Sorry for the absence. I've been sick. Takes everything out of me. Ugh.

In Life and Death
Chapter 11: Move for Daddy

Sora had remained in his house three days following his visit to Riku's. His phone rang quite a few times during that time but every time Kairi's name appeared on the caller ID, he let it ring. She left countless messages for him to call her back, but yet he hadn't. He had put off telling Riku again and he didn't want to tell Kairi. She would ask why and he'd feel bad lying to her. Her questions would just lead him to a place where he didn't want to go right then. He just wanted to forget everything for a bit.

So he locked the doors, closed the curtains, and shut out the world. He sat around all day, watching television and playing video games. His mother called once and he answered it. She informed him of the shuttle's arrival. She should be home later that afternoon.

He sighed softly and glared at his phone. He wanted to talk to someone, just not either of his friends. He knew Kairi would certainly jump at his phone call, and Riku had said he'd be around if Sora needed to talk. But he just couldn't rustle up the courage to call either one. He glanced at the clock and it would be a few hours before his mother would be home. But there was someone he wouldn't mind talking to.

A half hour later found him sitting in his kitchen, the phone pressed to his ear. The line rang and rang and rang. He was just about to hang up with it finally clicked.

"Hello?" The voice was deep and gruff and Sora didn't recognize it.

"Hi…" He said slowly. "I'm calling for Dr. Veronica Verse."

"Veera's in the shower. Who's this?"

"Sora…" He started before being interrupted.

"Sora! Well… what a pleasant surprise. It's nice to finally talk to you."

"Uh… okay…" Sora said softly, unsure of what to make of the voice.

"Zing?" A female's voice in the background yelled. "What the hell are you doing answering my cell phone?"

"Ah… looks like you're in luck Sora. She just stepped out."

"Asshole. Give me that…" She hissed. "Sora?"

Sora smiled slightly. "Yeah Veera. It's me."

She sighed into the phone. "You'll have to excuse my roommate. He's more than a jerk."

Sora head a door slam over the line. "Did I call at a bad time? I can call back…"

"No! No, no!" She said quickly. "It's perfectly fine. He's always a jerk. So what's up?"

Shifting slightly in his chair, he sighed and bit his lip. "Well… you suggested bringing in… when I brought in Kairi… you said…"

"Sora… you want to bring in your male friend, right? And have me explain it to him?"

"Yes." He answered slowly. "How did you guess?'

"You're friend Kairi mentions it every time she comes with you. And I was the one to suggest it, wasn't I?"

"Oh… yeah…" He smiled slightly and scratched at the back of his head.

She laughed. "Try not to be so nervous Sora. You can talk to me about anything, alright? I am your doctor after all. Everything you say to me is kept confidential."

"Okay. Thanks…"

"This friend…" Veera said slowly over the line. "He's the one that you believe is the other father, right?"

"No." Sora said firmly, pausing briefly. "I know he is. I haven't… you know… done that with anyone else…"

"Okay then. That certainly narrows it down, doesn't it?" She laughed. "Will this be like Kairi's first visit?"

Sora furrowed his eyes brows slowly as he stood up. "Kairi?" He moved towards the refrigerator to grab a drink.

"Yes. You told Kairi before hand, correct?"

"Yes…" Sora quickly realized what she was getting at. And he didn't like it.

"And then you brought her in and used me to confirm it with big words and an ultrasound."

Sora laughed slightly at what he thought was a joke attempt, but inside he felt a sense of dread. She expected Riku to be told before the visit. "Yeah…" Sora said very slowly. "He will be told…"

"Good. Because I think it's best to test the water before diving right in." She laughed sharply.

Sora swallowed nervously and bit his lip. Will I really tell him?

There was a moment of silence before Veera spoke again. "Is there something else you wanted to talk about?"

"Yeah…" He said slowly. "I was wondering about… the risks off… pregnancy and… sex…"

"Ah. Feeling a bit frisky?"

Sora blushed slightly at the question as he leaned on the kitchen counter. "Well… I was a couple days ago."

"Oh! Well. I can assure you there aren't any major risks. At least none that would affect you… I think…" She didn't sound sure.

"So what does that mean?" Sora fingered his glass, half paying attention as it slid slightly on the smooth surface.

"Keep in mind that all my knowledge on the subject is directed towards pregnant women, Sora."

Sora grunted and glared at the countertop. "I hate being reminded that I'm not a girl."

