Hinyah~ Hikari here to bring you the newest chapter of Shadows of the Night.

Riku's out freezing in the cold weather we have, so it's just me for now.

Hope you enjoy the new chapter, *Hikari pulls out laptop* I'ma gonna go do some Holiday Gift Black Friday Shopping in the meantime.

Chapter 29

The evening wind blew around, giving a nice relaxing feeling to the night. Riku breathed out slowly as he let the cool breeze wash over him. He stared out over at the glow of lights coming from the city, just another peaceful thing for the night.

Currently he was sitting up top on the observational deck of the town's clocktower. No one else was up there besides him though… well no one else other than Saruhiko. He was slumped up against the wall, still unconscious.

Riku glanced to him and started to wonder just how much energy Saru must have burned out from back at the Spirit Sanctuary. Though it was something he could truly never understand.

Saru got to be reunited with his late mother and spent the evening with her. The mother who raised him and cherished him from what he heard from Saru. That… that was something Riku never could know. He never could understand what that feeling must have been like. Sure there were those who he knew that loved and cherished him, but when it came to one's mother… the love of a mother was something no one else could recreate. And it was the one thing Riku couldn't understand.

He sighed heavily as he brought his knees to his chest. He closed his eyes and thought back to the brief moment that he was in the room with Saru and his mother. He saw the smile that Aerith had and how she looked at Saru with affection. He saw how gently she gazed and interacted with Saru speaking to him with such a kind and caring tone. A tone that Riku was unfamiliar with when it came to his own mother. Riku sighed again, wondering deeply what that was like.

Thankfully the sound of Saru stirring distracted him from thinking any further on it. Saru groaned a little before his eyes finally fluttered open. Right away he started looking around, letting his eyes adjust to his surroundings. After a few moments he locked eyes with Riku.

"Why did you drag me to the clocktower?"

Riku averted his eyes away, looking back to the light from the city. "Just thought to go somewhere quiet and peaceful afterwards until you woke up."

"And not go home instead."

"I just didn't think about going home right now, I guess I just needed some fresh air. That's all," Riku replied, letting out a long sigh.

"What's got you all moody now?"

Riku ran a hand through his hair, hoping that it could clear his mind, but the thoughts were still there. Everything still lingered in his mind and it would not stop pestering him. He wanted to get away from the subject, but from the way it was clinging to him, he saw that it would be better to just get it out of his system.

"What's it like… when she smiles at you like that?"

"That's… not something that can really be explained."

"There has to be something… what do you feel, like what emotions do you feel when she smiles so nicely? When she actually looks at you, and speaks to you how she did," Riku replied beginning to wipe his eyes. There were no tears in his eyes, and he wanted to keep it that way, but he just couldn't help himself in his reaction.

"You're asking me to describe emotions to you."

"It can't be that hard," Riku muttered as he turned to look at Saru, his eyes mixed full of sadness yet also wonder.

"My default means of expression are insults and throwing knives."

Riku's shoulders slumped. He still wanted to ask, hoping that he could get more from Saru. He had never realized how much he was wanting to know on the subject. It was so strange that something like this had never really occurred to him before. But he knew at the same time that it was hard to really get anything from Saru that could prove helpful. But the emotions of curiosity still swirled within him, making not want to give up that easily.

"I just wanted to know… what it's like. You know… to have your mother…" Riku trailed off, unable to get the rest of his words out.

"Actually love you? I have no means of comparison by which to explain it by."

A few tears finally managed to escape from Riku's eyes, but he wiped them away as quickly as they came. He sighed again before shaking his head. "Well… I just wanted to ask. I don't know what I really expected. I guess it's really not something you can explain."

Saru shifted forward, moving himself closer to Riku. No words were said as he put an arm around his brother and pulled him closer. Riku's eyes widened, clearly not expected another hug within the same night from Saru. But he didn't protest or move away. He stayed there, trying his best to breathe in deeply, hoping to relax himself further.

"This is why you didn't want to go home," Saru half asked, half stated quietly.

