vincent sounded... sad.

"Did.. him?"
Few words came from the question. Sephiroth's tone was low and serious.

Riku turned off the television, getting up, intending to pry into their conversation.
"Hey! What's going on?"

Vincent eyed Riku but made no attempt to say anything.

Riku frowned.
He's not talking to me.

Sephiroth pulled at his white coat, "Yuffie's gone." The statement came more like a question.

Riku frowned, "She's.. gone?"

The older man nodded, "I found a note," Sephiroth pulled out the paper, "It says, Yuffie's gone, and don't worry she didn't leave anything behind." Sephiroth gave a light shrug, "I wouldn't have minded if she left a little mess here or there." He lightly laughed, "I guess that part's for you Vincent, your room should be intact then."

Vincent eyed the note in Sephiroth's hand, he let out a soft sigh, "I'm going to my room."
With that, the brown haired boy walked from them.

Riku gave a low grunt, "Hmf."

Sephiroth turned to face Riku, "Where were you last night?"

Riku frowned, meeting the cobalt eyes, "I was... out."

"Where did you go?" The man interrogated further.

Riku crossed his arms, "Sora's, then I came home."
Why do you care?

He's been trying to spend more time with you!
What? You can't spend time with your father?

Vincent's words rang through his head.
"Did... you want me.. here?" Riku hesitantly asked, the words came from him strangely.

Sephiroth's expression was filled with confusion, "Riku, I..." He let a smile curve his lips, "I'm just trying to keep track of you."

Riku frowned, "I'm not always gone." He argued.

Sephiroth let his voice come softly, "I don't ever know if your here or not, sometimes I'll see you, then with a blink of an eye, you vanish."

"I always come when you call." Riku offered.

Sephiroth frowned, "I know, but..." Sephiroth placed a heavy hand on Riku's shoulder, it was cold. He led them to the couch, "I feel like your avoiding me." Sephiroth dragged the other down with him, bringing him closer, letting his arm rest over Riku's shoulder.

Riku let his head fall to the other's chest, "I'm not avoiding you..."

Sephiroth gently rubbed his fingers on Riku's bare arm, "I've been noticing a few changes."

Riku frowned, "Changes..." he repeated.

"Have you noticed them as well?" Sephiroth asked in a knowingly tone. His fingers held still their place on Riku's skin.
"Ever since he showed up."

Riku took note of how hard Sephiroth's chest became, how cold his fingers felt on his skin. If he was looking into the other's eyes he would see just how cruel they were. The tone, he had, saying those few words frightened him. He knew immediately who he was.

"At first I didn't want to think much about his arrival, although, it was more then it seemed to be." Sephiroth continued to rub at Riku's arm.

"...Dad.." Riku attempted to move, to look into the other's eyes, however, Sephiroth held him in place.

"He hid behind purity and innocence, but I saw past that." His tone carried to Riku's ears venomously.

"She did not love him."

"Aeris.."

Sephiroth's fingers twitched at the name, "I've talked to him so many times, and all those times he's only heard few words and things he'd want me to say."

"You've changed since then, since her... death."

"I could say anything, that I tried to save her, or try to kill her." Sephiroth's tone was low, hurt, "But no matter what I say, it still won't change the fact that she's gone, and he hates me for it." A pause, "It wouldn't matter what I'd say, the truth would be twisted and ignored."

"But you can't hide the truth... won't it come out? Eventually?"

"It'd be nice to think that, but who's to say? Nobody has that kind of power, to make someone else see the truth."

They can't all be weak, one will be stronger then the rest.

Don't do this! Leave me alone!

Find... him.
"Alright!" Tidus sat up on his bed, "How about a game?" He quickly took a shot of his favorite liqueur.

Riku sighed placing a hand on his head, "Ok! Ok! Lemmy guess... uh. Truth or dare?" He followed suite with a shot of his brown liqueur.

Tidus frowned.

"Ok I'll start first!" Riku chuckled, "Truth or dare... pick truth!" He warned.