There was a paused over the line before Veera laughed. "Sorry sweetie. But you're one of a kind. You can't deny it."

Sora rolled his eyes. "I feel special." His voice was laced heavily with sarcasm.

"You are special." Veera answered over the line softly.

Sora heard the sadness in her voice and shifted his weight. "I know."

There was another pause before Veera started again. "Anyways… I wouldn't worry too much about it Sora. All your tests say the babies are fine and that there aren't any complications. And, to say it again, you're not a girl. In normal pregnancies, orgasms can cause the uterus to contract. Doctors suggest that overdue mothers engage in sex to help speed the delivery along… but in your case… they aren't coming out naturally… so just forget I said anything…" She laughed, sounding a bit nervous this time. "I'm as new to all this as you are."

Sora laughed with her as a wave of relief coursed through him. "Thanks Veera."

"Can I ask you something personal Sora?"

"Well gee doc, I think this whole conversation borders on personal, don't you think?" Sora pushed away from the counter and set his empty glass in the sink.

"Maybe. But you're the one asking the questions. And you don't have to answer."

"Just shoot." Sora smiled and returned to the table as he said this.

"The sudden interest and concern Sora… it was with your male friend again, wasn't it?"

"Yeah." He answered softly without a second thought.

"Are you in love with him?"

Sora was a bit surprised with the question. He closed his eyes and rubbed at his temples. It was a question he hadn't let himself think. "Honestly… I don't know. I just don't know. I can't really explain what happened either…"

"Well… I'm sure you will be able to in time, Sora. Don't dwell on it too much, okay? You don't need any worry lines to add to those stretch marks."

"Stretch marks?" Sora groaned.

She laughed. "If that's all Sora, I should be going."

"Yes! Of course! Thanks for talking to me. Sorry to keep you." He said quickly, leaning back in his chair.

"It's no problem Sora. I told you anytime. And I meant it. I'll see you next week."

They each said their goodbyes and hung up. Sora felt immensely better, knowing his actions hadn't, and wouldn't, jeopardize the pregnancy. That fear had been on his mind since he left Riku's house three days prior. A genuine smile brightened his face and he placed a hand over his stomach.

Almost immediately after he set his phone down on the counter in front of him, it rang. He picked it up and saw that it was Kairi. He sighed softly as he headed for the living room. "Guess I can't avoid you forever…" He said softly. "And at least there's a plan now…" He flipped it open and pressed it once again to his ear. "Hello?"

"Sora!" Kairi squealed. "You answered! FINALLY! I knew you were home! You were avoiding me, weren't you? You're such a dick! I walked by your house this morning and I saw you peek out! And I've left like a million messages! I called Riku but he wouldn't say anything to me! Nothing! What's going on?"

"If you would let me talk, I would."

"Fine! Talk! But I'm still upset with you for blocking me out like that! Do you know how incredibly worried I've been?""

"Noted, mom." He sunk down on the couch and propped his feet up on the coffee table in front of him.

"Don't get mouthy with me, young man!"

Sora laughed at that one for a moment. "You really are something, aren't you Kairi?"

"Oh don't play nice! Just tell me why you've been acting like a jerk."

"I chickened out Kairi, okay? And I didn't want you to know."

She paused a moment before she spoke, her voice soft and gentle. "What happened?"

He sighed and shook his head. "I went over there with the intention of telling him, I swear. But… we got to talking a bit… and it was just so nice… you know… talking… like we used to… before everything happened…" He answered slowly, trying not to sound like he was lying.

"Sora…"

"Don't start Kairi. I have a plan. I told Riku you were busy with family and couldn't come with me for my next checkup."

"Yeah. Sorry about that." Kairi said with a sigh. "We've known all summer that school was going to be starting in a couple weeks. And mom decides that she wants to take me school shopping at the last minute, I swear!" She laughed brightly. "The woman is going to drive me crazy. I'm so glad this is our senior year. I just wish you would drop this nonsense about home schooling. It's complete rubbish."

Sora rolled his eyes and leaned back against the arm of the couch. "Yeah Kairi. I should totally go to Destiny High, shouldn't I? I could hang out with Tidus, Wakka, Selphie, and the rest of the gang that I've been avoiding all summer, right? We could all have the same homeroom. And the same gym class and I'll sit on the sidelines because any flying balls might hurt the babies, right? And then we could go to Health class and Biology, where everyone will talk about the amazing pregnant boy that defies all logic and science. And I'll have to visit the cafeteria between each class because babies will be hungry. And the constant bathroom breaks because babies are squeezing mommy's bladder. And the horrible fat clothes you made me buy… and…"

"Alright, alright!" Kairi said, laughing loudly. "I get it! It just sucks is all. The thought of graduating without you!"