"Like I said… I just needed some fresh air," Riku replied in between deep breaths. 'I just couldn't stop myself from wondering… I only wanted to understand what it is like to have a mother like yours."

Saru stared at his brother, trying to think what he would say. He had tried thinking of some logic response, but nothing came to mind. That wasn't his forte to think of ways to console someone, even if it was his brother.

Though it still did leave a stinging pain in his heart. To know that Riku never felt love from his mother… Saru wasn't even sure he could understand what that was like.

Humming quietly, Saru knew he had to come to a decision on what to do. They couldn't just sit up at the clock tower for the remainder of the night. There had to be something that they could do. Perhaps there was something that could help bring up Riku's lowered spirits.

"Come on… I'm hungry, and you don't want to go home yet, so let's go get some food." Saru half nudged, half shoved Riku off of him.

Riku breathed in once more, before he felt he could truly recompose himself. "Okay, let's go out somewhere. It still is your birthday after all and you've only had cake tonight."

"Homra's open at this hour, right?"

"Yeah, it should be anyways. You want to head there then?"

"Sure." Saru answered before hopping over the railing down to the nearest roof below.

"Hey! Saru wait a minute!" Riku shouted as he jumped after his brother. He landed a second later on the roof top right next to Saru.

"What?" Saru asked, slightly annoyed.

"Don't just go jumping ahead, like that," Riku said as he rolled his eyes. "That's all."

Saru just rolled his eyes, hoping his way down from rooftop to rooftop before landing in a back alleyway. Riku sighed to himself before he followed after his brother. The two made their way onto the main street and began walking in the direction of the bar. Almost immediately, Saru felt that they were being watched. Making eye-contact briefly before continuing on, Saru wasn't sure if he wanted them to approach or not.

"Hey," Riku said, seeming to be looking in the same direction as Saru. "Isn't that-"

"Riku! Saruhiko!" the familiar cheerful voice of Sora shouted.

Sora came running up from the otherside of the street with Yata in tow. Sora grinned happily upon seeing the two brothers. "What are you two up to tonight?"

"Um, not that much," Riku answered. "We were just heading out towards Homra's for some food."

"Oh! That sounds fun," Sora replied. "I haven't actually been there before, is it good?"

"Homra? It's that one restaurant that is only open from evening until the early morning, right?" Yata questioned.

"Yeah," Saru deadpanned.

Riku shook his head at his brother's short answer. "We go there often, it's not that bad, but it is rather unique at least."

"I know that much, I have been there a few times. Just not enough to get a solid opinion on it," Yata replied. "Isn't it a common place for supernaturals to eat at though?"

Riku and Saru exchanged quick glances to one another. They knew exactly what the other was thinking after a statement like that.

"You're point?" Saru asked, turning to stare at Yata.

Yata shrugged. "It's just more of a statement. Nothing against supernaturals though."

Sora nodded in agreement. "Yeah, some of our friends are actually supernaturals, including my brother."

Riku and Saru looked at one another briefly again. Zack had told them that Sora's brother, Vanitas, was a werewolf. But that was only Zack telling them. The two had never had actually brought up anything about it to Sora or even Yata. They knew that telling about their own supernatural background was a bit of a risky move.

Riku tried thinking for a moment more before he finally figured out what he could say. "Ah, really?" he made sure to sound as surprised as he could when asking, hoping that it would be convincing enough.

Another nod was given by the brunette. "Yeah, I can tell about it later though. So hey, you think we could all hangout then at Homra's?"

"But didn't we hang out just yesterday?" Riku questioned.

"Yeah, but we meet up now so why not?" Sora replied, placing his hands behind his hand.

He started to grin happily and Riku could felt the warm feeling in his heart again. It filled his heart left him feeling happy enough to smile back in return. It was still hard for him to explain or understand how he felt on it. And though he had wanted to ask Zack, he didn't want to have to do with Zack pesting about how everything else went. But Riku started to think that there had to be more to this feeling that just warmth and happiness.

"I mean I guess we could," Riku said in reply. "If that's okay with you Saru."