Tidus frowned, giving Riku a blank stare, "You... can't do that!" He poured himself a drink, "I pick Truth!"

"How did Wakka become your little goody slave?" Riku attempted to raise an inquisitive brow.

Tidus shrugged, downing his shot, puffing out some air, "He's always talk'n to me, tell'n me stuff, I don't know bout this and that."

"Ok... so how'd the booze start happening?" Riku took another shot, puffing out his air, much like Tidus.

"Oh, I told him I wanted some, so he brought it over, and well I liked it so much he kept bringing me some more. Then we would stay up all night talk'n... well, he would, I'd be on my way to passed out." Tidus chuckled.

Riku nodded, "Oh.. truth."

Tidus grinned wickedly, "Alright! Um... Why did you decide to come tonight?"

Riku eyed him strangely, "Because you invited me."

Tidus nodded, "Oh." His eyes shot from Riku's to the floor.

Riku let a small smile curl his lips, he poured himself another shot, "Truth... or dare?"

Tidus eyed his empty shot glass, "Fuck it... dare."

Riku took his shot, "I dare you to..."

Tidus moved from his spot, crawling towards Riku. Grey eyes fell into his, his breath came hot on Riku's lips.

"Ti...dus.."

What are you... what are...

Tidus lowered his eyes, looking at Riku's lips.

"Riku.. I.. I've.."

"Tidus!" Riku pushed at the other, "What are you doing?" His hand fell from the others chest. Riku fought to keep his eyes with the others.

"Riku.." Tidus crawled closer to Riku, "I've.. wanted this."

Riku moved from the intruder, until his back was to the head board. Tidus crawled closer, shortening the distance between them.

"Tidus... think about it, you don't want.. this."
I don't... want this.

"Riku... it's been.. so long. I've been keeping this in so long.." Tidus cooed to the other.

Riku's face flushed, "Tidus?" Riku placed both hands on the blondes shoulders, keeping him distant.
"What the hell are you saying!"

Tidus frowned, his grey eyes lowered from Riku's, "I want you.." He met Riku's eyes again, stopping his pursuit, to sit at the edge of the bed.

Riku sighed, letting his head fall to the head board, his eyes trailed to the window. It was dark, yet the stars still found way past the heavy clouds. There were so many... stars.

"I always had this feeling." The blondes words came just above a whisper, "I always knew I wanted to be around you, but whenever Sora would show up, I wanted to get away." Tidus dropped his clear glass to the floor, "I knew that I couldn't compete with him, I didn't want to."

Riku frowned, "Tidus?"

The blonde shook his head, as if to deny that he was Tidus.

"Riku, I've always liked you."

"Tidus..." Riku attempted to say more then the other's name, but his lips found themselves closed.

"I know what your thinking..." Tidus eyed the other, "It's no secret, you love Sora... but.." The blonde's eyes narrowed, "Why are you hurting... him?"

Riku's eyes widened, "What?"

"It's none of my business, I know, I'm not really involved..." His grey eyes shined, as the filled with water.
"That's why I can easily accept this fate. Some may put up a fight, about this." A tear rolled from his eye, "But not me, I may not be involved or the least bit important, but I am aware."

"Tidus?" Riku frowned, "What are you... talking about?"

Tidus shook his head, "It's simple, once you understand that we are all connected." A light sigh, "I'm glad I was able to find my connections leading to you. Even though... I wasn't important to you."

"Your important to me!" Riku rushed, his hand reached to the others shoulder.
I don't like how your talking.

"No, not enough." Tidus stood, he took one glance to Riku then walked to the door, "I'm.. sorry, I couldn't have been more." Tidus hesitated but then walked from the room, leaving Riku to stare at the empty door frame.

"Tidus!" Riku called, "Tidus!" He stood, rushing to the door.
What... what am I doing here?
Riku walked from the room, down the stairs, taking each step slowly.
I can't believe I even came, Tidus is so wasted, talking like that.
Riku made his way towards the door.

