The New Me

Chapter 34

A/N: I tried…I really tried….but KH2 sneaked its way in here. Don’t worry, it’s not a major plot point.

After their little argument, Sora started to catch up with his friends. Cloud told him of how things were going for those of them that were still in school; Aerith told him about how Cloud had managed to get fired from his part time job in Cid’s Gummi shop. And Yuffie told him about how they celebrated hi sixteen birthday.

“You guys went to the Fourth District…without me?”

“Don’t feel so bummed, Sora.” Cloud smiled at him, “We only did it to cheer up Leon.”

“Who didn’t really need it, mind you.” Leon said with a nod.

“Um…if you don’t mind me asking,” Naminé looked a little confused, “What’s so great about the Fourth District of Traverse Town? I mean….I may not know much about main land cities, but uh…isn’t that area a little…” She lifted her hand and wavered it in the air.

“That’s the point,” Aerith answered and shook her head, “Some how the BOYS have started a tradition of taking people to the Fourth on their sixteenth birthday.”

“Hey, I do it to.” Yuffie smirked. “Besides its lots of fun. Some people squirm like crazy.”

“Yea, like Leon.”

“I did not squirm.” He glared at Cloud; Riku half laughed at him, and half at Cloud. Sora let out a little bit of a pout about not being able to join in his friends traditions.

“Oh, don’t worry, Sora,” Aeirth smiled at him, “considering what happened the last time you went, there was no way I was going to let them take you now. So you’ve missed nothing.”

“The LAST time you went?” Naminé raised and eyebrow.

“Uh…well…” Sora stood up, “Hey! Why don’t we watch a movie? What do you guys want to see?”

“How about we share stories instead,” Riku spoke up, “Let’s start with, Sora’s trip to the porno shop – go.”

“Riku!”

“Why don’t you guys tell us some of the things that go on here,” Leon spoke up, coming to Sora’s rescue. “What do you guys do out her for fun? Surely the beach must get old?”

Naminé nodded, “It does…but I keep my self occupied with books, drawing, or work at the flower shop.”

“I go to the Arcade…or practice when someone’s willing to join in.”

“Practice?”

Riku smiled, “Yea, sword fighting.”

Leon suddenly had a blank face, before he smiled in a strange manner that made Sora suddenly nervous.

“So…Are you any good?”

Riku caught the look in Leon’s eye, “Yea. The island holds an even every year, called Struggle. Only lost once, the first time I tried it, and I came in second.” Leon fully turned to Riku interested now.

Cloud and Aerith exchanged looks, Yuffie shook her head, Naminé looked to Sora hoping that she was getting the wrong vibe off this conversation, but the look on his face confirmed her suspicion.

“I’ve heard of that…we used to do that on the mainland too…Hey-”

“No.” Sora said suddenly, both Riku and Leon looked at him. “Leon, if Riku’s not allowed to be a jerk, than neither can you.”

“I was just going to ask him if-”

“Leon, no.” Now Aerith spoke up, “You said you wanted to make a good impression. You won’t be doing that by beating on small children.”

“Hey, lady, I’m no kid.” Riku spoke up, “And Sora, if he wants to fight me, then fine. I don’t care.”

Sora got up from his sitting place on the floor and grabbed Riku’s hand. “Excuse us for a second.” He pulled Riku into the kitchen.


“Riku, what are you thinking! Don’t you remember anything that I told you? About where my friends went to school?”

“Relax,” Riku pulled himself up to sit on the counter, “I remember. But you don’t use real swords in the fights. And I doubt your precious Leon is crazy enough to actually use a real sword on me.”

“He is no precious me.” Sora crossed his arms and lowered his head, “Why are you two doing this?” He looked up, “Why can’t you just…accept things. Especially you! You’re the one I’m with.”

Riku thought for a moment, “Because…even if you’re with me, you still feel for him.” Sora started to shake his head and protest, but Riku continued. “It’s true. I feel it every time we kiss. You fight back just a little bit, like you did that day on the bottom of the stairs. You LIKE me, but you LOVE Leon, and he knows it. And I know it.” He got off the counter, “But we also know you’re not leaving here…so the only way to settle it…” Riku walked past Sora and back into the room with the others.

