OMG/drops dead\ on the spot It's been like 534346434343 years since I last updated. Ok maybe not that many, but it's been almost a year. And for that I truly am sorry. I've had a lot happen to me in a year's time. Moving into a new foster family, school, work, I was in and out of the hospital, and then the dreaded writer's block. Although these are still excuses, hence why at the end of the chapter there will be official non-sexual spankings from reviewers to the author. And I shall take them all as I deserve them.
But I am finally over it, and I truly hope that I lost no readers because of this. But throughout the year I was able to go through the story and fix it. So if you haven't read then you might want to. All of the chapters have been redone and new characters have been added. So you will not get this chapter if you haven't read the previous ones over again.
Summary: Sora is naïve and has a horrible past. Riku is out-spoken with a secret. Both fighting for love, although Sora claims he's not gay. Riku wants him and will do anything to save him from his past evils, even if he gets hurt. Can Riku convince Sora to be with him forever?
Warnings: Language, Characters feeling down, and Conspiracy plots.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I own the plot. I own what's left of my mind. And I secretly own you all reading this! Just kidding.
This is an unbeta'ed chapter, but the beta'ed chapter will be in by Friday.
Chapter 6: How the hell?
"How the hell could he do this to me?" Riku stomped around the apartment. He currently was throwing things around the house in frustration, "How could he, I mean I've been nice and supportive and…" he cut him self off with a sigh.
Sliding down the wall, he landed in a heap, "Maybe I was too strong. Maybe I'm not good enough for anyone. I've let everyone down numerous times and this time is the last. Nobody will talk to me or want to be with me ever again." Slowly he lifted his hands through his ruffled hair. Feeling tears coming to his eyes, he glared off into the distance and willed them away.
Feeling under control, Riku looked at the clock that was hanging on the wall next to the picture of Leon and Cloud. It was almost four and Leon would be home soon. Hesitating, Riku picked himself off the ground and went looking for the keys. He felt trapped in the house and needed to get out.
Taking one last look around the now trashed house, Riku turned and locked the door behind him.
Sora was bouncing. This is the first true kiss he had ever experienced in his life. He felt as though he was floating on cloud nine. Grinning he skipped the rest of the way out of the park and onto the public street.
Calming down some the brunet walked down to one of his favorite stores to be in, a local used Bookstore. He knew everyone in the store and everyone knew him. He felt relatively safe with the walls of the store.
As he walked in the owner of the store smiled and waved him over. The store owner was rather short and has a pudgy stature. He had perfectly white hair fading on the top of his head. His hazel eyes are hidden by the wire frames that hang off of his nose. He was wearing a bright blue shirt with tan khaki pants, which were all wrinkled.
"Hello Sora. It sure has been awhile since the last time you were here. My wife sure has missed you that is for sure. All she has does is ask about you since the last time you were here." The owner gleamed and pulled out a bag out from underneath the counter.
Sora took the bag that was handed to him and spoke as he opened it, "Hello to you to Mr. Bayboro. Tell Mrs. Bayboro that I say hi. Yea between work and school things have been chaos this week." The brunet pulled out a rather old looking book from the bag. He glanced wearily at the book, "Is this what I think it is?" He read the inside of the book and gasped in delight.
Smiling broadly, "Is this really for me? I mean this is expensive and I know you don't have much money. I don't want to take your money." As Sora went to return the book to Mr. Bayboro, he smiled kindly and waved the book away. "Keep it. You have been eyeing that book since you started coming here."
Mr. Bayboro walked out from behind the dusty counter and towards Sora, "You have helped raised money to keep this store open and for that we raised a little bit of money to get you a gift." Sora smiled back and hugged the book close to his chest. Mr. Bayboro came over and patted Sora on the back, "Thank you so much for all the help you've given us over the years. You are a wonderful person and you always hear people out when they need it the most." The old man walked towards the back of the store, "Please make sure to put the books where you found them." He paused and chuckled, "Oh I forgot I was still talking to you." Chuckling loudly he walked into the back of the store.
Sora's face had fallen as Mr. Bayboro had turned his back to walk into the back of the store. He felt guilty. Mr. Bayboro had called him a wonderful person for hearing people out. But that was the one thing he didn't give Riku the chance to do. Mumbling to himself, "I should go back to try and talk things out with him. Maybe that's all I needed was a day of rest from everyone." Nodding to himself he set himself on the route home, determined to talk to Riku and to set things straight.