"Whatever." Saru just shrugged before turning towards their destination with a faint smile.

Sora pumped a fist into the air. "Then let's get going!"

"Hey wait a minute! I didn't agree to this!' Yata shouted as the group started to move ahead without him.

"But Yata, we've been practicing at the skatepark since lunch. We've gotta get food somewhere," Sora replied.

"Yeah yeah," Yata replied as he started to walk to catch up with the others.

The four of them walked until they arrived at the corner of the street. There they stood in front of a building that had a sign that read Homra Restaurant & Bar. They stepped inside and looked around to see that it wasn't all too crowded at the time. Though they figured that was due to it just opening not too long ago.

"Well look who it is," a male voice said.

A tall, slim looking man walked towards the front of the restaurant, a pleased smile across his face. He had a medium shade of blond hair that was not perfectly even. Parts of it stuck out while others just reached a little past his eyes. He also wore a basic pair of shades that seemed to have a light purple tint to the lenses.

"I didn't expect to see two of my favorite customers tonight," the man continued once he was closer to the group.

"Since when did you have favorites, Kusanagi?" Saru quipped in a sense of greeting.

"Since you two are some of my most frequent customers, second to Zack and Cloud," the man known as Kusanagi replied.

Saru looked ready to say something, but before any words could be heard, Riku immediately placed a hand over Saru's mouth. He sharply glared at his brother, shaking his head a little. Meanwhile Kusanagi broke out into laughter.

"I see nothing has changed between you two. Always trying to keep Saruhiko in check I see."

"I do the best that I can, even if he proves to be difficult most times" Riku replied with a slight chuckle. Quickly Riku pulled his hand away from Saru and rubbed it on his pant leg, he shot a quick glare to Saru but said nothing more.

"And you've brought some friends with you tonight?" Kusanagi asked as he saw that Sora and Yata were standing a bit behind Saru and Riku.

"I wouldn't necessarily call them friends…"

"Hey!" Yata yelled out of natural instinct.

"We met them only a few days ago, but we are still trying to get to know one other," Riku answered. "But this is Sora, and that is Yata."

The two boys waved to Kusanagi.

"Ah I see, well friends of Saruhiko and Riku and friends of mine. Welcome to Homra. Now let's stop standing around and get you four to your table," Kusanagi said as he grabbed some menus and started to walk into the restaurant.

On the way to the table Riku grabbed Saru by the shoulder and pulled him close. "Seriously? Did you have to bite me before?"

"Did you have to stop me from talking?" Saru retorted.

"You don't need to go making snarky comments about Zack and Cloud each time we go to a public place," Riku replied.

Saru just shrugged in response, not caring.

The four were soon seated at a table and Kusanagi placed out the menus. After that he left to go get the water pitcher to fill their glasses.

"So does like every restaurant have a person that knows you guys?" Sora asked.

"No, just happens to be a few at least. Kusanagi knows us the most though. We've come here since we were young," Riku answered.

"And that guy is the owner on top of that," Yata added. "You don't usually see the owner serving tables."

"Kusanagi enjoys getting to spend time within his restaurant and enjoys getting to know his customers. He mainly stays at the bar section though opposed to serving tables. But we are a bit of an exception I guess," Riku explained.

Kusanagi returned a moment later and started to fill the glasses. He looked over to Saruhiko and Riku first. "So will you boys be having your usuals tonight or perhaps something different?"

"Usual," Saru just deadpanned.

"Are you sure, if I recall isn't it your birthday tonight?" Kusanagi asked.

"Zack already did the birthday celebrations today."

"All right then, but don't be surprised if Ignis chooses to make something else extra for the occasion. He probably already knows you two are here," Kusanagi replied. He then looked over at Sora and Yata. "And for your two?"

Sora and Yata looked at the menu for a moment before giving their orders to Kusanagi. Once they were written down he left to go bring them to the kitchen. After that the boys were left in silence for a moment, all of them wondering what they would say to one another.

