This chapter is sooo short!! I'm sooo sorry!!!

Riku sighed as he swished his coke around in it's glass. He was at a restaurant with the rest of the Strife family and Axel. They had decided to get together to celebrate their roles in Sweeney Todd.

Too bad nobody was actually happy.

After the cast list was posted and all that had gone on with Tidus and Xion, the two had disappeared. Riku and the rest were worried, they all knew of Tidus's reputation.

Something that Xion didn't know.

"Relax man," Sora said, patting his shoulder - a fake smile on his face. "I know she's like your sister, but she'll be back soon. Xion's tough, I just know she is." Riku nodded, plastering a fake smile on his face

Too bad Sora was wrong, he didn't like Xion like a sister.

Something that he didn't know if he liked or not.

That night after everyone had gone and went to sleep, Riku sat up on the couch - waiting for Xion to get home. He dozed off somewhere around midnight, but awoke when the front door creaked open.

He saw Xion trying to sneak in, her hair a mess and what looked like a rather large rip in her school shirt. Riku's eyes widened at the sight, wondering if something bag happened. He coughed and Xion jumped, turning to face him.

"Riku..."she muttered. With that, she ran and threw herself at him. He caught her and felt that couch tip back a little because of the force.

Riku made comforting noises as Xion ranted and cried into his shoulder. He laid his head on top of her's and just whispered nonsense - trying to be comforting. Once Xion calmed down, he asked for an explanation.

"After sch-school," Xion started, trying not to start sobbing again, "Tidus t-took me to this...bar. Once we got to the bar, all of his friends from the blitzball team were there and waving around money. Then that...that....bastard slammed me up against the wall and continued to try and - and," she started to cry again and Riku held her, trying to conceal his rage.

"One of the other blitzball player's girlfriends, who had been into it before, came and stopped him. She told me to get home. I walked, that's why I-I'm here so late."

"Where exactly did you walk from?" Riku asked her in a whisper. Xion shrugged.

"The bar was called Xaldin's. That's all I r-r-remember." Riku's eyes widened. Xaldin's was in the next city! It was where the blitzball team usually went after their wins to celebrate and their losses to drown their sorrows.

"I'm scared," Xion muttered into his ear. "What if he does something? I don't like him being Toby..." Riku kissed her temple.

"I'll ask Marluxia if he could make Denzel Toby instead," he said. "He would be on your side, he hates sports and their players. I remember him ranting and raving once that jerk tried out." Xion lightly giggled and looked up at Riku, their eyes connecting.

Something shone in his eyes, she noticed, something that hadn't been there before. It seemed...caring and passionate all at the same time. His mouth had dropped slighty open as he stared at her as well.

Riku placed a hand on the back of her head, bringing them closer together. Xion's eyes dropped to his lips quickly before refocussing on his eyes again. She saw that there was mirth in them now, but the care and passion were still there. In moments, their lips connected and it felt like fireworks had gone off in Xion's head.

His lips were soft. Really soft. His hand kept her from pulling away, something she wasn't so sure she would do. Riku slowly laid down on the couch, pulling Xion with him. She gasped through the kiss as she felt how perfect they fit against one another.

When they broke away for air, she muttered his name and he seemed to snap back into the old Riku. He gently pushed her off and ran up the stairs, leaving her on the couch - crying again.

"Just...perfect."

Riku is being a jerk again. Bwahahaha. Poor Xion, she really didn't deserve that after what she had just gone through. In case you didn't get it, the blitzball players made a bet to see if Tidus could get one of the theatre girls into bed with him. They picked Xion at random, just because she was knew and didn't know about Tidus's reputation as a man whore. At least he didn't get all the way, but he told the blitzball team that he did, that's why they were waving money around.

Oh, and the girlfriend was Yuna. She seemed evil as a pixie, but she's still High Summoner Yuna to me so she must have a heart. :)

And yay!!! Another title drop. I just love those things. :)

-The Gray Rook