How behind on schedule am I with this new chapter? I'll hopefully be introducing improvement as well as new characters soon! I'm ready to get on with this story again instead of running from how bad it is xD This time I mean it! I have a new direction I want this story to go in. You guys get to tell me how much I improved (even tho this chap is kinda awkward and short), if you've still stuck around ;-; Thanks for everyone that even gave this story a chance! *heart*

When Sora opened his eyes, he saw darkness. He felt metal against his bare back, the cold biting into his flesh. Once he could feel his limbs again, he sat up. He found his movement restricted by something around his neck. He couldn't raise his hands to feel it, because they'd been bound as well it seemed. He felt like some kind of animal in a cage.

"You're finally up."

Just then, bright white light flooded the room, almost blinding him for a moment. He squinted against it, barely making out a figure in the corner. The figure was tall and cloaked. No doubt it was one of those bad men he'd been hearing about.

So he didn't speak, only glaring with the most fiery dislike he could muster.

"You're so talkative," The man drawled,

Sora kept his mouth defiantly shut.

"That's quite alright, make yourself comfortable...you'll be here for quite a while." The man said, turning on heel and leaving through a portal of darkness.

Once he'd left, Sora slumped against the bars, sighing. Riku and Roxas and even Kairi...he hoped they were alright. He didn't count on being rescued, and didn't want it; he would never want Riku and Roxas to risk their lives so foolishly. He'd gotten lucky the first time, on that rainy night, meeting someone as kind as Riku...but he knew he wouldn't get that luck ever again. He'd never wanted those good times to come to an end...but they did, like all good things, and he was fortunate enough at least to have the memories.

Riku was running, bare feet slapping concrete, rocks jabbing into his soles. He was numb to the stinging and burning of his feet, couldn't feel how sore and hoarse his throat was from screaming Sora's name over and over again. This was his third run around their general area, and he still had no luck. But he had to be here! Riku didn't want to think about Sora being anywhere other than this area. He didn't want Sora to be somewhere where he couldn't reach him...

He tripped, over his own swollen feet or a piece of raised sidewalk, he had no clue. He tumbled forward, skinning his knees through his pants and his bare elbows against the concrete. Only now did the burning of his chest reach him, so he leaned against the brick of a house, panting wildly. He spared a passing glance at his legs; his pants were torn and bloody at the knees. Hands shaking, Riku went into his pockets for his phone.

"Riku!" He heard the voice, and a short moment later saw Roxas rounding the corner and running toward him. "What happened? I felt something bad, and called the house but no one answered!"

Riku flipped his phone open; 6:45 and seven missed calls.

"I called your cellphone too, what happened to you?"

"They came for us..." Riku said, head down. "They used my friend to find us...and Sora ran off to find them. Said it was his fight...I was supposed to keep him safe." Riku brought his shaking hands to his face. "I can't find them."

Roxas was silent. For a long time neither of them said anything, even when tiny droplets of water progressed into a shower of rain.

Riku heard footsteps splashing. "What the hell are you guys doing in the rain?" Axel thrust an umbrella into Roxas' hands, throwing his jacket over Riku's head. "You two look like beat up wet dogs!"

"He's gone." Roxas spoke barely above a whisper.

Axel went quiet then, looking to Riku. At Riku's nod of affirmation, his face turned serious. "Well? Where is he?"

"Those hooded guys probably took him." Riku began attempting to stand, using the side of the house as support. "And there's no way to find him from here, right?"

Both Axel and Roxas were quiet.

"Then I'm gonna go get him." Riku said firmly, fists clenched. "Isn't this my fault?"

"You're not going anywhere." Roxas finally spoke, turning to Riku. "To get to him, you have to go through darkness. Darkness changes people, Riku, especially humans. You really think you'll still be the Riku you left as, once you go to him?"

"I have to try!" Riku pounded his fist against the wall. "I need to go get him, make sure he's safe...I'll do anything."

"I'm not going to let you do something stupid like this." Roxas began walking off.

"Fine, go! I don't need you to help me save him!" Riku shouted after him, water filling his vision. Whether it was rain, tears, or both, he had no clue.

Axel looked torn between the two of them, then sighed. "Here, just in case you do something 'stupid'." He tossed a necklace to Riku, a simple chain. "It'll help with the darkness." And he took off behind Roxas.

Roxas examined the chain for a moment, then slipped it on.

"If you don't hurry to him, he will perish. The organization has no qualms about taking every last bit of his energy. When he's no longer of any use, they will kill him."

Riku whipped his head around, seeing a figure in red. He brought his fists up in a fighting stance, glaring. "Who are you? Come to get your ass kicked?"

The man laughed. "Hardly." His face was wrapped in red bandages, but Riku could hear a smile in his voice. "I came to help you. Follow me, if you wish." He waved his hand, a portal of darkness appearing, and stepped through.

Darkness changes people, Riku.

With a last glance at the empty street, Riku ran through the portal.