Sora then decided to be the one who would speak up. He leaned forward on the table slightly, and talked in a quiet voice. "So if this place is a common hangout for supernaturals, does that include the owner? I mean I think it would make sense if he is. Unless he just wants to try and cater to supernaturals and the nightlife?"

"I don't really know if it is my place to tell if someone is a supernatural or not," Riku replied.

"Ooh, okay," Sora replied. "I guess I can understand that."

"So… it's your birthday today?" Yata asked as he looked to Saruhiko.

"What of it?"

"Just asking," Yata huffed. "You know, trying to make conversation?"

"Oh, yeah! Happy Birthday Saruhiko!" Sora chimed in. He then turned to look at Riku. "I guess that's why I didn't hear from you earlier when I texted? You guys must have been busy with birthday stuff."

"Ah yeah, sorry about that. I didn't get a chance to check my phone. I usually forget sometimes in the morning," Riku lied. "But yeah, we were having some birthday celebrations stuff back home."

"If that could even be cauld celebrations…" Saru murmured.

"Hey, Zack tries his hardest," Riku injerected. "Even if he gets a bit childish with things sometimes."

"Zack seems to forget that I don't like my birthday"

"I'm sure that isn't the case. I am sure he just wants to try and make things as best as he can make then," Riku said lowering his voice. He then cleared his throat and spoke up again. "Anyways, let's move on to something else. Is there anything else you guys want to talk about?"

"What about your other brothers? You said that you have two older ones, why aren't they here with you guys?" Sora asked.

"Ah… both Zexion and Zack had some stuff that they needed to take care of. We were hungry and wanted to head out for some food.

"Still can't believe that you have two other brothers," Sora replied. He laughed a little. "That sounds like it can be a lot of fun sometimes but also annoying. I know Vani can be like that sometimes."

"It can sometimes be hectic, mainly when Zack tries to do something with all of us. Usually it isn't too crazy though as we end up just doing our own things," Riku replied.

"So it's just the four of you guys then from what I can figure?" Sora asked.

Riku glanced to Saru once more, looking to him to see if would possibly have anything to say to that.

Saru returned with a lazy glare as if to say 'why are you dragging me into this?'

Riku rolled his eyes slightly before turning back to the other two. "Sorry… I don't really know how to answer that. It's… a bit of a sensitive subject."

"Sorry…" Sora lowered his head. "But um… oh I know what we could talk about! Yata and I could tell you about how our skateboard practice has been going!"

Before any interjections could be made or anything else, Sora started off into a talk about how the day had gone. Then eventually leading into the part about skateboarding. Yata occasionally added in things, but it was mainly Sora doing all of the talking and explaining.

The food was brought shortly after that and the boys drove right into eating. Though Sora still tried to talk as much as he could in between bites of his meal. Riku was surprised how much the boy could talk though, it seemed as if he would never run out of things to talk about. And it was all so far about skateboarding and how long he had been at it and how he discovered he was good at it.

Once their meals were done Kusanagi came back to clear away the dishes. "Everything taste good tonight?"

Everyone gave a nod to his question.

"Great to hear it. Now if that will be all, I'll get the check. Oh, I forgot to ask before, separate checks or one altogether?"

"We could pay for it!" Sora said as quickly as he could.

"Wait a minute, why we?" Yata asked.

"Cause it is Saruhiko's birthday, so why not pay for it as a treat?" Sora replied.

"I did not agree to pay for the monkey's dinner," Yata grumbled.

"You rather I treat you then, Misaki?"

Yata's eyes shot wide open. His cheeks started to red before he formed his shock into an angered glare. "N-No! And I said stop calling me that!"

Saru began twirling his used dinner knife around his fingers. "Make me Mi~Sa~Ki~"

Yata looked as if he was about to say something, but laughter from Kusanagi distracted him from doing so. All four boys look to the man, who seemed thoroughly amusing at the scene that he was seeing.

"How about this then, to prevent Saruhiko from causing any more damage to my restaurant, it is on the house."

"Further damage?" Yata asked.