“Is for the two of us to have a fight!” He threw his hands up I the air and pointed at Leon. “What do you say? You, me, the backyard…go until the other can’t get up.”

“You’re on.” Sora bit his lip he wanted to protest. To tell Riku he was wrong, that he did love him. He loved both of them, if that was at all possible. But he also knew enough to know it was Riku he was with, not Leon.

“Fine then…” Riku sized him up, “You can use Touya’s sword. I’ll got get mine and his.” He turned around and head out the door. Leon stood up and followed him. Everyone else stood at so amazed.

“You’re going to let them go?” Naminé asked horrified.

“Man, and I thought having Tifa and Aerith met each other was a mess…”

“Sora, maybe we should talk to Leon before he starts this.”

“Wow, Leon is going to kick you’re boyfriend’s ASS, Sora!” Everyone looked at Yuffie angrily. “What? He is.” She turned to Sora and smiled, “You’d better hope they don’t do something crazy, like make a bet that the winner gets you…”

The color drained for Sora’s face and he ran outside, the others followed. They found Leon in the backyard patiently waiting. Cloud, Yuffie, and Aerith started to talk to him, Sora looked around for Riku.

“He’s probably still home…” Naminé said. Sora nodded and ran for the silver haired boy’s house. Just as he was entering Riku’s front lawn the boy came bounding out with two foam swords in hand.

“Hey!” He said cheerfully, but Sora looked angry.

“Don’t ‘Hey’ me! What are you thinking!”

“You know what I’m thinking. We just went over it.”

“But Riku,” The two started walking toward Sora’s backyard, “This is crazy. Leon’s not thinking right…foam sword or not, he’ll pummel you! Especially after how you’ve been acting.”

Riku shrugged, “So…our ego’s make us both act crazy. That’s all the better.” Riku stopped when they were within site of the others, he suddenly wrapped his free hand around Sora’s waist and drew the boy up into a quick, but deep kiss. Sora was to startled to struggle. Riku drew back and winked, “For luck.”

Leon took a deep breath that did not go unnoticed by his friends when he saw Riku kiss Sora. Yuffie shook her head, and wondered if Riku had a death wish. Aerith put her hand on his shoulder.

“Relax, Leon….please?”

“I am relaxed.” He walked away to meet Riku in the middle of the lawn.

“A hundred munny says the kid goes down in thirty seconds.” Cloud whispered to Yuffie.

“Double it, and you got a deal. He won’t last ten.” Aerith shushed them as Sora walked over and leaned against a tree they were standing under. His face was blank, but he was obviously worried. Naminé sat next to him and placed a consoling hand on his shoulder.

Leon inspected the foam sword and smirk, “Just like the games at home…”

“But this isn’t a game.” Riku spoke in a low voice, “You know it isn’t. It’s a venting process…about what you lost,” He took a ready stance, “And what you’re about to lose.”

“Huh? You mean this fight,” Leon got ready as well, “I doubt that.”

“Fight, smite…I was talking about Sora.” Leon for a split second widened his eyes at the realization that Riku WAS going to make this about Sora, and that split second was Riku needed to land the first blow. While he’d hate to admit it out loud, it hurt, even with a foam sword.

Leon backed up and recovered his balance; he heard Yuffie groan in the background and Naminé cheer. ‘Damn, that actually hurt…’ He watched Riku half circle around him, ‘He’s got pretty good strength…but a shaky style. Heh, if he lived in Travers Town, he could have been rival at school.’ Leon rushed forward and brought his foam blade down on Riku’s own. The smaller teen opted to block, but once he started he found he couldn’t stop.

“Ha! Told you, ten seconds!”

Riku clenched his teeth and smiled. He started talking low again, “I can see why Sora never learned anything from you…you like it fast and rough.” Again, Leon’s mind stopped to focus on Riku’s insinuation, and again the silver haired teen landed a blow, this time to his upper body.