The four of them got comfortable in the living room. It looked like almost no one lived in this crappy apartment, but one person did. The wallpaper was running down the walls. The brightly colored paint was chipping all over the place. One of the windows in the room was broken up at the top and a piece of newspaper held by tape was there to cover it. It was dimly lit and the heater hardly worked at all. Ripping sofas and rundown chairs were there to sit on but they looked like they could hold the weight of a paperback book.
They were waiting on one person. He was always the last person to show up, and he is also the one to call the meetings. Leon and Cloud sat together on the pink couch. Leon was humming some popular song to keep entertained. Cloud was tapping his feet in random rhythms.
Vincent and Sephiroth were sitting in the chairs that were across from the sofa. Vincent as always was sprawled out in the chair, sleeping. Sephiroth was staring off into space, every once and a while he would look at his watch, and then continue to stare at the wall.
After being there in silence for twenty minutes the door slammed opened and slammed closed again. A grumbling older man stepped into the dimly lit room and pulled his over coat off.
The old man had on a blue long sleeve sweatshirt and to match blue jogging pants as well. The old man was unbelievably skinny, but healthy. He had a gray beard which was quite long. His puffy gray hair and eyebrows gave him a scary look, until you saw him smile. His eyes will light up under his glasses and his cheeks will get puffy.
He wiped his brow and stared at his guests. Leon was the first to speak, "Merlin took you long enough. We've been waiting here for almost half an hour. Where have you been?" The brunet shifted in his spot. The whole gang watched to see what the said guy was going to do.
Merlin chuckled and shrugged his shoulders, "I ran a little late. You know how the boss can be." He walked through the living room and climbed the stairs, knowing the others would follow him.
If you were to ask why people call him Merlin, nobody would be able to give you a straight answer. Everyone had their own opinions, but no one knew the truth. If you were to ask Merlin himself, he would smile and nod and tell you this, "This is the city where people come to escape, not to be found." Then he would move on.
Upstairs in the study room, which was much more comfortable, they all sat in a circle of sorts. Merlin who had changed into a regular blue t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans, started to search through his books for a certain one.
"So why did you call this irregular meeting? I mean it hasn't been that long since the last time we meet." Cloud watched Merlin intently and took a sip of the soda that he had picked up before he went upstairs.
Vincent watched Leon steal Cloud's soda and drank some of it before he also had his say, "Yea, I mean, he couldn't have made his move just yet. It's way too soon."
Sephiroth's face fell as Merlin stayed silent, "Please don't tell me that he was stupid enough to try anything." The others became quiet as that option became a possibility.
Merlin finally found the book he was looking for and turned to face them, "Actually, yes and no. He's getting closer, but he's no where close enough to try and take what he wants just yet." The boss contacted me yesterday telling me to meet him." He began to flip through the pages of the book, "Of course I can't say no. Well it turns out that He is planning something big and it's making everyone at headquarters really nervous. So Yuffie and a few others assign to do recon, came up with this."
He stared at the page and then turned it so the others could look at it properly. They scooted closer and gasp. Cloud was the first one to speak, "We are in deep trouble."
Aerith wasn't having a good morning. First Sora comes to her for guidance, and then Riku comes to her looking for Sora to make it all right. Slowly she climbed her way up the stairs towards her own suite. Walking past an older couple she sighed and watched lonely wishing to have what they have. Pushing a lock of hair out of her face she continued up the stairs.
Reaching her own door she reached for her key in her pocket. It wasn't there. Grumbling to herself she searched through all her pockets. Still nothing was to be found. She looked up to stare at the door when she noticed it was already open a crack.
Titling her head in confusion, "I could have sworn I closed and locked this door." Aerith's face fell and she turn to run, when she bumped into someone.
Looking up in fear, her eyes widen, "Hello Pretty. Long time no see." Aerith went to go scream, when the man slapped her cutting her off. The young brunet fell to the ground and crouched in fear, "Axel please," was all she said as she trembled before he knocked her out.
Riku was still fuming but not as much. He had calmed considerably since he left the house and even more so since he saw Sora and HER together.
The young man had walked all over the city in hopes that maybe he would run into either Sora or Cathy. He didn't know whether he wanted to scream, cry, or punch something, although the latter sounded pretty good at the moment. Riku didn't even know if there was any particular destination, but he continued walking anyway.
