I was just about to grab his hand when he turned his head towards me, opening his eyes. They were completely black and solid. It almost looked like he didn't have any eyes at all.

I flinched and took a couple steps back as he glared at me.

His voice was cold and hard. "I have to go."

All I could do was stand on the lower half of the grass hill while his form disappeared beneath the swarming group of trees…

Don't Be a Gentleman: Push me away…

It had been three days since I'd last seen him.

Everything looked a lot more ominous in the dark. Shadows crept behind me, waiting for me to falter.

It was a horrible time to be out alone. But…I had to fix this. I had to see why he wasn't returning my calls, why he was ignoring me…

It didn't make any sense! I played through the events at the park over and over in my mind, the images flashing by like an old movie reel.

It was insane! Nothing happened!

Except for… I clamped my hands over my cheeks, the heat warming up my cold fingers. Ugh, had I come on to strong? No, that can't be right…he was the one to start it anyway…

I frowned, rubbing my chin absently. It was rather odd actually. We don't usually get that carried away…

But… we had kissed plenty of times. What was so different about the one at the park?

The questions kept coming and multiplying, ramming into my head like a heard of buzzing wasps. I gritted my teeth while clutching my dark, auburn locks in frustration.

I was about to admit defeat when my feet led me to his doorstep. For some reason, going up those stairs took a lot of mental willpower. It was like he already knew that I was here. Paranoia swept through my body in a soaking trance and I couldn't help glancing up at the windows warily.

Can he see me from up there? Did he know I was coming?

I shook my head. "Only one way to find out…"

I knocked on the door rapidly with my knuckles, tensing as it opened.

I felt both relieved and sad to see Sora's mother standing in the entrance. She was staring at me dubiously, but there was a hint of something else in her eyes. I couldn't analyze the emotion but I knew it wasn't positive. "Kairi? Can I help you?"

I shrugged timidly, trying to work my mouth into a smile. "Hello, Miss Wilmington."

She smiled back, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Just Claire is fine. Are you feeling alright? Can I interest you in some coffee?"

I couldn't help but giggle as my stomach twisted from anxiety. "Ah no…I was wondering…" I took in a deep breath. "Is Sora home?"

"Oh…well, he told me he didn't want any friends over…" Her eyes were shining with unshed tears and I suddenly had the urge to hug her. "He's been cooped up in his room so often…I have to force him out of the bed just to get him to the dinner table."

Nervous energy built up in my chest and rushed into my lungs. If he was neglecting simple nutrition... "Can I see him?"

Claire nodded. "He would hate me for letting you in…but…I don't know what to do anymore…"

"I understand. Don't worry. He'll be back to his old self before you know it." I tried to emphasize the point with a grin.

"I hope so…" She moved slowly out of the doorway.

I entered cautiously, realizing for the first time how dark it was. "I can't see anything…"

She walked beside me, her movements as slow as a snail. "He doesn't like having the lights on. He says it brings him…pain."

My eyes widened. "No…not now."

Her descriptions were sounding more serious by the minute. I should have come here sooner!

I jumped as she placed a hand on my shoulder. "Does this have anything to do with what happened before?"

I furrowed my brow. Sora and Riku had briefly explained the concepts of darkness and light when we confronted our parents. I don't know how much detail they went into, but nevertheless…I didn't want to frighten Claire. "It will be alright. I'm fix him…"

She nodded before turning away, her hunched back disappearing into the kitchen.

I sighed before turning to face the stairs. They seemed a lot bigger in the damp light, the distance between each step daunting and vast.

I gulped before rushing up the steps, two at a time. I nearly slammed into the bathroom door at the top, but I did a tight spin to send my body towards the hall preventing the impact.

My back was arched in a broken 'C' as I panted, barely hearing the 'bang' of another door closing across from me.

I walked closer to the battered door, twisting the knob. Unfortunately, it was locked. But I had expected that…

A groan escaped my tense lips before I sank to the ground, my back pressed against the entrance to his bedroom. "Sora, please…talk to me."

My heart jumped out of my chest when he responded. "You shouldn't be here…"

I frowned at the taut response. Hearing his voice for the first time in days produced a volatile sensation in my chest. "Excuse me? What's up with you?"

I turned towards the door, crossing my arms in defiance as he spoke. "I can't talk with you right now. It isn't-"

"What? Isn't what?" I fumed as I anticipated his next words.

He answered. His voice was so soft, barely reaching my eardrums. "It isn't safe…"

I wanted to kick the door down and beat some sense into him but I forced myself to stay still. However, I couldn't hide the anger in my tone. "That's a load of crap, and you know it! Come on, just let me help you."

I stood up, prepared to bust into his room when he opened the door, his head tilted out. His eyes weren't black anymore, but they were still a lot darker than his natural blue hue. He growled at me. "What do you want, Kairi?"

I stomped into his humble abode, avoiding the death glare being sent my way. "What do I want? Hmmm, that's a good question. Let's start with the fact that my boyfriend won't even take the time to look at his damn phone!"

He opened his mouth, probably to protest, but I cut him off. "Furthermore, I'd like to know what happened that day at the park. It was all peachy and sparkles until somebody decided to disappear out of the blue!" I gave him a bitter smile. "So tell me, what did I do? Because obviously something must be wrong since you avoid me like the plague."

I could see his muscles tensing beneath his shirt, but other than that he didn't show any inclination that he had heard what I said. Instead, he walked towards me, his hands clenched at his side. His eyes flashed to black briefly before returning back to blue. "You need to leave, now…"

I frowned. "I'll go. Just tell me what I did wrong."

A sympathetic look spread across his face, but it was quickly replaced with a scowl. "It…it's not that. This has nothing to do with you…"

I glared at him. "Well, then what's the problem? Why can't I see you anymore?"

Sora was shaking now. He pressed his body against the wall next to me, his chest rising and falling sporadically. "Please…just go…"

I let out a hearty 'humph' before clawing at my hair. "Why won't you let me help you?"

He gave me a sad smile, the tremors still racking through his small frame. "I can't…"

I pressed a reassuring hand to his left cheek. "You have to stop this. Your mom is really worried…I'm worried…"

His breath hit my neck as he brought his head forward, his brown spiky hair tickling my skin. "I know…"

My arms went around his waist. I squeezed him tightly. "Just…let me do something. Anything…"

I could feel his muscles flexing against me. "I'm sorry, but…" He raised his eyes to my face. "I can't let you help me."

His intense gaze forced me to look away. I could feel my throat closing up as I tried to speak. "It's the darkness. That's the only explanation that makes sense…"

He smiled again. "Yeah, I guess you could say that…"

Before I could utter another word he grabbed me and pushed me out of the room. I crashed to the floor in a small heap, my fingers grasping the rough carpet in surprise.

I turned my head towards him, too shocked to comment on the unexpected shove. He laughed softly. "Sorry…didn't mean to hurt you."

"I don't hold it against you." My reply sounded flat and apathetic.

"I appreciate that." He gave me a small smile, a little bit of his cheerful side showing through. "I'll call you later, alright?"

He then shut the door in my face.

Alright, another one finished!

This one was even harder to write at the end. I'm surrounded by siblings playing mini-golf on the wii. Let's just say…everyone is extremely competitive…and they forgot how to play the game, ha ha! XD

Well, hope you're all enjoying your day! My thanks goes to Otherguy14, XionTheBlackRose, AnimeFan202, and Guest for reviewing! I really appreciate the advice and support!

See you all next chapter!