Leon stumbled back, stunned, ‘Sora never learned…’ He looked over at the brunet who was watching fearfully, ‘They aren’t…they can-’ Leon’s thoughts were cut off as another series of blows connected with his body.

Yuffie was screaming her head off. Cloud was cursing about placing a bet that Riku should have won. Sora was shaking his head, he knew this was wrong.

“What’s the matter?” Riku backed up and let Leon recover ground, “Is knowing that I’m better than you really that startling? It’s easy enough to figure out…after all, it only took me weeks to get Sora. Did you ever get him at all?”

Leon stood a few feet away from Riku, head slightly down, fixated on what he was saying. That was until Sora spoke up.

“Leon! What are you doing!” Both boys looked over at him, “Don’t listen to Riku talk! He’s got a smart mouth! Wail on his ass! Teach him to shut up for once!”

Leon smirked and turned back to Riku, “He’s right, you talk too much.” Riku frowned and got ready for Leon’s attack. It came hard and fast, just like before. If he gave up blocking to try to retaliate, it cost him ground and footing. Losing footing left him open to attack, and attacks left him winded and too out of it to block.

A full minute after Leon stopped listening to him mock him, Riku was flat on his back unable to get up.

Yuffie cheered, and Cloud shook his head. Aerith was none to happy as well. Leon looked over at Sora who walked over and smiled at him.

“Whatever Riku said…”

“I know. It’s ok.” Leon leaned forward and hugged him. Sora returned it. The older boy held him like that for a while, running his hands up and down Sora’s back for a moment before letting go and sighing.

“Are you quite done?” The looked over a Riku, who held his chest, “I think I’ve got a bruise the size of Destiny Island.”

“Well it serves you right!” Sora stomped his foot, “You know, I’m starting to see Kairi was always so angry with you.”

Riku smirked, “Sorry.” Sora walked over to him and extended his hand to help him up, but Riku pulled him down to sit on his lap, “Care to kiss it and make it better.”

“You should be happy I don’t rub salt in it.” Sora hugged him and kissed his forehead, something Riku would not settle for. He captured Sora’s chin and tired to lead him in for a real kiss, but Sora pulled away red in the face.

He stood up from Riku and shook his head, “You’re fine, you just want attention.” He turned around and walked past Leon with his head down. Riku crossed his arms.

“Hmmm,” Leon looked down at him, “Won’t kiss you out in public…doesn’t seem like a stable relationship to me.” Leon turned away form Riku and followed Sora along with the others. Naminé stayed behind to help him up.

“So,” She said.

“So, what?” Riku brushed himself off.

“Riku, why did you do that?”

“Well,” He started walking and she followed, “Knew there was no way I was going to beat him…so I figured I’d have some fun with him.” He smirked, but Naminé was not pleased.

As the two walked into the front yard, they were greeted by the site of Ms. Hikari and Ansem standing on the front lawn talking to Leon and the others. She didn’t seem happy. Riku mentally cheered.

“We’re so sorry, Ms. Hikari,” Aerith bowed. “I assure you, we were only in the back yard. We didn’t take Sora anywhere.”

“Yea, Marie, we were just practicing.”

Sora’s mother frowned, “Practicing what?”

“Riku wanted me to had a go with him,” Leon held up the foam sword. “We figured we’d do it outside so as not to break anything in your house.”

“He’s right, Mom. We didn’t do anything wrong.” Sora smiled at her, but she still looked upset. She looked them over before landing her eyes on Riku. She shook her head and pointed to his house.

“I’m allowed to be here today.”

“I don’t care. Go home, Riku.”

“Bu-”

“And take Naminé with you.” The Blonde frowned. Leon looked over his shoulder and smiled.

“And Leon,” He turned back to her, “You and your friends have to go too.”

“Hey, what’s the deal?” Sora crossed his arms and looked at Ansem, “I thought she was going to be nice from now on?”

“…Everyone, please don’t take it the wrong way, but we’d rather talk with Sora without a peanut gallery. Understand?”

“Oh!” Naminé clapped her hands together, “So you finally know what’s going to happen?” Everyone whipped their heads around to stare at Marie and Ansem.