As his eyes adjusted to the growing darkness outside he saw that he was close to the club. Riku rubbed his arms and smiled. Walking up to the door, the bouncer noticed him, "Hey Riku! Coming to party tonight?" Riku laughed a little and nodded, continuing on his way into the club.
He felt at home as he glided through the club. The flashing lights, loud music, people on people, and so much more welcomed him with wide open arms. Riku smiled to himself and joined people on the dance floor.
All four men raced home as fast as they could. They had to find her location as soon as possible to help her. The only two who knew her location happened to be Sora and Riku. They hope that at least one of them was home, since neither answered the phone.
Leon was the first to get to his apartment door. Growling in frustration and trying to find the key, Leon was getting more pissed. Cloud and Vincent had gone to Cloud's place in hopes of finding Sora, and Sephiroth went to his place in hopes that maybe one of them was there. So far this night wasn't turning out to be good at all.
Finally finding the key he slammed the key home and wretched the door. Just as he was going to turn the lights on, Cloud and Vincent came flying up the stairs, "Leon. He's not there. Is Riku her-"
The three of them looked around the apartment. Sephiroth had down the stairs with bad news also as he looked into the apartment. Seeing this, "Holy…. What the hell happened here?" They looked around still standing in the door way.
Slowly, the four men made it into the living room. The place was a mess. Things had been thrown around and in a few places the wall looked like it had been kicked or punched.
"Hun, were you robbed?" Cloud looked around in concern. Slowly he began to pick up pieces of the broken living room light. Vincent and Sephiroth helped to pick up some of the broken pieces of the light, too.
The brunet was stunned silent, before shaking his head, "I don't think so, I mean, the door was locked. Where the hell is Riku? He better be able to explain what the fuck happened!" Leon got pissed and kicked the turned over sofa.
A squeak was heard from the doorway. Turning to the doorway, Sephiroth made it to the door first. Sora was standing there with wide eyes. Shaking slightly, "I think I know why Riku might have done this." Slowly his eyes began to tear.
Vincent and Cloud shared a look and watched Sora. Leon rubbed his face with his hands, and Sephiroth looked confused. Sora took a deep breathe and told them what had happened.
Riku was getting a headache from the music and the lights. The last two hours he had danced, slithered, grinded and groped many people. But now he was paying for it. His body ached and he was tired.
The silver haired man excused himself from his current dance partner and sat at an empty table in the back. Sighing to himself, he rubbed at his temples to help relieve pressure.
"Got a headache?" Someone giggled. Riku looked up and noticed that it was Cathy.
"Not really, but now with your presence I'm starting to form one, why?" He glared at her and glanced at his watch. Shrugging he looked around the dance floor.
She sat herself down at the table across from him and stared at Riku, until she got his attention. "You know, he's really cute. If I didn't know better I'd think you were trying to go for him." Riku whipped his head around to face her.
"I don't know what you're talking about. And I didn't invite you to sit with me, so just go away already." He slouched backwards into the chair.
Cathy smirked, "I saw you. Oh you know, right before he kissed me." Carefully as if watching his reaction, "I don't think HE would be too pleased to find out that you've fallen for Sora." Riku sat up straight and went to move out of the chair when her hand shot out and slammed him back into the chair. Riku was shocked.
"You used to be his star pupil. Then you disappeared one day. We looked for you for days. Couldn't find you, until we got information that you hit it up here, in this crummy town. But that's ok. We've got plans for you." Cathy pulled out her cell with the other hand, "Well more like HE'S got plans for you. We wanted to kill you, but His word is the law. He will be pleased to see you again."
Riku freaked out. He attempted to wiggle out of her grasp, but she was stronger than she looked. Apparently doing two things at once doesn't work well with Cathy, because she lost her grip. And that's all Riku needed to bust out and into the dance floor.
Thinking fast, Riku shoved through many couples and headed for the back door. As he reached the back door he turned and looked back. Many people were swearing and staring at him, but he couldn't see Cathy. Riku got a bad feeling as he raced out the door into the back ally. He looked around and saw that no one else was back there and gave a sigh of relief.
Slumping against the wall, Riku panicked. A million thoughts running through his head, 'How the hell had they found me?! I was careful, I paid attention. I swear to God if they get Sora then I'll never forgive myself for this. NEVER!' A crunching sound was heard towards his right, the street. Riku whipped his head in the direction and froze all movements. Footsteps were heading his way.