Sora laughed at that. "Well I'll be at graduation. I just won't go to class with you. And we'll see get to hang out and see each other. And help each other with homework. Although…" He mused. "When the twins are born… that'll be a different matter, won't it? It'll never get to leave the house! And I'll never see the light of day again!"

"Ha, ha. Very funny Sora." Kairi giggled. "You won't be able to lock me out then! Auntie Kairi loves babies!"

"You say that now… but wait until I make you baby-sit. Chin high in dirty diapers and baby bottles."

"It's a date! Oh!" She squealed. "I just can't wait!"

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

The rest of the day passed by pretty quickly. Sora's mother, Rain, returned home on time. Her trip went smoothly and she indeed met with Leon.

"I just happened to mention your name and was practically mauled by this whacked out ninja girl!" She said laughing. "They're a nice bunch. Really energetic and friendly. Next time, you really will have to come with me!"

Sora had simply nodded at the request, and changed the subject, bringing up the possibility of spending the next couple days together. And they did just that.

It wasn't until Sora woke up the day of his next appointment that he realized it was just that; the day of his twenty week check up. And that was the check up that Riku was going to come with me. Which meant Riku was going to find out. Today. " Ah shit..." Sora rolled over and grabbed at his cell phone. His hand connected with his nightstand and it took a few moments before his fingers found the damned cell. It was already nearly noon. And his appointment was at one. He'd have to hurry to be on time.

15 minutes later, in which Sora was able to get up, take a shower, get dressed, and call Riku, Sora was walking through his front door. He smiled meekly and waved as he spied his silver haired friend standing on the sidewalk.

Riku uncrossed his arms as Sora joined him. They turned together and started walking down the sidewalk. "I was afraid you weren't going to call."

Sora's eyes were on the sidewalk, watching as his shoes touched the paved surface. He kicked at a rock before answering, not raising his head as he did so. "Why?"

"I haven't talked to you all week." Riku pointed out, glancing sideways at the brunette.

Sora paused a moment. "Phone and doorbells swing both ways."

Riku raised an eyebrow at that one. Then he shook his head and stretched his arms out above him with a laugh. "Yeah. I guess that's right."

"I didn't want to go alone..." Sora grunted in answer and the rest of the walk was quiet.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

At the hospital...

"Riku… come here…" Sora held out his hand.

Riku, Sora, and Veera where in an ultrasound room. Sora was lying on a table and Veera was playing around with the ultrasound machine. Riku, on the other hand, stood on the other side of the room, staring at them. It was only a few minutes ago that they were sitting in Veera's office. It seemed to him that the moment they sat down, Veera was jumping up and ushering them out of the room. So without much in the ways of explanation, Riku followed behind the excited doctor and patient. "What?" He felt uneasy with the situation. Very uneasy as his eyes flitted from Sora to Veera, and back to Sora.

"Just come here for a minute."

Riku rolled his eyes, but stepped closer to the table where Sora was laying. "What?"

"Give me your hand."

Riku sighed but placed his hand in Sora's waiting palm.

Sora smiled and lowered their hands to his lower abdomen. He pressed Riku's hand against the warm surface and held it fast.

"Sora…" Riku's eyes flitted to Veera, who was busy with the ultrasound machine. "What are you…" His train of thought was interrupted as something inside Sora began to move around. He felt a gentle kick and retracted his hand, as if he had been bitten. "What the fuck?"

Veera turned around at the outburst. She looked from the smiling Sora to the confused Riku, then back at Sora. She tilted her head to the side and raised her eyebrow.

"She kicked." Sora said, practically glowing. "I felt something earlier… but I thought it was just my stomach grumbling."

The machine forgotten about, Veera rolled her chair closer to Sora. "May I?"

Smiling bigger than humanly possible, Sora nodded.

"Where did you feel it?"

Sora pressed his fingers to the spot a bit low and left of his protruding belly button. "That's her, right?"

Veera pressed gently on the spot Sora indicated and immediately felt a tiny poke. "Wow…" She whispered and shook her head slowly.

"What? Is there a problem?"