"Riku..." Came a voice from behind him.

Riku frowned, rubbing at his face. He turned to see the taller blonde sitting on the couch.
"Cloud."

The blonde stood, walking towards him.

Riku kept his focus on the other, fisting his palms.
Why did I come! I knew I was going to see... him.

"Where's Tidus?" Cloud smoothly looked around, as if he'd find the shorter blonde hiding in the corners of the room.

Riku shrugged, keeping his expression cold and uncaring, "He left."

Cloud frowned, "Riku?"

"What!" Riku snapped.

Cloud took a step back, not in fear, just giving them more distance.

Riku wobbled, as his body tensed, "Ugh!" He let out a frustrated grunt, "What is it? You've got your revenge on me!" He snapped, "Though I haven't done anything! But what would that matter to you? You'd be satisfied if any of us would suffer as you have!" Riku heard the words escape freely from his lips. He held his stance strong, and sturdy, though he was getting light headed.

"What more could you want from me? You've taken all that I ever wanted! You've left nothing for me!"

"What about the truth?" Cloud questioned, his tone was almost sarcastic, "You don't know anything Riku! Your so blind! Just like your father!"

"Shut up!" Riku warned, putting his hand to the wall, giving himself balance.

"You've been so selfish, do you even realize all this time?" Cloud's words came quick and harsh, he took a step closer to Riku, "How long are you going to lie to yourself!"

"Ugh" Riku put his hands to his ears, an attempt to block Cloud's words, "Shut up!" Riku yelled, he felt himself sink to the floor.
"You don't love him! You would never love him! Not as I love him!" Riku felt the other's hands on his waist, pulling him back up.
"No! I loved him and you took him from me!" Riku placed his hands on Cloud's arms, trying to push them from him.

"Riku.." Cloud's tone was soft, he guided the other to the couch, seating him down gently, at the pace of his arms.

Riku felt himself being led by Cloud, he felt an anger rise in him.
"No! Don't! Just leave me alone!"

"Riku!" Cloud's tone was in alarm, as he dodged a punch from Riku.

"Why! I didn't do anything! Why did you take him from me! I loved him and you.."

"Why are you doing this Riku! Why are you here?" Cloud cut in between Riku's ranting, "Your stuck in your fantasy's. Always ready to admit to anything but reality!"

"Shut up! I saw you!" Riku eyed the other hatefully, "You kissed him!"

"If he want's this, then let him have it! If you truly love him!" Cloud argued.

Riku eyed the other fiercely, "Your distracting him!"

Cloud frowned, "Riku..."

Riku placed a hand to his head, "No! Your just using him!"

"We all use somebody." Cloud's statement came harsh and low.

Riku frowned at the comment, then stood, "I'm leaving." He stumbled his way to the door.

"Riku," Cloud reached for the other, "I want to take you home."

Riku's expression went from blank to confused, "What?" Then he let a heavy frown pull at his face, "NO! How can we have this conversation, have these feelings about each other, then allow ourselves to sit alongside each other without any negative regards for each other!"

"No matter how I feel about you, I wouldn't want you to walk in the state your in." Cloud confessed.

Riku continued towards the door, clenching his fingers tightly to his palms.
"Think of me as my father then. That, I'm sure, will have you think otherwise." Riku opened the door.

"I see." Cloud's words came low, annoyed, "Then that is how it will be."

"That's, exactly how it should be."


"Love?" Sora frowned, "Isn't love a good thing? How could love corrupt him?"

"Love's a powerful thing, it can bring you much joy, or much pain." Leon let his eyes fall to the floor, "He loved somebody that did not return his love. The more his affection denied him, the more he became obsessed with them. He was King, he was a powerful man, but he still didn't have what he desired." Leon slowly eyed the room, "The refusal tore at his heart, but he kept on pursuing, and he was denied every time." His eyes settled, "He soon found that the one he loved, loved another."

Don't do this! Leave me alone!

This will end, when we Find him.

TBC

To my reviewers, thank you.

-Clowyamma