Marie took Sora’s arm and gave on last command, “Everyone. Home. Now. Sora will call you later.” She pulled him past the others and into the house. Ansem sighed and looked them over.

“Don’t worry…why don’t all of you come over first thing in the morning, and we’ll tell you what happened.” He waved and headed in the house as well.

“…She didn’t seem happy.” Yuffie scratched her head.

“What if they send Sora away?” Naminé looked at Riku, who kept his face blank.

“If they send him away,” Leon looked over at her, “We’ll take care of him.”

“Yea, you would like that wouldn’t you?” Riku turned to look at him. Leon threw him the foam sword and turned around.

“Come guys, its still early…let’s go check out the island.”

Cloud and Yuffie followed, but Aerith lagged. She walked over to Riku and smiled at him, “Sora’s very lucky to have such protective friends.” She turned around and ran to catch up with the others.

“…Older kids are strange…” Naminé finally said.

“Pfft, they’re only a little older than us.”

Inside the house, Marie put on a pot of coffee, while Ansem and Sora sat down at the table.

“So…Sora looked hem over…what’s wrong? What’s going to happen to me?”

“Don’t worry Sora, you’re mother is more upset over what she has to do than what you have to do.”

“…What she has to?” He looked over at her worried. Did his actions affect his mom? Would she have do something terrible? Oh, gods, what if they really did send him away!?’

“Yes, what I have to do!” She slammed the coffee pot on the table, for a moment the boys thought it would break. “Can you believe that ass wants me to pay half his goddamn lawyer’s pay? Can you! I didn’t tell him to hire the shmuck!” She sat down and poured them all coffee, forgetting Sora didn’t drink it.

“Marie, calm down…I told you I’d help you pay.”

“Such an ASS, no wonder he’s single and that girls so fucked in the head!”

Sora, though he didn’t drink coffee, picked up his mug and brought it to his face. It was strange to watch his mother curse and rant about someone that wasn’t him.

“Marie, breathe.” Ansem added sugar to his coffee and shook his head. “He has to pay half Sora’s medical bills, so I say you’re even.”

“Really! They have to pay for my time in the hospital?” Sora put the mug down.

“Only half.”

“Who decided that?”

“The judge,” His mother pushed her hair around the sides of her face, “Which is why Mr. Akai suggested I pay for his lawyer… ‘Split the expenses’ he said. ‘Money’s not easy when you’re an only parent’ he said…BAH!”

Ansem shook his head, “Don’t look so happy Sora, you’re getting you fair share of work as well.”

“…Work?”

“Oh, right…” Marie looked at her son, “You and Kairi have to do community serves. I think its…”

“Twenty four hours a month, from now until Christmas.”

“WHAT!?”

“Oh relax, it’s only a days worth and you get a whole month to do it in.” His mom poured herself more coffee. “Let’s see…what else?”

“There’s more?”

“Oh there’s lots,” Ansem smiled. “You have a curfew. For summer its from eight in the morning until-”

“Until ten each night. Those are the hours you’re allowed out. During school, since you have to catch the bus, you can be out from six thirty, but home but seven each night.”

“SEVEN? When am I supposed to have a life?”

“Its punishment, you’re life isn’t important.” Ansem pointed out.

“But…why am I-”

“You did lie to a great deal of people, Sora. And as a result cause a lot of mayhem. Even if it was just you being childish,” his mother nodded.

Sora groaned, “Anything else?”

“Of course, you have to met with a juvenile parole officer-”

“A parole officer! What for!”

“They’re going to check to make sure you’re doing your hours, meeting curfew, and doing good in school. I have to go with you.” Marie pointed out, “So don’t worry.”

“Why does school matter?”

Ansem took a deep breath, “If you don’t meet any of the requirements, this goes for Kairi as well mind you, you will be temporarily detained in juvenile correction facility.”

“…wonderful!” Sora slouched onto the table, “At least tell me Kairi has to wear and ankle bracelet or something?”

“No.”

“Is she allowed near me?”

“No, not for the rest of the summer. School can’t be helped considering there’s only one high school.”