She recovered quickly. "No. Of course not. And yes. That's your little girl." She slid her hand to the other side and began to feel around. "Brother must be asleep." She said with a smile.

Sora rolled his eyes and leaned back. "Oh great! Now they'll be fighting and I won't get any sleep."

Neither doctor nor patient was paying any attention to the third person in the room. Riku had retreated a few steps away. He stood, standing perfectly still, and listened to the conversation that didn't include him. Their words didn't quite register in his head. He couldn't make any sense of them. She? Who's she? What's she kicking? She has a brother?

Veera smiled at Sora and nodded. "They do sleep, but you'll soon learn that twins don't even sleep at the same… time…" She happened to look up then and catch sight of Riku, looking very much like a lost child. "Sora… you didn't actually tell him…" She looked at Sora with accusing eyes. "Did you?"

Sora glanced quickly between the two. "Uh… not exactly…" He confessed softly.

"Sora!" Veera snapped and shook her head slowly. "You distinctly told me on the phone otherwise!"

"Well…" Sora shrugged his shoulders and sat up. "I meant to… honest… I just…" He slid off the table and turned towards the silent Riku. "Before you freak out… just listen… please!" He held up his arms and stepped closer.

Riku pursed his lips and folded his arms. He glanced from Sora to Veera, and rested on the latter. "Will someone please tell me what's going on?"

Since he was looking at her, Veera took the question as being directed at her and nodded. She motioned him closer and began to root through her folder containing all of Sora's information from his previous visits. She showed him all the papers and falsified documents, along with copies of the pictures from the ultrasounds. She explained briefly of her concocted theories and of ectopic pregnancies. She explained the dangers and risks involved, as well as the progress of the babies.

All the while Riku stood, unmoving and unspeaking, until she finished. "So…" He started slowly. "You're telling me that Sora is pregnant?"

Veera nodded.

Riku uncrossed his arms and turned slightly, looking over at Sora who was sitting back on the examination table. "Sora… when did you become a girl?"

Sora blushed slightly and dropped his gaze to the tiled floor.

"You actually got pregnant? How? Who's the other…" He stopped as he noticed the brunette's face get redder. "Wait…" His mind slowly began to piece the story together. "We… it's me… isn't it?" He threw up his arms and spun around. "You're the fucking mother and I'm the goddamn father. Just perfect."

Sora flinched slightly at the tone in his voice. He sniffed back the tears and rubbed at his eyes. Don't cry… don't cry… don't make this worse…

Riku spun around towards Veera and lifted a finger. "How long has he known about this?" Riku had mentally calculated when it had happened. There's no way he could be that pregnant in two weeks. The first time had been months ago.

Veera looked him in the eyes as she spoke, her voice even and calm. "He's about twenty weeks along now. Our first visit was during his twelfth…"

Riku turned towards Sora, his eyes blazing. "Eight weeks? You've known about this for eight weeks? Eight fucking weeks? Why the hell haven't you told me?"

Sora met Riku's penetrating gaze and swallowed nervously. The question caught him off guard and he didn't have an answer. He just sat there, dumbfounded.

Riku gawked at him a moment before spinning around and heading towards the door. Once out in the hallway, he closed the door and paused a moment. A moment of indecision gripped him and he grasped the doorknob, fully prepared to go back inside. The soft sounds of someone crying drifted through the door and Riku pressed his ear to the cold steel.

"Sora, it'll be okay."

"No it won't! He hates me! I knew he would! I knew it! I told Kairi!"

"Kairi…" Riku whispered and listened again.

"Just give it time, Sora. Remember how you took it? You weren't exactly happy with me."

"But I got over it!"

"And so will he."

Riku stopped listening at that point. He pushed away from the door and walked down the hall. Guilt tugged at his consciousness for making Sora cry but he discarded it as he stepped out of the front door of the hospital. The sun overhead beat down brightly and he squinted.

"This is all some fucked up dream brought on by sleeping with Sora one too many times…" He mumbled as he pulled his cell phone out. He flipped it on and dialed. He turned down the street and started walking as he waited for an answer.

"Hello?"

"Kairi. Did you know?" He asked, even though he already knew she did.

"Did I know what Riku?" She answered slowly.

"Cut the shit Kairi. I know you know. How long have you known?"

"Uh… about a month…"

"A month?"

"Actually… closer to two I think."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It wasn't my place, Riku. Not my news to tell."

"So? It's pretty damn clear he didn't want to tell me."

"He was afraid to tell you Riku."

"I figured that."