"Really?" Riku asked. "Are you sure about that?"

"You two are some of my favorite customers, besides, think of it as a birthday treat," Kusanagi replied.

"Even us?" Sora asked.

"Yes, even you two. Friends of Riku and Saruhiko are friends of mine," Kusanagi replied politely. "Now I will let you guys, but enjoy the rest of your evening."

After Kusanagi left their table Yata spoke up. He raised one of his eyebrows and formed a face that was full of curiosity. "So… further damage?"

Without saying a word, Saru pulled out a pair of knives and began channeling thunder magic between them. Small arcs of lightning jumped between the two knives; sounds of crackling and the faint smell of ozone coming from them.

"And this is where I wish I was good at the silence spell," Riku grumbled.

Saru just smirked slyly at Riku, dispelling the thunder magic and stashing his knives away. "Well, you could always learn if you manage to get away with having Zack keep an eye on me."

"Or instead, how about I just bring in dessert," a new voice said, interrupting the conversation. Whomever it was had a very noticeable English accent.

Next to the table was an adult man with dirty blond hair. It seemed to be gelled up in the front, making it stick up to a point. He had a tinted visor over his eyes, though there was a noticeable bit of discoloration in skin around left eye that crawled out from under his visor.

He smiled cheerfully before placing something down in front of Saruhiko. It was one of those fancy sundae dishes filled with strawberry gelato, drizzled with caramel, and topped with odd looking chunks of chocolate.

"Thanks Ignis," Saru muttered out before taking a spoon and beginning to eat his sundae.

"What even is that?" Yata asked.

"It is a bacon sundae," the man known as Ignis answered. "A weird combination for sure, but when done just right can actually taste quite delicious."

"Ice cream and bacon?" Sora questioned. "That really does sound weird, but it seems that Saruhiko likes it at least."

Ignis tilted his head to the side slightly towards Sora. "If it is all right with me asking, there's a familiarity about you. Do you have an older brother by chance?"

"Huh? Yeah! You know my brother Vanitas?" Sora asked.

Ignis nodded. "He's come here a few times before, and I will never forget a scent, though I could tell that yours is a slight bit different."

"Scent? Wait, you mean… oh your a…" Sora cut himself off before he could finish.

Much to his surprise, Ignis laughed. "Yes, that's correct, I am a werewolf. Pureblood though. But ah, I do need to return to the kitchen. You boys have a good evening."

Ignis left after that, leaving the group themselves once more. Though it wasn't long before Sora started to speak up again. "So since we are all here together. We should plan the next time we hang out."

"Where would we even go?" Riku asked.

"Hm, I haven't thought about that part yet, but it should be somewhere fun again," Sora replied. "Do you guys have any suggestions?"

"There are always a lot of things that could be fun, but I'm not sure," Riku said, trying to think of where they could go.

"If we aren't doing an arcade, I mean if you really want me to suggest something, maybe that laser tag place a couple towns over?" Yata suggested.

"Nah, we would need a bigger group for that. Plus I think they are renovating," Sora commented. Suddenly Sora's eyes lit up. "Oh I got it! How about the theme park?"

"Theme park? I mean sure, that could work," Riku replied.

"Fine by me," Yata added.

Now all three boys turned to look at Saru, who was still slowly eating his ice cream.

Saru just shrugged, finishing his bite of sundae. "Why are you asking me? I'll probably just coerced along regardless."

Sora laughed. "I guess that settles it then. We will go to the theme park for our next hangout!"

*Riku walks in, shivering slightly.*

Riku: Did I miss the start of the chapter?

*Hikari makes an unintelligible squeaking noise while throwing self on top of laptop*

Hikari: Uh...yeah...

Riku: Ah, well guess that answers that even if I don't understand.

*Hikari turns to face viewers while still awkwardly sprawled on laptop.*

Hikari: Please follow/favorite/review if you haven't already. We enjoy reading thoughts/theories, even if there's little for you to say. Until next week, nyah~

Riku: Like Hikari says, thanks for reading. Now I'm going for soup.