"Here, Riku. Come on now; don't make this harder than it has to be." She strolled calmly down the alleyway, heading straight for Riku. Riku took one last glance at her and bolted into the darkness, leading him further from the busy streets, and from salvation.
Riku turned a corner and bumped into the wall. 'It truly is dark back here. I can't see my own fingers. Maybe if I treed carefully back here and hide she'll leave, so I can warn Sora.' He felt the wall and slide down and slipped between what smelt like a dumpster.
He breathed out slowly and quietly, listening for Cathy. Then he heard a smashing sound from in the direction that he had come in.
"Have you lost your touch? You were taught better than this. Sometimes you even taught us this stuff. Fighting right now, when you're in trouble is pointless. Come with me Riku, you know you want to." Cathy began to kick everything in her path. Boxes and trash cans were being smash against buildings. Every time one of them connected with the wall, Riku flinched. The sound was getting closer. "Oh, and did I forget to mention. I called Him; he's pleased that you'll be joining us. You always aim to please Ansem, remember that?"
Slowly Aerith opened her eyes. Everything about her body hurt. Opening her eyes all the way she noticed a number of things. One she was not in her room, and two she wasn't even in her suite. Nothing about this room looked familiar to her.
She rolled over on the bed and slowly sat up. The instant she did sit up she gained a nice little headache. Aerith sat there a few seconds and pushed the pain away, before she moved again.
Finally feeling better, she glanced about the room, looking for clues as to where she was. The room was unbelievably plain. The walls were white and the only items in the room were the bed, a dresser, and a nightstand. There were two doors in the room. One door had no lock on the door knob and the other did. 'I wonder if there is anything in the closet or if there is a way out of this place.'
Taking her chances, Aerith slowly climbed off the bed and inched her way to the door. When she reached the door she took a breath and opened it slowly. As she peaked inside she saw darkness. Opening it more so the light could come through, she saw that there's was also nothing in the closet as well.
Her face fell and she turned to go back to sit on the bed. As she lowered herself onto the bed as the door opened.
In the room stepped a man about 5'10", that was including his hair. He had vibrant red hair, with sparkling green eyes, that had blue tear drops tattooed underneath. Not much else is to be seen for he was wearing a black tank top and black leather pants, with a black overcoat to top it all off.
Aerith stiffened as she took site of the man who walked into the room, "Axel?"
Axel smirked and shut the door behind him, "You know how long it's been. It took us forever to hunt you down." He leaned against the closed door and crossed his arms.
The brunette glared in return, "What have I done to you? Just leave me alone." She shifted on the bed and she scowled.
Sensing that Aerith didn't want him here, "Ansem is so pleased to know that he has you in his grasp, after a long wait. Having you means he's one step closer to having the other two." The redhead walked towards the young woman. "Ansem's got a proposition to make. Come to dinner to talk to him or he gets a hold of Riku and Sora right now."
"And how do I know that you aren't bluffing?" Aerith tensed as he grew closer. Her voice grew stern, "You leave them and me alone. We don't deserve this!" Axel walked right in front of her and grabbed her face, "You don't. You and Riku helped him leave. You two deserve it more than he does. Sora just needs to be brought home is all."
Aerith slapped his hand away and stood up, getting in Axel's face. She glared at him for a few seconds while he glared in return. "So helping an innocent child means we have every right to be threatened or killed?" Her voice was rising in volume as she continued, "No it doesn't. In fact if anything you people are the ones who deserve so much more than you have gotten. Like a swift kick in the ass, that's what!"
Axel's face became beat red, "You better watch your tongue. If you don't make it to this dinner, you will have put more than just yourself in a dangerous predicament. You will be killing two others." He backed away, slightly, "You have one hour to decide whether or not you'd want to go."
He turned and walked to the door. Opening it and taking a step out, "The choice is really yours" He slammed the door behind him.
Aerith collapsed onto the bed and began to cry. Too many thoughts running around in her head and she didn't even know what to do. Could she find away to save them all, or will taking that dinner invite really hurt her? She cried harder as the thoughts circulated again and again.
Ok Author beating's in your review. Remember I fully deserve them, so give it to me hard. And also remember constructive criticism is helpful and I appreciate them dearly. Thank you all for sticking by this story, and hopefully you stay by it until the end. And thank you to all you wonderful reviewers who kept me going through my hard time. I love you all!