"I know he tried to tell you a couple of times…"

"I… there was something I wanted to talk to you about…"

"I swear that wasn't my intention when I came over..."

"There was... something I wanted to... talk to you about..."

"I... I can't. Not now..."

"I don't... I'm not... I'm p..."

"Will you come with me?"

"Next week... My next doctor's appointment... I hate going alone... and Kairi usually comes... but she's got family stuff..."

"Will you come with me?"

Riku shook the memory from his mind. "Still… some fucking friends." He muttered.

"Riku, where is Sora now?"

"Back at the hospital."

"You left him there? Alone? Riku! Of all the time to act like a complete…"

"Goodbye Kairi." He said as he turned towards the building he was now standing in front of. "We'll see you tomorrow." Riku flipped the phone closed and shoved it into his pocket. Almost instantly, it began to ring. With a sigh, he pulled it back out. "What?" He said, pressing it to his ear again.

"You hung up on me!"

"Just let it alone Kairi."

"He's hurting Riku! Please don't…"

Glaring at the non-existent Kairi, Riku flipped the phone closed for a second time, and this time switched it to silent. "What does she think I'm going to do? Smack him around and leave him alone in the middle of the street?" He rolled his eyes and turned around.

"The Starlit Inn…" He mused. "How convenient, a hotel so close to a hospital." He shook his head slowly as stepped inside. The lobby was relatively small but it seemed friendly enough. And Sora had spoke well of his time spent there.

Shaking his head slowly, he turned towards the counter.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

An hour later...

Nearly an hour later, he was standing outside of the hospital, his cell pressed to his ear.

"Hey! This is Sora! So if you're looking for Sora, I'm like not here. So like, you should leave me a message. And I'll get back to you later. Unless you aren't looking for Sora. So in that case, you have the wrong number."

Riku rolled his eyes as he pulled the cell from his ear. "He can't possibly be at the appointment still..." He switched the phone off and shoved it in his pocket as he headed inside the hospital for the second time that day.

"Connie!" He said smiling as he walked through the blue doors. "You're just the girl I was looking for."

The blonde looked up from her computer screen. She smirked as she turned around in her chair. "Me? What can I do you for, Mr...?"

"Riku." He supplied, stepping up to the desk. "I'm looking for a friend of mine. Brunette, kind of short, had an appointment today with Veronica Verse."

"You mean Sora."

"Yes." Riku's smile widened. "Do you know all the patients by name?"

Connie giggled slightly and waved the question away. "Just the annoying ones."

He laughed. "Yeah, Sora does tend to get on nerves."

"So, Riku, right? What about him?" She leaned her elbows on her desk and flashed another smile.

"What do you know about him?" He asked slowly, lowering his voice and stepping closer.

Connie glanced around quickly looking back up at Riku. "Enough to know that there's something odd going on around here."

"Odd?"

She nodded. "Nothing is by the books." She glanced back towards the hallway behind her, and then inclined her head towards it. "They all think I'm like this complete and total idiot, right? And Veera's been on my case since I started working. Like total psycho. If I'm not doing paper work every single minute of every day that I'm here, she throws a fit. But I just dare her to actually try and get me fired." She laughed. "I have quite a few stories to tell when it comes to Miss Verse."

"Like what?"

"She doesn't know how well I listen." She said with a smile. "And her voice carries. She'll leave her office door open sometimes. Or she'll run out in the hallway to answer that phone of hers. She's got this roommate, Zing, who she hates. At first I thought it was her boyfriend but the lack of love in her words pushed that away. So did a family relation. It's pretty clear she hates the guy." She said with a nod. "Although he has to be someone important. Because she's always leaving appointments to call him out in the hall."

Riku nodded slowly. "What about her other patients?"

"What other patients?" She asked with a laugh. "Sure, she meets with a couple people and does testing regularly, but half the time, she doesn't even remember their names! She'll like come out and ask me to fetch files for her and find names. A few times she's left appointments to come and talk to me. It's like... when she's not working with Sora, she's a total spazz."

"Sora?"

"Yeah." Connie said, rolling her eyes. "The first few times the kid came in, I thought he was dying or something. He cried a lot. But after a while, he seemed happier. So I was like, maybe he's cured. But why then would he still be coming here, right? So a couple weeks ago, I went to look up his file, just to tide over my curiosity. And guess what? There isn't a file. So I looked him up in the hospital database. And he's not in there either. So Miss Veera doesn't do her own paper work, does she?"