“This just gets better and better…”

“Actually Sora, you got off pretty light. Kairi’s restrictions are much greater. She ahs to do three times the amount of work you have to do, and she has to meet her with an officer every week. You only have to go every two.”

“Yes dear, be grateful. Originally, the judge was going to send you two to a correction facility for the rest of the summer.”

Sora shot up off the table horrified, “Are you serious?” They nodded. He lowered his head, “I guess you guys talked him down from that?”

“We all did,” Ansem place a hand on his shoulder, “Mr. Akai didn’t want his daughter to have to leave either.”

Sora sighed. “Thanks, Ansem.”

He pat Sora on the head, “I wouldn’t be a very good Godfather if I let you go to jail.” He smiled, “I could never live with myself knowing you were being passed around like a pack of cigarettes.”

Marie chocked on her coffee, and Ansem just laughed. Sora was not amused.


“He’s so right though,” Naminé kicked her feet from where she was sitting on the porch railing. “You’d totally be everyone’s-”

“Naminé,” Aerith held a finger to her lips and the blonde just smiled, but she stopped talking. Sora sighed. He and his friends we sitting outside, it was nine o’clock, they were having ice cream for breakfast, going over the judge’s decision, and there was no sign of Riku.

“I think it works out great,” Aerith smiled, “This way you can be with your friends, and no one had to really lose anyone.”

A snort from Leon’s general direction informed her that someone disagreed with that statement, but she chose to ignore him.

“So, after ice cream, what do you want to do?” Yuffie asked sucking on one side of her ice cream bar.

“I should go by the flower shop…Axel’s working today. And lately he’s been bring ‘friends’ to talk to,” she sighed, “One guy was so startled when backed into a palm tree, he knocked over a table of azaleas trying to get away.”

Cloud and Yuffie laughed, “Wow what a ‘fraddie-cat he is.”

“Well, why you’re at the shop, I can show the gang around town. We can by the arcade-”

“Arcade? How lame…”

“It has quite a few games…plus a Para Para Machine,” Sora said offhandedly, but Cloud caught it, and so did Aerith who grabbed his arm.

“We should go to arcade! I haven’t done Para Para since the one machine in Traverse Town broke!”

“Yea, and you broke it, remember? You played it so much it crashed.” Cloud shook his head, “You’re not allowed on that thing.”

“How about we check out the beach?” Yuffie suggested.

“Too many tourist.”

“You guys could go to the island.” Naminé suggested. Sora looked at her confused. “You can take them. The cops took down all the barricades on Destiny Island. I’m sure you’ll even see Wakka and the others there.”

“What’s so great about Destiny Island?” Leon asked.

Sora smiled, “You’ll just have to see.” He stood up, “I’ll go get changed, and then we can go, ok?”

“We won’t be there long will we?” Aerith asked, “We don’t want you to break curfew on your first day.” Sora rolled his eyes and went inside without answering. Aerith got up to go after him, but Leon shook his head.

“Don’t worry, I’ll ask him,” he stood up and followed the younger teen into the house.

Once he closed the door, Leon stood very still and listened to the voices of his friends and Naminé or a moment before heading upstairs. He remembered from yesterday that Sora had told him his room was up there. He stopped at the top of the stairs and listened to the sound of someone moving around.

He made his way to the noise, and Sora’s door. He stood in the door way for a moment and watched him through clothes around and onto the floor.

“Messy as ever.” Sora jumped up and put a hand over his heart, Leon chuckled.

“You and Riku love scaring the crap outta me…” He went back to digging through his stuff.

“Hm, Riku…he does that often?”

“Yea, kind of…” Leon walked into the room, looked over his shoulder and closed the door a bit.

“And, he comes over often?”

“Not really,” Sora pulled out a blue tank top to wear and put it on his bed.”

“Oh…” Leon nudged a pile of junk with his foot. “So then, what kind of things does he teach you in the little time that he’s here?”

Sora looked up confused at Leon, who had an unreadable expression.

“Teach me….Oh, Leon,” Sora went back to looking for pants, “You aren’t taking Riku’s taunts seriously are you? He’s cocky. He talks a lot. He-” Sora stopped when Leon grabbed his wrist. He didn’t do it forcefully, it was just so, sudden. “…Leon?”