Riku stared at her a moment before shaking his head. "So there's nothing? At all?"

She shook her head. "Not even a name! So... I've been watching her all day. Checking up on her when she leaves her office. I caught a glimpse of her clipboard as her and Sora went by almost an hour ago. You know what she was carrying? A notebook! And not the hospital issued ones, a normal spiraled notebook. The shitty cheap ones that get sold at department stores. I think she fakes filling out paperwork by scribbling in it. Makes it look like she's taking notes."

Riku crossed his arms and straightened up. "A lazy doctor? Not someone I would want treating me."

"Exactly!" Connie said loudly. "There's just something odd about her relationship with Sora. Like... whenever he calls... she'll drop what she's doing, like with the Zing guy, to talk to him. And sometimes those conversations go on for a while. She's even canceled other patient's appointments because she was on the phone with him! And she's always like... touching and hugging him and shit. And the whole bringing in a friend thing... unless the person is a family member, she says no in all other cases."

Riku glanced over at the clock. It was getting late in the afternoon. If Sora was still with Veera, Connie was right. There was something strange going on. Riku shook his head slowly, pushing the doubts from his mind. Of course something strange is going on. He's pregnant. Maybe she's in it for the fame. The first pregnant boy has to be a medical marvel. "So they came by here an hour ago then... is he still here?"

"Sora?" She smiled. "Of course. He's back with Veera in her office."

"Would you be able to deliver a message for him?"

She batted her eyelashes at him before nodding. "Sure thing! I would love to." She handed him a blank sheet of paper and a pen.

Riku scribbled down a note about the hotel room he'd rented and about how he'd be waiting there. He folded it up and handed it to Connie. "Be sure he gets it and reads it." He said with a smile. "Sort of had a little argument and I'd like to smooth things over before we go home.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

At the hotel...

It was almost three hours later before there was a knock on the door. Riku glanced sideways at the door before sliding off the edge of the bed. He hit the off button on the remote, blanking out the television screen, and headed for the door. "You didn't need to knock." He said matter-of-factly, eyeing the brunette at the door.

Sora looked pitiful, standing in the doorway biting his lip. He didn't raise his eyes to meet Riku's, opting to stare at the taller boy's chest instead. His eyes were puffy and his cheeks stained, as if he had been crying. He shivered slightly under the scrutiny and mumbled out something incoherently.

"I didn't get that."

"I said I'm sorry, okay?" Sora snapped, pushing past Riku into the room. "This isn't my fault." He spun around and glared at his friend. "I didn't mean for it to happen. Hell…" He threw up his arms. "I didn't even know it could happen. But it's all my fault, right? Because I let you fuck me."

Riku closed the door softly and turned around silently. He crossed his arms, studying the brunette as he waited for him to calm down.

"So now you've got nothing to say?" Sora shouted. "Where's the surprise in that, huh?"

"Keep your voice down…"

"What the hell for? So the people in the next room don't hear me say what an ASSHOLE YOU ARE?"

"Sora…"

"NO!" Sora continued his voice elevated. "You had your chance to talk back at the hospital. Now it's your turn to listen to what I have to say!"

"Fine." Riku said rather calmly. "I have no problem with listening. And yes, I agree I was an ass for leaving like I did. But you have to admit that the situation was… odd at best. It's not every day your best friend tells you he's having your baby."

Sora shifted slightly and dropped his gaze to the floor. Riku sounded so strong and sure of himself. A pang of guilt twitched in Sora's mind, but he quickly pushed it away. No matter how harsh his words, Sora still believed Riku deserved them.

"Now…" Riku stepped forward. "Before you start screaming at me again, I have a little suggestion. Let's go out to dinner. Or order something in, okay? I know you have to be hungry if I am."

Sora let out a soft grunt as he folded his arms. He had spent more time at Veera's office then he usually did. And after leaving the hospital, he walked around for a while before heading to the Inn. And lunch had been so long ago. He just hated that Riku was being so nice at the moment. He just wanted to kick and scream. It just wasn't fair!

Riku smirked slightly at Sora's body language. "I take that as a yes."

"I get to choose from where." Sora said sternly.

Riku nodded. "That's fine with me."

"Erm… good…"

"But afterwards…" Riku turned to open the door and he held it open. "I suggest afterwards… we have a nice, long talk. Calmly."

End of Chapter 11. Stay tuned for Chapter 12: A Long Night