“He might be cocky, but he’s right…”

“Right? About what?” Leon didn’t answer, he just shook his head before letting go of Sora’s wrist and standing up. “…Leon?” He stood up after him, “What’s wrong?”

“…I hate your boyfriend. That’s what’s wrong.”

Sora lowered his head. “Is that why you came up here, to tell me you hated Riku? Do you hate him because he’s with me…or do you just hate him because he’s him?” He looked up, Leon shrugged but didn’t turn around.

“A little of both, I suppose.” Sora walked around to look at Leon’s face and smiled softly.

“Do you think…I stopped caring about you?” Leon didn’t answer, “I still think about you. I even told you in my last letter. I’m still crazy about you…it’s just…you’re not here. And I didn’t think, I’d ever see you again.”

“Well, I’m here now.” Leon smiled down at Sora who smiled back. He opened his mouth to say something, but didn’t get it out. Leon suddenly leaned down and captured Sora’s mouth with his own.

Just like with Riku, a million little alarm bells went off in Sora’s head. He backed away and covered his mouth. He face read shocked and confused, but Leon just drop to his knees and grabbed Sora’s shoulders. He pulled the boy close and inspected the hand.

“Move it,” he said. Sora shook his head. “Move it.”

Sora removed the hand, but only to talk, “Leon, I AM dating Riku, you being here or not doesn’t change that. And I will still be dating Riku when you leave,” he pleaded.

“I know. Which is why…we have to make use of the here and now,” He smiled and kissed Sora again. Sora raised his hands to push back from Leon, only to fall flat on his butt. He looked up at the other teen for a minute and shook his head. Leon still leaned forward for a another kiss, and yet another. Sora scooted away, his face red.

“M-my-my mother…” He looked around.

“So its you’re mother you’re worried about, now? What about Riku?”

“R-riku to-” Sora backed up into a wall, and Leon knelt in front of him on all fours. “L-leon…” He mumbled.

“…Just this once,” He reached out and stroked the side of Sora’s face, and the boy nearly immediately leaned into it. “Consider it a parting gift.”

“Part-ing? But-” Leon put a finger over Sora’s lips and shushed him. It occurred Sora there was no way out of this, and that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Though somewhere in the back of his mind, as he felt Leon’s lips and hands on him, he cried out for Riku.

Aerith tapped her foot on the porch, “I’m going to kill Leon….KILL Leon.”

Cloud backed up and stood next to Yuffie. “So, how much do you think he get done in,” He looked at his watch, “twenty minutes.”

“How much can who get done in twenty minutes?” The two spun around to see Riku standing behind them. “What’s up? Why are you guys just standing around?” Cloud and Yuffie exchanged looks. Aerith ignored him, but Naminé spoke up.

“Sora and Leon went into the house….and…Leon locked us all out.”

Riku stood blinking for a moment while slowly nodding, “I see…” he suddenly rushed the door and began banging on it wildly. “SORA! SORA!! OPEN THE DOOR!!”

Everyone stood and looked at him wide eyed as he began screaming and cursing the door and Leon. Cloud rushed up and grabbed him before he broke the thing. Yuffie had to help as he started kicking and throwing fist. As soon as Riku was removed from the door, it opened up to reveal a very calm looking Leon.

“What’s with you?” He walked out.

“YOU-”

“Leon,” Aerith cut Riku off, “Where were you?”

“Talking to Sora about what you asked me to, and some other things.” He turned around, “Right Sora?”

Riku looked behind Leon to spot a very red faced Sora, wearing the same outfit he was wearing the day that they met. His hair was neatly combed out and pinned down, but he wouldn’t look up.

“Right…” He mumbled and locked the door. Everyone stared at him as he turned around, “Let’s go.” He said without looking around. He walked right past Leon and up to Riku who looked like he was ready to give the two of them an earful until Soar planted a light kiss on his lips.

“We’re going to the island,” he extend his hand, “Coming?”

Riku looked form Leon and to Sora, he took the hand offered and returned the kiss.

“Of course.”